The short answer: More than almost anything else a buyer’s inspector will look at. If you’re thinking about selling your home in the next year or two, your roof’s age is probably the most consequential piece of information your buyer will receive—and if it’s over 20 years old, it affects not just your negotiating position…
Here’s the deal: Not all real estate markets are created equal when it comes to investing. Some markets rise and fall with the economy, with employers, with trends. College towns? They have something most markets don’t—a built-in, self-replenishing demand engine that doesn’t take a year off. #boilerup I just spoke on a panel at the Indiana Association of REALTORS® Summer Summit all about buying and selling real estate around major universities. And while that conversation…
A lake house sounds like a dream, and it sure can be. But before you fall in love with a listing, there are a few things worth thinking through that don’t always make it into the listing description. If you’re looking in the Greater Lafayette area, the Twin Lakes—Lake Freeman and Lake Shafer just outside Monticello—are the obvious first stop. Here’s what…
Buying a home is one of the most rewarding financial decisions many people make. But the purchase price and monthly mortgage payment are only part of the story. Every homeowner eventually discovers there are several ongoing costs that don’t get as much attention during the home search. None of these should scare people away from homeownership….
When deciding to build a house, there have to be no less than a thousand decisions to be made. You’ll make many of these decisions in a short window, and hesitation will cause delays. Then, if you change something after it has been ordered or installed, you’ll pay for it twice. The obvious decisions are…
There are so many pieces that go in to establishing a monthly mortgage payment. It’s more than just “paying back the loan!” Other things that can affect your payment: Let’s walk through an example with rough numbers (definitely not exact): Estimated monthly payment = $2,760 Wisdom you should have: So, what do you think? Ready…
People ask us these questions all the time. “When is the best time to move?”“Should we wait for rates to drop?”“Should we hold out for the next market shift?” Here’s our honest answer after decades in real estate and hundreds of transactions: The best time to move is when you want to. Not when you’re…
While the market is adjusting in favor of buyers, there are still certain segments that still very much favor the sellers. When you find out that you might be in a multiple offer situation, there are definitely some ways to help make your offer stand out! If you need help in a tricky situation, reach…
One of the most common questions I get from buyers—especially first-time homebuyers and people moving to Greater Lafayette for work or school—is:“Is it worth buying a home if I only plan to be here for a few years?” It’s a fair and smart question. Life moves fast, and sometimes you know your time in one…
Shopping for a home can be so fun! You have been dreaming and planning, and now you get to seriously consider what might be one of the biggest investments of your life! After 20 years, I’ve noticed a BIG difference in what experienced buyers look for during a showing of a potential home that they’re…