As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to decorating our homes with festive and vibrant plants that add a touch of seasonal magic. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting your plant journey, here are some of the best plants to have around during the holidays and tips on how to care for them throughout the year.

1. Christmas Cactus:
'Tis the season for the Christmas cactus! These charming plants, unlike their prickly relatives, produce beautiful weeping willow-like flowers in various colors, including red, pink, white, and orange. The blooming season typically starts in November and extends through December, making Christmas cacti the perfect indoor companion during the festive season.

To ensure your Christmas cactus…

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A Real Estate Agent Helps Take the Fear Out of the Market




Do negative headlines and talk on social media have you feeling worried about the housing market? Maybe you’ve even seen or heard something lately that scares you and makes you wonder if you should still buy or sell a home right now.

Regrettably, when news in the media isn't easy to understand, it can make people feel scared and unsure. Similarly, negative talk on social media spreads fast and creates fear. As Jason Lewris, Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer at Parcl, says:

“In the absence of trustworthy, up-to-date information, real estate decisions are increasingly being driven by fear, uncertainty, and doubt.”

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Buying a home is a big decision,…

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Unmasking Scary Myths about Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]




Some Highlights

  • Here’s what you really need to know about a few myths causing fear in today’s housing market.
  • Despite common misconceptions, many people can buy a home even if they have student loans, home prices are rising nationally (not falling), and you usually don’t have to have 20% for a down payment.
  • If you have other fears or reservations about buying a home today, let’s connect so you have an expert to help clear those up.

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Affordable Homeownership Strategies for Gen Z




The idea of owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream. It's a symbol of stability, independence, and having a place to truly call your own. But for Gen Z, the "Zoomers" born between 1997 and 2012, making that dream a reality can feel like quite the challenge today with higher mortgage rates and rising home prices.

But achieving that goal of owning your first home can still be attainable, even today, with some strategic planning and resourcefulness.

Explore Down Payment Assistance Options

With prices rising all around you, it can be hard to save up for a home. If you've been struggling to stash away enough cash for that down payment, it’s worth it to look into the…

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Invest in Yourself by Owning a Home




Are you wondering if it makes sense to buy a home right now? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two compelling reasons why it still may be a good time to become a homeowner.

Home Values Appreciate over Time

There’s been a lot of confusion around what’s happened with home prices over the past two years. While they did dip ever so slightly in late 2022, this year they’ve been appreciating at a more normal pace, which is good news for the housing market. And while looking at price movement over just a year or two can make you worry prices are usually this unpredictable, history shows in the long run, home values rise (see graph below):

 


Using data from the Federal…

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The Perks of Selling Your House When Inventory Is Low




When it comes to selling your house, you’re probably trying to juggle the current market conditions and your own needs as you plan your move.

One thing that may be working in your favor is how few homes there are for sale right now. Here’s what you need to know about the current inventory situation and what it means for you.

The Supply of Homes for Sale Is Far Below the Norm

When you’re selling something, it helps if what you’re selling is in demand, but is also in low supply. Why? That makes it even more desirable since there’s not enough to go around. That’s exactly what’s happening in the housing market today. There are more buyers looking to buy than there are homes for sale.

To…

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Why Home Prices Keep Going Up




If you've ever dreamed of buying your own place, or selling your current house to upgrade, you're no stranger to the rollercoaster of emotions changing home prices can stir up. It's a tale of financial goals, doubts, and a dash of anxiety that many have been through.

But if you put off moving because you’re worried home prices might drop, make no mistake, they’re not going down. In fact, it's just the opposite. National data from several sources says they’ve been going up consistently this year (see graph below):

 


Here’s what this graph shows. In the first half of 2022, home prices rose significantly (the green bars on the left side of the graphs above). Those increases were dramatic and unsustainable.

…

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Home Price Growth Is Returning to Normal [INFOGRAPHIC]




Some Highlights

  • If you're wondering what’s happening with home prices, know they’re still rising, just at a slower pace – and that’s perfectly normal for this time of year.  
  • Based on typical seasonality in the market, prices go up most in the spring during the peak buying season, and then price growth slows down as the year goes on.
  • Home prices aren’t falling. They’re just rising slower and going back to normal seasonal trends. That’s a good thing. If you're curious about prices in our area, let’s connect.

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The Risks of Selling Your House on Your Own




Are you thinking about selling your house as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO)? If so, know there's a whole lot more time and expertise needed in that process than you might think. While the idea of doing it all by yourself might seem tempting, it's important to recognize the challenges you may face if you take it on all by yourself. As a recent article from Bankrate explains:

“Choosing the right price, crafting a compelling listing, marketing to potential buyers, coordinating showings, preparing paperwork: All of these are tasks that, in the absence of a real estate agent, you will have to do yourself.”

Here’s a bit more information on just a few of those things and how you may miss out if you don’t use…

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What Are the Real Reasons You Want To Move Right Now?




If you're considering selling your house right now, it's likely because something in your life has changed. And while things like mortgage rates play a big role in your decision, you don’t want that to overshadow why you thought about making a move in the first place.

It’s true mortgage rates are higher right now, and that has an impact on affordability. As a result, some homeowners are deciding they’ll wait to sell because they don’t want to move and have a higher mortgage rate on their next home.

But your lifestyle and your changing needs matter, too. As a recent article from Realtor.com says:

“No matter what interest rates and home prices do next, sometimes homeowners just have to…

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