6 Reasons Why Winter Is Actually the Most Chill Time to Buy a Home By Jamie Wiebe

While it’s true that things do slow down in the winter, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Yes, it’s cold. Yes, fewer homes are for sale. Yes, moving in a snowstorm is a pain no one should experience. But there are quite a few darned smart reasons to buy a home in the winter.


1. There’s less competition
Buying in the winter knocks out a large chunk of the buyer competition, allowing you to be a bit more selective with your home purchase.

2. Sellers are motivated—and willing to make a deal
Many people place their homes on the market at this time of the year because they need to and will be more willing to work with you.

3. You can put the house through its paces
In most climates, winter puts stress on the home. That gives you the perfect opportunity to evaluate the property under the worst conditions possible. A home that might seem perfect during the temperate spring could look wholly different in the winter.

4. Hiring movers is usually easier
Movers aren’t booked solid like in the spring and summer months. You might even be able to negotiate a lower price because of the chilled demand.

5. You can enjoy last-minute tax savings

If you’re purchasing your first home, buying in the winter gives you a few extra months of potential tax deductions although you should consider talking to a professional before getting too excited.

6. Homes close faster
You will be able to close your loan much faster, as wait times are much shorter during the holiday season.


For more information about the benefits of buying a home in the winter go to bmre.us/tip20

5 Home Staging Ideas That Work Wonders During Winter By Jeanne Sager

Winter is the time of year when most home buyers, like bears, retreat to their own cozy homes and hibernate. So what if you have a house you must sell right now, winter be damned? With fewer homes on the market, it’s easier to stand out!


Don’t skimp on curb appeal
Shoveling the driveway and paths to your home is a must. And you’ll want to clean out your gutters, so ice isn’t backing up and giving the impression that you have roofing issues.


Turn up the heat
When a buyer enters the house and wants to hurry up and get out of there because it is so chilly, it probably means they are going to have a bad memory associated with the home, no matter how great it is.


Fire up the fireplace
Hitting all of the buyer’s senses creates a memorable experience that will hopefully lead to them purchasing the home.


Add seasonal scents
Mulling seasonal spices such as oranges, cloves, and cinnamon on the stove, to go along with freshly baked holiday cookies cooling on a rack in the kitchen.


Pump up the holiday decor
The main reason is that buyers like to picture themselves in the home hosting holiday get-togethers, and it’s much easier to show them the potential of a house when it’s decorated for the winter months. A big wreath with a bright red bow on the front door does the trick.


For more winter staging ideas go to bmre.us/hint20

8 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying and Selling at the Same Time By Jamie Wiebe

Plenty of people find themselves buying and selling a home simultaneously, but knowing that others have gone through the same stress does not make it one bit easier. After all, the stakes are so high: If your buyer backs out, you don’t have any cash to land your next home! Or if your own purchase falls through but your current home sells, you’re homeless!


Breathe in. Don’t panic.


It turns out that most buying-and-selling mistakes are easily avoidable—or at least predictable. Follow these eight tips to enter escrow with eyes wide open.


1. Waiting too long to prep your home for selling
Every home needs a little work before selling. You might need to repaint some scratched walls, fix broken decking, or add grout in a rarely used bathroom. Don’t wait until the last minute to kick-start this process, otherwise you could wind up in a bind.

2. Skipping the backup plan
Assume that you won’t be able to buy and sell at exactly the same time. Keep your emergency fund well-stocked. In a best-case scenario, you may simply need a hotel for a week.

3. Buying too big
One of the biggest mistakes that we see that simultaneous buyers and sellers make is the same one that many first-time buyers make: They fail to get pre-approved on their new loan.

4. Working with too little cushion
If you’re hoping to use the entire sale price as a down payment on another home, move forward with the assumption your home will sell for less than expected.

5. Failing to compromise
One mistake is expecting so much from the people selling the home, but not being willing to give anything to the buyers of their own home.

6. Using two different real estate agents
Having control and insight over both transactions allows a Realtor to make sure that we close both homes simultaneously.

7. Closing on a Friday…
Bank transfers can take a few days to go through. In order to ensure there’s money in your account when the time comes, buffer a few days to transfer funds.

8. …or late in the afternoon
Banks usually stop wire transfers by 3 p.m. in the time zone where the property is located.


For more information on mistakes to avoid when buying and selling a home go to bmre.us/tip19

5 Ways You are Sabotaging the Sale of Your Home By Terri Williams

So you’ve finally decided to put your home on the market. You’ve planned your first open house, begun searching for new digs, and even made a mental packing list. Now all you have to do is sit back and wait for the offers to roll in, right?

