August 23, 2017
How to Avoid the Most Common Buying/Selling Mistakes

Posted in Buying and Selling by Tara Sharp
There’s nothing more exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling than buying a home. However, it’s a complex transaction, and there are a number of steps along the path that can confuse, betwixt, and befuddle even the most seasoned buyers and sellers. How can you avoid those potential pitfalls and common mistakes? Look to your real estate professional for advice and keep these guidelines in mind:
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August 16, 2017
Downsizing: 5 Things to Consider

Posted in Buying and Selling by Tara Sharp
Downsizing is on the minds of many homeowners today. Some are ready to retire. Others want to live more simply. Many want to save money and say goodbye to home maintenance. If you can relate to any of those sentiments, ask yourself these five questions:
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August 11, 2017
Seven Trends That Will Define the Home of the Future

Posted in Buying by Tara Sharp
As sophisticated as homes are today, experts predict they’ll be far more so in the not-too-distant future— especially when it comes to their use of technology. Included are seven evolutionary trends that many expect to define the home of the future.
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July 25, 2017
Why Owning a Home is Such a Smart Investment

Posted in Buying by Tara Sharp
The first question you need to ask yourself is, “Am I disciplined enough to invest in stocks?” According to two professors who recently studied 30 years of personal-finance performance, you need to be someone with exceptional financial discipline if you want to earn real money in the stock market. Or, you could simply buy a house.
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July 14, 2017
How an Investment in Green Technology Can Pay off for Today’s Homeowner

Posted in Buying, Selling, and Living by Tara Sharp
Studies continue to show that real estate buyers are willing to pay a substantial premium for homes that feature highly efficient, environmentally friendly “green energy” technology. While the added value depends on the location of the home, its age, and whether it’s certified or not, three separate studies all found that newly constructed, Energy Star- or LEED-certified homes typically sell...
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June 27, 2017
Homeowners Insurance: Protecting Your Home

Posted in Buying by Tara Sharp
In addition to providing shelter and comfort, our home is often our single greatest asset. And it’s important that we protect that precious investment. Most homeowners realize the importance of homeowners insurance in safeguarding the value of a home. However, what they may not know is that about two-thirds of all homeowners are under-insured.
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April 25, 2017
How Neighborhood Affects Home Value

Posted in Buying and Selling by Tara Sharp
A real estate agent’s appraisal will not only consider the selling prices of surrounding properties, as the online services do, but also take into consideration a host of other criteria. For instance, when it comes to assessing the surrounding neighborhood, the following factors can often significantly affect the market price of a home:
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April 17, 2017
How to Avoid the Most Common Buying and Selling Mistakes

Posted in Buying and Selling by Tara Sharp
There’s nothing more exciting, rewarding, and fulfilling than buying a home. However, it’s a complex transaction, and there are a number of steps along the path that can confuse, betwixt, and befuddle even the most seasoned buyers and sellers. How can you avoid those potential pitfalls and common mistakes? Look to your real estate professional for advice and keep these guidelines in mind:
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April 05, 2017
A Quick Guide to Understanding Real Estate Designations

Posted in Buying and Selling by Tara Sharp
What do those letters and acronyms mean at the end of your real estate agent’s name? We’re here to answer that question and explain why it might matter to you. Like other professionals, real estate agents have the ability to specialize in certain areas of the business by earning designations. Those acronyms signify that they have achieved a specific designation through extensive training...
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March 24, 2017
Home Inspection: a Reality Check from a Pro

Posted in Buying and Selling by Tara Sharp
A home is a major investment and, for many people, the greatest financial asset they have. With so much at stake, it makes sense to do what you can to protect your financial interest. Getting an inspection is a smart, simple way to do just that. When you make a written offer on a home, insist that the offer provide that your contract is contingent on a home inspection...
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