• “Wait…What’s a Hot Water Heater?”

    A short (and very true) story: There I was with my new seller. We were touring the home where I look for defects and ask questions. Upon entering the basement storage room where the various components of the home are located (HVAC, electrical, radon system etc.), I immediately asked my…

  • “50 Shades of Maple Glen”: Good Marketing or In Poor Taste?

    “50 Shades of Maple Glen”: Good Marketing or In Poor Taste?

    There I was sitting minding my business on a Friday morning when all of a sudden my phone started blowing up. Texts, emails and FB messages were basically telling me that a very special home had hit the market. I checked my FB feed and almost every 5th post (I…

  • Are We Headed Into a Recession?

    By far, this is the most asked question these days. I would be remiss if I didn’t address it. As I said in my last article, I have no “crystal ball”, but since that time there have been some developments which are affecting the real estate market. Interest Rates –…

  • “Are Your Real Estate Holdings Recession-Proof?”

    “Are Your Real Estate Holdings Recession-Proof?”

    Don’t let the photo fool you, I do not have a crystal ball. Nonetheless, I decided to turn around and ask all of you homeowners a question: Are your real estate holdings recession-proof? While virtually no real estate is completely protected from the whims of the market, there are certain…

  • “What’s the Big Deal About Appraisal? Isn’t it Just an Opinion of Value?”

    Right now, lots of buyers are entering into bidding wars and this means they can be forced to pay top dollar. From the seller’s perspective, they are “testing the market” and pricing their homes higher than usual knowing buyers are willing to pay. It can all be very dramatic and…

  • “We Have Kids. Is It Going to be Impossible to Sell Our Home?”

    I was asked this question point blank by a couple of parents, who we’ll call “Mr. & Mrs. C.” I suspect they were mulling a move since they have a third baby on the way. This is actually a very typical “should I stay or should I go” scenario. Does…

  • “When Should I List My Home For Sale?”

    As I’ve said in previous posts, the idea of moving can be a daunting task, but with the help of the right people, it doesn’t have to be. Last month, I discussed “What Should I Do To Get My House Ready For The Spring” (here) and as a result, many of you…

  • “What Should I Do To Get My House Ready for the Spring Market?”

      Tis the season for holiday gatherings and gift giving… When putting this article together, I seriously considered putting a picture of a big snowflake or some “Clark Griswold-like” decorated house, but I figured you all get your fill of these types of visuals throughout the holiday season. So I…

  • “What Are The Pros and Cons of A Cash Offer For A Seller?”

    “What Are The Pros and Cons of A Cash Offer For A Seller?”

    I was recently in Virginia and received a voicemail from my good friend, Ashley Fusarelli, that goes something like this: “You said to ask you anything, so I am wondering what is the benefit of a cash offer for a house? I know someone who just recently received one and…

  • “I’m Thinking About Buying, So When Should I Speak With a Lender?”

    Generally in these articles, I will elude to a “grey area” since many topics pertaining to real estate can be complex and everyone’s situation is different. Thankfully, this topic is more cut and dry. When should you speak to a lender? The answer is: TODAY.   While some heed my…