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The American Dream of Homeownership. For most, it may be the single largest purchase they will make in their lifetimes, offering the dual promises of security and stability and a valuable investment to pass on to their children and future generations.
The process and experience of home buying can be daunting, so consistency of service and investing in a trusted real estate company are key starting points for consumers in the market to buy or sell a home. Today, no other brand is consistently receiving third-party validation for its consistency of service and is valued more by home buying and selling consumers than Century 21 Real Estate LLC. In 2016, for example, the iconic C21® brand was recognized by two prestigious organizations w...
Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, one marked with a fear of the unknown and a level of excitement at what's to come. And for many first-time buyers, a starter home is a great investment.
A starter home is perfect for those who want the independence of living in their own home, but don't quite have the money to buy their dream house. Starter homes are also great for establishing credit, getting a feel for homeownership and trying out a neighborhood or city to see if it's a good fit. Plus, you probably don't need too much space at the moment, so starter homes offer a great place to settle in with a young family.
As families grow and careers take off, real estate professionals note that homeowners typically stay starter homes anywhere between five to seven years.
If you're ready to get your feet wet and purchase a...
If a home purchase is in your future, one thing you absolutely have to think about is your credit score. No matter what your timing looks like, it's a good idea to think about it sooner rather than later, because having a good credit score can be the difference between obtaining the mortgage you need to buy your dream home—or settling for less because you didn't qualify for the money you need.
Unfortunately, many prospective buyers don't think about their credit score until they're already in buying mode. And more often than not, at this point, it may be too late to do anything to fix your credit score. Therefore, it's important to remember that if you have a bad credit score, it's not something that can be fixed overnight or by simply making a phone call.
If you're not sure where you even stand on the credit score sp...
In life and in real estate, first impressions matter. Before placing your home on the market, it's worth taking a look at the paint on the outside, which may have been impacted by elements from the past winter.
"If you've been huddled inside for the past few months, you may not be aware of the price your exterior paint has paid keeping winter weather at bay," says Debbie Zimmer, paint and color expert with the paint Quality Institute. "Freeze-thaw cycles, rain, sleet and snow can cause paint to fail quickly, especially if you didn't use top-quality paint to begin with."
Zimmer suggests starting by inspecting for flaking or peeling paint on the exterior siding and trim. If the compromised paint is confined to a small area, a touch-up may be all that's needed.
Begin any touch-up project by scraping off loose paint, then sanding the edges smooth, Zimmer explains. Next, prime a...
When homes sell in minutes and accept offers way over list price, how do you stand a chance? I work in one of the most competitive markets in the country and have seen how frustrated buyers can become. After seeing a few horror stories myself, here are five tips that will help manage expectations (for both buyers and agents) and make their journey smoother and more enjoyable.
The Learning Curve
In this new age of technology, buyers are drowning in information and starving for wisdom. The majority of buyers I work with today have done their homework, but unfortunately, they did all the work before the first day of class. As a buyer, you need to learn how to utilize your agent, your lender, your inspectors, etc., to get the information and guidance you need. Now, this isn't to say you can't get to the fi...
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