RE/MAX Real Estate Insights

With current interest rates and inflation pressures, some first-time buyers are pooling resources with a friend to buy a home. We discuss the financial benefits of splitting the costs of the home purchase as well as subsequent upkeep and repair of the home as well as the need to determine up front what happens when one party is ready to move out and the tough questions you need to address to be sure you and your friend are a good fit for co-home ownership.

Home inspections are a common part of the home buying process, but is there value to doing an inspection pre-sale as a seller? We look at the pros and cons of having an inspection done prior to putting your home on the market, tips to prepare for a home inspection and provide a checklist of things you can look for and address before a home inspection is done.

Supply chain, labor force, zoning, and interest rates are all items that home builders are navigating today. We discuss all these with Forrest Wall, CEO of the Homebuilders Association of SE Michigan and what this means for those looking to purchase a new construction home. We also talk about what features buyers are looking for in a new home today and news about the 34th annual Parade of Homes happening in June.

A 1031 exchange is a “swap” of one real estate investment property for another that provides a tax break. We discuss properties that do and don’t qualify for a 1031 exchange and two important timelines you need to be aware to designate and close on the property to keep within established guidelines.

Maintaining your home is an important part of home ownership and key to the value of your home. Winter winds, snow and ice can take a toll on the exterior of your home so spring is the time to review your roof, gutters, downspouts, foundation, windows, doors and more for any damage and needed repairs. We share things to do on both the exterior and interior of your home so your home can transition for the warmer weather to come.

A thorough spring cleaning of your home is important to keep your home fresh and in good condition, and if you are planning to sell your home soon this is a great first step to prepare your home for showings. We share tips for things to do in each major room in your home as well as list of items to have handy for this process.

A local non-profit wants your no longer needed and gently used mattress, box springs, sofa, dining room table and other essential items. We talk to Robert Boyle, Executive Director of the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, about the high demand for furniture donations to help local families in need. He shares how your tax-deductible donation helps others have a stable and comfortable home and how your furniture can be picked up for free or for a small fee professional movers can remove donated items for you.

Spring marks the unofficial start of the busy real estate season and we take a look at what to expect in 2023. We discuss if the market favors buyer or sellers and what inventory looks like now and how that is impacting open house attendance and offers being received. We also share advice for buyer and sellers in the spring market and the importance of working with the right agent.

Whether moving a parent into an assisted living facility or handling their estate, handling the sale of your parents home can be a time-consuming and emotional process. We discuss tips to help make the move easier for all involved as well as how remove furniture, stage the home, what medical support devices are best to be removed prior to selling the home and more.

From interest rates to what people look for in homes, the market is constantly changing. We discuss economic factors that will impact the market and the rise of single females as homeowners, what buyers are looking for in a home and why diverse schools are a positive impact in the community.

If you are looking to find a place where your money gets you more home, Almont could be for you. A local agent shares why Almont has become a popular choice for first-time and move-up buyers alike offering a more favorable tax rate, good schools, communities events, parks and recreation and lots of great local restaurants.

The real estate market has changed and we talk about what that means for 2023. We share what we have learned from the market the past couple of years and what the current interest rates, inflation and inventory mean for buyers and sellers in the coming year.

There is no place like home for the holidays, but the holiday season triggers a rise in home fires and other accidents around your home that you want to avoid. We share tips to help you prevent a fire in your kitchen and throughout the rest of your home due to candles or the fireplace. We discuss how to keep elderly guests safe in your home, how to avoid your Christmas tree catching fire and ways to make your home look occupied if you are traveling over the holidays.

: From gathering needed documents to how much to budget for closing costs, knowing what to expect when buying a home can make the process much smoother. We share what documents lenders commonly request so you gather those in advance and be ready to upload to your lender’s loan application portal. We also discuss expenses you need budget for beyond the down payment as well as tips for working with your agent.

We take a quick look at how the three I’s of Interest Rates, Inflation and Inventory are impacting the real estate market.

The Fall season is a timely reminder to take care of important home repairs and maintenance to protect the investment you have made in your home and avoid future repairs. We discuss what to look for from the roof to your foundation and share how to test your deck to see if it needs to be resealed. On the inside we discuss furnace, fire safety and how proper humidity levels can help your home feel warmer.

Your home is more than just a valuable asset – it is the roof over your head – so you want to be sure it is properly protected. We discuss the importance to have rebuild and replacement coverage, why endorsements may be needed to adequately cover additional belongings like jewelry and the two types of water/flooding issues that can occur and how what’s different about protecting items in your basement. We also share how teenagers and pets can increase your liability and how many claims can be filed before it impacts your ability to get coverage or your premiums.

: As you move into your new home, your focus is often on unpacking and decorating and what you may be missing is home security. We discuss everything from re-keying locks and adding deadbolts to changing batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. We share what to look for when it comes to your landscaping and lighting so that your home isn’t an attractive target, why you want to be sure your house numbers are visible and why you want to meet the neighbors.

New construction is a different process than buying an existing home, both for the buyers and the agent they are working with. We discuss what to look for in an agent if you are looking at new construction homes and areas around metro Detroit that are prime for new construction opportunities now and in the future.

You only get one chance to make a great first impression and we share the easy props you can use to freshen the look of your kitchen and bath along with why you don’t want to put your home on the market to “see what happens” before the home is ready.