Should you Buy or Rent?

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When it comes to deciding whether to buy or rent a home, many people are often torn between the two options. While renting a home may seem like the easier choice, there are several advantages to buying a home that make it a better option in the long run. Here are some reasons why it’s better to buy a home …

5 Factors That Reveal Where the Real Estate Market is Really Headed

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It’s the old supply-and-demand predicament: Home sales in the U.S. continue at a torrid pace, but the availability of listings remains limited. Buoyed by historically low mortgage rates, buyers keep shopping for homes, reducing the available inventory and sparking a rise in home prices across the country. News website The Atlantic summarized the sizzling home market this way: “Pick a …

How to Bridge the Appraisal Gap in Today’s Real Estate Market

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If you’re searching for drama, don’t limit yourself to Netflix. Instead, tune in to the real estate market, where the competition among buyers has never been fiercer. And with homes selling for record highs,1 the appraisal process—historically a standard part of a home purchase—is receiving more attention than ever. That’s because some sellers are finding out the hard way that …

Tips for Home Sellers!

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Are you thinking about selling your home? We’ve prepared a checklist to help you prepare your house to sell for top dollar! Here are some things to consider: Landscaping Keep lawn edged, cut, and watered Trim hedges, prune trees Place potted seasonal flowers near the front entrance Sweep sidewalks Exterior Install clearly readable, elegant house numbers Check foundation, steps, and …

New Year, New Home?

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Set Homeownership Goals Whether You’re Buying, Selling, or Staying Put The start of a new year always compels people to take a fresh look at their goals, from health and career to relationships and finance. But with historically low mortgage rates, increased home sales and price growth, and a tight housing inventory, the time is right to also make some …

5 Secrets Buyers and Sellers Must Know About Virtual Home Tours

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For years now, virtual home tours have helped real estate buyers far and wide find the perfect home. From long-distance military personnel being relocated, to investors expanding their portfolio, to homeowners looking for a vacation getaway, this technology makes finding a house that’s a bit out of driving distance much easier. And for real estate agents, virtual tours have been …

Lowest Mortgage Rates in History: What It Means for Homeowners and Buyers

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In July, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 3% for the first time in history.1 And while many Americans have rushed to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity, others question the hype. Are today’s rates truly a bargain? While average mortgage rates have drifted between 4% and 5% in recent years, they haven’t always been so low. Freddie Mac …

Add Value to Your Home with These 9 DIY Improvements

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Whether you’re prepping your house to go on the market or looking for ways to maximize its long-term appreciation, these nine home improvement projects are great ways to add function, beauty, and real value to your home. The best part is, once you’ve secured the materials, most of these renovations can be completed over the course of a weekend. And …

Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell Real Estate? – A 10,000 Foot Perspective

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Traditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. However, the coronavirus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home orders—led many buyers and sellers to put their moving plans on hold. In April, new listings fell nearly 45%, and sales volume fell 15% compared to last year.1 Fortunately, as restrictions have eased, we’ve seen an uptick in market activity. …

About Healthcare Mask Collaborative – South OC

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On March 20th, after watching an instructional video from a hospital in Indiana, Stephanie Oddo, cut some spare fabric with the intent to sew face masks for frontline healthcare workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. That night, before she went to bed she thought setting up a Facebook Group Page would be a nice way to learn more, reach …