What Do Home Appraisers Look For in a House to Determine Its Value?

You found the house, and you and the seller have agreed on a sale price. Now it’s full steam ahead to closing, right? Not so fast: some very important steps to the home buying process are just ahead, and one of those is the home appraisal. Read on to learn exactly what home appraisers look for in de

Appraisal vs Inspection: Key Differences Every Homebuyer Should Know

Key takeaways An appraisal determines a home’s fair market value, while an inspection evaluates its condition. Lenders require appraisals for mortgage approval, but inspections are optional (though highly recommended). Appraisals protect lenders, while inspections protect buyers. Both help buyers ma

Where Is Housing Affordability Improving?

Key Takeaways Housing affordability is improving in most U.S. cities, led by San Jose, Seattle, and Oxnard, CA. Costs are falling the fastest in pricey coastal metros, as well as some Sun Belt markets that overheated during the pandemic. Nationwide, affordability has been slowly increasing since 202

7 Items to Soft Stage Your Home

If you’re selling your home, you don’t necessarily need a full-scale interior redesign overnight, but a refresh can sometimes be enough. Enter soft staging: the art of using simple, movable decor to enhance the home’s existing features. Whether you’re soft staging a home in Charleston, SC or prepari