Four Ways You Can Use Your Homes Equity
April 15, 2023
If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years. Equity builds over time as home values grow and as you pay down your home loan. And, since home prices skyrocketed during the ‘unicorn’ years, you’ve likely gained more than you think.According to the latest Equity Insights Report ...
Michigan Real Estate News and the Country
April 14, 2023
As in most areas of the county the real estate market has been up and down the last few years with values appreciated in most cities. Per Redfin in Michigan home prices have fallen .06% year-over-year in February 2023. The number of homes that sold also fell by 12.6% and the number of homes for ...
Importance of a Real Estate Review
April 14, 2023
A lot can happen in a year which is why sitting down with your real estate agent annually can be very beneficial whether you are thinking of selling your home or not. Swift housing market changes can happen and news sources and publications can provide too little or too much information, not always relevant to you and your needs. ...
Updating your home to sell... without going broke!
April 14, 2023
If you're looking to sell your home, there are several cost-effective updates you can make to increase its appeal to potential buyers and boost its value. Here are a few of the most effective updates to consider:Paint: A fresh coat of paint can give your home a clean and updated look, and it's relatively inexpensive. Choose neutral ...
Step inside a $1.1M luxury ‘barndominium’ for sale near Ann Arbor Published: Apr. 08, 2023 By Jacob Hamilton MLive
April 14, 2023
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- A Civil War-era barn outside Chelsea has a new life as a luxury “barndominium.”A private circle drive welcomes guests to the mid-19th-century barn which strikes a sleek, contemporary figure with dark siding and large picture windows. The entrance of the five-bedroom, five-bathroom home on 3.25 acres at 20925 Waterloo Road is ...
Getting The Inside Of Your Home Ready For Spring
April 13, 2023
Now that the weather is warmer, we tend to want to think about getting our outdoor spaces ready for spring, but here are a few things that need to be done inside first.1. Replace Old Filters. Filters are never the first thought on anyone’s mind but they do still need to be replaced. Generally, you should ...
Lake County Illinois Real Estate News
April 13, 2023
I found some real estate highlights for Lake County, IL on realtor.com. The median listing home price in Lake County, IL was $350K in February 2023, trending down -2.8% year-over-year. The median listing home price per square foot was $177. The median home sold price was $295K. There are 2,606 homes for sale in Lake County, ...
Home Buyer Tips For Spring!
April 13, 2023
Home Buyer Tips For Spring!1) Know how much you can afford.2) Get Preapproved.3) Set your priorities for what you want in a home.4) Find a Real Estate Agent. ...
There’s Good News and Bad News for Single Women Who Buy a House (But the Bad News Can Be Avoided…)
April 12, 2023
The good news for single women is that they outpace single men in terms of homeownership. According to the National Association of Realtors, as of February 2023, single women were 17% of all homeowners, while only 9% of single men own a home.The bad news is that single women don’t get as good of a return ...
When the Seller Says, ‘Please, Take My Mortgage!’
April 11, 2023
March 30, 2023Marketing, Sales Tips & TechniquesBy: Stacey MoncrieffAn assumable FHA, VA or USDA mortgage adds a nice bow to your marketing package.Key takeaways:A mortgage assumption takes place when the buyer takes over the seller’s existing mortgage at closing in lieu of getting a new loan. Currently, the only loans with a standard qualifying ...
6 Questions to Ask Your Real Estate Agent Before Buying a Home
April 11, 2023
1. Would you buy this house?2. What is the sales history of this house, and how would it affect my offer?3. What contingencies are worth getting—and skipping?4. Are there upcoming condo or homeowners association assessments?5. What’s happening in this neighborhood, and how will that affect home prices?...
31 Spring Home Improvement Projects To Increase Your Home’s Value
April 10, 2023
https://wealthofgeeks.com/spring-home-improvement-projects-that-will-increase-your-homes-value/31 Spring Home Improvement Projects To Increase Your Home’s ValueSpring is a time of renewal, and it certainly extends to the space we now spend most of our time in; our home.Three out of four real estate agents report that home improvement projects are on the rise. With so many people staying put and not looking ...
