Our monthly newsletter article.

If you put a pause on your home search because you weren’t sure where you’d go once you sold your house, it might be a good time to get back into the market. That’s because today’s market is undergoing a shift, and the supply of homes for sale is increasing as a result. That means you may have a better chance of finding a home that will meet your current needs. Here are some options to consider.

Buying an Existing Home Can Give You That Lived-in Charm

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the supply of existing homes (a home that’s been previously owned) has steadily increased since the beginning of the year. The graph below indicates inventory levels are rising, and that’s largely due to more homes coming onto the market and…

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Here's what designers say are their favorite color palettes for the owner's retreat.

Bedrooms are meant to be a calm, relaxing spot. A coat of paint can help achieve that in the design. But what color should you choose? Fixr, a home improvement website, recently surveyed interior designers to find out their favorite paint colors for the bedroom. Some of the colors are traditional favorites—but check out number six on the list for a more unexpected choice. Color pops are entering more spaces within the home—bedrooms included. What do you think?

article from NAR, thumbnail picture from Spacejoy on Unsplash

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FEMA has a newer flood insurance program called Risk Rating 2.0 that is gaining traction. Previously buyers scrambled to assume flood rates of the homes in which they were purchasing to keep rates down, but in doing that they were also assuming any issues with the policies. Sellers would have to call insurers and give permission to allow assumption. This updated program allows the buyer of a new home to take advantage of any discounts without approval and creates a brand new researched policy for the new homeowner. 

Flood insurance follows the home and not the homeowner. In order to take advantage of a discounted premium coverage, a home will need to have had continuous coverage. A buyer will also need the NAIC number and NFIP number that are both…

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When you mention using a bidet to someone, you’ll likely hear one of two wildly divergent responses. The first might be “Eww, that’s so weird!” The second might be akin to someone squealing with pleasure and exclaiming, “It’s the best home improvement I’ve ever done.”

Those in the pro-bidet camp need no convincing. But if you’ve never tried a bidet, how can you tell whether it’s right for you or not?

Bidet interest in this country is on the rise, thanks partly to the toilet paper shortage we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Bidets clean you with a spray of water; therefore you don’t require much, if any, toilet paper.) So bidets are considered very green because of the trees saved.

Americans are late to the trend, but if you travel…

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Americans’ opinion on the value of real estate as an investment is climbing. That’s according to an annual survey from Gallup. Not only is real estate viewed as the best investment for the ninth year in a row, but more Americans selected it than ever before.

The graph below shows the results of the survey since Gallup began asking the question in 2011. As the trend lines indicate, real estate has been gaining ground as the clear favorite for almost a decade now:

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home, let this poll reassure you. Even when inflation is high like today, Americans recognize owning a home is a powerful financial decision.

How an Investment in Real Estate Can Benefit You During High Inflation 

Because inflation reached…

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Be the home on the block that bugs run from.

A lush spot for outdoor entertaining? Great. Perfect. A constant swarm of insects that invade your patio and home? No, thank you. Here's how to keep bugs away from your patio and yard, and from getting inside your house.

#1 Install Patio Fans

Mosquitos may have a tough sting, but they're wimps when it comes to standing up to a breeze. Patio fans can keep your outdoor entertaining space free from mosquitoes (and other little flyers) with the flip of a switch.

And you'll get the benefit of a cool breeze. 

#2 Don't Mulch Too Much (or Too Little)

While mulching is generally a good thing for curb appeal, overdoing it can cause problems.

It could give cockroaches and ants the ideal…

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The Hilton Head Island & Bluffton real estate market has been on fire the last two years but nothing lasts for ever. The big questions remains how will the market evolve? If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, you’re at an exciting decision point. And anytime you make a big decision like that, one thing you should always consider is timing. So, what does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here’s what experts have to say.

The Number of Homes Available for Sale Is Likely To Grow

There are early signs housing inventory is starting to grow and experts say that should continue in the months ahead. According to Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com:

“The gap between this year’s homes for sale and last year’s is…

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Your kitchen needs countertops with looks and durability. See if quartz is right for you.

The kitchen tends to be the home’s gathering place, so it's only natural you want it to look and feel welcoming. But as the hub of your home, your kitchen needs durable countertops, especially if you have little ones helping with the cooking. Quartz countertops are a trendy choice for kitchens, but before you get in touch with your contractor, it's important to assess the pros and cons and review some alternatives. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Quartz Countertops?

Pros of Quartz Kitchen Countertops

  • Durable: Quartz countertops are highly durable, made from a mix of stones and stone-like materials bound together with resins. Makers of quartz…

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We have said it before, and we’ll say it again… COMMUNITY FIRST! Buyers need to begin their search by looking at different neighborhoods before they start their search exclusively for a new home. It just makes things so much easier for them. Other markets are different, but in the Bluffton and Hilton Head Island real estate market, each neighborhood has its own flair, feel, and vibe. Everything matters including the amenities, transfer/initiation fees, HOA/POA fees, location, views, and age demographics (55+ neighborhoods vs. traditional neighborhoods?). We have buyers that really want to find the perfect house and begin their search without understanding the nuances of local neighborhoods. This is especially true for those buyers that begin their home…

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Everywhere I go people keep asking about my thoughts on the local real estate market. Is it going to flatten? Will home prices go down if we wait to buy? How is rising inflation, and how are the interest rates affecting the local real estate market? Should I buy now? I don’t want to miss the market, should I sell now? First of all, we don’t have a crystal ball. There are so many factors involved in this equation that we can’t predict but we can look towards the past. History is the greatest predictor of the future. That being said, we are in unique times, and we would never have been able to predict that a worldwide pandemic would spur the wild west type real estate market of the last two years! As the world settles down, history is still the greatest…

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