Reduced Competition: The holiday season sees fewer active buyers, giving you a distinct advantage in terms of choice and negotiation power.
Motivated Sellers: People listing their homes during the holidays are often keen to close quickly, offering you leverage for better deals and terms.
Seasonal Goodwill: The holiday spirit often leads to smoother negotiations and a more enjoyable home-buying experience, benefiting both buyers and sellers.
The holiday season is just a few weeks away, and while your thoughts may be on gifts and gatherings, don’t overlook the prime homebuying opportunities that this season offers. Here’s a sneak peek into why buying a home during the holidays could be the smartest move you make all year.
Financial freedom: Reduce expenses, maximize savings, and invest in your future by downsizing your home.
Streamlined living: Embrace a clutter-free environment and enjoy more time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Expert guidance: Our real estate agents provide personalized support, extensive market knowledge, and a trusted network of professionals to ensure a seamless downsizing experience.
Are you seeking a more streamlined and rewarding lifestyle? Downsizing your home could be the transformative step you’ve been waiting for. Our dedicated real estate agent team is here to guide you through the downsizing process, ensuring a seamless transition while maximizing the benefits of this exciting change. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons to downsize, the remarkable benefits it brings, and how our team can assist you every step of the way.
Why Downsize? 5 Compelling Reasons to Embrace a Smaller Space
Financial Freedom: Unlock new financial possibilities by reducing your housing expenses, mortgage payments, property taxes, and utility bills.
Simplify Your Life: Say goodbye to the burden of excess possessions and embrace a clutter-free living environment, fostering peace of mind and enhanced organization.
Rightsize Your Space: When your current home feels too large or no longer suits your lifestyle, downsizing allows you to find the perfect-sized space that meets your needs and preferences.
Embrace Accessibility: Transition to a home that offers better mobility and accessibility features, ensuring comfort and convenience for years to come.
Embrace a Greener Lifestyle: Reduce your environmental impact by living in a smaller, more energy-efficient home, minimizing your carbon footprint and promoting sustainability.
This is a great time to plan for the future of your home, so contact us today!
From volatile national market trends impacting local housing markets to unforeseen structural problems, a property’s value fluctuation can be tricky to gauge accurately. However, the good news for current and would-be homeowners curious about a property’s actual value in today’s market is that information is more accessible than ever. So let’s look at some of the easiest, most straightforward options for knowing a property’s actual value and why it’s so important!
Mortgage rates are going up, but they’re actually not that high.
You’re still in control: you can get yourself a lower rate with these smart tips.
Find opportunities in your local real estate market—contact us today!
Many would-be homebuyers putting off buying their dream home because they are fearful of rising mortgage rates. It seems like the news is non-stop negative when it comes to talking about the housing market. But it’s worth putting those headlines into perspective. In 1981, mortgage rates hit an all-time high of 18.45%! On a 30-year fixed mortgage right now, you can expect to find rates around 5.9%—that’s 68% less than the highest mortgage rates homeowners have historically managed. Let’s take a look at today’s mortgage rates and see why this is stillthe time to buy your dream home.
You want to make sure you’re doing everything right when it’s time to buy a new home in a competitive market.
Stability with your employment and finances is super important, so don’t make any sudden changes.
Don’t skip out on working with a buyer’s agent—an experienced real estate agent is an invaluable partner.
Buying a home is an exciting and sometimes nerve-wracking experience. In addition to finding the right place, you also have to find the right mortgage, and with low inventory in many markets and rising home prices nationwide, securing your dream home can be a challenge if you don’t make the right decisions when preparing to buy. Here are five of the most common mistakes you should avoid when buying a home. Continue reading →
Home values are rising faster than inflation, making homes a prized asset
This housing market offers unique opportunities for buyers and sellers
Contact us today to secure your assets and safeguard your future!
The state of real estate and inflation
As inflation soars to near 40-year highs and raises the cost of everything, many are looking for innovative ways to secure their assets against inflationary losses. Additionally, given the housing market’s recent volatility (primarily driven by historic low levels of housing inventory that have caused an imbalance between supply and demand), it’s understandable that many might consider real estate to be a wrong or risky move right now. But the great news is that nothing could be further from the truth. Let’s explore how and why buying or selling a home can safeguard you against inflation. Continue reading →
Buyers throughout all walks of life are wondering how to navigate today’s competitive housing market.
Whether you’re a Gen Z first-time buyer or a Baby Boomer looking to downsize, you should consider making a move to lock in your real estate goals.
Have questions about buying or selling? Contact us for personalized advice! 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com
What Every Generation Should Know About Buying a Home
As older members of Gen Z reach home-buying age and Millennials make up the largest share of the housing market, buyers from every generation are wondering if now is the right time to make a move. Buying a home at any stage in life comes with its own unique challenges, so it’s crucial to consider your future and factor finances into your decision.
