Thursday, May 26, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
If you have been watching the news over the past several weeks, you have likely seen analysts discussing inflation and interest rates. Both mechanisms have a strong pull on the U.S. economy, and if you are looking to buy or sell real estate, understanding what the numbers are indicating is key. Read on as we dive into what is happening with our current economy and what impacts Vermonters (or future Vermonters) will face! Please keep in mind we are not financial advisors, and you should always speak to a finance professional before making any decisions to understand the appropriate solution(s) specific to you.
The Inflating Economy
Over the last year, we have seen a tremendous rise in inflation. Inflation, in simple terms, is a year-over-year calculation of everyday goods like food, gas, electricity, etc. In the past 12 months, we have seen a huge jump coming to a whopping 8.3% increase. With the cost of living rising across the U.S., homebuyers feel the effects in their pockets. ; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, buyers process, home tips, homebuying, home selling process, interest rates, lending
Wednesday, March 16, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
Buying your first or next home is a major step in life, and after you’ve closed on your new digs it may feel like you’ve finally won the race and can take a breather! While you may now be the proud owner of a new home, the process is not over quite yet. You still have a few more steps to go to get your home ready for living!
Put New Locks on Your Home
Changing the locks on your home may seem like an obvious step, but many new homeowners forget this stage. Since you do not know who has access to the house via the old locks, it is crucial to have your entrances re-keyed for safety and peace of mind. To exchange your locks, you can purchase DIY kits or call a locksmith to come out and replace your locks. For older homes, you may consider hiring a professional as the building standards for locks have changed, which can cause challenges during installation.
Hook Up All Utilities
When the homeowners leave the premises, they will shut off util; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, burlington, buyers process, first time buyer, homebuying, home tips, home improvement, things to do
Wednesday, February 23, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
From Renting to Homeownership Are you considering buying a home and saying bon voyage to renting? Becoming a homeowner signifies a major shift in your life as this will be the first time you will be your landlord! Not only that, but owning a home allows you to build financial wealth for yourself where in the past you were building for someone else. As you weigh your decisions, it is important to do your homework so can be confident you are making the best decision for your future!
No Need to Rush
The first thing to know about purchasing a home is that it is not a quick process. Homebuying is one of the largest purchases we make in life, and doing your due diligence is an essential part of the decision-making process. You will have many choices to make along the way and don’t expect to just find a home the same way you have an apartment. From the location and of potential homes to mortgage lenders there is a lot to consider Homeownership is less flexible than renting, so you wil ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, northwest vermont, buyers process, first time buyer, homebuying, home tips
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 / by Brian Armstrong
We are living in a unique era of real estate history in Vermont. Covid-19 has dominated the real estate market for two years, and it continues to impact the value and supply of homes across the state. If you tried to buy a home within the last two years, you know the forces you are up against. However, there are still opportunities, and many homes are still going under contract. Uncover the factors driving market challenges for buyers, and the likelihood of it letting up in 2022.
Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates were low in 2020 and have continued to fall even lower through 2021. Record low rates have driven more buyers into the market, even though it has remained strained with inventory shortages from 2020. The pandemic has created uncertainty, but the overall interest in homeownership steadily increased as other spending decreased across the economy. With that said, indicators show that interest rates may rise from these record lows in 2022, slowing the rush, and allowin; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, burlington, northwest vermont, buyers process, first time buyer, homebuying, interest rates, commercial real estate, investment properties, lending
Wednesday, December 22, 2021 / by Brian Armstrong
Home design is an exciting topic and a huge consideration for homebuyers looking to move into a new home. Regardless of size, floorplans can drastically change how you perceive the space within a home. You may have been inside a small house with high vaulted ceilings, which made the area feel huge, or you have been in a large home with many sectioned-off rooms and connecting hallways that make it feel smaller and homey. Architects are always looking to change how we experience residential living spaces; however, open floor plans are not a newly found trend. Open floor plans have integrated themselves as a popular theme since the 90s, yet they remain a prominent style to this day!
What Exactly is an Open Floor Plan?
Traditionally, homes were built with highly segmented interiors, meaning defined areas for the kitchen, the living room, the dining room, etc. Over time, homeowners flocked to open these spaces up by removing the partitioning walls to create areas that felt spacious and ; ...
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real estate, strong will real estate, vermont, chittenden county, keller williams, burlington, northwest vermont, buyers process, homebuying, home tips
