What is staging when selling a home? It means de-personalizing it!

From your walls to your floors, can specific tastes in style hurt your home’s sale?

Ray and Terry discuss if staging is needed and if a professional stager or staging advice to the homeowner is better, and who is responsible for the expense.

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The post What is staging and does it affect your home’s sale price? appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

Home Equity is the difference between your home’s value and your mortgage balance. Owners can tap into home equity for home repairs, medical bills, college tuition, or other expenses.

Surprisingly, homeowners may be sitting on more equity than they think, thanks to rising home prices. The typical homeowner had about $270,000 in home equity at the beginning of 2023.

Ray Fletcher and Terry discuss if and how you should tap into your home equity.

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The post Should you tap into your home equity? appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

The national average 30-year fixed mortgage rate crossed the 7% mark in the third week of August, rising to 7.09% the week ending August 17. Meanwhile, existing monthly home sales dropped 3.3%, with all four major U.S. regions posting year-over-year sales declines.

Despite high mortgage rates, has the market remained competitive? Do first-time home buyers still have a chance? And are buyers still paying sometimes 10-15% over the asking price?

Get Ray and Terry’s insights into the latest real estate market trends in this episode.

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The post What is the current state of the housing market? appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

Before deciding to make your property available to short-term renters there are a few important considerations to make. Terry and Ray discuss HOA considerations, a neighborhood’s local policies, and what restrictions you may run into if you purchase a home as an Airbnb for short-term vacation renters.

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The post Can I buy a house exclusively for Airbnb rentals? appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

An Accessory Swelling Unit (ADU) can be a value-added option when looking for a home to purchase.

But did you know that income projection can also help you secure a home loan? Also do you know the rules on ADU’s? Can they be attached? Detached? What does it have to include?

Get all of this information in this episode of the My Home HQ podcast.

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The post What is an ADU in the real estate market? appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

With changes in remote work situations in recent years, some considerations should be made when purchasing a new home or looking for a rental.

What do you need to be successful when working from home? An extra bedroom or dedicated space? What kind of internet is available in the area? Are there specific zoning requirements or permits needed for running a business from home?

Ray and Terry discuss these considerations and more in this episode.

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The post Workspace considerations when buying or renting a home appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

What are the pros and cons of an FSBO, also known as “For Sale By Owner?”

In this episode, Ray and Terry explore the best way to get your house sold while avoiding the pitfalls of trying to do it on your own.

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The post For Sale by Owner or Realtor? appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

Summer is here! It’s time to find those budget-friendly ways as a homeowner or renter to keep your home cool as the weather heats up.

Saving on your electric bills, and also getting credits for going green in some areas, can add to your savings.

Listen as Terry and Ray explain all things related to real estate and cutting your costs in this episode.

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The post Four things you can do to keep your home cool this summer appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

No one wants to pay too much for a house. It can be a frustrating position, plus it makes your payments higher and could make appreciation seem less likely. If home values fall too much, you could end up underwater, which means owing more on your mortgage than your home is worth.

But not to worry! Realtor Ray Fletcher along with his sister Terry Fletcher discuss how to spot an overpriced home.

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The post Four signs a property is priced too high appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.

When you buy a house, your mortgage company will require a home insurance policy before closing on your loan.

But home insurance isn’t necessarily a one-and-done deal. You’ll want to reevaluate your policy regularly over the course of your time in the home. This is especially important if you renovate and when home prices or building material costs rise in your area, if you get a pet, or add valuables, or when you add security.

Find out the homeowners guide to good protection from Ray and Terry on this edition of My Home HQ.

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The post Is it time to update your homeowners policy? appeared first on My Home HQ with Ray Fletcher.