Looking for advice? We’re here to offer some savvy real estate tips for every generation, from Gen Z to Baby Boomers. Continue reading →
In today’s hot market, it’s more important than ever to choose the right agent to help you buy or sell a home.
Real estate agents don’t just offer local expertise—their insider knowledge and marketing prowess come in handy, too.
Thinking about making a move in the new year? Contact us to start planning now!
Here Are the Top 10 Qualities Every Successful Real Estate Agent Should Have
Did you know that 75% of buyers and sellers work with the first agent they meet? It’s true—but that doesn’t mean it’s the best decision. If you want to come out on top in today’s competitive market, experts often recommend interviewing a few candidates before settling on the right real estate professional for the job. And if you’re not sure where to start, we’ve outlined 10 qualities of a highly successful agent.
Pools are a highly coveted amenity, and having one of your own comes with quite a few perks.
Want to know the ins and outs of pool ownership? We’ve outlined some must-ask questions that every homebuyer should consider.
No matter what kind of home you’re looking to buy, you can always reach out to us for advice—give us a call to start your next chapter!
Here Are the Questions You Need to Ask Before Buying a Home with a Pool
If you’re in the market for a new home, a pool might be at the top of your wish list—and having one comes with quite a few health, entertaining, and financial benefits! However, before you commit to buying a home with this luxurious feature, there are some questions you might want to ask first.
Want to learn the ins and outs of buying a home that comes with a pool? Here’s everything you need to know.
What are the most common types of pools?
Generally, most pools fall into two categories: above-ground and in-ground. Above-ground pools cost less to maintain and are statistically safer. However, in-ground pools blend into your yard’s natural landscape, and because they’re permanent, they may increase your home’s value over time.
Pools can also be subdivided into a number of other categories based on their materials (fiberglass, concrete, etc.), the type of water (fresh or saltwater), and styles (lap pools, infinity pools, or spas). It’s best to do plenty of research in advance and ask your agent for more details on a home’s pool.
What should I know about pool maintenance?
In most cases, pools cost around $100 or more each month to maintain and can require an hour of work per week depending on the season. However, this number varies based on your location and whether or not you use a professional service.
As a pool owner, you’ll be responsible for cleaning any debris, adding pool chemicals, as well as maintaining the pump and filter. You may also want to periodically test pH levels, vacuum your pool, and use cleaners to shock the water.
Over time, your pool will require more expensive maintenance, especially if a part goes bad or there’s a problem with the overall structure. If you have any concerns, your agent can be a helpful resource as you weigh the pros and cons.
Should I worry about pool safety?
If you plan on having children or pets near your pool, you want to ensure that it has the latest safety features. Fencing, mesh covers, and pool alarms add another layer of protection for all ages. If a pool doesn’t already have these upgrades, you’ll want to factor in the cost of adding them. More costly gadgets—such as alarms and fences—will set you back a few hundred dollars.
Will home inspectors check a pool?
Home inspectors almost always check a pool during their evaluation. However, if they aren’t well-versed in the specifics of pool maintenance, they may miss some critical issues. If you have any in-depth questions about a pool’s condition, hire a professional pool inspector before the closing. They’ll go beyond a general checklist and give you a thorough look at any problems a pool might have. Most pool inspectors will also provide an itemized list of potential repairs that can help you negotiate the final price of a home.
Want to know some of the most common red flags inspectors might point out? Be wary of any cracks in the pool’s interior, foul-smelling or off-color water, clogged filters, or broken equipment.
Ready to Have Some Fun in the Sun?
Pools can require some effort and money to maintain, but you simply can’t beat the benefits of having your own swimming space. If you’re dreaming of buying a home with a pool, we’d love to help you track down your perfect place! Just give us a call at The Bouma Group at 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com to get started—we look forward to working with you!
Selling a home with a pool? Contact us to learn more about getting top-dollar in no time at all. 734-761-3060 or info@bouma.com.
Picture this: you’ve found a seemingly perfect home in just the right neighborhood. It has every single one of your must-haves, plenty of space, and even all of the features you want. But on the tour, your agent spots a few big problems, like a crack in the foundation or signs of water damage. Should you walk away from what seems like your dream house?
Unless you’re looking to tackle a fixer-upper, you may want to proceed with caution if you run into any of these red flags during a showing.
Watch Out for These 6 Red Flags During a Showing
As you tour homes, it’s important to remember that a seller may not always disclose (or know) the whole truth about their house. If you ever have any questions about a home’s condition, make sure to ask your agent. They’ll often be able to spot problems that you may not see yourself, and they can also help you decide whether or not a certain issue is a dealbreaker.