Charming Custom Ranch Home Hits the Market in Hampshire Meadows
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213 Barn Owl Dr, Hampshire, IL
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Why You Don't Want To Skip Your Home Inspection
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When you finally find the home you want to buy, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. You’ve toured the place, imagined your furniture in it, maybe even pictured your morning coffee on the porch. The last thing you want is to slow down the process with more steps or lose out to another buyer’s offer because they skipped their inspection.
But here’s the thing. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. And no matter how perfect that house seems, skipping a home inspection is a risk that could cost you a lot more than just time.
What Exactly Is a Home Inspection?
A home inspection gives you a detailed look at the home’s condition, usually after your offer’s accepted but before closing. While what’s covered…
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Does Your Current Home Fit Your Retirement Plans?
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Retirement isn’t just a milestone. It's the beginning of something really special. After years of hard work, it’s finally time to slow down, explore new passions, and live life on your own terms.
But with this exciting chapter comes some big choices. And one of the biggest is this: does your current home still make sense for the lifestyle (and budget) you want in this next phase of life?
That’s an especially important question right now. Just in the past five years, the cost of living has jumped by 23% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is how changes are tracked in the average price consumers pay for goods and services (see graph below):
When you’re thinking about how to make…
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The Truth About Newly Built Homes and Today’s Market
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Headlines are talking about the inventory of new homes and how we’re back at the levels not seen since 2009. And maybe you’re reading that and thinking: oh no, here we go again. That’s because you remember the housing crash of the late 2000s and you’re worried we’re repeating the same mistakes.
But before you let fear take hold, remember: headlines are designed to be clickbait. And a lot of the time, they do more to terrify than clarify. That’s because they don’t always give you all the context you need. So, let’s take a step back and look at what the data really says.
Why This Isn’t Like 2008
While it’s true the number of new homes on the market has reached its highest level since 2009, that’s not a cause for alarm.
Here’s the context that…
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Chic Meets Classic at 501 S Grace St – A Lombard Ranch You’ll Love
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501 S Grace St, Lombard, IL
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House Hunting Just Got Easier – Here’s Why
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If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of homes for sale over the past few years, here’s some good news. You have more options, so it may finally be time to kick off your home search again. As Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, explains:
“Now is the best time to buy in the last two years. Mortgage rates are comparable to what they were two years ago, and prices remain high. However, there is significantly more inventory . . .”The number of homes for sale has grown compared to last year, and even more options are on the way. While this is typical for the busy spring season, here’s why this is so important right now.
Homeowners are listing their houses at the highest pace we’ve seen in a while.
New Listings Are on the Rise
Over the…
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Modern Comfort Meets Convenience in This Savannah Crossing End-Unit Townhome
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2919 Church Rd, Aurora, IL
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Things To Avoid After You Apply for a Mortgage
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Some Highlights
- Once a lender has reviewed your finances as part of the homebuying process, you want to be as consistent as possible. Don’t make any big changes that could affect your mortgage application.
- Here are a few tips. Don’t change bank accounts or apply for new credit. And this one may surprise you, don’t buy appliances or furniture for your next home yet either.
- The best tip of all? Before you do anything financial in nature, talk to your lender first.
Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.
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The #1 Thing Sellers Need To Know About Their Asking Price
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When you put your house on the market, you want to sell it quickly and for the best price possible; that's generally the goal. But too many sellers are shooting too high right now. They don’t realize the market has shifted as inventory has grown. The side effect? Price cuts are on the rise, but they really don’t have to be. Here’s why.
According to data from Realtor.com, in February, price cuts were the highest they’ve been in any other February since 2019 (see graph below):
If you consider that 2019 was the last true normal year for the housing market – that's a big deal. We’re getting back to what’s typical for the market.
This isn’t the same frenzied seller’s market we saw a few years ago. You may not get the same price your neighbor did…
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Townhomes: A Smart Solution for Today’s First-Time Buyers
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Buying your first home in today’s market can feel tough. Between high home prices and mortgage rates, affordability is still a big challenge. And some buyers are making one simple trade-off that’s getting them in the door faster: square footage.
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 35% of buyers are willing to purchase something smaller to make homeownership happen. And one place you can usually find a smaller footprint (and sometimes better affordability) is in townhomes.
Why Townhomes Are Gaining Popularity
Townhomes typicallycost less than single-family homes due to their more limited size.And that’s a big plus for today’s budget-conscious buyer. As Realtor.com says:
"In today's market, affordability remains a key…39 Views, 0 Comments