HGTV and home renovation shows may be entertaining, but they’re not always accurate. In particular, most of them skip over the important ways real estate agents can help homeowners.
In the real world, agents play a huge role in home purchases, sales and even flips.
Are you planning to make a real estate move this year? Here are just a few of the ways an agent can help make the experience a success.
Experience and Local Knowledge
Agents know how to draw up your contracts, handle the paperwork and save you valuable time (which is vital in today’s busy market). We also have on-the-ground knowledge of the local market, which can help you better evaluate properties, make offers and negotiate pricing.
Negotiation Skills and Key Partners
Experienced agents also know how to negotiate successfully and can leverage inspection results, sales reports and other data to get you the best bang for your buck — whether you’re buying or selling.
Working with an agent also provides access to deep professional networks, which comes in handy when it’s time to find an inspector, contractor, financial adviser, mortgage lender, real estate attorney and other partners on your journey.
The Bottom Line
Finally, agents know all about home values — as well as what features, amenities and styles can increase your property value down the line. 
There’s no need to navigate a stressful, complex and high-stakes process alone when you could have a knowledgeable and compassionate agent working on your behalf.
Do you want help with your next home sale, purchase or fix-and-flip? Get in touch today.

​The housing market typically slows down in the fall, so if you’re thinking of selling in the near future, it may take a little more effort to stand out from the crowd.
Knowing what buyers want and making a few smart updates can help make your home more marketable and improve your selling price.
Are you considering a home sale soon? Here’s what potential buyers might be looking for this fall:
Safety Features
You might consider upgrading your garage door, adding an alarm system or repairing your fence. Anything that improves the safety and security of your home is an automatic value-add.
Energy-Efficient Enhancements
Making your home more energy-efficient has a two-fold benefit: It helps the environment and cuts down on utility bills. Most buyers are happy to pay extra for both.
Plenty of Storage 
Storage space is always worth a premium. If you can, find ways to add additional storage to your property before listing it, maybe with a set of garage shelves, a closet system or a more streamlined pantry.
Functional Fun
Can you make your home more enjoyable? This might mean adding an outdoor kitchen, building a theater room or installing a small fire pit in the backyard. As we’ve learned over the last several months, outdoor areas are practically essential.
Health-Forward Add-Ons 
Homes equipped with no-touch faucets, mudrooms, air filtration systems and other health and comfort-focused items are sure to align with modern buyers’ needs. 
Of course, it’s always important to keep up with your home’s general maintenance and perform any major repairs that may be necessary as well. 
Need more guidance about selling your home? Get in touch today.

Are you thinking about selling your home? 
Supply is low and demand is high right now, which means many sellers are seeing quick turnarounds and healthy profits.
Still, despite the hot market, selling a home isn’t easy. If you want the experience to be as smooth as possible, prepping early and enlisting help are key. 
Want to make sure you’re primed for a fast and profitable home sale? Here’s what you can do:
Focus on curb appeal. Curb appeal can make a huge difference, so spend time painting the shutters, power-washing the exterior and tidying up the landscaping to make sure your home catches buyers’ eyes.
Declutter and clean. Pare down your belongings and get the house looking cleaner than ever. You want it to be pristine for any listing photos and videos.
Have an exit plan. Showings can be tricky, especially if you have kids or pets. Make sure you have a plan for how you’ll keep the home clean, and know where you’ll go when a showing is scheduled.
Know your next steps. Where will you go after you sell? In a hot market, it may be hard to find a home to buy right away. Make sure you have a backup plan, like a friend’s house or a rental you can use in the meantime.
Prep for the costs. Selling isn’t free. You’ll need to budget for things like repairs, upgrades, staging costs and commissions. If you’re buying a new home, you’ll have additional costs, too.
Do you need help with your sale or want to find out how much your home is worth? Reach out today.