Well, sellers, we don’t mean to freak you out, but we’ve got bad news: You just might be sabotaging your home sale. Obviously, that’s the last thing you’d want to do, but one wrong turn—or wrong decision—could hurt your chances of landing a buyer. And the most unsettling part? You probably have no idea you’re doing anything wrong.


1. Bad color schemes
When a buyer comes into your home, you want them to imagine it as their future home. The more difficult it is, the less likely they are to buy. The more muted the decorations and color schemes, the broader the reach and the better off you are.

2. Too much personal taste
Odd decorations divert buyers’ attention away from the home itself.

3. Bad odors
You might have become nose-blind to cigarette or pet odor, but savvy buyers will instantly pick up on funky smells—and that’s a sure way to drive them away.

4. Not being flexible for showings
The real estate market moves quickly, so if you want to sell your home you need to cater to the potential buyers’ schedules.

5. Disguising problem areas
In your quest to have a show-ready home, don’t cut corners. A fresh coat of paint might temporarily hide the appearance of mold, but it’ll likely crop up in the home inspection.


For more information on what not to do to sell your home go to bmre.us/hint19

The Home Appraisal Process and How It Can Impact Your Mortgage Payments By Jamie Wiebe

If you’ve applied for a mortgage, your home-to-be still has to undergo a comprehensive appraisal of its worth—and an unfavorable home appraisal can kill a real estate deal. Yikes! It can be a nerve-racking ordeal, but it’s actually good for you.


Appraisals estimate a home’s value with fresh eyes!
Just because you and the sellers have agreed on a price doesn’t mean it’s a done deal—your lender needs to be on board, too. After all, it’s the lender’s real estate investment as well. To get a mortgage, you’ll need a home appraisal because the home serves as collateral for your lender.


You’ll get a copy of the home appraisal, too.
An appraiser doesn’t have the same job as a home inspector, who examines every little detail. While they’ll pay particular attention to problems with the foundation and roof, the home appraisal process includes noting the quality and condition of the appliances, plumbing, flooring, and electrical system. With data in hand, they make their final assessment and give their report to the lender. The mortgage company is then required by law to give a copy of the appraisal to you.


Appraisers work for your lender—not you.
This ensures that appraisers remain ethical—in fact, it’s a crime to coerce or put any pressure on an appraiser to hit a certain value. Appraisers must remain independent.


They protect buyers from a bad deal.
If the appraisal comes in higher than your asking price, it’s generally fine.
Your lender won’t pony up more money than the appraised price.


A curveball appraisal isn’t necessarily the end.
If the appraisal process happens, your appraisal comes in low, and your contract with the seller was contingent on an appraisal, you could walk away and have your earnest money returned.
Ask the seller to cover the difference.
Challenge the appraisal, and pay for a second opinion.
Once your appraisal is done, you’re still not ready to close without another step called a home inspection.


For more information about the Home Appraisal Process go to bmre.us/tip18a

These 5 Factors Are Influencing a Home’s Asking Price By Wendy Helfenbaum

Ever gotten excited about a house for sale, then looked at the price and thought, “Are they out of their minds?” Yeah, me too.

It can be a disheartening moment when you’re house hunting. And that jaw-dropping asking price might simply seem like an arbitrary, money-grabbing number that’s keeping you from your dream home. But before you dismiss a house for being too expensive, you should know that there are a variety of reasons a property is priced the way it is.


1. What’s happening in your local housing market at any particular moment
Low inventory creates a seller’s market with aggressive listing prices. A surplus of homes for sale results in overall lower asking prices.

2. The (extremely specific) location of the house
Similar or even identical houses just streets apart from each other can have wildly different price tags based on things like traffic noise and access to quality schools, shops, and restaurants.

3. The comps
Historical data plays a huge role in setting a listing price; it’s not a number just pulled out of the air. So find an agent who can interpret that data.

4. The amenities (and overall appeal) of the home.

Clients prefer new construction, brand-name appliances, and large bedrooms—[preferably] at least three on one floor if they have kids—plus a den or office. Additional features such as parking, central air conditioning, outdoor space, and floor plan also affect the sticker price.

5. Age and condition of the home
If you want a newer, turnkey home, expect to pay more for that.


For more information on what goes into pricing a home go to bmre.us/tip17.

5 Unwritten Home Selling Etiquette Rules That Can Make or Break Your Sale By Kayleigh Roberts

Selling a house takes, well, salesmanship. In other words, you have to prep your house so it looks its best. You have to open your door to strangers who’ll traipse through your home, open closets, and ask all kinds of questions. And, you have to do all of this without getting annoyed or overly emotional!


