Housing decisions are never small. Where you choose to live impacts your budget, your job prospects and your social life. 
And in the future, your home plays a major role in what your retirement might look like (financially and logistically). 
For these reasons, housing decisions require plenty of careful consideration.
Want to be prepared to make the right choice when the time comes? Start here.
1. Should you build or buy? 
Both building a new home or buying an existing one can be good choices. You’ll typically pay more for a new home, but it will likely need fewer repairs and have lower maintenance costs. 
Existing homes, on the other hand, are usually cheaper upfront. They may come with more issues and potential repairs, though.
2. Is it better to move or to remodel? 
There will typically come a time when you outgrow your first house. When this happens, you’ll need to decide whether updating (or expanding) that property is best or if you’re better off finding a new home instead. 
Renovating will come with some hassle and mess, but if you love your location or your kids’ schools, it can be a smart choice. Buying a new property would allow you to change some of those foundational aspects — things like location, school district and community amenities.
3. Is it time to downsize? 
As you age and your kids move out, you might consider a smaller house. Downsizing can reduce your monthly costs, free up cash flow and reduce the amount of cleaning and maintenance you need to do. 
On the other hand, it may be hard to part with your long-standing home — both for you and your grown children. You’ll also want to think about things like your budget, long-term retirement plans, physical comfort and more.
Need help making a big housing decision? We’re here for you. Get in touch today to discuss your options. 

Making the right offer is crucial when you have your eye on a home. 
Offer too little, and you may get passed over for the next buyer. Offer too much, and you may need to reevaluate your budget for furnishings or upgrades. This can be one of the most challenging parts of buying a new property. 
Want to make sure you have a strong offer at a price you can afford? Here’s when you might offer above, below and at the listing price.

• At List Price: A home that's within your budget, move-in ready and comes with all the amenities you want could be worth an offer at the listing price. But you'll want to make sure there's not much competition for the property.
  
  
• Below List Price: Does the home need serious work? If so, you may want to offer below the selling price. In this case, bidding less money could free up cash for future repairs and necessary upgrades. You can also try a lower offer if there are tons of homes listed in your area (but little demand for them). Get in touch to learn about the properties for sale in your desired neighborhood.
  
  
• Above List Price: You may want to go beyond listing price if you're in a particularly active market or you know you're up against several buyers. Together, we can determine what other homes in the area are going for, and we'll make sure your best offer aligns with those bids.

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Ready for a new home (and don't want to overspend)? Reach out today, and we can begin looking for a property that's perfect for you and your family.

Your paint choices have a significant impact on your home. 
Not only can color determine your living space's overall aesthetic, but it can also influence your mood and set the right tone for your guests.
Do you want your space to feel comfy and serene or trendy and dramatic? Or maybe your family's style is somewhere in between. 
Here are five color inspirations that can enhance your mood and your home.

• Inspired by Nature: Are you spending a lot of time indoors? Consider adding more natural elements. Shades of sunny yellow, soft brown and deep green can open up your space and make it feel more calming.
  
  
• Uplifting Hues: Trendy tones — like Pantone's Ultimate Gray and Illuminating — make a statement. Or you could use Benjamin Moore's Aegean Teal as an accent color or to add light and vibrancy to an entire room.
  
  
• Rich Jewel Tones: Do you want an elegant and luxurious aesthetic? Bold magenta, deep blue and royal purple can help you create more dramatic spaces.
  
  
• Classic Neutrals: Use deep gray or soft taupe to create a clean, minimalistic palette. And the best part? These colors are timeless and pair well with nearly any home decor. 
  
  
• Warm and Cozy: Encourage feelings of warmth and positivity with desert-inspired hues such as rust and soft pink. A soothing color, like apricot, could be perfect in a bedroom or nursery.  

The right color palette can evoke the feelings you want in your home. Need more help choosing your tone and style? Reach out today for a recommendation or to look for a new space to make your own.

Equity — or the share of your property you actually own — is a benefit to any homeowner. For one, it means more profits when it’s time to sell. On top of that, it can also give you cash when you need it — either through a refinance or home equity loan. 
Fortunately, building equity can be easy. Every month you increase your home equity by making your mortgage payment. 
If you want to build your equity even further, there are several ways to do it, including: 

• Buying in an up-and-coming market. If home values in your neighborhood start to rise, so will your property value. That can mean more equity, too.
  
  
• Increasing your down payment. The more you put down, the less your lender will need to loan you, and the larger your equity stake will be.
  
  
• Paying more on your mortgage. Putting extra toward your mortgage loan — either each month or a few times a year — can help you pay down your balance and increase your share. Consider putting your annual tax refund toward your loan to really make a dent.
  
  
• Renovating your home. Anything that improves your home’s value also increases your equity. Choose your projects wisely, and reach out if you need some help getting started.
  
  
• Refinancing your loan. With a short-term loan, like a 15-year, you can pay down your balance faster (and sometimes get a lower rate as well). This can help you build equity more quickly.

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Do you have questions about home equity? Or are you planning to buy or sell property this year? Reach out today.

If your New Year’s resolution is to improve your health and wellness, your home can inspire you to do it. In fact, your living space plays a significant role in your overall well-being. 
A room dedicated to workouts can motivate you to reach your goals. And healthy, clean air and elements inspired by nature can make your home feel more open and calming.
Are you hoping to make some improvements in 2021? Check out these five home amenities. 

• Air Filtration System: This can improve your air quality by reducing allergens and bacteria. Regular HVAC maintenance can also ensure cleaner air in your home.
  
