Surprisingly, the master bedroom is the most neglected room in the house. It gets overlooked because only the owners typically see it, regularly at least. Since it’s such a private space, a closed door can hide a multitude of bad designs – along with an unmade bed. But it’s also the room that starts and ends your day.

Doesn’t it make sense to splurge a little – and a thousand dollars is even more affordable for most people. Here are 3 great ways to spend $1000 to freshen the most important room in your home. ·

Quick Seasonal Pick-me-up – For a quick spruce up, focus on soft goods and accent pieces. Think about linens, bedding, towels, pillows, rugs. Freshen your room with the modern color themes and neutrals.

Soft tone-on-tone is trending and creates a cohesive, calming effect. Perfect for unwinding at the end of the day. Create a “spa” environment. ·

Embrace Feng Shui – If your bedroom floor looks more like a messy closet, then it’s time to declutter and prioritize. Clear out all the mess and organize your closets and drawers. Remove unnecessary furniture and replace it with organizers that can be hidden behind closet doors. Remove any furniture that isn’t necessary to create a streamlined, simple design that inspires. · Add a Bold Headboard – For a fast change of look, change your headboard. Many options are priced well below the $1000 budget. A headboard can change your whole design scheme from farmhouse to modern to traditional.

Whatever your preference, you can create a private retreat in the master bedroom very inexpensively. For less than $1000, and a little effort and thought, you can create that special sanctuary that allows you to start and end the day in beauty that suits your taste.

You’ve heard the old expression, “Date the Rate but Marry the House.” The idea is that you can always refinance the loan, but the right house may not come around again. But with rising interest rates and falling home inventory, many buyers are wondering if this mantra still rings true.

Should you marry the house at whatever interest rate is available? First, the US lending market has been experiencing record low interest rates. In May of 2000 saw the 30-year fixed rate rise to an average of 8.6% before falling to 6.5% in July of 2008. Historically, any long-term interest rate under 6.5% was considered exceptional.

The pattern of rising and falling interest rates has been repeated multiple times in the past 40 years and likely will continue. While purchasing an unaffordable home with the hope of refinancing quickly into a lower rate is a poor strategy, so is waiting on the home that you like or need if you can manage the payment.

A simple truth of the housing market is that as rates increase, home values usually decrease as more buyers are forced from the market. This offers the opportunity for buyers to find a home previously unaffordable. When rates do decline, they can refinance for even more savings. The concept of “Date the Rate and Marry the House” is not new.

Home buyers in this real estate climate need to be more intentional about the home they choose and the costs incurred. Rates will most likely increase before they fall, so weighing the lower home price to the higher interest rate is a personal decision to be taken carefully.

The minute you list your home, everyone will want to know why. You will hear from your neighbors, family members, and friends. Of course, there is no harm in speaking freely with family and friends but be careful what you tell your neighbors and especially the buyers and their agents who visit your listing.

First, it’s no one’s business but your own. You are not obligated to share personal information with anyone, and you must be especially careful when speaking with potential buyers. If they sense desperation, this will affect the kind of offer they write. A simple, “we are ready for a change,” is a great response to anyone who doesn’t need to know. How you answer is less important than avoiding the wrong answers.

· “I got a new job” – Job offers or transfers are a common reason for a move. These moves often come with deadlines which alerts buyers that you need a quick sale, and may be willing to compromise on price to get one.

· “We need a bigger house” – It’s perfectly understandable that a growing family needs more space. Telling a buyer this, however, may cause them to question the size of the home and if it’s too small for them also.

· “We want to lower our costs” – This may just be a simple downsizing after the kids have left, but talking about affordability is a red flag to buyers. Is the home too expensive? Is the price too high? Energy bills too high? Upkeep too much? Successfully selling a home is more than just marketing.

The best course of action is to limit divulging too much personal information about your situation, but if you do, be mindful of how much you say. Be pleasant, but do not overshare, it may cost you in the end.

10 Things to Remove from Your Home When Listing for Sale

One of the most common questions from home sellers is, “do I really need to put my family pictures away”? The short answer is “yes,” but maybe not for the reasons you assume. The general principle is that buyers need to be able to visualize their own lives in the home in order to buy the house. There is nothing new about this, but in this complicated age of security challenges, there are also safety reasons to remove your items before showings.

10 Things to Remove

1. Excess Furniture – Consider removing extra chairs, ottomans, side tables, etc., anything unnecessary.

2. Family Photos – You do not know who is coming through your home; protect your family by removing any identifiable pictures, awards, certificates, etc.

3. Religious Art/Collectables – Some people may be offended by these kinds of items. Better to avoid issues.

4. Laptops and Cell Phones – Anything easily picked up and removed should be safely stowed.

5. Jewelry – Again, anything of value should be secured out of sight.

6. Important Files and Papers – Hide any papers that may have banking or social security numbers that can be used for fraudulent purposes.

7. Firearms – Protect yourself and others by securing any firearms.

8. Clutter – Nothing new here, keep the home clean.

9. Half of All Décor – Think about removing about half of any decorative items such as pillows, vases, books, etc.

10.Pets – Keep your pets safe and away from visitors.

If you’re ready to start showing your home, taking a little time to depersonalize can not only help your buyers see the potential of the home for their lives, but protect yourself and your family as well.

The real estate industry is in for a wild ride over the next year, according to the Realtor.com's 2023 Housing Market Predications Report. This forecast predicts an overall positive outlook with ongoing growth, but it also acknowledges that several regional markets are more volatile than others and may not experience consistent gains.  The market will be 'shifting' and buyers should try not to be too worried with the economy.

The report notes that there are some headwinds to sustained growth, particularly in regions affected by the pandemic and its economic fallout. Tightening credit conditions, an already low inventory of homes for sale, and historically high lumber costs may all put pressure on affordability and slow the housing market's progress. The good news is that many markets have been resilient and there are signs of optimism as the economy recovers. Realtor.com expects that home prices and sales activity will continue to rise in most markets, albeit at a slower pace. Affordability is projected to remain a challenge for some buyers, however, as potential buyers may have difficulty securing financing. The report also predicts an increase in rental activity over the next year as renters take advantage of more affordable housing options and the flexibility that comes with not having to commit to a longer-term mortgage agreement. This could spell good news for investors looking to capitalize on these shifting trends.

Overall, the 2023 National Housing Forecast predicts a continued rise in housing prices, though certain regional markets may be more volatile than others. It also forecasts an increase in rental activity as renters take advantage of the flexibility that comes with renting. All of this suggests a vibrant and dynamic real estate market going into 2023, so it’s important to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest trends.

No matter where you are in your real estate journey, it’s important to stay abreast of the fluctuating market conditions. By doing so, you can ensure that you’re making informed decisions and leveraging the best opportunities available to you. With a comprehensive understanding of the current market conditions and the changing trends, you can make sure that you’re making the most of your investments and positioning yourself for success.