
If you're like many American homeowners, the prospect of selling your home and moving to a new one can be daunting. One aspect that seems to be particularly discouraging to potential home sellers is fixing up their homes before listing.
It's no secret kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor living spaces and curb appeal sell homes, so many potential sellers add renovations or do-it-yourself projects to their to-do lists before even considering contacting a real estate agent.
In our current market, that's likely not the best move, though. Alabama's Gulf Coast is still in the midst of the historic sellers' market that began during the initial phase of the pandemic. Historically low interest rates combined with historically low levels of f...

Have you been thinking about moving? If so, now's the time. As we've discussed, mortgage rates are on the rise, which means soon your money won't go quite as far as it has in the past few years. But if the prospect of moving during a pandemic has kept you in your current living situation, you're not alone. Even with the nation's booming housing market, many have been on the fence about buying or selling during such an unpredictable time.
The good news is that having a REALTOR® by your side through the moving process, especially during a pandemic, can help alleviate some of the stress. While the average person only buys or sells a home a handful of times in their lives, an expe...

The cost of practically everything is increasing. You've likely noticed it when checking out at the grocery store and filling up at the gas station. The same is true for real estate. It's one of the few cost increases homeowners are happy to see. The average home sales price in Mobile County increased $21,000 from January to December 2021, and in Baldwin County, that increase was even greater at $62,000 over the course of last year, according to the Alabama Center for Real Estate.
What do increasing home prices mean for buyers, though? Even with prices going up, low interest rates have kept home buyers in a decent position to purchase. You must consider many factors before deciding to purchase a home, like your financial situation, your needs and how long you plan to stay in the same hom...

Our homes are important. It's a minor takeaway from the COVID-19 pandemic, but it's true, nonetheless. Living rooms have doubled as gyms, and dining rooms have moonlighted as office furniture. Some may even still be. Quarantining has changed how we view our homes, and therefore, changed what buyers are looking for in their new homes. After all, they may have to become a literal safe haven yet again.
Enough time has passed to be able to better gauge the shift in homebuyers wants due to COVID-19. From the National Association of Home Builders to your brokerage down the street, the real estate industry is adapting to those shifting demands. Maybe you've been considering renovations, or maybe you're considering selling. Regardless, as a homeowner, it's good to stay in the know about what buyers are l...

Did you know that if you are purchasing a home that you typically do not pay your real estate agent?
Working with a REALTOR® can seem confusing, particularly when it comes to how the agent will be paid — and who will cover the cost. While your agent is there to guide you through the real estate process, sometimes it's difficult to even know what specific questions to ask. Check out the answers to common questions below so that you can approach buying or selling a home with confidence.
REALTORS® are paid a commission onc...