Tips for Holiday Decorating on a Dime

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The holidays are approaching. Today, we thought we'd do something a little different and share this festive video on holiday decorating tips from HGTV. Designer Angelo Surmelis shares several great ideas to spread holiday cheer throughout the home. Here are some of our favorites.

1. Pay attention to the mantle. If you don't have some already, buy some kind of garland to drape over the mantle. Next, use leftover ornaments and candles to add light and texture. When choosing ornaments and candles, ensure they are in the same color-palette. This helps make your mantle a great focal point!
2. Use smaller Christmas trees. Every house has their main Christmas tree. In addition, you can also purchase smaller, inexpensive, eco-friendly trees to place throughout the home. Decorate these trees with strips of fabric from a T-shirt in holiday colors to save money for the main tree.
3. Use what you have. Be resourceful. Adding a plate charge and place mat to your everyday dining set adds some jazz to your table. Fresh-cut flowers and candles will help finish the look. You don't need grand, expensive candles -- a little candlelight goes a long way!

As you can see, it doesn't take much to make your home feel more festive. If you have any questions, give us a call or send us an email. We would be happy to help you!

Why Aren’t Millennials Buying Homes More Frequently?

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One thing we know for certain about the real estate market is that it is never going to stay the same for long. Today we want to talk about an interesting trend we’ve noticed in real estate: millennials are waiting longer to purchase their first homes than their parents did.

The typical first-time buyer now rents for an average of 6 years before buying a home, which is up from 2.6 years in the early 1970’s, according to Zillow.

We came across this great video from CNBC. I will give you my three biggest takeaways from the article.

1. Down payments are a huge factor

Renters in today’s market are struggling to save for down payments and qualify for mortgages. Most first-time buyers still depend on personal savings for at least some of their down payments, but rising rental prices have complicated the task of socking away money for a down payment.

2. Rising rental rates are complicating things as well

Rental rates are causing 46% of renters aged 25-34, to spend more than 40% of their incomes on rent, up from 30% a decade earlier.

3. Job security is important to millennial buyers

The Money Source, a mortgage lender, examined applications from 5,404 millennial buyers and found that these buyers averaged nearly 4.5 years in their field of work and had held their current job for slightly more than three years. Those figures point to how critical career stability is to a younger generation.

How Can You Prepare Your Home for Sale?

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We are here today with Dustin Feely to discuss some of the most commonly asked questions we get from sellers who are preparing their home for the market. Here’s our guide on how to survive living in your “for sale” home.

When do I need to start packing?

Right now. The secret to getting a home clutter-free is removing the things you can live without, while your home is actually on the market. Store it, sell it, chuck it, or donate it. While you pack, work on decluttering by throwing away or donating things you don’t need. This won’t just give you a head start on moving, buyers actually appreciate the extra space when searching for homes.

What about cleaning?

Get the home squeaky clean. If you’re lacking motivation, listen to this: A very clean home can add $5,000 - $10,000 on your sale, so aim for that 5-star perfection

How do I keep my important belongings safe?

During showings or open houses, people may look through your drawers, medicine cabinets, or closets. Make sure your listing agent insists there are other agents accompanying the prospective buyers, so your valuables and anything else you wouldn’t want someone stealing are protected. When in doubt, lock it up.

What about my kids?

Definitely involve them in the process. Challenge your kids to a contest of who can clean the fastest. You might be surprised at how they respond to this and how cooperative they will be when you yell, “Showtime!”

If you have any questions for us, give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Is Zillow Accurate?

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Today, we'll discuss Zillow, and whether you can trust Zillow's estimates of your home value.

In most cases, Zillow estimates are anywhere from 5% - 15% off. Zillow uses a basic algorithm that examines similar home sales in your neighborhood to come up with a value. However, determining the value of a property isn't that simple.

The best way to find a home's value is to talk to an agent. We will pull comparable sales and physically assess your home. Zillow may give you an idea of what your home is valued at, but Zillow cannot know the true value of your home.

If you have any questions on today's video or about real estate in general, give us a call or send us an email. We'd be happy to help you!