Emily Cheeseman - Real Estate

Staging isn't just for luxury homes.

It can benefit any type of property and entice the right buyers. Not only does it make your listing photos more appealing, but it also allows buyers to easily picture themselves living in your home.

But here's the real kicker: staging can increase your home's value by 1-5%, according to a March 2023 report from NAR. 📈

And the best part? You don't need to spend a fortune on professional staging to see results.

As an agent, I've picked up some tips and tricks that can help you get your home ready. From decluttering to rearranging furniture, even small changes can make a big difference.

The next time you're ready to sell, don’t overlook the power of staging! If you have any great DIY staging tips, drop them below!

Let's face it: not every home that's 'under contract' actually makes it to closing. So what are the most common reasons?

🔎 Inspection Issues: Did you know that a failed inspection accounts for 15% of unsuccessful home sales? It's true.

💵 Appraisal Challenges: Appraisals can be a tricky business. If the appraisal doesn't come back at the right value, it can derail your entire home-buying process.

❤️ Change of Heart: Sometimes, sellers have a change of heart or a personal situation that prevents them from going through with the sale. That's life and 100% okay.

Selling a home is a major life decision. That said, it’s a good idea to work through the emotions of selling long before there’s a sign in the yard. If you’re ready to start the process, feel free to shoot me a message!

Let's talk about something that can make or break your investment: resale value. Should you consider it when buying a home? Absolutely! Here are three signs that a home will have good resale value…

📍 Location. You want to live in an area with a strong housing market, good schools, and desirable amenities.

🏡 A well-maintained home. A home that's been taken care of and doesn't need any major repairs or updates is a good sign that it will have good resale value.

✨ Unique features. A home with unique features, like a pool or custom-built-in storage, can help set it apart from the rest of the homes on the market.

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Interest rates, simplified. ✅

An interest rate is the “price” a lender charges a borrower for a loan. Just like a pair of jeans at your favorite store, every loan has a price tag. That price tag is the interest rate. But instead of dollars and cents, the price of borrowing a sum of money is a percentage of the total amount borrowed.

Interest rates rise and fall daily based on loan type (rates are typically lower for shorter-term loans), what the Feds are doing (the U.S. central bank), and, yes, inflation.

Want to run the numbers to see what you could afford this January, or have other questions about buying or selling? DM me! I'd love to hear from you.