A step-by-step guide to the homebuying process

From house hunting to the closing, here’s what you can expect By April Gardner | Source: Curbed You’ve weighed the pros and cons of renting versus buying, and buying, with its promise of equity appreciation, won. Assuming the title of homeowner is one of the most significant financial commitments you will ever make, and the […]

Rules of Engagement: How Cities Are Courting Amazon’s New Headquarters

By Laura Stevens, Shibani Mahtani and Shayndi Raice | Source: Realtor.com Don’t get too fancy. Head to edgier, trendier, neighborhoods. And definitely stay on time. These are a few of the tricks cities are deploying in their all-out effort to woo Amazon.com Inc.’s new headquarters, a move the online retailer says could bring nearly 50,000 jobs and more than $5 […]

Does Your Home Staging Look Too Sterile? How to Warm Things Up

By Adriana Velez | Source: Realtor.com Home staging—the practice of arranging furnishings and decor in a house so buyers can envision living there—is becoming an ever-more important tool for home sellers. In fact, studies show that staged homes sell 88% faster and for 20% more money than those that aren’t staged. And yet: Home staging can be taken too far. Home […]

5 secrets to building a successful brand in real estate

How design, your logo and you can elevate your brand By MATT SPANGLER | Source: Inman Sponsored By Compass Marketing is core to what real estate agents do everyday, and something I’m intensely focused on as Compass’ chief creative officer. At Compass, I lead a nationwide team of more than 100 world-class marketing specialists, designers, producers and content […]

These 6 Small Homes for Sale Are Totally Charming (and Affordable!)

By Elizabeth Finkelstein | Source: Country Living These small wonders are no longer hidden gems! One’s a former art studio, another a quaint barber shop, and they all pack in the tiny charm in less than 1,200 square feet. 5. Darlington, MD This one-bedroom, one-bath cabin has an artful past—it was once the home and studio of a […]

8 Ways New Agents Can Be Empowered

It can feel lonely when you’re thrown into the real estate industry with no support. These tips can help you advocate for yourself and get a quicker start to your career. By Bill Giannini | Source: realtormag.com When you’re a brand-new agent, you may feel like you’ve been thrown to the wolves. No one tells […]

Trulia launches ‘What Locals Say’ feature to tell it like it is

By Marian McPherson | Source: Inman News Helps buyers search for a home that fits their lifestyle Listing descriptions can only reveal so much about a home — the number of beds and baths, the special features in a kitchen or whether the backyard has enough room to entertain. But listings don’t always tell you about the best restaurants […]

7 Small home flaws that can be big deals for buyers

By Stephanie Booth | Source: Realtor.com After living in the same home for a while, it’s amazing what you can get used to. A creaky floorboard, for instance. A chipped tile that you’ve been meaning to replace but haven’t gotten around to. A doorknob that needs a little coaxing to turn. No big deal, right? Well, these […]

Why you still need staging in a seller’s market

By Jessie Culbert | Source: Redfin A seller recently asked me this question: In this market, do I really need to pay to stage my home? The answer is…yes! Redfin listing specialists recommend staging for two reasons: The first is that a staged home results in better photos. Photos are your home’s currency online, and the more appealing they are, […]