Lori Blank

26

Oct

Around The Home

Five Unique Renovations That Can Make Small Living Spaces Feel Bigger

Just because you live in a small space doesn't mean your home needs to feel cramped. There are several renovations that are popular among interior designers to make a space feel larger. Incorporate them into your own home to give it a more open, spacious feel. 1. Crystal Clear Glass is an absolutely phenomenal way to make a small space feel larger as it removes visual barriers to show off additional square footage, making it seem as though it's part of the room. Whether you choose a glass railing for a staircases or room divider or incorporate a glass shower…

25

Oct

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 25, 2021

Last week’s economic reporting included the National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Market Index reports on building permits issued and housing starts, The National Association of Realtors® reported on sales of previously owned homes, and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. NAHB: Builder Confidence Improves in September The National Association of Home Builders reported an index reading of 80 for its September Housing Market Index. Analysts expected September’s index reading to match August’s reading of 76. Builders continued to face supply chain challenges and labor shortages amid growing concerns over rising home prices and affordability…

22

Oct

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

Luxury Selling: How to Qualify Potential Buyers to Ensure They Can Afford Your Home

Luxury estates can be a challenge to sell. The more expensive a home is, the less potential buyers there are. The biggest hassle is going through the process with people who can't actually afford the home, only to have it fall apart at the last minute. Here are some ways to make sure the property is only being viewed by qualified buyers. Only Accept Offers From Buyers Who Are Pre-Qualified From A Lender One of the only ways to guarantee a buyer will be able to afford a luxury home is to let the bank do the work on your…

21

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Dealing With Stress Related To A Home Sale

Putting a house on the market can be a major life decision. Even though there might be a bit of a change during this time, there are ways to deal with the stress. Even though home showings, negotiations, and constant phone calls from real estate agents can be a lot to handle, there are a few tips for dealing with the stress. What do homeowners need to know if they are selling a home? Choose The Right Real Estate Agent First, homeowners must make sure they choose the right real estate agent. Think about the goals during the home sale.…

20

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Important Relationships During The Home Buying Process

Purchasing a home is an exciting time, but there is also a lot to manage. There are a lot of text messages, phone calls, and emails coming in. It is important for potential homeowners to keep them straight. Who are some of the most important people during the purchase process? The Real Estate Team First, there are going to be a lot of important people on the real estate side of this transaction. Every home buyer should work with a real estate agent who can help them assess the market, arrange showings, and find the right home. There might also…

19

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Taking A Look At The Current Real Estate Market

The law of supply and demand governs every area of the economy. The law is relatively straightforward. If there is more demand than there is supply, prices should be expected to rise. If there is more supply than there is demand, prices should be expected to fall. The same is true with houses, which have been rising quickly in price during the past year. Why is this the case, and what does this mean for the future? Housing Prices Are Going Up It should come as no surprise that houses are going up quickly. The biggest reason why the prices…

18

Oct

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 18, 2021

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation, core inflation, and minutes of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting held on September 22 and 23. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. September’s Consumer Price Index rose by 0.10 percent to 0.40 percent. The Core Consumer Price Index for September, which excludes volatile food and fuel sectors, rose by 0.10 percent to 0.20 percent and fell short of the expected reading of 0.30 percent growth. Feds’ FOMC Meeting Minutes: Policymakers Consider Tapering Securities Purchases Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held September 21…

15

Oct

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

Selling Your Home? Don’t Skip These 3 Essential Steps or Your Sale Will Suffer

If you want to sell your home quickly — and for the most profit — you can't just list it and cross your fingers. Successful sales are well-planned sales, and there are several ways in which you can make sure your own home sale turns out as you'd like it to. 1. Know Your Target Market What kind of people are buying homes in your area? Is your neighborhood popular among new families, retirees, young singles? Do a little research to see what type of buyers are typically attracted to the area, and figure out how your home caters to…

14

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

The Top Ways To Add Storage To A Home

There are many homeowners who are looking for help with storage. Even after moving in, many homeowners still have a lot of items they need to get rid of and this is where built-in storage solutions can be helpful. Even though some storage options might be pricey, there are inexpensive options available as well. Take a look at a few solutions below, and improve the storage situation. Use Space Under the Stairs One option that many homeowners overlook is the space under the stairs. If there is a second story, there may be an area under the staircase that looks…

13

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

What Potential Homebuyers Need To Know About Buying Their First Homes

It is exciting to purchase a house for the first time, but this is also a major financial decision. Therefore, potential homebuyers need to make sure they are prepared. What do potential homeowners need to know about purchasing a home for the first time? Learn more about this process below. Ask For Help From A Real Estate Agent First-time home buyers always need to ask for help from a real estate agent. A real estate agent can help someone identify potential issues with a home that might have otherwise been overlooked. A real estate agent can also make sure potential…