Resources

May 8, 2024

How to handle conflicting reports on interest rates.

Recent speculation around interest rate cuts and their impact on mortgage rates can confuse potential homebuyers. With differing expert opinions and the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) actions—or lack thereof—buyers don’t know what to think.

 

The Current Landscape of Interest Rate Predictions

Dr. Lawrence Yun, the …

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May 6, 2024

Do you have to put down 20 percent to purchase a home?

One of the most common misconceptions about buying a home is that you need 20% of the sale price for your down payment. While a larger down payment can offer advantages like lower monthly payments and no private mortgage insurance (PMI), many homebuyers are successfully purchasing homes with much …

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May 3, 2024

What are buyer concessions?

Real estate transactions throw a ton of information at buyers and sellers as they enter the home buying or selling process. Each transaction is nuanced and complicated, and it’s easy for consumers to get lost in the weeds when most only walk through the process every five years or …

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May 1, 2024

Working around the supposed “Best Week” to sell.

There’s a “Best of” everything. Apparently some publications argue that there is also a “Best” week to sell a home. This idea is rooted in statistics that suggest this period offers optimal conditions for listing a property, but relying on averages and generalizations alone can lead to misconceptions. In …

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April 29, 2024

The good and bad side of rising property values.

Property values rising in recent years in Dallas-Fort Worth is a double-edged sword for homeowners. The obvious benefit of added equity in your home also comes with the headache of increased property tax valuations. While prices can only increase by so much each year for homeowners with their homestead …

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April 25, 2024

Educating yourself on the effects of school vouchers in residential real estate.

One of the hot topics in the education conversation is the concept of school vouchers. This system is often controversial due to its far-reaching implications, and it warrants a deeper understanding, especially when it comes to how it affects the real estate market.

 

School vouchers are …

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April 23, 2024

What the activity of hedge funds can tell us about the real estate market.

The increasing participation of hedge funds in buying homes has become a notable trend nationally. This movement is a significant shift that could have ramifications for potential home buyers and sellers, which they should understand deeply. Why do these funds have such an interest in residential real estate?

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April 18, 2024

Big and small projects to improve your home equity and value.

As homeowners, we often desire to enhance the value of our homes, whether for future sale or personal satisfaction. Here, we'll explore cost-effective improvements and more substantial improvements with greater upfront investment to boost your property's value, drawing insights from expert discussions on the subject.

 

Why …

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April 16, 2024

Minimizing your tax burden by understanding property taxes.

In Texas, property taxes are a significant aspect of homeownership. Unlike some states that rely heavily on income tax, Texas does not have a state income tax, which means property taxes are a significant source of revenue for essential services including public schools, community safety, and infrastructure. Here's how …

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April 11, 2024

What does past summer market data tell us about 2024?

The transition into summer is more than just a climatic change; it marks a pivotal phase in real estate activities as DFW residents race against the clock to make a move before the start of the next school year. As we look back on past trends and current market …

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