Seeing something with one’s own eyes is the best way to make an evaluation. That’s the purpose of bank appraisals, which are designed to protect banks from over lending, homebuyers from overborrowing, and home sellers from overpricing their homes. Once the purchase offer is accepted by the seller, the homebuyer’s lender orders an appraisal of […]
You’ve done everything right, or so you think. You’ve painted, landscaped and staged, but your home isn’t selling as fast as you thought it would. Here are some surprising reasons why buyers may have the wrong impression. Poor photography. Don’t take pictures of anything that won’t help your home sell. Make your eye see details, […]
The limited number of entry-level homes for sale coupled with rising prices is turning many homebuyers’ attention toward homes that need updating or repairs. Homes that need work are in less demand than homes that are in pristine condition, affording homebuyers the opportunity to pay less for a home, yet get the features and ambiance […]
Recourse or non-recourse loans are a topic that may never come up while you’re applying for your mortgage, but it’s nonetheless important to know what they are. They’re not a type of loan like fixed rate or adjustable rate, nor are they conventional or government-guaranteed loans like FHA and VA loans. Whether a mortgage loan […]
As a homebuyer who intends to work from home, you want to find the perfect place to start or expand your at-home business. But there’s a lot more to consider besides finding the right space to do your work, including how your at-home business may affect your neighbors. While telecommuting is unlikely to bother anyone, […]
Over the last two years, homeowners accrued about $21,300 in home equity, $8,700 of which occurred over the past 12 months, according to the National Association of REALTORS (NAR). That’s an average of $10,650 per year, enough to pay back their closing costs and put them almost halfway to eliminating private mortgage insurance they may […]
HomeServices of America, Parent Company to Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Is Now the Country’s Largest Real Estate Company for Transactions REAL Trends announced this week that HomeServices of America, parent company of Berkshire Hathaway homeServices, is now the country’s largest residential real estate company based on transactions. The real estate company, which includes 17 Berkshire Hathaway […]
If you’ve heard of Western Minimalism or Japanese KonMari, you know that these are principles that promote happiness through living with fewer possessions and eliminating clutter. These intentional lifestyles allow only items that make you happy and are useful to live in your home. By eliminating clutter, or things that don’t bring you joy, you’ll […]
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (BHHS) recently released their list of 2018 Annual Award Winners and we have a number of our Great Smokys Realty agents to congratulate! Leading Edge Society: Jay Spiro and Jan Newsome earned the Leading Edge Society award for ranking in the Top 8% of the BHHS network. Honor Society: Sharon Stovall, Bobby […]
This post is by guest author Pam Summers, dogetiquette.info. We know you love your dog, but what you may not love is the mess he leaves behind. As cute and cuddly as pups can be, you can’t deny that they leave a trail in their wake. From clumps of fur to musty odors to the […]
We are thrilled to announce that Brandi Hollifield is now the Broker In Charge of our Bryson City Office! “Everyone sees Brandi as vibrant, energetic and compassionate; Colleagues experience Brandi as a leader and motivator; Partners value Brandi for her honesty and integrity,” says Gene Strickland, Broker/Owner of Great Smokys Realty. To congratulate Brandi: (828) […]
You want to buy a home, but first you need to get your finances squared away. You’ll need money for a down payment, for moving and for other costs. How can you get more money in just a few months? Here are three ways that work together as nicely as compound interest. 1. Slow down […]
Watch our Q4 2018 market update for a recap of national and regional trends. See how median home prices, home sale and inventory serve as indicators for our housing market in 2019. As always, feel free to contact one of our real estate professionals for local market data. Thank you for reading our Smoky Mountains Of […]
You’re ready to fall in love with your first home. As you write your wish list, you may find that it grows longer than you’d imagined. You want more living space, a place to do your art and crafts, enough bedrooms to expand your family or accommodate relatives and friends, a separate master suite, and […]
Highlight Your Home’s Strengths & Appeal One of the most important things you can do to prepare your home for sale is to get rid of clutter. The major contributor to a cluttered look is having too much furniture. When professional stagers descend on a home being prepared for market, they often take away as […]
We are presenting your home to the world. When selling your home, we deliver maximum exposure to the right audience. The world’s a big place and, for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices’ global listing syndication, we will be right where the action is. We reach up to 6 million unique users monthly through New Corp.’s Mansion GlobalWeChat […]
This post is by guest author Rachael Baihn, lawnstarter.com. Selling your home in the Tar Heel State is all about making sure that both the interior and exterior areas of your home are in top condition. Curb appeal is essential when wanting to make a great first impression with a potential buyer. There are plenty […]
Berkshire Hathaway Ribbon Cutting Transylvania Times – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Great Smokys Realty celebrated its one-year anniversary in the recently constructed, three-story brick building located at 43 S. Broad St. in Brevard. Clients, customers and local businesses alike joined in toasting with their signature drink, Mango Champagne. Serving all of Western North Carolina, Great Smokys […]
by Eugene Strickland, Broker/Owner GRI, MBA Management, Marketing & Finance Luxury Collection Specialist What I’ve written here is a simplistic view of a possibly complex, but certainly provocative topic. It is one that needs to be addressed. Over the last 20 years or so I’ve seen numerous articles written with titles like, “How to Pick […]
There’s something wonderful about winter, even if you live in a warm climate. Like bears in hibernation, we tend to slow down, stay home and relax more often in cooler weather. If you’re shopping for a home or recently purchased a home, these are the best features your new home can offer to help you […]
