Keys to Homeownership: Tips from The Scott Team

Have you had any recent big changes in your life – like getting married, moving or having a baby? If so, you might want to review your insurance coverage and make sure you’re fully protected. If you have too little coverage, you could pay for it later. Conversely, too much and you’re spending more than necessary.

Mortgage rates have been on a rollercoaster ride since the beginning of 2023.

As global property markets adapt to the changing economic and geopolitical landscape of a post-Covid world, we predict that luxury property will remain an important part of most HNW and UHNW individuals’ overall investment strategy. We asked our real estate experts around the globe to discuss the factors they believe will be most influential in impacting the decisions of potential luxury buyers in 2023 and beyond.

Picking the right spring projects to tackle this season could sell your home faster—and at a higher price.

Everything in the economy is cyclical and real estate is no exception. After a few robust years, 2022 brought the housing market to more normal (pre-Covid) levels, which we expect to continue in 2023. Here are a few more trends that the team at Long & Foster Real Estate expects to occur next year.

Choosing to become a homeowner is generally one of the biggest decisions of your life. It’s a financial and emotional decision that must be made based on your individual circumstances. But if sky-high rent increases have you leaning toward the security of owning your home, here’s why it’s a good time to buy.

About 15 years ago, we experienced a housing crisis. Unfortunately, at that time, many Americans lost their homes and real estate investments. Although our current market is shifting, homeowners need not worry that history will repeat itself. The factors affecting today’s housing market are vastly different than they were in the mid to late 2000s.

There’s been so much news lately relating to the economy and real estate. If you’re planning to buy or sell a home soon, you may be wondering what it means for you. The housing market, which received a boost from record low-interest rates during the Covid-19 pandemic, has begun to shift.

The housing market is influenced by the state of the economy. With so many economic developments recently, you may be wondering about the impact on the housing market. To keep you informed, the team at Long & Foster looked at a few factors that are currently affecting the real estate market.

Long & Foster Real Estate, the nation’s No. 1 real estate company, as a part of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, is proud to announce they have joined the prestigious ranks of Forbes Global Properties, a curated consumer marketplace of luxury homes and an invitation-only membership network of top real estate firms.

As the transition month from winter to spring, March can bring snow, 70-degree days or both, sometimes both in the same day! Either way, warmer weather is right around the corner, so now is the time to freshen up your home with some outdoor spring cleaning and maintenance tasks.

Is your home ready for winter? Winter is almost here! Before the weather gets too harsh, here are a few tips to prepare your home for the cold and snow that’s sure to come.

High or low, everyone has a budget when it comes to renovating a home or investment property. So, it’s important to choose the right renovations to maximize your budget and get as high of a return as possible on your investment. I spoke with several of the top real estate agents in Texas and Hawaii to learn the best renovations to add value to your home. Not only did they share some astute and outside-of-the-box recommendations, but these ideas are also applicable nationwide.

Before selling your home, it’s hard to know what improvements you can do now that will add value to it – without spending a fortune. To help, each year Remodeling magazine releases their Cost vs. Value Report, which estimates the average cost of a project and the percentage of the investment that will be recouped if the home is sold within a year.

Maintaining your home on a regular basis is a good habit to form. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of your home maintenance routine to pass on to the new owner of your home when you sell it.

June is National Homeownership Month! That means now is the perfect time to reevaluate your home and give it the makeover you’ve always wanted. Take some pride in your home and show it off by making it look like its best self.

May is the month between spring and summer when the flowers are in full bloom and the sunshine is a welcome respite from the April showers. During the warmer months, spending time outdoors is the perfect pastime. Make the most of your yard and garden by revitalizing it with a few simple fixes and soon you’ll be able to enjoy your outdoor space all season long.

Getting a head start on these indoor home maintenance tasks will lessen your load once the warm weather hits.

Winterizing your home will help prevent damage, reduce electricity costs and improve energy efficiency.

2022 was a unique year for design trends. Because homeowners were excited to finally finish projects they couldn’t complete in the previous years due to COVID-19 and supply chain issues, there wasn’t anything major or new to hit the market. So, styles didn’t quite have the evolution they would have had in the years prior to the pandemic. Still, homeowners were thrilled to finally refresh their spaces.

Today marks the official start of fall. As temperatures begin to drop and the days get shorter, the desire to decorate your home for the season will grow.

Each year, home builders from around the world gather for the International Builders Show (IBSx)—an opportunity to network, learn and get inspired on the latest in new home construction. This year’s event went virtual, but it didn’t limit the design ideas on display, including those at the New American Home and the New American Remodel.

Whether you’re renovating to sell, remodeling your home or looking for a new house, following design trends can help you make a good investment. While sellers need to be careful to avoid overspending, understanding the priorities of today’s buyers can help them tweak their staging or make minor adjustments to attract top dollar for their home.

While today’s real estate market conditions unquestionably favor those looking to sell, that does not mean homeowners should take things for granted. Buyers still want to purchase quality houses that will feel like home. Use this summer to make subtle home improvements that will not only look nice for you now but will give your home some extra appeal when you decide to sell.