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    Avoid Taxes By Keeping Track of Improvements

    By Mike Parker | June 8, 2023

    Keeping track of capital improvements to your home can help you avoid taxes later down the road when you sell it. Some homeowners don’t even consider such a thing because they are aware of the capital gain exclusion of up to $500,000 for married homeowners and $250,000 for single filers.  Possibly, the gain in a past... Read More

    Laying the Groundwork for the Best Mortgage

    By Mike Parker | May 30, 2023

    With mortgage rates having doubled what they were in early 2022, getting the lowest rate possible could mean the difference in being able to buy a home or at the very least, makes it much more affordable.  Some people are waiting for rates to come down and while they are expected to come down some this... Read More

    Handling an Appraisal Gap

    By Mike Parker | May 22, 2023

    An appraisal gap describes the difference between the sales price and the lower amount of the appraisal required by the mortgage being obtained by the buyer.  It becomes an issue if the seller is not willing to lower the price or the buyer is not willing to pay the difference in cash. Looking at the issue... Read More

    Make Your Home Offer the Most Appealing

    By Mike Parker | May 17, 2023

    Sales in March 2023 were down 2.4% month over month and still down 22.0% year over year according to the NAR Housing Snapshot.  The median sales price dipped 0.9% to $375,700 and there are 2.6 months supply of homes on the market compared to 2 months a year ago. “Inventory levels are still at historic lows,... Read More

    Protect Yourself With a New Construction Inspection

    By Mike Parker | May 8, 2023

    Builders of new homes offer or are required to warrant their work for a specified period.  Municipal inspections are generally required during different stages to “ensure the life, health, safety, and welfare of the public” but even if something is missed, the ultimate responsibility for building to code belongs to the builder, even if the... Read More

    Interest Rates May Be the Help You Need

    By Mike Parker | May 1, 2023

    Like opening and closing a faucet increases and decreases the water flow, lowering interest rates increases home sales and raising interest rates decreases home sales. When home sales increase during periods of limited inventory, demand increases and prices go up.  Contrarily, when home sales decrease, demand could lessen and prices moderate.  There is opportunity with higher... Read More

    Shopping Mortgage Rates

    By Mike Parker | April 25, 2023

    Nobel Prize recipient, Richard Thaler, in his research into seemingly irrational economic behaviors, “found that consumers generally search too little, get confused while evaluating complex alternatives, and are slow to switch from past choices, even if it costs them.” “Why are consumers leaving money on the table?” Based on this behavior, a borrower securing a mortgage... Read More

    Who Benefits From Selling a Home As-Is?

    By Mike Parker | April 17, 2023

    A person’s decision to sell their home comes with a lot of other decisions causing an owner to stress or procrastinate.  Early in the process, the owner will consider selling the home “As Is” to avoid the looming issues that accompany selling a home. From a seller’s standpoint, “as is” means the buyer will purchase the... Read More

    Tell Me More About Closing Costs

    By Mike Parker | April 5, 2023

    There are fees and expenses associated with mortgages that must be paid by the closing date for closing costs, and pre-paid items, in addition to the down payment.  These amounts can vary according to the type of loan, mortgage company, customary practices of the area, and the terms of the contact. According to Freddie Mac, the... Read More

    Make Your Home Offer the Most Appealing

    By Mike Parker | March 27, 2023

    Sales in February 2023 were up 14.5% month over month and still down 22.6% year over year according to the NAR Housing Snapshot.  The median sales price dipped 0.2% to $363,000 and there are 2.6 months supply of homes on the market compared to 1.7 months a year ago. “Inventory levels are still at historic lows,... Read More