Blog

30
May
By Lori Blank
Home Selling Tips

How to Stage a Home Without Furniture Using Creative Tricks with Lighting, Scent, and Small Details

Selling a home without furniture can be challenging. Empty rooms can feel cold, echoey, and impersonal, making it difficult for buyers to picture themselves living there. While full-scale staging can work wonders, it’s not always in the budget or timeline. The good news? You can create warmth, character, and connection using a few simple tricks.Here is how to make a vacant house feel like a welcoming home, no furniture required. 1. Start with Lighting That SpeaksNothing makes a home feel empty faster than dim, harsh, or unflattering lightning. Good lighting instantly boosts warmth and comfort. Replace outdated or dark bulbs…
Read More
29
May
By Lori Blank
Home Seller Tips

How a Bad Buyers Agent Can Hurt Your Sale and How to Protect Your Deal

When selling your home, you put your trust in your own real estate agent to price it right, market it well, and guide you through negotiations. But what many sellers don’t realize is that the buyer’s agent, someone you didn’t hire, can also impact your success. And unfortunately, if that agent is inexperienced, unresponsive, or unprofessional, it could hurt your sale more than you think. Let’s break down how a bad buyer’s agent can complicate your sale, and how to protect your deal from falling apart. Poor Communication Can Derail the TimelineA great transaction depends on clear, timely communication between…
Read More
28
May
By Lori Blank
Home Seller Tips

Why a Messy Neighbor Can Kill a Sale (And What Sellers Can Legally Do About It)

When you're preparing to sell your home, you likely focus on everything within your property line, cluttering, staging, repainting, and boosting curb appeal. But what if the one thing standing between you and a solid offer is not your house at all? It might be your neighbor.From overgrown yards and peeling paint to broken-down vehicles and loud pets, a messy or unkempt neighboring property can have a major impact on your sale when buyers are forming their first impressions before they even walk in your door. First Impressions Extend Beyond the Property LineReal estate is emotional. Buyers don’t just purchase…
Read More
27
May
By Lori Blank
Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 27th, 2025

Despite the recent pause on tariffs for Europe and progressing talks with China, the economic outlook remains largely negative across all sectors and markets. Although this week was relatively light on economic reports, the most notable was the Leading Economic Indicators, which showed a significant decline in every measurable category for April. This decline is largely attributed to the tariff policies implemented recently. Overall, the outlook remains pessimistic, despite other markets showing a more favorable reaction to the recent pauses on tariffs. U.S. Leading Economic Indicators The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US fell sharply by 1.0%…
Read More
26
May
By Lori Blank
Holidays

Honoring Our Heroes and Celebrating the Meaning of Home

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage, sacrifice, and commitment to freedom have made it possible for all of us to pursue our dreams, including the dream of home ownership.What Home Truly MeansHome is more than four walls and a roof, more than a place to lay your head at night, it is where memories are made, milestones are reached, and futures are built. It is the front porch where your friends and neighbors gather, the backyard where barbecues bring families together, and the…
Read More
23
May
By Lori Blank
Real Estate Tips

Inspecting Foreclosures Before You Buy

If you have been thinking about investing in a foreclosure property, you will want to make sure the home you choose does not have major hidden issues. Before hiring a professional inspector, you can do a preliminary check by looking out for some of these common problem areas: CeilingsCeilings are typically made of plaster or plasterboard. Keep an eye out for: Cracks, holes, or uneven areas Dampness or mold growth Crumbling surfaces Bulging or cracked spots WallsWalls may show similar signs of damage as ceilings, but also look for: Loose skirting boards Dampness or rot Discoloration, blisters, or peeling wallpaper…
Read More
22
May
By Lori Blank
Mortgage Tips

Should You Get a 15-Year Mortgage?

There are a lot of financing options available to help you purchase real estate, especially if you meet credit guidelines. Most lenders prefer to offer 30-year mortgage loans. With a longer loan term, they collect more money in interest over the life of the loan, but if you have strong credit, a 15-year mortgage may be a better option, and one worth considering. Here's a breakdown of the two: What About a 30-Year Mortgage?Thirty-year mortgages are the most common option for homebuyers. Monthly payments are typically more affordable, which is why lenders frequently recommend them. You may even qualify for…
Read More
21
May
By Lori Blank
Real Estate Tips

What Do Points Have to Do With Real Estate?

You may have heard of points when looking for real estate. Maybe your loan officer told you that you can trade points for a better interest rate. That sounds good, but just what are points? We'll give you a better idea of just what points are and how they work. What Are Points?Points, more specifically discount points, are a percentage of the total loan amount for the house that is pre-paid to the lender. Each point is worth one percent. Your lender may offer a lower interest rate for your mortgage loan if you buy discount points.  What do Discount…
Read More
20
May
By Lori Blank
Home Buyer Tips

How To Save Money Moving Into Your New Home

Moving into a new home is exciting, but it can also come with unexpected expenses that quickly add up. Between packing supplies, transportation, and time off work, costs can spiral before you even settle in. But with a bit of planning and resourcefulness, you can cut down on unnecessary spending and keep more cash in your pocket.Plan Ahead and Get CreativeThe key to saving money during a move is preparation. Start gathering your moving supplies weeks in advance. The closer you get to moving day, the more likely you are to overspend in a panic.Save Money on BoxesBoxes may seem…
Read More
19
May
By Lori Blank
Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 19th, 2025

The latest inflation data has been released, offering insight into the near-term impact of the recent tariff measures. The results indicate that despite deflationary pressure on the economy, inflation continues to trend upward with the recent, ongoing tariff wars. While the tariffs have been temporarily suspended, their effects are already being felt—consumers are experiencing price increases, and retailers have already been positioning themselves to increase prices due to the impacts of the tariff policies. While wholesale and producer inflation has seen a modest decline, this was expected as the market adjusts to the shifting economic landscape. Economists broadly predict that…
Read More