Christian's Blog

  If you go on Youtube or scroll through Facebook, and chances are you’ll see at least one advertisement for a group or “guru” who promises to teach you how to “get rich quick” through real estate investing. The truth is, much of what they’re selling are high-risk tactics that aren’t a good fit for the average investor. However, there is a way to make steady, predictable, low-risk income through real estate investing. In this blog post, we’ll examine the tried-and-true tactics that can increase your revenue, pay off debt, and even fund your retirement! WHY INVEST IN REAL ESTATE? One of the basic principles of real estate investment is that everyone needs a place to live. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most recent Consumer Expenditures Survey, housing is typically an American’s most considerable expense.1  But there are other reasons why real estate is a great investment choice, and we’ve outlined the top five below: 1. Appreciation Appreciation is the increas...

  October marks the beginning of the cold and flu season for many states across the US. Add a pandemic, lingering wildfire pollution, and seasonal allergies to the mix, and you can see why it’s so important to protect the air inside your living space. Below are some helpful tips for keeping your home — and yourself — healthy until spring. 1. Filters matter. Air filters come in all shapes, sizes, and, most importantly, strengths. No matter which rating system your filters follow (MERV, MPR, FPR, HEPA, etc.), a higher number means better performance. While low-strength filters may be cheaper, they’re usually only successful at trapping large air particles like loose hair and dust bunnies. The highest-rated filters can trap everything from mold spores to virus-carrying aerosols. If stronger air filters fit your budget, they could be a worthy investment this year. 2. There’s a reason air purifiers are so popular. Move over, pressure cookers. The hottest home appliance this year is the ...

  Today, most homebuyers don’t have the means to cover the full amount of the purchase price. The majority of homebuyers will start by talking to a lender to determine how much they can afford. Once the homebuyer gives the lender financial information, the lender will provide the homebuyer with a pre-approval letter, stating how much they can afford. From this point, the homebuyer can see home properties in their pre-determined price range. Once they have an accepted offer on a property, the buyer will apply for a mortgage loan to purchase a property through the lender.   Why would the buyer need to use a lender before seeing any property? In today’s competitive market, it is typical for home sellers to require proof that the buyer can afford to buy their home before they are allowed to step foot in the property or make an offer.   Pre-approval vs. Pre-qualify  A pre-approval letter is a conditional commitment to grant you a mortgage loan. This letter will let you kn...

  The ‘smart home’ is the new ‘internet of things or objects that can serve you better by communicating with each other or directly with you through apps on your smartphone. In the ideal version of the wired future, all of our appliances and gadgets would talk to each other seamlessly. What is it like to live in a smart home? Picture something like this: The lights in your bedroom slowly illuminate to quietly awaken you in the morning, replacing the typical blaring alarm. The aroma of fresh brewed coffee drifts in and stirs your senses. Once the lights are up, the heating system kicks on, just in time to warm up your room, so you’re not shocked once you crawl out from underneath the duvet. When you step into the shower, it turns on automatically and remembers your preferred temperature and water pressure. And it shuts off on schedule as it knows how long you take to bathe. Once you’ve driven out of your garage, your home alarm system arms itself. And it will only unlock when it “se...

  Okay, you made one of the most critical decisions in your life: buying a home! You found your ideal home. It’s in your desired neighborhood, close to everything you love, you dig its design and feel, and you’re ready to finalize the deal. But wait a minute! Buying a home isn’t like buying a toaster. If you discover something’s wrong with your new home, you can’t return it for a refund or even exchange. You’re stuck with your buying decision. Purchasing a home is a significant investment and should be treated as such. Therefore, before finalizing anything, your “ideal” home needs an inspection to protect you from throwing your hard-earned money into a money pit. A home inspection is a professional visual examination of the home’s roof, plumbing, heating and cooling system, electrical systems, and foundation. There are two types of home inspections. There is a general home inspection and a special inspection. Most general inspections cost between $267 and $370. The cost of the spec...

  We all want to be good neighbors. But when it comes to selling your home, it’s not just about “keeping up with the Joneses.” It’s about outshining them at every opportunity! If you’re looking to sell your home fast and for the most money possible, you’ll need a strategy to set it apart from all the other listings competing for buyers in your area. That’s why we’ve outlined our proven, five-step plan for serious sellers. Use these five tactics to help your listing get noticed, win over buyers, and net a higher sales price than your neighbors! STEP 1: Stage Your Home to Show Its Full Potential The average seller will do the minimum to prepare their home for the market: clean and declutter, fix anything that’s broken, mow the lawn. And while those tasks are essential, today’s buyers want more than just a clean house and a tidy yard. When they dream of buying a new home, they envision a designer house with modern finishes. Help them see your property’s full potential by staging it. H...