Category Archives: Home Buyers

Moving to Canada: Pros, Cons, and Tips

A woman with a Canadian flag in her hand, symbolizing moving to Canada.

Have a craving for maple syrup, a passion for hockey, and a hankering for cozy winter weather? Canada might just be the country for you.

You’re not the only person who feels this way. According to a study conducted by Remitly, Canada is the dream destination for people all over the world, outranking southern neighbors the United States along with cultural havens such as Japan and the sunny shores of Spain.

As with any big life change, though, the decision to move to Canada is not one to be taken lightly. There are lots of questions and challenges for you, your partner, and your loved ones to unpack. To help make this process a little easier, we’ve put together a collection of pros, cons, and tips about the Great White North. Let’s get started.

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Avoiding Insomnia in a New Home

A woman sleeping with a mask to avoid insomnia in a new home.

Sleeping in new environments can sometimes trigger latent insomniac tendencies. It can manifest in difficulty falling and remaining asleep or waking up early. It’s a well-studied phenomenon in sleep science known as the “first-night effect.” In that state, half of your brain remains alert while the other half sleeps. It’s your brain’s way of protecting you against danger in unfamiliar places.

You may experience the “first-night effect” when sleeping at a friend’s house, hotels, or new places. Don’t worry, though. This article will give you advice on how to avoid insomnia in a new home.

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Is Buying an Apartment a Good Investment for You?

An apartment with a gray couch and white coffee table.

Are you thinking about investing in real estate? An apartment can often be a good investment opportunity. However, if you want to decide whether investing is right for you, you should look at your situation. At the end of the day, it all depends on your circumstances and timing. Consider the following questions to help make your decision. 

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Can I Buy a Home After Filing for Bankruptcy?

a man with a gavel symbolizing a final decision on bankruptcy.

Going bankrupt is one of the most distressing things that can happen to a person. Some of the common causes of bankruptcy include burdening medical expenses, job losses, excessive spending on credit, divorce or separation, and heavy expenses due to unforeseen events.

All of these can be quite taxing on your mental and physical health, as well as your financial outlook. On top of that, you may also be worried that you won’t be able to buy a home for yourself and your family anymore, which is an added burden. This article covers everything you need to know about buying a home after filing for bankruptcy.

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How Much Can You Expect to Pay in Closing Costs

a wooden house and a calculator symbolizing closing costs

The process of buying a home requires many steps. One of the final ones is paying the closing costs on your new house. Here is everything you need to know about these expenses.

What Are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are the fees you owe at the end of a real estate transaction. Your lender will provide you with an estimate after receiving your mortgage application. In the U.S, the average closing cost is $6,087 with taxes. Yet, the price will vary based on several factors, such as your home’s purchase price and the type of loan.

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Buying Out of State, Virtually, Without Overpaying

By: Agnes A. Gaddis on Oct 26

Man searching for a home to buy out of state, virtually.

Can you believe that it is possible to live in California today, make an offer on your dream home in Springfield, Missouri tomorrow, and close within a month? The prevalence of remote work and state-of-the-art real estate technology has made it easier than ever to search for homes without concern for geographical limits.

Millions of Americans now work remotely, far from corporate HQ, and sometimes from the flurry and fuss of city life. In fact, during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, one in five Americans moved or know someone who moved, especially from big cities. One of the primary reasons for this exodus was affordable housing. People relocated to suburbs and vacation hotspots in search of larger, less expensive homes as more companies became remote-work-friendly.

Buying a home in one state while living in another, whether it be for more affordable living, work reasons, or as a second home, might not be as straightforward as buying in your current state. It can be challenging to purchase in a place you are not familiar with- housing laws, walkability of the community, home maintenance concerns, etc. can be vastly different from one state to another. This article is a step-by-step guide to follow if you are considering buying out of state.

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Use Landscaping to Increase Home Value

grass, rock, and gravel, representing the how landscaping can increase home value

In the recent years, multiple studies have shown that landscaped homes sell at a higher price than similar homes with poor landscaping. Today this is more accurate than ever, with home sales figures rising 13%, depending on the extent of the renovations to the yard.

Homeowners are developing their backyards and front yards, and the house clean-up boom is driving that engine. However, deciding what to do on your property can be a difficult decision.

Let’s learn more about what improvements are beneficial to increase your home value.

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There’s a Yard Sign… So Why Are We Driving Past It?

homes on a street with yard signs in front of them

As Realty Executives’ Jeff Ross and Renee Gaun were driving clients around their well-loved city of Flagstaff, Arizona, they were asked a common question:

Why don’t buyers’ agents show every property displaying a yard sign?

It’s a legitimate question from many prospective buyers, and an often-unrecognized service provided by the realtor. Read on to learn why a realtor may skip some homes, and how working with an Executive simplifies your home search.

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7 Features Senior Buyers Should Look for in a House

An older man looking out the window of his home that includes the features senior buyers should look for.

Before 1960, when urban development began, senior homebuyers had a difficult time locating builders that could meet their unique requirements or build to suit. Today, there are still plenty of retirees looking to find their forever home. Seeing how more and more people choose to grow older in their own homes, it’s imperative that these homes meet their particular needs. Luckily, the market offers many options to help senior homeowners to live a quality life. With that said, let’s discuss the 7 features senior homebuyers should look for in a house.

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Making Sense of Home Automation in the Real Estate Market

phone with icons showing home automation

Every year there seems to be a new phone, gadget or product that is a must-have on everyone’s shopping list. But when it comes to shopping for a home, how does the newest home technology influence the buying and selling process? Do homeowners need to add smart home features to sell their homes? Should buyers be on the lookout for automation in their new home? If, like most people, you have questions about home automation and the real estate market, we have a few answers that may help you out.

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