Marketplace

Whether you are thinking about putting your home on the market or simply want to keep up with the market value of your largest investment, it’s helpful to understand the primary factors that can impact your home’s value. While homes in the same neighborhood may have comparable values, a number of things go into determining a home’s value that can differ from home to home. Here is a look at some of...

A home purchase is a major commitment–likely the largest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime. Before you get too far down the road to homeownership, you need to be sure you’re prepared for the home-buying process. To get started, ask yourself the following six questions: 1. Do you have verifiable income and employment? While it’s true that your mortgage lender will want to be able to verify your...

There’s a lot of attention paid to first-time homebuyers and what they need to know when buying a home. But what about first-time home sellers? No matter how much an agent tries to prepare a homeowner for the listing and selling process, every sale is different and there are some nuances that are difficult to anticipate. At the same time, there are certain things that are to be expected—but for one...

Once your offer has been accepted, there are still several steps to take before you can close on your new home. One of those is an appraisal. As part of the mortgage loan process, your lender will order an appraisal of the property. This ensures that the home you have chosen is worth the loan your lender is making. In most cases, the appraisal comes in at or above the purchase price of...

Ask about the benefits of homeownership and you’re likely to hear about financial stability and tax advantages. And, for good reason. Home ownership is all of those things. Owning a home builds equity, which can even lead to generational wealth. It’s sometimes even described as a forced savings account. While the financial rewards of homeownership—financial stability, equity and tax...

While not the case with most other parts of the economy, the housing market remained relatively unscathed when it emerged from 2020. In fact, some might characterize it as being stronger than ever. High demand, bolstered by low mortgage rates, has resulted in higher home prices—and that’s a story that’s played out here in Arizona as well as across the country. Despite the strong seller’s...

There’s nothing new about the competitive real estate market facing buyers. If you’re hoping to buy a new home, you may be feeling some anxiety over what is frequently a multiple offer situation. So, what’s a buyer to do? Here are 12 strategies buyers have successfully used to get their offer accepted, despite competing in a crowded field of buyers.  Offer an escalation clause. This...

The holidays can be one of the busiest times of the year. If you’re thinking about listing your home, you may be wondering whether you want to add to the hectic holidays or simply wait till after the new year. There’s nothing wrong with listing during the holidays. In fact, you might gain an advantage because potential buyers may have taken some time off of work and have fewer job distractions to...