When Zillow.com launched its website in 2005, the general consumer was in a frenzy over their Zestimate function.  Now all home sellers and homebuyers could have home “market values” at their fingertips. All you had to do was type in your own home address, or that of your friends/foes house to see what they paid.

Many people have asked whether or not FSBO's are really worth the time and effort involved in the sale. The simple answer is, Yes!

It stands to reason that the FSBO industry is based on some amount of success or else it would never have grown to the size it currently is. 

Consider these numbers:

• 5+ Million homes sold in 2016
• 8% were sold by owner (for sale by owner)
• 90% of home sellers who listed FSBO will list with a real estate professional (usually within 4-6 weeks

This will certainly turn buyers off, and you may have to make several contingencies or offer incentives in order to get buyers even interested in making an offer. While you may feel your home is special, asking more than the fair market value will usually get you nowhere.

Buying is the process in which home sellers bypass traditional listing and sales practices, receiving in exchange both cash from a third-party investor and an accelerated closing schedule.

For many home sellers over the last few decades, this iBuying concept has been the stuff of dreams – sweat dreams.

Throughout the housing collapse of 2007 there was a term used over and over again: The Housing Bubble. The imagery is easy to understand- a market grows to a certain point until it pops. With the phrase used so often, I thought it would be good to discuss what exactly a bubble is; what causes a housing bubble; and, are we currently in one?

Showing a home in bad weather might seem to be a blueprint for disappointment, but sometimes that’s not what happens. Of course, prospective buyers do find that house hunting in your area is easiest when the sun is shining, but homes continue to be bought and sold in every season, and sometimes bad weather can even prove to be advantageous.

Homeowners are always encouraged to spruce up their property before putting it on the market, but sometimes the residence will need more than just a professional cleaning or a new coat of paint. Fixing an aging roof or furnace, upgrading an outdated kitchen, and other tasks can all run up a hefty bill.

You may think that sale price is the only factor when you’re looking at comps and trying to set a price for your listing. But it’s actually a bit more complicated. Here are five things that affect comps that you might not be aware of.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when you look around your current home and ask yourself, “What am I supposed to do with all of this stuff?” First thing’s first, you need a plan. Don’t wait until the last minute to start cramming your belongings into boxes. Take some time to create a moving strategy before taking action.

(BPT) – A beautiful backyard has become a suburban status symbol much like a brand-new car in the driveway. Upgrading your outdoor space is not only uplifting, it’s practical, too. A great backyard expands your living space, enhances your enjoyment of your home and can boost resale value.

Is it parks, schools, city services or affordability that you should look for when searching for a home with higher than average resale value? All of these factors matter, in fact, and homeowners lucky enough to be near one popular grocery chain enjoyed a boost in their home’s value.

Another winter is coming fast, and so is the damaging ice, snow and wind that comes along with it. While we would rather put off thinking about winter as long as possible, the time to winterize your home is when the leaves begin to fall – not the snow.