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A well-known professional home stager, recently, decided to sell the 4,000+ square foot home which she lived in with her husband. It was certainly well maintained and by most standards, could have gone on the market immediately. However, she still went through a full staging effort before she listed the home. ...CONTINUE READING

A Seller's equity in their home is the difference between what the home is worth and what they owe. At any point in time, it is an estimation because value is a very subjective term. If the seller thinks the home is worth more than an actual buyer will pay for it, the estimated equity is too high. If a buyer is willing to pay more than the seller believes the home is worth, the estimated equity is too low. ...CONTINUE READING

Rents going up may not be pleasant to hear for tenants, but it could be music to your ears if you are an investor. ...CONTINUE READING

An interesting homeownership cycle begins with a starter home and progresses to larger and smaller homes throughout a person's lifetime. Within a few years after purchasing their initial home, they might move up to a little larger house. The reasons could be that they simply want a larger home and can afford it, or their increased family size may be motivating the move. ...CONTINUE READING

Some homeowners who could not afford to make their mortgage payments this past year have been relieved to find out that their mortgage servicer or lender allowed them to pause or possibly, reduce their payments for a limited period. While it does relieve the financial pressure, it is a temporary remedy. ...CONTINUE READING

Even in the current, low inventory housing market, sellers are resisting the urge to sell it themselves and still seeking the help of a real estate professional.  It may be more important than ever and there is too much at stake to risk going it alone. ...CONTINUE READING

Ask any real estate agent and they will tell you a similar sad story. The seller, whose home just hit the market, received an offer which was less than the list price, but felt secure their home would sell quickly and countered for more. For whatever reason, the buyer did not continue to negotiate and moved on. ...CONTINUE READING

For many people, their home is their largest asset and their best performing investment. The equity in a home is the difference in what it is worth and what is owed. Two dynamics, appreciation and unpaid balance, work in concert to make homeowner's equity grow. ...CONTINUE READING

It has been said that more money has been lost due to indecisions than ever was due to making the wrong decisions. Many times, the larger the decision, the more likely procrastination comes into play and doing nothing will cost something. ...CONTINUE READING

Stepped-up basis is an incredible benefit to people who inherit property. Not only do they receive the property itself, the basis or cost value of the property becomes the fair market value at the time of the decedent's death. This avoids recognizing the gain between the decedent's cost and what it is worth when it is inherited. ...CONTINUE READING