1. Don’t take offense when your listing agent says your house ‘needs work’.
Don’t be offended by this advice—your agent isn’t trying to criticize you as a homeowner or a human being; she’s just trying to help you achieve your shared goal of selling the house quickly and for as much profit as possible.

2. Don’t view low-ball offers as insults.
Someone who makes a low-ball offer might be testing the waters or trying to establish room to negotiate. Or it could be a novice at home buying who doesn’t realize the offer is insulting. At least keep the door open to further negotiations. Always counter to make sure that you can still engage buyers who are getting bad advice.

3. Do respond quickly to offers.
It’s frustrating, from a buyer’s perspective, to have to wait on a response, so be courteous and answer as quickly as you’re able to.

4. Don’t tag along during the home inspection.
Following along on the inspection is a bad idea for several reasons.

5. Do agree to reasonable requests for repairs.
The buyer has a right to request repairs, or a deduction from the selling price. 

While you don’t want to get nickel-and-dimed with requests for every little thing, it’s also not in your best interest to reply with a flat no to reasonable requests that are turned up by the inspection, unless you listed the home “as is” or already priced it under market value to reflect significant repairs you anticipated it needing.

You’ll now be required to disclose that issue to future potential buyers
Don’t let a few repairs keep you from the closing table, because going back and relisting your house won’t be any better the second time around.


For more information on keeping your cool during the sales process go to bmre.us/hint17

6 Habits All Successful Home Buyers Have in Common By Margaret Heidenry

Here’s a breakdown of home-buying habits to adopt now. These behaviors are things you can do daily, weekly, monthly, or even just yearly. Taken together, they set you well on the path to homeownership with a minimum of pain and suffering.


1. Daily: Ditch an indulgence or two

Daily habits you may want to adopt now include eating out less often, cutting the cable bill, canceling (or downgrading) the gym membership, forgoing expensive coffee, and making your own lunch every day.

2. Weekly: Make deposits into a ‘home savings’ account. 

Get into the habit of depositing a set weekly amount.

3. Weekly: Start attending open houses

Getting into the habit of attending open houses will not only give you a feel for what homes are available, but seeing homes that could be yours will also help motivate you to save.

4. Monthly: Do a trial run at homeownership

Owning a home is more than just coming up with a 20% down payment. You also have to be able to pay the mortgage and home maintenance costs. For one month, set aside the anticipated amount of your monthly housing expenses and what you’d need for an emergency fund. (A good rule of thumb is to save 10% of your mortgage amount every month for maintenance fees. So if your payment is $1,200, sock away $120.) Then see if you can live within your new budget.

5. Monthly: Pay all bills on time

To qualify for a mortgage at a reasonable interest rate, you’ll need a credit score that is in the 600s at the very least. The best way to keep your score high is to be in the habit of paying every single bill on time.

6. Yearly: Check your credit report

To get a free copy of your credit score, go to CreditKarma.com. For your full credit report, available for free once a year, go to AnnualCreditReport.com. Who knows, there may be things on that report you weren’t aware of that are hurting your score—the only way to know and nip these problems in the bud is to check.


To get out of your rental and into your own home check out these tips at bmre.us/tip15.

5 Factors to Consider for When Is the Best Time to Sell Your House By Daniel Bortz

When is the best time to sell your house? Timing can make a big difference in terms of selling your home quickly and for the most cash. But here’s the thing: The rules on pinpointing that best time might not be what you think.


1. Spring isn’t always the best season to sell your house
Spring home-buying season generally means you’ll have more competition from other home sellers

2. Keep an eye on the local economy
A home’s value generally increases 3% to 4% a year when the economy is strong, driven by inflation and natural population growth.

3. Mortgage rates matter, too
More people buy homes when mortgage rates drop, historic data shows.

4. Wait until your home’s in good shape
Taking care of leaks, built-in appliances not functioning properly, insect infestations, plus any imminent safety or environmental hazards, is crucial before listing your home.

5. Your personal preparedness is a priority, too
no amount of timing should eclipse what time is right for you personally, professionally, and otherwise.

What Does Days on Market Mean and How Buyers Can Take Advantage By Margaret Heidenry

In the real estate game, many buyers understand that knowing a home’s days on market (DOM) is absolutely critical intel. Why? Because the number of days a home spends on the market directly affects the price of a home. Plus, this information can be used to the buyer’s benefit to negotiate a lower price. Here’s how!


Days on market’ is the number of days that a property has been listed on the local multiple listing services (MLS) until a seller has accepted an offer and signed a contract. It can also be referred to as “time on market” or “market time.”


