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Americans Feel Better Than Ever About Real Estate

By Debbie McLaughlin / November 3, 2019

The stock market is experiencing some ups-and-downs, which may cause consumers to question their investments—but when it comes to real estate, Americans have never felt more confident. Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI), which measures consumer confidence in the economy and real estate market, surged to 93.7 in July 2019—an all-time survey high. Of…

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10 Myths About Real Estate Agents

By Debbie McLaughlin / November 3, 2019

Let’s face it, everyone either knows a real estate agent, or is connected to one through six (probably less) degrees of separation. Between friends and relatives, and the stereotypical representation of real estate agents on television and in pop culture, the general public has adopted some assumptions about agents that are very far from the…

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Will a Fixer Upper Home Save you Money?

By Debbie McLaughlin / November 3, 2019

Many people buy fixer-upper homes because they think it will save them money in the long run—but is that actually true? According to recent data, not necessarily. According to a recent survey from remodeling resource Porch, the majority of people who bought fixer-uppers did so in an effort to save money on the purchase price—63 percent…

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Is Shiplap Still “See-Worthy?”

By Debbie McLaughlin / November 1, 2019

Over the last few years shiplap has been making waves as one of the most popular materials to incorporate in home decor. From walls and ceilings to wainscoting and focal points above the fireplace, you’ve probably seen these wide wooden panels all over the house. Previously used as exterior siding in the building of barns,…

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9 Scary Things Real Estate Agent “Fear” Hearing

By Debbie McLaughlin / November 1, 2019

When you’re in the business of helping people buy and sell homes — arguably the largest investment of their lives — it goes without saying that there’s a lot at stake. While real estate agents are typically unflappable pros who, in many cases, have experienced just about every scenario you can imagine, there are still…

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Don’t Fall in Love (with a house) Until You Are Ready to Fully Commit

By Debbie McLaughlin / November 1, 2019

Finding the house of your dreams might seem pretty easy. You know what you want and like. You feel like you will know the perfect house when you see it. The minute you find “the one”, it will be love at first sight. It will just feel right, like it was meant to be. Kind…

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Moving with your 4 Legged Friends

By Debbie McLaughlin / October 31, 2019

You have read all the advice on moving with pets, and you have plans in place to make the transition as easy as possible for your dog and/or cat. We will call them Butch and Fluffy (Butch is the dog). The big moving day has arrived and Butch and/or Fluffy are freaking out. And since…

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Want to Build Wealth? Buy A Home

By Debbie McLaughlin / October 26, 2019

It’s safe to assume that pretty much everyone wants to build wealth—and continue to build wealth throughout their life. But how, exactly, do you do that? According to the data, you build wealth by buying real estate—and buying it early. According to a report from the Urban Institute, homeowners who purchase property early build more wealth…

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7 Pricing Myths You Need to get Past if you want to sell your Home

By Debbie McLaughlin / October 22, 2019

When homeowners are preparing to put their properties on the market, one aspect is usually foremost in their minds: money. Setting the asking price accurately can mean the difference between getting an offer quickly and having a house languish for months, drawing little interest. With that in mind, it’s important that potential sellers block out…

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Tips for Homeowners with Dogs

By Debbie McLaughlin / August 5, 2019

  Watch the stairs. As dogs age and arthritis makes getting around more difficult, a ramp is a great solution for mobility ease. Dog ramps come in various styles and heights, and if you’re a DIYer, you can custom-build one to your exact specifications. Decorate with leashes. Exercise is a key ingredient to your dog’s…

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