  
• Indoor Garden: Are you planning to focus on your mental health? Adding a calming indoor garden, a Zen garden or even just a few plants can help. Some plants can improve air quality, too, including English ivy and spider plants.
  
  
• Home Gym: It could be as simple as adding a treadmill to an empty corner or as elaborate as converting an entire room into a workout area. If you’re tight on space, consider compact fitness equipment, like a yoga mat, resistance bands or free weights. 
  
  
• Touchless Upgrades: Faucets, light switches, trash cans and door locks are high-contact surfaces. Replacing them with touchless alternatives can help you minimize contact with germs in your home.
  
  
• Nonporous Countertops: Certain materials are more porous than others, allowing germs and mildew to be absorbed into the surface. Sealing them or replacing them with a nonporous option, such as quartz, may help you reduce the spread of bacteria in areas like your kitchen and bathrooms.

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If your current property doesn’t inspire wellness, get in touch today. Together, we’ll find a home that better fits your goals.

An offer on your home moves you one step closer to the finish line in the selling process. And if you’re lucky, you’ll receive multiple offers from a range of bidders. 
The highest bid is the obvious choice, right? Not necessarily. Here’s what to consider before moving forward on an offer:

Focus on your priorities. Take this step early, before any offers roll in. Make a list of what’s most important to you in the sale of your home, like a tight moving deadline or your financial needs. Are there any requests that would make an offer a deal breaker for you? 

Review the contingencies. Now that you’ve established your top priorities, determine your bidders’ conditions for the sale. Common contingencies for potential buyers include a property appraisal and a home inspection. 

Compare earnest money amounts. People who are interested in purchasing your home need to show you that their offer is made in good faith. An earnest money deposit proves the buyer is serious about the transaction. The more money they put into the deposit, the more likely they are to be able to back it up with financing.

Be aware of unusual requests. A bidder could ask you to make unnecessary repairs or leave all your appliances in the home for them. Their offer might be high, but if something unusual interferes with your top priorities, it might be best to move on to another option. Together, we’ll carefully read over their requests and discuss any questions or concerns you may have.
Are you ready to get a great offer on your home? Get in touch today.

Updating your kitchen can be a smart way to increase your home's worth. In fact, Remodeling Magazine named a minor kitchen renovation one of the best projects to take on this year — and upgrading your countertops is a good place to start. 
The right countertop can add aesthetic and resale value to your home and improve your space's functionality. 
Which of these five materials do you like best?
Quartz: These countertops are low maintenance and nonporous, meaning they won't soak up moisture or hold bacteria. Quartz is also quite popular and may attract more buyers to your home when it comes time to sell.

Set up an at-home school zone that will ensure your child has the best remote learning experience possible.

​By Jenn Ryan

Children often work best when they have the structure of a separate area that they associate with school time. While little ones often prefer to be near their parents and may require more flexible learning spaces (such as a kitchen island or coffee table), older children may do well working at a desk in their room. If space is tight, consider a folding table or even a lap desk as a workstation for your child. The area should be quiet, clean, and unless your child is watching a specific program for class, keep the TV off.
Photo: istockphoto.com

Virtual home tours have quickly become the new norm. Sellers and agents now rely on digital tools, and many are skipping the traditional open house and opting for tours via video platforms.

But for buyers, there’s more uncertainty. Can you really judge a home from a screen?

​Surprisingly, you can — as long as you prepare. 
Are you gearing up for a home search? Want to make the most of your virtual tours?  
Download the app. Will the tour be livestreamed on social media? Or will you need to log in to a new platform? Install the right app and do a practice run with a friend.
Research the home. Go beyond the listing description. Look at every photo, drive by in your car, explore the neighborhood and pull up property records. Reach out if you're unsure how to find this info.
Get the floor plan. Print the home’s floor plan and keep it on hand during the tour. This will help you understand where you’re at in the house (and gauge the size of each room) as you move through the property.
Pay attention to details. Ask to see areas the agent hasn’t shown. How big are the closets? What’s the view outside the windows? You can even ask to walk around the yard or up the street virtually.  
Write down questions. If your tour is one-on-one and in real time, you can ask questions as you go. If it’s a group open house or a prerecorded video, you’ll want to write down your questions, then we can discuss them together.
Adapting to the changing market is easier when you have a partner in your corner. Ready to make your next move? Get in touch today.

Summer is usually the perfect time to buy or sell a home. And for some people, it still is. After all, there are few things more welcoming than warm weather and fresh flowers blooming in the front yard.

But maybe you're waiting to enter the market. That’s okay too. There are plenty of ways you can use this time to your advantage.

If you’re considering buying or selling later this year or next, here are five things you can do in the meantime.

Get your finances in order. Take stock of your accounts, assets and debts, and pull your free credit report. Make sure you’re in good standing to qualify for a loan and make a down payment.

Watch the market. Keep an eye on local home sales where you’re considering buying. This can give you an idea of what you might spend on a home — or how you should price yours when you list it.

Save up for moving expenses. Moving isn’t cheap — especially if you’re going a far distance. Start saving for your movers, trucks, packing supplies and more.

Talk to a mortgage lender. Start zeroing in on which lender you might want to go with, and make sure you understand the requirements you’ll need to meet to get a loan. You may also want to get preapproved before beginning your home search.

Prioritize your needs. If spending more time at home has made you reconsider your living space, take the time to figure out exactly what you’re looking for in a new home. Then we can discuss your options together. 

For more ways to prepare for buying or selling a home, get in touch today.