Selling a home can be a thrilling yet challenging endeavor, akin to starring in your own real estate drama. As the curtains rise and potential buyers take their seats, the spotlight is on your property. How do you ensure a standing ovation? The answer lies in the art of home staging – the transformative practice that turns your home into a show-stopping masterpiece. In this blog post, we'll explore the importance of home staging with a touch of flair and professionalism, unveiling the three key reasons why it's not just a fancy extra but an absolute necessity in the grand production of selling your home.

1. The First Impression Extravaganza

Imagine you're heading to the theater to catch a new blockbuster. The moment you step into the lobby,…

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If you've ever dreamed of buying your own place, or selling your current house to upgrade, you're no stranger to the rollercoaster of emotions changing home prices can stir up. It's a tale of financial goals, doubts, and a dash of anxiety that many have been through.

But if you put off moving because you’re worried home prices might drop, make no mistake, they’re not going down. In fact, it's just the opposite. National data from several sources says they’ve been going up consistently this year (see graph below):

 


Here’s what this graph shows. In the first half of 2022, home prices rose significantly (the green bars on the left side of the graphs above). Those increases were dramatic and unsustainable.

So, in the second half of the…

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Some Highlights

  • If you're wondering what’s happening with home prices, know they’re still rising, just at a slower pace – and that’s perfectly normal for this time of year.  
  • Based on typical seasonality in the market, prices go up most in the spring during the peak buying season, and then price growth slows down as the year goes on.
  • Home prices aren’t falling. They’re just rising slower and going back to normal seasonal trends. That’s a good thing. If you're curious about prices in our area, let’s connect.

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If you're considering selling your house right now, it's likely because something in your life has changed. And while things like mortgage rates play a big role in your decision, you don’t want that to overshadow why you thought about making a move in the first place.

It’s true mortgage rates are higher right now, and that has an impact on affordability. As a result, some homeowners are deciding they’ll wait to sell because they don’t want to move and have a higher mortgage rate on their next home.

But your lifestyle and your changing needs matter, too. As a recent article from Realtor.com says:

“No matter what interest rates and home prices do next, sometimes homeowners just have to move—due to a new job, new baby, divorce, death, or…

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In today's world of rising housing costs, many buyers are looking for ways to still be able to buy a home. Some of them have found a solution in multi-generational living.

Multi-generational living is when two or more adult generations live together under one roof. This includes siblings, parents, or even grandparents. Here’s an in-depth look at why more buyers are choosing this option today, so you can see if it may be right for you too.

Reasons To Buy a Multi-Generational Home

According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the top two reasons people are opting for multi-generational homes today have to do with affordability (see graph below):


Cost Savings: About 28% of first-time buyers and 11% of…

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How does a 2-1 buydown help the seller and buyer? We dive into that in this video, how a 2-1 buydown works, what it means for interest rates and much more. Check it out and let us know here at the Brookings Home Team how we can help YOU! Or reach out to Justin Froiland with Guaranteed Rate Mortgage to hear more information directly from him.   We are the Brookings Home Team, how can we serve YOU?

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Some Highlights

  • When deciding between buying a home or renting, think about these three important factors.
  • Buying a home means avoiding rising rents, owning a tangible and valuable asset, and growing your wealth over time.
  • If you’re ready to enjoy the advantages of owning a home, let’s connect to discuss your options.

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Take a moment to imagine where you want to be in a few years. You might be thinking about your job, money, wanting more stability, or goals you want to reach soon. Is homeownership a part of that vision? If it is, you should know owning a home has a whole lot of financial benefits.

One of the many reasons to buy a home is that it’s a great way to build wealth and gain financial stability. That’s because the value of most homes increases over time, which in turn grows your net worth. Here’s how home values are rising right now. According to Zillow:

“The total value of the U.S. housing market – the sum of Zillow’s estimated value for every U.S. home – is now slightly less than $52 trillion, which is $1.1 trillion higher than the previous peak…

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Are you ready to take the plunge into the exciting world of homeownership? Congratulations! The journey to buying your first home is an exhilarating one, filled with dreams of cozy living spaces, decorating ideas, and imagining the memories you'll create. However, this adventure also comes with its fair share of challenges and obstacles to overcome. But fear not, dear first-time home buyers! With the right knowledge and guidance, you can tackle these pain points and emerge victorious in your quest for the perfect abode.

  1. Financial Fitness: The Down Payment Dilemma

Obstacle 1: The High Price of Entry

One of the most significant hurdles for first-time home buyers is saving for the down payment. It's like trying to win a race with a lead…

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