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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.

Mortgage rates are getting a lot of press coverage and we discuss how the Fed indirectly impacts the rate we pay for a mortgage and what is anticipated for the balance of the year. We also talk about why in today’s market you are smart to “marry the house but date the rate”, how a using a local lender can save you thousands of dollars when financing your home and the one thing you can do to positively impact your credit score.

We discuss what first-time homebuyers need to know to navigate the current market that has them facing rising home values, rising interest rates, low inventory and competition among other buyers. We share what type and price point of homes may be easier to find and why fall may be an especially good time for buyers. We also talk about how empty nesters are influencing the market impacting first-time buyers.

Properly staging your home helps to sell your home faster and for the most money. We discuss why every seller should pay for a full home cleaning and why landscaping is an important and potentially overlooked staging item. We also discuss what today’s buyers expect from a home and the timing of getting your home sold in today’s market.

Guest Forrest Wall, CEO of Homebuilders Association of Michigan joins us to discuss the Parade of Homes happening in SE Michigan showcasing 41 model and pre-construction homes. We also talk about the popular trends buyers want in homes, what has new permits down over last year, what state and local government can do to entice more new construction and other factors impacting the building industry.

Interest rates, inflation, and inventory along with stock market volatility and talk of a housing bubble are all making headlines. We tackle all these topics and what it means for our local housing market.

When a couple decides to divorce, the home becomes an important asset to be addressed. We discuss the importance of all parties working together to yield as much financial value as possible from the sale and how the courts may get involved if things stagnate. We also address the potential financial impact to the parties if they stop paying the mortgage or other bills when it comes time to buy a new home after divorce.

The Great Recession impacted the housing market greatly and our current market has an interesting mix of rising interest rates, high buyer demand, low inventory and rising home prices. All this has some questioning we have a housing bubble and if so is it going to burst. We discuss how past markets and conditions have led us to the market we have today and what is on the horizon.

Winter winds and weather and other harsh conditions can do some damage to your home so come spring your home can use some TLC. We share the items you want to inspect and where home maintenance may be needed to keep you home running smoothly. From the roof and gutters to the foundation and driveway, we help you do a thorough outside review of your home. We also discuss cleaning siding and what to look for on your deck. We also talk about how to prepare your heating and cooling systems to transition into the warmer seasons, how to maintain windows, doors and more.

If you have gently used furniture that you no longer need, we have a way you can help those in need to put that furniture in a new home. We talk to the Executive Director of The Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan about the current high demand for furniture among the folks this non-profit organization serves (i.e. those coming out of being homeless, victims of fire or flooding, domestic violence, etc.). Needed items include mattresses, box springs, couches, dining tables and dressers and The Furniture Bank will pick up these items for free from your porch or garage or if you prefer for a small fee their professional movers can come into your home and remove them for you. Learn how simple it is for you to remove declutter your home from no longer needed furniture and help others in the process.