Windermere Blog | Category: Buying

May 28, 2015

Inside the Vacation Home Boom

Posted in Buying by Sonja Riveland

The value of most people’s primary home has gone up significantly in the past few years, giving them more confidence to extend their real estate investment to a second home. Increased net worth from the strong stock market, along with low interest rates, have made buying a second home more feasible. Many baby boomers are shopping for a place to vacation at now, and retire to later.
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March 19, 2015

How to Hire a Home Inspector

Posted in Buying 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 a home inspection is a smart, simple way to do just that.
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January 06, 2015

2015 Is the Year Millennials Start Buying Homes

Posted in Buying by Tiana Baur

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, OB Jacobi, president of Windermere Real Estate, says that “this is going to be the year they start buying homes.” Economists and real estate agents agree, saying that 2015 will be a turning point for millennials, which could potentially put an even tighter squeeze on the already tight market.
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October 31, 2014

How NOT to Buy a Haunted House

Posted in Buying by Tara Sharp

Halloween is a holiday we tend to associate with the undead, so what better way to get in the “spirit” of things than to talk about ghosts. While you hear a lot about ghosts in October, they’re actually a year-round phenomenon (and they’re not all as friendly as Casper). So, if you’re in the market for a home right now, you might want to consider your threshold for the paranormal.
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October 10, 2014

In the market to buy a home? Make a list and check it twice.

Posted in Buying by Tara Sharp

Are you thinking of buying a home, and you aren’t sure exactly where to start? Here is a checklist to help you get ready to make your home dreams come true:
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September 26, 2014

A Quick Guide to Understanding Real Estate Designations

Posted in Buying 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.
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April 18, 2014

Tiny Homes Promote Quality over Quantity

Posted in Buying by Tiana Baur

Are you fascinated about downsizing? Do you love small places? Does a simple and serene ambiance sound like music to your ears? Then hop on the bandwagon and get yourself a ‘tiny house’ because we all know the best things come in small packages.
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March 06, 2014

How long should they last?

Posted in Buying by Tara Sharp

Nothing in life lasts forever – and the same can be said for your home. From the roof to the furnace, every component of your home has a life span, so it’s a good idea to know approximately how many years of service you can expect from them. This information can help when buying or selling your home, budgeting for improvements, and deciding between repairing or replacing when problems arise.
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February 14, 2014

Love Letters: How to set yourself apart in a seller’s market

Posted in Buying by Tara Sharp

Love letters are a lost art form, in romance and home buying. Yes, home buying. If you’re a buyer and you want to set yourself apart from other buyers, you might want to state your intentions clearly by declaring your abiding love for the seller’s home in a letter. Here are a few tips for writing a love letter that works (for love letters of a romantic nature, you’re on your own).
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January 31, 2014

Digital Trends in House Hunting

Posted in Buying by Tara Sharp

It should come as no surprise that online and mobile tools have become very valuable to people while they are in the process of buying and selling homes. According to a 2012 study by Google and the National Association of REALTORS® , 90% of home buyers used online search tools while looking for a home.
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