County breaks ground on Valley Hi expansion
November 17, 2023
WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County officials broke ground on a new memory care wing for Valley Hi Nursing & Rehabilitation, and presented nursing home staff with their recently earned national award for quality service.After years of planning and multiple feasibility studies demonstrating the need for affordable and certified memory care in McHenry County, the Oct. 18 groundbreaking ...
Tips for buyers - Buying a Home in Today's Market
November 16, 2023
2023 home buying is not like past years! Mortgage rates have gone from 3% to 7%, lack of inventory of move in ready homes and mortgage rates are the biggest obstacles for many buyers. It's a unique market. This is what you need to prepare and compete. First step - get your finances ...
Best Value Add Improvements
November 15, 2023
When thinking about adding value to a home, it's important to consider the cost of the improvement and how much value will be added to the home. I put together a list of projects that typically add the best value return or "return on investment (ROI).Kitchen Remodel: The kitchen is often considered the heart of ...
Thanksgiving Safety Tips
November 15, 2023
Turkey day is just around the corner. What are your favorite family traditions? Do you stay home and cook a festive meal or head out to a family/friends home for the day? No matter what your plans are for Thanksgiving, here are a few safety tips to make sure you have a great day.HOLIDAY FIRE ...
Addressing the Needs of Clients With Disabilities
November 15, 2023
Oftentimes we serve clients who are challenged with disabilities. Unfortunately serveral homes are not currently equipped to address the needs of disabled clients. Below is a list of resources that can help such clients with home modifications to facilitate their needs (these resources are provided courtesy of an article on Rocket Homes):Rural housing repair loans and grants ...
Prepare your home for winter weather!
November 14, 2023
How to prepare your home for winter weather:1. Clean your gutters. ...2. Recaulk your windows and doors. ...3. Get your roof inspected. ...4. Reverse your ceiling fans. ...5. Get your chimney inspected. ...6. Drain the fuel from your small gas-powered engines. ...7. Tune up your home's systems. ...8. Cut back tree branches....
Don't Let Your Pipes Freeze
November 13, 2023
Don't Let Your Pipes FreezeBy Tom Nelson, HUD LLB-Real Estate One-Rochester, MIBuying a HUD Property Series November 2023Winter is just around the corner and in much of the country this means temperatures below freezing. With those cold temperatures comes the risk of frozen pipes. This leads to a great expense, mess and delay in using your ...
7 First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes To Avoid
November 13, 2023
Embarking on the journey of buying your first home is an exciting endeavor. However, amid the excitement, it’s easy to stumble into common pitfalls that many first-time homebuyers encounter. From overlooking crucial details to underestimating financial aspects, these missteps can turn what should be an exciting milestone into a stressful experience. In this short guide, we’ll look ...
VA Loans to bring Home Ownership to many people
November 10, 2023
VA loans offer a unique opportunity for eligible individuals to achieve homeownership with favorable terms. This government-backed loan program is available to active duty personnel, veterans, national guard members, reserve members, and eligible spouses.One of the key advantages of VA loans is that they can be used for both first-time homebuyers and repeat homebuyers. Whether you're purchasing ...
Top 10 Roadblocks for the Real Estate Market in 2024
November 09, 2023
By: Melissa Dittmann TraceyThe Counselors of Real Estate releases its annual list of the hot-button issues for the industry in the year ahead.Global unrest, economic uncertainty and eroding home affordability are among the top issues facing the real estate industry over the next year, according to The Counselors of Real Estate’s annual report, “Top 10 Issues ...
3 benefits of buying a home when interest rates are high
November 08, 2023
https://moneywise.com/real-estate/benefits-of-buying-a-home-when-interest-rates-are-high3 benefits of buying a home when interest rates are highWhile rising interest rates affect overall affordability, there are a few surprising advantages a cooling market.We adhere to strict standards of editorial integrity to help you make decisions with confidence. Please be aware that some (or all) products and services linked in this article are from our ...
They took her chickens and red-tagged her homes. Now a Lansing woman is suing the city Matt Mercarini Lansing State Journal Nov 1, 2023
November 08, 2023
The federal lawsuit, filed Oct. 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, claims the city and its Lansing Code Compliance officer violated the Fourth and 14th amendments when a code officer entered her home alongside animal control staff who had a warrant.In the lawsuit seeking more than $350,000 in damages, Fitzpatrick ...
