Having work done on your home is never inexpensive. But whether you’re putting on a new deck, constructing built-in cabinets or refinishing your basement, below are a few ways you can cut costs, without cutting corners. Be an Educated Consumer Aggressively shop for the most reasonable bid. Don’t just hire the first contractor you find. […]
Top country-wide real estate trainer asked to interview Melinda Estridge to help advance the careers of other Realtors nationwide. Click here to listen to the full interview. Putting a house on the market today, not just in the DC Metro area but nationwide, is vastly different than it was 30 years ago. How you present your home is […]
In today’s market, with home prices rising and a lack of inventory, some homeowners may consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons why this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers. Here are […]
Home improvements can be expensive. From buying materials to hiring help, they can take a sizeable chunk out of your bank account. Those who are relatively handy—and armed with a plethora of Pinterest and Youtube knowledge—may consider tackling an improvement project themselves. When wondering if you should hire out or go DIY, consider the following. […]
Real estate has a plethora of intricate home-selling processes. One frequently mentioned but rarely understood is called a “short sale,” which occurs when a lender agrees to write off the portion of a mortgage that’s higher than the value of a home. So what exactly is a short sale and how does it work? What […]
Remodeling your home always takes a good amount of forward thinking: Will that pool offer ROI? Will you still want that basement rec room when the kids leave for college? But when elderly homeowners prep for a remodel, even more consideration is needed as they prepare to age in place. Common Features in Aging-In-Place Remodels […]
If you’re planning an upcoming home revamp in the Metro DC area, you may be wondering about the permit process. While it varies from state to state, below are a few need-to-knows about building permits. When Do You Need One? Small cosmetic fixes—say, a new paint job or landscaping—generally do not require a permit. Structural modifications […]
Let’s take a look at the real estate market. Currently there are 117 sales pending in the market overall, leaving 304 listings still for sale. The resulting pending ratio is 27.8% (117 divided by 421). So you might be asking yourself, that’s great…but what exactly does it mean? I’m glad you asked! The pending ratio indicates […]
Whether you’re gearing up to sell your home this spring or just looking to invite some of the outside indoors, this list of five spring home touches can brighten up your space. Bring Spring into Your Home Bring flowers inside. A bouquet of flowers on the dining room table or mantle can help bring that […]
Let’s take a look at the real estate market. Currently there are 14 sales pending in the market overall, leaving 68 listings still for sale. The resulting pending ratio is 17.1% (14 divided by 82). So you might be asking yourself, that’s great… but what exactly does it mean? I’m glad you asked! The pending […]
