Metro ServiceIn many cases, homeowners choose to work with real estate agents to facilitate the process of listing, showing and selling their homes. Selling a home can be stressful. Despite this, 5.51 million existing U.S. homes were sold in 2017, according to data from the National Association of REALTORS. In many cases, homeowners choose to work with real estate agents to facilitate the process of listing, showing and selling their homes. Real estate agents are valuable assets. Agents have neighborhood knowledge, are educated in pricing trends, can filter phone calls or emails from buyers who aren’t serious, and can organize all of the people necessary for a closing. Real estate agents (more…)

Metro ServiceYour builder can make a huge difference in protecting you from radon Home buyers can build to protect their families As the world has changed, so, too, have home buyers. The home buyers of today typically want homes that support how we live our lives in the 21st century. That definitely means extra outlets for all of our devices and homes pre-wired for high speed internet access. And sometimes more. Housing starts, which refers to the number of new residential construction sites, reflect the demand for newly built homes. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were slightly more than 1.2 million housing starts nationwide in September 2018, which marked (more…)

Metro ServiceDeck trends continue to improve on the form and function of outdoor living spaces. Custom-built decks can expand usable outdoor entertaining spaces. Decks can surround pools and create outdoor patio areas that make it easy to establish multi tiered living spaces, improving the functionality of outdoor areas. Certain deck trends have emerged as industry experts’ top picks for the upcoming remodeling and renovation season. For those thinking of revamping an existing deck, or building an entirely new one, these trends are on point. • Established perimeters: “Picture framing” is not a new trend, but one that has taken greater hold in recent years. The term refers to aesthetically appealing designs (more…)

Metro ServiceRenovating your kitchen is a lot less hassle than it used to be with the many excellent, less expensive choices Home renovations are big business. The home renovation resource Home Advisor states that the national average cost of remodeling multiple rooms in a home was $41,784 in 2018. While homeowners cannot change the size of rooms to save money, they will find that there is a wide array of materials that can be used to keep expenses down. Many products on the market today are designed to reproduce the look of more costly materials without the higher price tags. User-friendly DIY products also can help rein in costs by cutting (more…)

Metro ServiceSome may tap into the equity of their homes by refinancing an existing mortgage, while others may apply for home equity loans in order to fund their home renovations. When homeowners think about renovating their properties, many first need to secure some funding to finance such projects. Some may tap into the equity of their homes by refinancing an existing mortgage, while others may apply for home equity loans. Taking the latter approach may require certain steps, including an assessment of how much the home and property is worth. Home appraisals compare your home to neighboring properties to determine your home’s current market value. Homeowners can facilitate the process by (more…)

Metro ServiceMore progressive builders are illustrating their own accountability by using and producing materials that are even more efficient than mandates demand. As building codes enforce tightened minimum standards for eco-responsibility, the more progressive builders are illustrating their own accountability by using and producing materials that are even more efficient than mandates demand. This is great news if you are currently designing, planning or simply getting ready to buy a new home — your investment will likely deliver greater environmental conservation, lower occupant costs and increased property value. Building code revisions worldwide are ushering a whole new generation of structures that are between 35 and 40 percent more environmentally responsible. The (more…)

Metro ServiceDecide whether or not renting is the best option for your next living situation. ■ Metro Service / Contributed Conventional wisdom suggests buying a home makes more financial sense than renting. In many cases, this is true. However, renting is sometimes a smarter approach than buying. As with any financial decision, all of the options and circumstances need to be weighed before jumping in. Making a major purchase requires doing your homework. The following are some reasons why renting can be more beneficial than buying. You are young. The National Association of Realtors says the typical first-time home buyer is 31-years-old. People who are younger than that and uncertain about (more…)

Affordable master planned development in Winchester has modern amenities Lennar Corp.The Salt Creek collection of homes at Conestoga, a master planned community in Winchester, ranges in size from 1,611 to 2,021 square feet. ■ Chronicle Real Estate Staff The Lennar Corp. has announced that presales of its master planned community, Conestoga, are taking place now at its welcome center on Domenigoni Parkway in Winchester. “We are so excited about this upcoming community which provides home shoppers with an affordable opportunity to purchase a brand new home in an incredible community,” said Tara Conklin, vice president of sales and marketing for Lennar Inland. “With two Lennar collections to choose from, these homes (more…)

Metro ServiceBuyers need to stay disciplined in regards to saving and make sound financial decisions. ■ Metro Service / Contributed A home is the most costly thing many people will ever buy. The process of buying a home can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. One way to make the process of buying a home go more smoothly is to save enough money to put down a substantial down payment. Saving for a down payment on a home is similar to saving for other items, only on a far grander scale. Many financial planners and real estate professionals recommend prospective home buyers put down no less than 20 percent of the total (more…)

Metro ServiceDecide whether renting out your home is right for you and your family. ■ StatePoint Media / Contributed From city apartments to beach houses, vacation home rental sites like Airbnb, VRBO, and others have become popular among homeowners and travelers alike. Renting your entire house or even just one room, especially if there’s a big event coming to your town, can be a wonderful way to earn extra income, but it can also expose you to unexpected and potentially costly risks. Before you start seeing dollar signs, learn how to rent your home like a pro. List through a vacation rental site: Posting an ad is free on some sites (more…)