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Shopping for their first home in New Jersey, Alyse Storzieri and her boyfriend Robert Engel faced a tough market. So when they found a house they loved last June, the couple followed their real estate agent’s advice to make their offer stand out. They went over the asking price, tripled their down payment amount and […]

The right furniture helps buyers picture themselves in a house, or does it? Here are a few of the pros and cons to consider before putting a furnished home on the market. Everyone wants their house to sell fast and for top dollar, but figuring out the best way to make that happen can be […]

When you list a home for sale, chances are you have a plan for the future. You’re ready to move on to a new property, and thus need to sell your house quickly in the current market. Yet sometimes, even if you’ve done everything to perfection, homes don’t always sell. If you’ve had a house […]

You are about to curl up on the coach with a good book when you get a text from your real estate agent: “Buyer wants to see the house tomorrow. Does 1 p.m. work for you?” You stop mid-relaxation to vacuum, clear countertops, and ask the kids to please put away their toys. During the […]

On Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell five basis points to 6.416% APR. The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped 12 basis points to 5.70% APR, and the average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage went down five basis points to 6.407% APR, according to […]

You probably get a lot of questions from real estate clients about what home warranties are and the advantages of having coverage. Interested clients may also ask you how home warranties work, especially when a covered breakdown occurs and they need service. While plans can differ, here’s some general information about the American Home Shield® […]

Caulking is a home improvement task that many homeowners overlook, and the repercussions can be significant. According to Energy.gov, the heat that is gained and lost through windows accounts for as much as 30 percent of residential cooling and heating energy use. Much of this heat loss can be prevented with proper caulking, which stops air […]

Are you a homeowner? If so, tapping into the value of your house by qualifying for a home equity loan is an easy way to obtain the funds you may need for debt consolidation, paying for home improvement projects, or covering a major life event. These types of loans typically have lower interest rates than […]

Don’t completely panic and expect the worst if the buyer asks for an extension on the closing date. Read on to learn why it’s not necessarily the end of the world and how you can make the best of a less-than-ideal situation. You’re so close. The closing date for your home is in sight and […]

The Federal Reserve is one of many influences on mortgage rates, along with inflation and economic growth. The Federal Reserve doesn’t set mortgage rates, but its actions indirectly affect mortgage rates. As of its November meeting, the Fed has raised a benchmark interest rate by a total of 375 basis points, or 3.75 percentage points, […]