Curb Appeal Tips to Prepare Your Home for the Spring Market
When it comes to selling a home, curb appeal makes a big impression. Buyers are looking for a well-maintained home, and the first thing they will notice is the appearance of the outdoors. That’s why staging your home's exterior is just as important as staging the inside. Try these six tips for outstanding curb appeal:
Power-Wash
Over time, your home’s siding can accumulate dirt, dust, and even mildew. When you’re preparing... Read More
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Be Aware of Vishing Scams to Protect Yourself and Others
Phishing attacks, which typically involve email scams, have become all too familiar. These emails provide links that lead to fake websites, tricking victims into sharing their passwords or banking information. Now, there is a more advanced form of scamming that is gaining popularity. It’s called vishing.
Vishing Scams Usually Start with a Voicemail or Text
A vishing scam usually begins with a message... Read More
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Beat Household Odor with These Budget-Friendly Solutions
Candles, potpourri, and spray fragrances may disguise an unpleasant household odor, but covering up an odor does only that: cover it. Pretty fragrances will not eliminate the odor at its source for a lasting solution. For that, you need to do one of two things.
Absorb the Odor
Baking soda is the most recommended product for absorbing odors. It’s simple, cheap... Read More
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Mortgage Rates since 1971
Interest rates have changed -- jumped, some say. But, looking at the past can put into perspective how good or bad the current rates really are. Take a look.
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Market Statistics Around the Puget Sound Region
The market has been very dynamic for years -- either a strong seller's market or a strong buyer's market. I've put together some graphs to show what's happening.
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Don’t Overlook Location When Searching for a Home
There’s so much to think about when house shopping. Most people focus on a home’s beautiful exterior, the kitchen, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and of course, whether they can afford the mortgage. But one of the most important considerations is whether the location is a good fit. Here are questions that will help you decide if a home’s location works for you.
Does the Neighborhood Seem Safe
and Comfortable?
Consider the character of the surrounding neighborhood. Look up neighborhood crime rates online or drive around during evening and nighttime hours to get a feel for the safety... Read More
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More Homebuyers Purchasing with Cash
For the 11th month in a row, existing-home sales have declined. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), every sales region in the country experienced year-over-year drops in sales in December. Month-over-month sales, however, were more variable, with three regions recording declines and one—the West—remaining stable. According to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, December’s limited inventory and high mortgage rates contributed to the difficulties buyers faced. However, “expect sales to pick up again soon since mortgage rates have markedly declined after peaking late last year,” he added. All-cash sales are up, representing 28% of all transactions in December, up from 26% a month ago and 23% a year ago... Read More
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Past Newsletters
In case you missed a previous newsletter, all of my Out of Bounds Realty newsletters can be found here.
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