Selling During the Winter
November 07, 2023
As the winter season approaches, you may be wondering if it's the right time to sell your house. While many people tend to wait until the spring or summer months to put their homes on the market, there are actually several advantages to selling during the winter. In this blog post, we'll explore some tips for preparing ...
Homeowner Net Worth Has Skyrocketed
November 07, 2023
If you’re weighing your options to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy a home today, here’s one key data point that could help you feel more confident in making your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve Board releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). That report covers the difference in net worth ...
U.S. Foreclosure Activity Shows Continued Rise In Third Quarter, Approaching Levels Seen Before Pandemic
November 02, 2023
U.S. Foreclosure Activity Shows Continued Rise In Third Quarter, Approaching Levels Seen Before Pandemicby ATTOM Team | Oct 12, 2023 | Foreclosures, Real Estate News - Recent Articles Highest Foreclosure Rates in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Delaware; Average Time to Foreclose Nationwide Hit Pre-Pandemic LevelsIRVINE, Calif. – Oct. 12, 2023 — ATTOM, ...
Is real estate locked in?
November 01, 2023
The term "locked in" is being used to describe potential buyers that already own a home with a mortgage. They are reluctant to put their homes on the market becuase their current rate is much lower than the rates being offered currently.According to Freddie Mac, 3 percent of US homeowners have a mortgage below 6% and ...
First time investor? Here are some tips for you!
October 30, 2023
Educate Yourself: Before diving in, learn about real estate investing through books, courses, and online resources.Set Clear Goals: Define your investment objectives, whether it's rental income, property appreciation, or a combination of both.Budget Wisely: Establish a budget and stick to it. Consider your down payment, closing costs, and ongoing expenses.Location Matters: Choose a location with ...
Owner Occupant Priority In HUD Sales
October 28, 2023
A primary goal of HUD in selling HUD homes is to provide housing ownership opportunities to those who plan on being owner occupants. An owner occupant is defined as someone who intends to occupy the property as their primary residence for at least 12 months and has not purchased a HUD home, as an owner occupant in the past ...
Mortgage Rates Keep Climbing Higher Above 7%
October 16, 2023
October 12, 2023By: Melissa Dittmann TraceyBorrowing costs continue to hover near a 23-year high.For the fifth consecutive week, mortgage rates pushed upward, hammering home buyers’ budgets. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 7.57% this week, Freddie Mac reports.“Mortgage rates rose as ongoing market and geopolitical uncertainty continues to increase,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s ...
Safely Completing A Relocation Assistance Task
October 15, 2023
For agents who deal with distressed (foreclosed) property listings, at some point they will encounter the task of offering relocation assistance (also known to as "Cash For Keys") to an occupant who is facing eviction/lockout. Dealing with someone who's facing this can present quite a test to the agent who has the responsibility to execute ...
FED LEAVES RATE ALONE
October 15, 2023
The Fed's latest decision kept its benchmark rate at about 5.4%, the result of the 11 rate increases it unleashed beginning in March 2022. Those rapid hikes, Powell said, now allow the central bank to take a more measured approach to its rate policy.......The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged Wednesday for the ...
What types of services does a property management company provide?
October 14, 2023
Property management companies provide a wide range of services to landlords, including:Marketing and tenant placement: Property managers can market your rental property to potential tenants, screen tenants, and help you select a qualified tenant.Lease management: Property managers can draft and execute lease agreements, collect rent, and enforce the terms of the lease.Property maintenance and repairs: Property managers ...
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist
October 14, 2023
Fall Home Maintenance Checklist:Check and Clean FurnaceClean out GuttersShut off Water to outside water hoseCheck and replace batteries on smoke/carbon detectorsCheck for drafts and Seal cracksReverse Ceiling FansStore outside furnitureTrim Branches near roofClean Dryer VentsWinterize Sprinkler System...
What is an insurance rider?
October 13, 2023
What is an insurance rider in a homeowner’s policy?An insurance rider — also referred to as a floater or an endorsement — is an optional add-on to an insurance policy. A homeowner’s insurance rider amends a basic policy. By purchasing a rider on top of your standard coverage, you may be able to increase your coverage ...
Fire Extinguisher Safety Tips
October 13, 2023
While doing your fall maintenance routines, please add checking the fire extinguisher to the list. Since fires are burning faster than in years past due to modern home furnishings, open floor plans, and unprotected lightweight wood, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Homeowners only have two minutes (or less) from when a smoke alarm rings to react. For ...
