Author Archives: Jenn Schaake
Sell Your House During the Winter Sweet Spot
A lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to sell a house. And sure, buyer demand usually picks up at that time of year. But here’s the catch: so does your competition because a lot of people put their homes on the market at the same time. So, what’s the real advantage of selling your house before... Read More
Make Your House the Top Thing on Every Buyer’s Wish List This Season
With the holidays right around the corner, homeowners planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait? Some may even consider taking their house off the market until next spring. But is that the best choice? Because at this time of year, your home can really stand out. Here’s the thing: there are plenty of... Read More
What’s Behind Today’s Mortgage Rate Volatility?
If you’ve been keeping an eye on mortgage rates lately, you might feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride. One day rates are up; the next they dip down a bit. So, what’s driving this constant change? Let’s dive into just a few of the major reasons why we’re seeing so much volatility, and what... Read More
Should You Sell Your House or Rent It Out?
When you’re ready to move, figuring out what to do with your house is a big decision. And today, more homeowners are considering renting their home instead of selling it. Recent data from Zillow shows about two-thirds (66%) of sellers thought about renting their home before listing, with nearly a third (28%) taking that possibility seriously. Compared to 2021,... Read More
What To Look For From This Week’s Fed Meeting
You may be hearing a lot of talk about the Federal Reserve (the Fed) and how their actions will impact the housing market right now. Here’s why. The Fed meets again this week to decide the next step with the Federal Funds Rate. That’s how much it costs banks to borrow from each other. Now, that’s not... Read More
How Real Estate Agents Take the Fear Out of Moving
Feeling a bit unsure, or even afraid, to move with everything going on right now? The decision to move shouldn’t be scary, it should be exciting. And the best way to eliminate any fear is to work with a pro. Real estate agents are so much more than just transaction facilitators; they’re trusted guides to... Read More
Planning To Sell Your House in 2025? Start Prepping Now
If your goal is to sell your house in 2025, now’s the time to start prepping. Even though it might seem like there’s plenty of time between now and the new year, you should get a head start on any updates or repairs you want to make now. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, says: “ . .... Read More
The Benefits of Using Your Equity To Make a Bigger Down Payment
Did you know? Homeowners are often able to put more money down when they buy their next home. That’s because, once they sell, they can use the equity they have in their current house toward their next down payment. And it’s why as home equity reaches a new height, the median down payment has too. According to the latest... Read More
How Much Does It Cost To Sell My House?
If you’re toying with the idea of selling your house, you’re probably wondering how much it’ll cost. To be honest, the final number will depend on several factors like the offer you accept, if you help with your buyer’s closing costs, how many repairs you tackle, and more. So, to give you a ballpark of... Read More
Home Values Rise Even as Median Prices Fall
Recent headlines have been buzzing about the median asking price of homes dropping compared to last year, and that’s sparked plenty of confusion. And as a buyer or seller, it’s easy to assume that means prices are coming down. But here’s the catch: those numbers don’t tell the full story. Nationally, home values are actually rising, even if the... Read More