Van Martins's Blog Posts

Lowest Interest Rates in Recent Years: AGolden Opportunity for Home BuyersIntroductionOver the past few months, the real estate market has experienced a shift driven by low interest rates.These

How to Keep Organized Records for Your Homeowner’s InsuranceKeeping well-organized records for your homeowner’s insurance is essential for ensuring a smooth claims process, accurate

Why a Condo Could Be Your Perfect First HomeIf you’re looking to break into homeownership but the price of single-family homes has you second-guessing, you might want to consider a(

What Makes Now the Right Time to Buy a House?Buying a house is a significant life decision that involves careful consideration of various factors. While the right time to buy a house can vary for

Is an In-ground Swimming Pool Worth the Cost?Explore the best options for your budget and needs when considering the cost of an in-ground pool.If you live in a hot climate, a pool might be the

The Difference Between an Inspection and an AppraisalWhen you're buying your first home, you might encounter terms you're not familiar with. Two key concepts are the home inspection and appraisal.

Title: Springing Forward: Embracing Daylight Savings TimeIntroduction: As the days grow longer and the sun shines brighter, the arrival of daylight savings time marks a seasonal shift that signals

How to entertain kids at home when hosting a partyIt can be tricky to think of ideas for how to entertain kids at home. It can be especially tricky to keep children entertained at a party where the

Average closing costs for buyer: What homebuyers should budget forWhen preparing for a new home purchase, it’s crucial to plan for the average closing costs for buyer hopefuls on a budget.

Thinking of Buying a Fixer-Upper? Here Are 3 Things to Think AboutIf you have a tight budget and love DIY, buying a fixer-upper might seem like a straightforward decision. Fixer-uppers are homes

Understanding property tax abatementProperty taxes are a major expense for most homeowners and would-be buyers, but property tax abatement programs can help. While not offered everywhere, many,

Life-Changing Events That Move the Housing MarketLife is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, like the excitement of welcoming a new addition, retiring and starting a new adventure, or

The Risks of Selling Your House on Your OwnAre you thinking about selling your house as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO)? If so, know there's a whole lot more time and expertise needed in that process

Invest in Yourself by Owning a HomeAre you wondering if it makes sense to buy a home right now? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two

Affordable Homeownership Strategies for Gen ZThe idea of owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream. It's a symbol of stability, independence, and having a place to truly call

Homeowner Net Worth Has SkyrocketedIf you’re weighing your options to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy a home today, here’s one key data point that could help

Reasons To Sell Your House Before the New YearAs the year winds down, you may have decided it's time to make a move and put your house on the market. But should you sell now or wait until January?

The Many Non-Financial Benefits of HomeownershipBuying and owning your own home can have a big impact on your life. While there are financial reasons to become a homeowner, it's essential

Why Today’s Housing Inventory Shows a Crash Isn’t on the HorizonYou might remember the housing crash in 2008, even if you didn't own a home at the time. If you’re worried

Why Your House Didn’t SellIf your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, you’re likely feeling a little frustrated. Not to mention, you're also probably wondering what

Growing Your Net Worth with HomeownershipTake a moment to imagine where you want to be in a few years. You might be thinking about your job, money, wanting more stability, or goals you want to reach

Explaining Today’s Low Housing Supply [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsWondering why the supply of homes for sale is limited today? There are a few factors at play.Lack of 

Understanding the Benefits of Owning Your First HomeAre you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a 

Key Skills You Need Your Listing Agent To HaveSelling your house is a big decision. And that can make it feel both exciting and a little bit nerve-wracking. But the key to a successful sale is

Buyer Traffic Is Still Stronger than the NormAre you putting off selling your house because you’re worried no one’s buying because of where mortgage rates are? If so, know:

Home Prices Are Back on the Rise Some HighlightsLooking at monthly home price data from six expert sources shows the worst home price declines are behind us, and they&rsquo

The True Cost of Selling Your House on Your OwnSelling your house is no simple task. While some homeowners opt to sell their homes on their own, known as a FSBO (For Sale by Owner), they often

Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting TodayWondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a

A Recession Doesn’t Equal a Housing CrisisEverywhere you look, people are talking about a potential recession. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, this may leave you wondering

Buyer Activity Is Up Despite Higher Mortgage RatesIf you’re a homeowner thinking about making a move, you may wonder if it’s still a good time to sell your house. Here

Reasons To Sell Your House TodaySome HighlightsNot sure if selling your house is the right move today? You should know there are a number of reasons it still makes sense to sell now.Your house will

It May Be Time To Consider a Newly Built HomeIf you’re looking to buy a house, you may find today’s limited supply of homes available for sale challenging. When housing inventory is

Why Today’s Housing Market Is Not About To CrashThere’s been some concern lately that the housing market is headed for a crash. And given some of the affordability challenges

How Changing Mortgage Rates Can Affect YouThe 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been bouncing between 6% and 7% this year. If you’ve been on the fence about whether to buy a home or not, it;

Why Aren’t Home Prices Crashing?There have been a lot of shifts in the housing market recently. Mortgage rates rose dramatically last year, impacting many people’s ability to buy a home.

Your Tax Refund Can Help You Achieve Your Homebuying GoalsHave you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a variety of expenses involved – from your down

Home Inspections for Sellers: What You Need To Know [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsThe inspection is a major part of the home selling process.Many buyers used to waive inspections

Homebuyer Activity Shows Signs of Warming Up for SpringThe spring season appears to be warming up in housing as more and more buyers enter the market. And after rising mortgage rates

Thinking about selling your house? If you’ve been waiting for the right time, it could be now while the supply of homes for sale is so low. HousingWire shares:“. . . the

Two Reasons You Should Sell Your HouseWondering if you should sell your house this year? As you make your decision, think about what’s motivating you to consider moving. A recent survey

The Key Advantage of Investing in a HomeSome HighlightsBuying a home is a major way to build wealth and gain financial stability.That’s why, across different income

Trying To Buy a Home? Hang in There.We’re still in a sellers’ market. And if you’re looking to buy a home, that means you’re likely facing some unique challenges, like