If you’re taking a look at your expenses as you retire, saving money where you can has a lot of appeal. One long-standing, popular way to do that is by downsizing to a smaller home.

When you think about cutting down on your spending, odds are you think of frequent purchases, like groceries and other goods. But when you downsize your house, you often end up downsizing the bills that come with it, like your mortgage payment, energy costs, and maintenance requirements. Realtor.com shares:

“A smaller home typically means lower bills and less upkeep. Then there’s the potential windfall that comes from selling your larger home and buying something smaller.”

That windfall is thanks to your home equity. If you’ve been in your house for a while,…

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If you’re gearing up to sell your house this spring, one of the early conversations you’ll have with your agent is about how much access you want to give buyers. And you may not realize just how important it is to make your house easy to tour.

Spring is the peak homebuying season, so opening up your house to as many showings as possible can really help you capitalize on all the extra buyer activity we see at this time of year.

Since buyer competition ramps up in the spring, buyers are going to want to move fast to see your house once they find your listing. And, if they see it and fall in love with it at a time they know they’re competing with other buyers, you may be more likely to get the offer you’re looking for on your home.

It’s…

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21171 462nd Ave, Volga, SD

Open House

  • Property Video
  • Lifestyle Video
  • Description
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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 6 BEDROOMS 3.25 BATHROOMS 1.06 acres Lot

Welcome to this stunning ranch home nestled in a serene and secluded location, offering the perfect blend of tranquility and comfort. Boasting over 3100 square feet of finished living space, this meticulously maintained residence, constructed in 2007, presents an ideal retreat for those seeking modern amenities, and breathtaking views.Situated on a sprawling 1.06-acre lot, this property offers a rare opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature while still conveniently located close to Volga &…

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211 58th Ave, Brookings, SD

Open House

  • Property Video
  • Lifestyle Video
  • Description
  • Photos
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  • Real Estate Reports for Home Owners, Sellers & Buyers!
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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 4 BEDROOMS 2.75 BATHROOMS 2 acres Lot

Country living at it's BEST! Don't pass up the opportunity to own this delightful 4 bedroom, 3 bath multi-level home that is nestled on 2 acres just minutes from the vibrant city of Brookings. The master suite boasts a generously sized bedroom adorned with a vaulted ceiling, walk-in closet, bath with jetted tub and walk-in shower. Outside, the property offers a 12 x 22 detached garage, dog kennel and storage shed. The house and garage was re-shingled in 2022.…

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It’s a seller's marking this spring so you’re going to want to be prepared to put in a competitive offer to increase your chances of landing a new home. Watch this video to learn a few tips and give us a call at the Brookings Home Team – we’re here to serve YOU!

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There’s been a lot of recession talk over the past couple of years. And that may leave you worried we’re headed for a repeat of what we saw back in 2008. Here’s a look at the latest expert projections to show you why that isn’t going to happen.  

According to Jacob Channel, Senior Economist at LendingTree, the economy’s pretty strong:

“At least right now, the fundamentals of the economy, despite some hiccups, are doing pretty good. While things are far from perfect, the economy is probably doing better than people want to give it credit for.”

That might be why a recent survey from the Wall Street Journal shows only 39% of economists think there’ll be a recession in the next year. That’s way down from 61% projecting a recession just one…

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If you want to buy a home, you should know your credit score is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage. Lenders review your credit to see if you typically make payments on time, pay back debts, and more. Your credit score can also help determine your mortgage rate. An article from US Bank explains:

“A credit score isn’t the only deciding factor on your mortgage application, but it’s a significant one. So, when you’re house shopping, it’s important to know where your credit stands and how to use it to get the best mortgage rate possible.”

That means your credit score may feel even more important to your homebuying plans right now since mortgage rates are a key factor in affordability. According to…

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Some Highlights

  • If you’re looking to buy a home in 2024, getting pre-approved is a key piece of the puzzle. Mortgage pre-approval means a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow.
  • As more buyers re-enter the market, it’ll help you make a strong offer that stands out from the crowd.
  • Talk to a trusted professional to learn more and begin your homebuying process today.

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If you’re holding out hope that the housing market is going to crash and bring home prices back down, here’s a look at what the data shows. And spoiler alert: that’s not in the cards. Instead, experts say home prices are going to keep going up.

Today’s market is very different than it was before the housing crash in 2008. Here’s why.

It’s Harder To Get a Loan Now – and That’s Actually a Good Thing

It was much easier to get a home loan during the lead-up to the 2008 housing crisis than it is today. Back then, banks had different lending standards, making it easy for just about anyone to qualify for a home loan or refinance an existing one.

Things are different today. Homebuyers face increasingly higher standards from mortgage…

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When it comes to buying a home, your credit score matters. Here are 3 things you can focus on to help improve your score:

1.       Your payment history

2.       Your debt amount

3.       Credit applications

After cleaning up those things, you’ll be on your way to a better score and hopefully a better home!

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