Blog - Lori Blank & Associates

24

Sep

Real Estate Tips

What Your Delivery Driver Might Know About a House That You Do Not

Homebuyers usually evaluate a property from their own perspective. They consider the commute, parking, layout, yard, and nearby amenities. But there is another perspective worth considering: the person trying to find and access your house for the first time. Thinking like a delivery driver can uncover practical issues that may otherwise go unnoticed during a showing. Is the House Easy to Find?Some addresses are surprisingly difficult to locate. House numbers may be small, poorly illuminated, hidden behind landscaping, or positioned where they cannot easily be seen from the street. Homes located down shared drives, private roads, or unusually configured developments…

23

Sep

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Why Two Identical Floor Plans Can Feel Like Completely Different Homes

Two homes can have the same square footage, the same number of bedrooms, and even the exact same floor plan, yet walking through them can feel completely different. Buyers sometimes assume that once they have seen one version of a particular layout, they know what another will be like. In reality, the blueprint is only part of what determines how a home feels. Window Placement Changes the ExperienceNatural light can dramatically influence how large and inviting a room feels.The same floor plan positioned differently on a lot may receive sunlight from completely different directions. One living room might feel bright…

22

Sep

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

What Happens to Your Street After Everyone Gets Home From Work?

A quiet residential street at 11 a.m. can be very appealing. Driveways are open, curbside parking is plentiful, and getting in and out of the neighborhood seems effortless. But that may not be the street you actually experience after moving in. Before buying a home, consider returning after the workday ends and seeing what happens when everyone comes home. Watch the Parking ChangeOne of the biggest differences may be street parking. During the day, many residents take their vehicles to work. By early evening, those cars are back. Households with several vehicles may fill their driveways and use curbside spaces…

21

Sep

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 21st, 2026

Expectations that the Federal Reserve would raise rates to combat significant inflation have come to pass, with a modest 0.25% increase in the rate. The Federal Reserve has stated that it remains committed to restoring inflation to its 2.0% target, which will likely include further rate increases in the future. The rest of the week featured a light economic calendar with very few impactful releases, leaving the Federal Reserve’s rate decision as the primary driver of market activity.FOMC Rate DecisionAt its September 15–16, 2026 FOMC meeting, the Federal Reserve raised the federal funds target range by 25 basis points, from…

17

Sep

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

The Five-Minute Test: What Happens When You Sit Quietly Inside a Home?

Most home showings involve constant movement. Buyers walk from room to room, open closets, discuss features, ask questions, and imagine where their furniture might go. With all that activity, it is easy to miss something surprisingly important: what the home sounds like. Before leaving a serious contender, try spending five minutes doing absolutely nothing. Stop Talking and Start ListeningChoose a room where you expect to spend significant time, such as the living room or primary bedroom. Put away the phone, stop discussing the house, and simply listen. You may suddenly notice road noise that disappeared beneath the conversation. Perhaps you can…

16

Sep

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Why You Should Visit a Home When the Neighbors Are Home

A home showing at 11 a.m. on a Wednesday can give you an excellent look at the property. It may not give you an accurate picture of the neighborhood. Many residents are at work, children are at school, vehicles are gone, and the street may be unusually quiet. Before buying, consider visiting again when the neighbors are actually home. Come Back After WorkA neighborhood can change considerably between afternoon and evening. When residents return from work, you may discover that street parking fills quickly or that several neighboring households have multiple vehicles. A street that seemed wide and open during…

15

Sep

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

What the Trash Cans Can Tell You About a Neighborhood Before You Buy

When evaluating a neighborhood, buyers often drive through looking at homes, yards, traffic, and nearby amenities. There is another surprisingly useful time to visit: trash collection day. It may not sound glamorous, but garbage and recycling day can reveal details about how a neighborhood functions that are easy to miss during a scheduled showing. Look at What Happens at the CurbPay attention to how trash and recycling are handled throughout the neighborhood. Are containers neatly placed at the curb, or are sidewalks and streets difficult to navigate? Overflowing containers, piles of discarded furniture, or trash regularly left outside designated areas…

14

Sep

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 14th, 2026

While CPI data has come in within expectations for current inflation, inflation remains much higher than in previous years. The rate is holding steady at 2.4%, which is above the Federal Reserve’s 2.0% target. There are sectors where cost has seen significant increase and has not been reflected in the CPI due to the more recent changes implemented by the Trump administration. Fuel costs, for example, have seen an upward year-over-year trend that has been exacerbated by the recent war in Iran. The Fed Beige Book and balance sheet have also shown steady growth and an upward trend as of…

11

Sep

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Why the Direction a Home Faces Can Matter More Than You Think

The direction a home faces may not be near the top of your house-hunting checklist, but orientation can influence much more than the view from the front door. Sunlight, indoor temperatures, outdoor spaces, landscaping, and even how certain rooms feel throughout the day can all be affected by the home's position. Paying attention to orientation during your search can help you find a property that better fits your preferences.Notice Where the Natural Light FallsThink about which rooms receive morning sunlight and which become brighter later in the day. A kitchen filled with morning light may appeal to one buyer, while…

10

Sep

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

How to Evaluate a Home’s Garage Before You Buy

A garage can be easy to treat as an afterthought when you are focused on kitchens, bedrooms, and living spaces. Once you own the home, however, the garage may become an important part of everyday life. Whether you plan to use it for vehicles, storage, hobbies, or a workspace, evaluating it carefully before buying can prevent frustrating surprises later. Make Sure Your Vehicles Actually FitA listing may describe a property as having a two-car or three-car garage, but that does not necessarily tell you how much usable space is available. Consider the width and depth of the garage as well…