Real Estate Today

Do you want to make sure your home valuation is the maximum it can be? REALTOR® Natalie Davis from Colorado talks about how important home maintenance is to a home's value and why you need to make sure your HVAC and furnace get regular service. Appraiser David Griffith explains what items have the biggest impact on a home's value during the appraisal process. And, REALTOR.com Chief Economist Danielle Hale discusses their 2023 Best Time to Buy Report. REALTOR® Steven Sharpe discusses NAR's Good Neighbor Awards and his program, Camp Horizon, a camp that allows kids with physical disabilities to enjoy summer activities in an outdoor environment. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know what a blobby or blobject are and if they are hot or not.

This episode was brought to you by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, who wants to make sure you move with confidence. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration offers free resources to help before, during and after a move at https://www.protectyourmove.gov.

Are you looking to buy a condo? REALTOR® Mabél Guzmán from Chicago, Illinois discusses the benefits of buying a condo and what to look for in a condominium. Lawyer Vanessa Goggans talks about condominium ownership and explains what common elements are and why looking at a formation document is important. Financial expert and host of the Money Girl Podcast, Lauren Adams, talks about the various insurance policies that condo owners need to be aware of. And, Brian Kidder from https://myelisting.com/ discusses millionaire migration and how that is impacting tax revenues for states and municipalities. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know if painting your upholstery or your porch is hot or not.

How do you navigate the real estate market amid the highest mortgage rates in two decades? Freddie Mac Deputy Chief Economist Len Kiefer explains why interest rates are so high, where they may be going, and if we can expect a 3% rate any time soon. REALTOR® Linda Rheinberger from Las Vegas, Nevada shares what home buyers and sellers can expect in the current market and what they need to do to close a sale. Keith Gumbinger from HSH.com gives tips on how to get the best interest rate for your mortgage. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares how people can keep their homes cool in the heat and if window film is hot or not.

Does the current real estate market present an opportunity to invest? REALTOR® Bill Armstrong from Frederick, Maryland says yes and explains why the high mortgage rates may help you get started. REALTOR® Brian Smith from Texas talks about the benefits of investing in raw land and letting the market come to you while REALTOR® Cynthia Shelton from Florida shares how to invest in commercial real estate. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun gives the latest data on existing-home sales and housing inventory. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares whether windows with black trim or all-white bathrooms are hot or not.

You just got the house of your dreams but how do you make it feel like your home? We talk to home stager Nikki Watson from Dallas, Texas to get home design tips on picking furniture, utilizing wood, and whether you should avoid the painted accent wall for modern wainscoting. Sue Wadden from Sherwin-Williams explains how they will help you pick the best color paint for your home, what paint colors are popular, and how you can make sure your home has good color flow. REALTOR® Angel Piontek from Virginia talks about smart home tech and the important question of can a television actually be too big. And NAR Deputy Chief Economist Jessica Lautz discusses which home renovation projects bring homeowners the most joy. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares whether flat roofs or solar roofs are hot or not.

Moving to a new home can be overwhelming and with moving scams on the rise this year, you need to be prepared. REALTOR® Cristina Ann Grossu from North Carolina shares why it's important to get moving insurance and know the moving company you use. Gayla Dixon from UniGroup, which owns United Van Lines and Mayflower Transit, gives tips on finding the right moving company, how to get the best price, and how to get ready for your big move. And Andi Batchelor discusses U-Haul's annual growth states report to tell us where people are moving to in the U.S. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know if outdoor rugs or decorating the side of your house is hot or not.

What do you need to know about closing on a home? REALTOR® Chris Rost from Kansas explains what the home buyers and sellers need to know about the closing disclosure, the appraisal, the down payment process, and other details, like home insurance, to make sure they are prepared. Real estate attorney Vanessa Goggans shares the documents that need to be brought to the settlement table and how to deal with an issue that may come up. And REALTOR® Dale Mattison from Maryland shares what can be expected at the final walkthrough. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey lets us know if plunge pools or black-bottom pools are hot or not.

What makes the offer on a home so good it will get accepted? REALTOR® Philip Becker from San Antonio, Texas explains how he crafts an offer a seller will accept. Then, REALTOR® Reggie Copeland from Fairfax, Virginia discusses what a seller should look for before they accept an offer on their home. Charlotte, North Carolina appraiser Peter Gallo tells us about the house appraisal process and what you need to know. And, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares just how hot Barbiecore home design is now that the film "Barbie" is in theaters.

Are you wondering if you can afford to buy a house in the summer of 2023? REALTOR® Natalie Davis from Colorado walks through the steps of buying a home from preparation to making an offer and why it's important to understand all the contingencies in the contract. Lauren Adams, host of the Money Girl Podcast, shares tips for saving for a down payment for your dream house. And Marcy Ash from Down Payment Resource explains the four types of down payment assistance programs, how they could help you get into the home you want, and why you probably qualify for more programs than you think you do. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey shares what home accessories are hot or not.

Wondering if it's a good time to sell your home or what is it like to sell and list your home in the current housing market? REALTOR® Marianne Bornhoft from Spokane, Washington walks through the steps a homeowner needs to take to get their house ready to sell. She also talks equity, assuming a loan, and mortgage buydowns. Ashton Ritchie from the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company gives tips on how to make sure your lawn and landscaping stay green and a selling point for your home. And, WalletHub's Jill Gonzalez goes over their 2023's Most & Least Energy-Expensive States study to see how states compare when it comes to energy costs. Also, Melissa Dittmann Tracey discusses home design trends and if hardwood floors or carpeting are hot or not.