HUD Commemorates National Fair Housing Month 2023 and the 55th Anniversary of the Signing of the Fair Housing Act
April 07, 2023
HUD No. 23-069HUD Public Affairs(202) 708-0685FOR RELEASEMondayApril 3, 2023WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) kicked off Fair Housing Month 2023, commemorating 55 years since the Fair Housing Act was signed into law. This year’s Fair Housing Month theme, Choices for All Voices: Building an Equitable Future, underscores the Biden-Harris Administration’...
5 things you need to know about Fair Housing
April 05, 2023
April is Fair Housing Month. Show your commitment to fair housing and equal housing protection this month and throughout the year. REALTORS® need to be sure they follow federal, state, local and fair housing guidelines when providing real estate brokerage services. Here are some tips and resources to help.A monument commemorating the federal Fair Housing Act stands in ...
Market perspective
April 04, 2023
Any buyer who has been looking for a home in the past 2 years has seen all the real estate market can throw at them! First a huge slowdown, with homes being taken off the market, virtual showings, signed health disclosures, and a general caution about doing anything in uncertain times. And then.....who would have ...
Spring is here in Michigan!
April 04, 2023
Spring is here in Michigan! As the weather warms in Michigan there are some maintenance items that should be done on all homes to avoid flooding and wet basements and to get your property ready for summer! -Clean your gutters -Check for areas of low grade around the foundation and fill -Make sure downspout extension are attached and ...
Thinking of Purchasing a Home? Plan for Closing Costs
March 31, 2023
If you have been contemplating buying a home, make sure to plan for closing costs. Closing costs are the fees you must pay when buying a house. They vary depending on the purchase price of the home and also how you are financing your purchase. Fees also vary between different mortgage lenders.Depending on financing, typical ...
Easy Fix for Leaky Basement HUD Article #3
March 31, 2023
Buying a HUD Property Number 3by Tom Nelson HUD Licensed Listing Broker (LLB)An Easy Fix to A Leaky Basement That Often Works with Little Expense and NO Digging!Having a leaky basement can be very distressing. Often companies will charge thousands of dollars to dig up the outside of your basement down to the basement floor level. ...
Teachers, Police & Fire ~ Good Neighbor Program
March 28, 2023
Law enforcement officers, teachers (pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade) firefighters and emergency medical technicians can contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners through HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. HUD offers a substantial incentive in the form of a discount of 50% from the list price of the home. In return, an eligible buyer must commit to live ...
Today is the first day of Spring!
March 20, 2023
Today is the first day of Spring, time for outdoor remodeling.Most REALTORS® (92%) suggest that sellers improve the curb appeal of their home before listing it for sale. Also, the largest shares of REALTORS® recommended owners complete landscaping-related features before putting a home on the market, and those were among the top projects for which landscape professionals saw ...
5 Reasons You Shouldn't Skip a Home Inspection
March 19, 2023
You may be temped to skip the home inspection and save the $300 to $500 invoice, but there are many reasons why you should do a home inspection. 1. A quality home inspection can reveal critical information about the condition of a home and its systems. This will make you aware of what costs, repairs and ...
Explore latest garden trends at McHenry County Gardenfest
March 19, 2023
Explore the latest gardening trends, techniques, and tools at McHenry County Gardenfest, a daylong series of seminars and workshops for gardeners of every skill level. The event will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 15, at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.Attendees can choose from more than 15 breakout ...
HUD AWARDS $5.6 BILLION IN ANNUAL GRANTS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AND HOMELESS ASSISTANCE
March 16, 2023
HUD No. 23-045HUD Public Affairs(202) 708-0685 Funding will go to 1,200 communities through 2,400 grants to support the needs of families and individualsWASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced $5.6 billion in funding will go to 1,200 communities through more than 2,400 grants to States, urban counties, ...
Mortgage Demand Jumps in Past Week Amid Bank Closures, as Rates Took a Dip
March 16, 2023
Mortgage demand rose over the past week, despite news of bank closures and an uncertain economic outlook. Demand for mortgages rose 6.5% in the latest week as rates dropped slightly. The market index rose by 6.5% to 214.5 for the week ending March 10 from a week earlier. A year ago, the index ...
Tips Before You Buy A Detroit Home
March 16, 2023
TIPS BEFORE YOU BUY A DETROIT HOME Before you buy your home in Detroit, the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) is providing these important tips. Please read carefully to be fully aware of how water bills are handled during a property sale. When buying a home in Detroit: 1.) Request a final closing bill ...
