Erica Fair - United Real Estate Strive 212

The recent pandemic changed so many things. Life as we know it was altered. So was real estate. In 2020, one out of every 20 homebuyers purchased a home without ever stepping foot in it first. Yes, that’s right. They bought a home sight-unseen, except for looking at photos or if they were lucky, by taking a video tour. Before the pandemic, only a very small percentage of buyers purchased a home without first seeing it in person. And that trend continues to grow. What does this mean for you? It opens up a world of possibilities! If you can’t physically make it to an open house or take a private in-person tour, just ask me to show you a home using Zoom, Facetime or another video platform. I can give you a real-time tour and answer any questions you may have just like you are with me in person!  A virtual tour can work better for your availability and schedule. If you live far away, this can make your home search quite a bit easier. See a home you’re interested in but not sure you can get

If you’re a homeowner over age 62, you may be thinking about a reverse mortgage. This is a loan that allows older homeowners to use equity in their homes.   As a result of the uncertainty in the economy since the pandemic hit in 2020, there have been scammers that target older homeowners through reverse mortgage schemes. Unlike a traditional mortgage, a reverse mortgage does not have a monthly mortgage payment. The loan is usually repaid when the borrower sells or no longer lives in the home. With a reverse mortgage scam, a homeowner may often not realize that they have been scammed until the loan money is already gone.  Play it safe and talk to an expert before considering a reverse mortgage. You can speak to a HUD reverse mortgage counselor at anytime at 800-569-4287. To learn more about a reverse mortgage and how it works, visit  www.consumerfinance.gov/reversemortgage .      

Reprinted from the June 2021 edition of CRAP-Free Zone w/Vali by   Vali G. Heist, Certified Professional Organizer® and owner of The Clutter Crew   Most Americans don't give a second thought about placing something plastic into the recycling bin because, in a perfect world, plastic should be recycled, right? We are in an environmental crisis after all. But our recycling centers have a problem. Because so many of us are Wishcycling.  Wishycling is the process of adding an item to your recycling bin without knowing if it is actually recyclable.  Just because it’s made of plastic doesn’t mean it is recyclable.    And yes, you'll find the little recycling arrows on just about every piece of plastic, but it really doesn’t mean anything. The manufacturers of those products aren’t being totally truthful and aren’t investing in the systems that we need to get all plastic recycled. The reason we think recycling is working is that the plastic industry has spent 30 years on multimillion-d

Getting ready to sell your house?  Then it’s time to get to work! Selling a home means more than just putting a for sale sign in your front yard. Before you consider listing your home, even in this strong housing market, there are some things you should do initially to get ready.  First of course, is to find a   great   real estate agent. That’s where I come in. Call me first. I can help you get your home ready for sale. 610-372-0212 or 610-413-0520. Trying a “for sale by owner” tactic tends to lead to one crisis after another. I can negotiate for you, keep your best interests front and center, and help you every step of the way!  Getting your home ready for sale can be easy if you take the time to freshen up your home in small steps.   1.       Take a look at your curb appeal. 2.       Declutter your living areas. 3.       Repaint walls in neutral tones (if necessary). 4.       Fix loose handles on cabinets and doors. 5.       Clean up scuff marks on walls, trim, and floors. 6.      

The housing market will continue to be hot this summer. Attractive mortgage rates, vaccine distribution, and continued growth in consumer confidence will make this summer continue to be a strong environment for real estate. Right now, there are not nearly enough homes to fulfill buyer’s demand. If you are selling, this is great news for you. This gives sellers the upper hand when it comes to negotiations. This puts upward pressure on home prices and creates a lot of competition among home buyers.  To add to the intensity of this summer’s real estate market, low mortgage rates are expected to continue throughout the rest of 2021.  Mortgage rates are remaining low enough to attract and motive home buyers. Another impact in the real estate market this year which is completely unique to 2021 is that vaccinations across the country are helping people feel we are reaching some level of normalcy. This is allowing states to ease economic restrictions and allowing businesses to fully reopen, in

If you’re getting ready to list your home, consider the exterior appearance of your home and property. There are some inexpensive improvements you can make to your outdoor space to make your property more appealing to a potential buyer.  The easiest one is also the one that’s the most logical. A clean and well-maintained exterior will increase the value of your home. Take a walk around your property and take notes. Notice if you see flaking paint or dirty siding on your home. If you do, fix that first. Also take a good hard look at your lawn. If the grass is overgrown, cut it. If you see bare patches on the lawn, plant some grass seed right away. If you have flowerbeds, make sure they are weeded and tidy. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to plan a few inexpensive plants that are low maintenance.  If your landscaping features trees, hedges or bushes, maintain them. Prune as needed. Clear out any debris or fallen branches and leaves.  Take a long hard look at your patio or deck and make repair