Picture this: You’re in a hospital waiting room, and the doctors ask you to make a critical decision for a loved one who’s unable to speak. What would you do? How could you possibly know what they would want? This painful scenario can be avoided with a tool many overlook: the Advance Care Directive.What Exactly Is an Advance Care Directive?An advance care directive is a legal document that allows you...
Larry and Sandra Martinez had been chasing the California dream of homeownership since the pandemic began. Like many young families in Los Angeles, they watched helplessly as home prices skyrocketed by 45% and mortgage rates doubled, pushing their dream further out of reach. But the couple wasn't ready to give up.Larry, a truck driver with a non-traditional schedule, and Sandra, a remote worker for a...
If you haven’t already heard, homebuyers are regaining some negotiating power in today’s market. And while that doesn’t make this a buyer’s market, it does mean buyers may be able to ask for a little more. So, sellers need to be ready for that possibility and know what they’re willing to negotiate.Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a house, here’s a quick rundown of potential...
If you’re planning to sell your house and move, you probably know there’s been a shortage of options available after your house is sold. But here’s the good news: the supply of homes for sale has grown in a lot of markets this year – and that’s not just existing, or previously-owned, homes. It’s true for newly built homes too. So how do you decide which route to go? Do you buy an existing...
Is Affordability Starting To Improve?Over the past couple of years, a lot of people have had a hard time buying a home. And while affordability is still tight, there are signs it's getting a little better and might keep improving throughout the rest of the year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:“Housing affordability is improving ever so modestly, but...
Selecting the right real estate agent can make a world of difference when buying or selling a home. But how do you find the best one? Here are some tips to help you make that big decision as you determine your partner in the process.Check Their ReputationStart by gathering information about agents in your area. From there, try to narrow down the list. Ask the people you trust if they have someone...
Are There More Homes for Sale Where You Live?One of the biggest bright spots in today’s housing market is how much the supply of homes for sale has grown since the beginning of this year. Recent data from Realtor.com shows that nationally, there are 36.6% more homes actively for sale now compared to the same time last year. That’s a significant improvement. It gives you far more options for...
Today’s Biggest Housing Market MythsHave you ever heard the phrase: don’t believe everything you hear? That’s especially true if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in today’s housing market. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. And right now, making sure you have someone you can go to for trustworthy information is extra important.If you partner with a real estate...