A house that has only been on the market a few days typically means that home could go at the asking price or higher, but a home that has been on the market for a longer period of time, say 187 days, is likely overpriced in most markets.


Buyers and their agents can use days on market as a search filter to identify homes that have been listed for a long time.


While DOM can indicate sellers who are refusing to budge on their asking price, it can also identify sellers who haven’t received offers and who may be open to a dramatically lower offer. Because the last thing sellers want is for their house to get stale on the market.

5 Questions to Ask Before Selling Your Home and Why Missing Even One Can Cost You Dearly By Daniel Bortz Jul 10 2019

Selling your house is not as simple as just putting it on the market and waiting for offers from eager buyers to roll in. (Ah, if only…) If you have any hope that your sale will go smoothly, you’ll have to sit down, take a hard look at your house, and ask yourself a few questions.

1. Can I afford to sell my house?

• Professional photographs
• Landscaping
• Staging
• Closing costs

2. What do I need to disclose to home buyers?

• Be prepared to disclose some of your home’s flaws

3. Should I hire a home inspector?

• Pre-inspections give sellers the ability to fix problems ahead of time

4. Which areas of my home get the most attention?

• Living room
• Kitchen
• Master Bedroom

5. What do I have to leave behind when my house is sold?

• The law says that anything bolted to the wall or ceiling goes to the buyer unless specifically excluded in the contract.

A lot of thought must go into the decision to sell a home.

The answers to these questions and many more can be found by going to bmre.us/hint11

What Is a Half-Bath Or a Quarter Bath or Three-Quarter Bath for That Matter By Lisa Johnson Mandell Aug 1 2019

Next to the number of bedrooms, the number of bathrooms in a house is a huge selling point. But when perusing home listings, you’ll quickly realize that bathroom math isn’t so simple.  What exactly is a half-bath? Or a quarter-bath, or three-quarter bath, or “full bath” for that matter?

Let’s run through the numbers! Bathroom numbers, that is!

In order for a room to be listed as a “full bath,” it must contain four key fixtures: a toilet, sink, bathtub, and shower (or shower-bath combo).

A half-bath, also known as a powder room or guest bath, has only two of the four main bathroom components—typically a toilet and sink.  Most real estate agents will tell you that adding a half-bath to your home is one of the most profitable home improvements you can make.

A three-quarter bathroom most often has an upright stall shower, a sink, and a toilet. But in older houses or condos, a three-quarter bath might have just a sink, toilet, and tub, but no shower. In this case, the new owner almost always converts it to a full bathroom by installing a shower head over the tub, and enclosing it with a shower curtain. 

And finally, what of the humble quarter-bathroom? A room with just one of the four elements—typically a toilet. Quarter bathrooms are rare for good reason: Who doesn’t want to wash their hands after attending to their business? Another type of quarter-bathroom is just a shower, often located outside by a pool to rinse off.

Each bathroom must be listed separately, because this gives home buyers a better sense of the home’s features—and their options when they simply have to go.  You can go to bmre.us/tip10 for the full story.

Should I Sell My House 6 Signs It’s Time to Move On By Stephanie Booth Jul 10 2019

Ten years is the average amount of time a homeowner stays in a house before a sale, according to the National Association of Realtors®.  Here are some telltale signs it’s time to start looking for the next home and packing your bags (and when you should settle in for the long haul).

1. You know the seller’s market is booming and you want in

2. Because your neighbors just got what for their house?

3. You’re sick of feeling financially stressed

4. You’ve grown—but your home hasn’t

5. You’re over ‘high maintenance’

6. You’ve put at least 5 years into the relationship

Of course, there are no promises that selling will be better for you in the long run. Take your time deciding if you should sell, and then study the local home sales market. Do this with the help of your real estate agent, before you price your home. If you under-price your home, a buyer may snatch it up too cheaply. If you overprice it, the right buyer may pass it by.

Selling your home is, above all, a personal decision. Do what will help you live—if not happily ever after—happily for now.  For a more detailed look at the topic go bmre.us/hint10.

Five Things to Know Before Building A House By Beth DeCarbo Aug 2 2019

Starting. Takes. Forever.

Waiting to break ground was the most frustrating part. It involved three major hurdles: Getting the floor plans approved by the development’s architectural-review committee, which meets monthly. Getting the final contract from the builder. Getting a construction loan from the bank.

Lots of expenses aren’t included in the price of the house.

