Saturday, December 28, 2024 / by Vanessa Saunders
Welcome to the world of real estate, where everyone thinks we’re psychic and chaos is part of the job description. As a buyer or seller, you’ve probably asked your Realtor one of these questions:
“How long will it take to sell my house?”
“What’s the market going to look like next month?”
“Should I wait for rates to drop before buying?”
Spoiler alert: If we had a crystal ball, we wouldn’t be here answering these questions—we’d be on a beach somewhere, sipping something with a tiny umbrella. Instead, we’re here, navigating Pandora’s Box (yes, we opened it) that is the real estate market.
The Market: A Crystal Ball in a Funhouse Mirror
Predicting how long it’ll take to sell your home or find your dream house is like trying to predict when your toddler will take their first steps—frustrating, full of guesswork, and occasionally a little magical.
In 2024, the housing . ...
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Friday, November 29, 2024 / by Vanessa Saunders
In the fast-paced, ever-evolving world of real estate, not all brokerages are created equal. Just as the food industry contrasts the intimate craft of small-scale farming with the relentless efficiency of agribusiness, real estate presents a similar dichotomy: the independent brokerage versus the mega-agency.
At first glance, the mega-agencies dominate the landscape. Their scale is impressive, their systems efficient, and their marketing omnipresent. But as with agribusiness, their sheer size can come at a cost—sacrificing individuality, creativity, and connection in favor of volume and standardization.
Let’s pull back the curtain on this contrast to explore why independent brokerages are the soulful choice for buyers and sellers seeking more than just a transaction.
The Mega-Agency Machine: Efficiency Over Personalization
Mega-agencies operate like agribusinesses. They are optimized for scale, with carefully crafted systems designed to churn out deals efficiently. Thei; ...
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Monday, November 25, 2024 / by Vanessa Saunders
It was a crisp November morning in Dreamville, where the air smelled of roasted chestnuts and turkey dreams floated like mist. Jackie and Jim, first-time homebuyers, were determined to find their perfect house before Thanksgiving. Little did they know that the hunt for The Colonial of Dreams would lead them into the shadowy side of real estate—and the all-important question of trust.
Act 1: The Pre-Approval Puzzle
Scrolling through their favorite national real estate platform, Jackie gasped. “Jim, look! The Colonial of Dreams! Wraparound porch, wood floors, and it’s in our budget.”
Jim clicked the “Call Now” button, and a cheerful voice answered. “Hi, I’d love to help you see this home! Are you available tomorrow?”
“We are!” Jackie replied.
“Great! Have you been pre-approved for a mortgage?” the agent asked.
“Uh… no,” Jim admitted. “We plan on making a cash offer, actually.&rdqu. ...
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Wednesday, October 30, 2024 / by Vanessa Saunders
When it comes to listing a home, the term “as is” often pops up. It might seem like a way to simplify the sale or signal that you're unwilling to invest in repairs, but the reality is far more complex. Here’s why saying “as is” could ultimately do more harm than good—and what you should consider doing instead to appeal to more buyers, maintain transparency, and secure the best possible sale price.
1. The Stigma of 'As Is'
Using “as is” can create a sense of caution for buyers. The term implies there may be underlying issues that you're not willing to address or even disclose. Even if your property is in decent shape, the words alone can spark concerns and cause prospective buyers to assume the worst, potentially driving them away before they’ve even seen the house.
2. Limited Buyer Pool
Today’s buyers want a home they can trust—not a potential money pit. When you say “as is,” you’re immediat. ...
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Monday, September 23, 2024 / by Vanessa Saunders
New Hampshire’s housing market is all over the national news, with record-breaking stats like 57.8% of homes selling above asking price over the last five years—almost double the national average. It's a number that grabs headlines, but behind it is a more complex story. Yes, the market is hot, and Manchester, in particular, has claimed the title of the hottest housing market in the U.S. for a record 29th time. But as someone who’s worked globally in real estate for over 24 years, I see this market in a way many don’t: it’s ripe for disruption, and unless things change, the same forces driving prices up will end up hurting the very people who keep this state running.
The Price of Success: What Happens When No One Can Afford to Live Here?
There’s no question that New Hampshire’s real estate market is booming. The state boasts a 76.4% increase in median home prices over the last five years, the second highest in the nation, just behind . ...
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