It’s typical for single-family home sales to surge in the spring and summer, but this year, there are some differences due to Covid-19. The pandemic is causing more urbanites to move out of the city say The New York Times, Forbes.com, NPR.org and other news services. Many of the attractions that make city living attractive, such as theater, shopping […]
In June 2020, average mortgage interest rates fell below three percent for the 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage – the lowest level in modern recorded history, according to Mortgage News Daily. What caused such a dip? A stock market sell-off sent investors to the relative safety of the bond market, wrote housing journalist Diana Olick. Mortgage rates loosely follow the […]
In June 2020, average mortgage interest rates fell below three percent for the 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage – the lowest level in modern recorded history, according to Mortgage News Daily. What caused such a dip? A stock market sell-off sent investors to the relative safety of the bond market, wrote housing journalist Diana Olick. Mortgage rates loosely follow the […]
Angieslist.com suggests that a typical asphalt shingle roof will last about 20 to 25 years, depending on variables such as the quality of the shingles, the professionalism of the installation, homeowner maintenance over the years, and, of course, the weather. Your roof should have several lines of defense or redundancies. If one part fails, such as […]
It’s no secret that Millennials, ages 24 to 34, have been hit hard in 2020. The triple whammies of student loans, COVID-19 and record job losses are huge challenges to face. It would be easy to give up your dream of owning a home, but we say where there’s a will, there’s a way. How […]
The costs of buying a home are high, but they can become insurmountable if you cut out necessary services to save money. Here are some things to think about before you choose your next home. Homeowner’s Insurance – Lenders require just enough homeowner’s or hazard insurance to cover the mortgage in case of disaster. While it’s […]
What a great day to be able to give back to our community! REALTORS® from Macon, Swain and Jackson counties came together on June 24th to support and give back to our community! In Swain county, we had the pleasure of creating meals for folks who will come together to “break bread”! It was such […]
Sooner or later, you’re bound to experience a water leak somewhere in your home. The usual culprits are shower pans, hot water heaters, washing machines and clogged plumbing – any of which can cause water damage. Quickanddirtytips.com recommends finding the source of the leak and shutting off the water to it. Every drain and water-using appliance […]
While the U.S. wrestles with social distancing and a disrupted economy, you may not feel it’s the best time to buy a home, but you may be missing a great opportunity. Many buyers prefer to wait and sit on the bench, giving you more access to homes with less competition. The real estate industry is […]
With the accent on durability in home décor, hardwoods, stone and tile floors are more popular than ever, but these materials can also be cold and noisy. One of the best ways to warm up a room is to make a fine quality rug the major focal point of your room. Rugs enhance contemporary, transitional […]
After a decade of industrial grey walls, stark white kitchens, and minimalistic décor, it’s time for some color. Blues are a great choice; they can be peaceful and soothing, confident and bold or as refreshing as a dip in the pool. Here is a range of blues you may like: Classic blues are elegant and have […]
One of the greatest pleasures of owning your own home is being in better control of your environment, including the sounds you listen to. Imagine waking up to the cheerful melodies of chirping birds, instead of your neighbor’s clanging, banging and muffled conversations. So, when you shop for a new home, consider one with a […]
This year may be the ideal time to go solar. The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) otherwise known as the Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credit is a federal tax break that allows you to deduct 26% of the cost of buying and installing a solar energy system from your federal taxes. Unless a financial stimulus policy says […]
There’s no reason to miss out on the advantages of homeownership simply because you’re not married. You can partner with anyone to buy and occupy a home, including a significant other, best friend or close relative. If you do things the right way from the beginning, you’ll build on a great investment as well as […]
On May 2, members of the Connestee community came together to Pack the Pavilion for Bread of Life and Sharing House in Brevard. The community stepped up in a remarkable way and the outpouring of both monetary and food donations was overwhelming. Jan Newsome, REALTOR® at BHHS Great Smokys Realty, contributed canned vegetables, apple sauce, […]
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices received the highest numerical Equity Score and the highest numerical score relating to Trust and Love among Real Estate Agency brands included in the 2020 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Study, which is based on opinions of 39,100 U.S. consumers ages 15 and over surveyed online between January 1 and January 30, 2020. “Highest […]
In mid-March, borrowing rates were slashed to banks to nearly zero percent and announced it would buy at least $700 billion in government bond purchases, channeling about $200 billion of the stimulus into mortgage-related bonds. Not since 2008 has the central bank made such a dramatic move to stave off the effects of a pandemic […]
A seller’s home is their private sanctum, and that should remain true even when it’s on the market. You’ll enjoy showings or open houses more as well as protect the seller’s home with these five courtesies. Sign in. Sellers and listing agents need to know who’s been in the home so they can ask for feedback. […]
All homeowners wonder at some point what their home is worth, but there’s a big difference between planning to sell and simply satisfying your curiosity. You can get a ballpark idea of what homes in the neighborhood are fetching by going online, or you could contact your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network professional for a comprehensive […]
There are certain rules to the marketing of real estate that are designed to prevent buyer confusion and to protect sellers from misrepresenting their properties, but sometimes real estate isn’t so black and white. Here are some areas to question. Additions. Added square footage such as a bumped-out first floor master or den should have […]