You may pay $80,000 for the land, not including property taxes and property-owners association fees. Before construction could begin there are some preliminary steps required by the builder and the county where you reside. You might spend $1,400 for a required topographical map and tree inventory; $630 to outline the home’s footprint with stakes and tape; $800 for the architectural review; $3,000 to the development’s road-maintenance fund for wear and tear; $150 for a septic-system permit, and $450 to drill test holes for the septic system. These expenses couldn’t be included in the loan—because you don’t have a loan yet.

There are sneaky ways to save money.

Buying remnants of granite and quartz for the countertops instead of full slabs of stone saves several hundred dollars. You might pay only $100 for a floor-model sink that has been discontinued. You can ask the appliance store manager for a discount on a kitchen-laundry package. And finally, plant much of the landscaping yourselves and save an estimated $5,000.

Asked more questions about cost-savings upfront instead of just pursuing your dream design.  Ask how much you can save if you choose a floor plan with a smaller footprint, but the same square footage? The cost of site prep, cement and roofing would be far less.

For more questions to ask before building a home go to bmre.us/tip9

Staging and Selling a Home With Kids Yes You Can By Larissa Runkle Jul 24 2019

Staging your home is universally acknowledged as one of the most important things you can do to make it appeal to potential buyers. Few expect a home occupied by children to be perfect; that said, it should still adhere to some of the basics of staging, by being clean, inviting, and depersonalized.

It’s psychological. A dirty-feeling house implies nothing is well-maintained—not your appliances, or even the wooden floor concealed by a large area rug.

Find out what’s absolutely essential to normalizing the day to day for the children, and get a storage space to put any overflow.  Remove larger toys that might otherwise dominate the room, like play sets, dollhouses, or that 4,000-piece Lego Death Star set.

The toys you keep are the ones kids play with every day.  Rather than leave them out, get containers and shelving. To maintain organization, it’s important to place the toys back in a manner where it’s easy for the kids to help in the cleanup process.

Labeling the containers, baskets, and bins gives the look a finishing touch but makes it easy for everyone to identify where things go back.  If your kids are too young to read, use pictures instead.

Now isn’t the time for art projects.  Pack up tempting supplies like paint, markers, crayons, and glitter.  

Another good point is to watch what you cook on showing days. Here’s a tip: Skip the waffles and maple syrup for breakfast. In fact, keep any sticky, high-spatter foods off the menu for those days.

Clean [off] fingerprints and sticky handles that people may open, like closet doors, appliances, doorknobs, mirrors, and glass.

It may be a challenge to sell a home with young children living there.  For more details on how to stage and sell a home With Kids go to bmre.us/hint9

4 Ways to Keep Your VA Loan on Track By Veterans United

Pre-approval is a big step in the home-buying process. It shows real estate agents and sellers you’re a serious candidate and gives you a clear sense of your purchasing power.

But VA loan pre-approval isn’t a guarantee.

Work hard to avoid these four pitfalls to help keep your VA loan on track.

1. Slipping up on credit

2. Making major purchases

3. Undergoing big career changes

4. Packing up important documents

The last thing you want is a surprise change that may throw a wrench into your journey to homeownership. So in the end, ask your loan team if there’s anything you’re unsure about.

Want to learn more? Check out our Veterans Guide to Homeownership and get started on your home-buying journey. To get the guide go to bmre.us/valoan 

The One Thing That Can Make or Break How People Feel About Your House By Kelsey Ogletree Jul 31 2019

Considering the time and energy homeowners put toward making their house look great (particularly if they’re trying to sell), many make the critical mistake of neglecting another one of our senses that can be far more powerful: smell.

Even if you’ve decorated or staged your home perfectly, if potential buyers walk in and detect an unpleasant odor, they could skedaddle fast. Good scents, on the other hand, entice them to linger.

It’s often the first thing a person will notice upon entering a space—and it’s one of the things that, when done poorly, can kill a sale, no matter how beautiful the home.

Before considering what options you have for making your home smell amazing, you want to be sure you’re starting fresh. The first step to a good-smelling home is to get rid of any odor.  Make sure to scrub all surfaces, wash all rugs, and have the carpets cleaned. Until this is done, you’ll only be masking smells.

• Scrub down the bathroom
• Freshen the fridge
• Take out the trash
• Get underfoot, clean rugs and floors
• Don an apron, bake some cookies
• Just add soap
• Play with matches
• Focus on essentials
• Raid your laundry room
• Simmer vanilla extract diluted in water on the stove
• Find one neutral, mild scent and let it breathe

The definition of ‘pleasant’ when it comes to the olfactory senses can vary widely from person to person, so it’s best to keep the scent subtle and clean throughout, with a special emphasis on the kitchen and bath.

For a deeper dive into scents that sell homes go to bmre.us/hint8