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Fab Fun Facts, Tips & Advice for all Things Home

A Smaller Home Could Be Your Best Option

By Laurie Bornstein | Feb 22, 2023

Many people are reaching the point in their lives when they need to decide where they want to live when they retire. If you’re a homeowner approaching this stage, you have several options to explore. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: “As we […]

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Buy Now or Rent Longer? 5 Questions to Answer Before Purchasing Your First Home

By Laurie Bornstein | Sep 30, 2022

Deciding whether to jump into the housing market or rent instead is rarely an easy decision – especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. But in today’s whirlwind market, you may find it particularly challenging to pinpoint the best time to start exploring homeownership. A real estate boom during the pandemic pushed home prices to an […]

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8 Strategies to Secure a Lower Mortgage Rate

By Laurie Bornstein | Aug 31, 2022

Mortgage rates have been on a roller coaster ride this year, rising and falling amid inflationary pressures and economic uncertainty. And even the experts are divided when it comes to predicting where rates are headed next.1 This climate has been unsettling for some homebuyers and sellers. However, with proper planning, you can work toward qualifying […]

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10 Pro Tips for a Smooth Home Move

By Laurie Bornstein | Aug 1, 2022

The process of buying a new home can be both exhilarating and exhausting. But the journey doesn’t stop when you close on your property. On the contrary, you still have quite a bit to do before you can begin the process of settling into your new place. Fortunately, you don’t have to do everything in […]

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7 Costly Mistakes Home Sellers Make (And How to Avoid Them)

By Laurie Bornstein | Jun 30, 2022

No matter what’s going on in the housing market, the process of selling a home can be challenging. Some sellers have a hard time saying goodbye to a treasured family residence. Others want to skip ahead to the fun of decorating and settling into a new place. Almost all sellers want to make the most […]

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Higher Rates and Short Supply: The State of Real Estate in 2022

By Laurie Bornstein | Jun 1, 2022

The last two years caught many of us off guard—and not just because of the pandemic. They also ushered in the hottest housing market on record, with home prices rising nationally by nearly 19% in 2021, driven primarily by low mortgage rates and a major supply shortage.1 But while some had hoped 2022 would bring […]

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5 Ways to Write a Winning Offer in Today’s Real Estate Market

By Laurie Bornstein | May 1, 2022

Our nation is in the midst of a serious housing crunch. Last year, a lack of inventory and soaring prices left many would-be homebuyers feeling pinched. But now, with interest rates climbing, many of them are also feeling desperate to lock in a mortgage—which has only added fuel to the fire.1 Fortunately, if you’re a […]

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Spring 2022 Are We In A Housing Bubble?

By Laurie Bornstein | Apr 25, 2022

Worried we’re in a housing bubble and its going to pop? With home prices continuing to defy gravity, mortgage rates spiking, the Fed raising interest rates significantly, a yield curve that is just keeping its nose above water, and some becoming vocal about the possibility that we are going to enter a recession sooner rather […]

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Seller’s Checklist: A Timeline to Prep Your Home for Sale

By Laurie Bornstein | Apr 1, 2022

We’re still in a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean your home is guaranteed to easily sell.1 If you want to maximize your sale price, it’s still important to prepare your home before putting it on the market. Start by connecting with a real estate agent as soon as possible. Having the eyes and ears […]

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