Some things get better with age, but if you are selling your home you should know that are things that can make your home look dated and out of style. Popcorn ceiling and vibrant wall-to-wall carpeting are two things that instantly age your home and we share what no to use for window coverings, what color light fixtures need to be updated and which one room can easily have multiple things making it look older than it is.

Planning and organizing are important steps to help you have a smooth move. We talk about how you can use existing items around your home like suitcases, laundry tubs and even pots and pans to help transport items and using sheets, towels and blankets to wrap items to minimize the amount of purchased supplies you need. We also talk about the use of plastic wrap as a packing aid, the importance of labeling boxes (label the sides not just the top of the box), creating an essential boxes for each room and having an overnight bag you will need the first day at your new home. And if you have kids or pets we have some tips to help you pack with these specials dynamics.

If you envision a career that doesn’t require a college degree, has the freedom and flexibility to create your own schedule and has unlimited income potential then a career in real estate could be a great fit for you. While 87% of new agents fail in the first five years in real estate, our guest went in the opposite direction becoming a top agent in his first 5 years and he shares what attracted him to real estate, how he got started in real estate and what advice he has for those considering a real estate career.

As we approach the halfway point of the year, we take a look at the impact that loosening of Covid restrictions and vaccines being widely available is having on the real estate market. We also discuss inflation and the Fed’s recent announcement of hold steading on interest rates until 2023 and what that means for buyers and whether to expect more listings coming on the market in the second half of the year.

The shortage of lumber and microchips along with a shortage in skilled trades means there is plenty to talk about when it comes to the new construction segment of the residential real estate market. In our discussion with the CEO of the SE Michigan Homebuilders Association, we discuss what is behind the shortage of materials that has driven the cost of lumber up which has home prices up over $12,000-$24,000 on an average home. Beyond lumber, there are other materials in short supply and all this is impacting the number of homes being built and permits being pulled for new homes. We also talk about what the timeline looks like today for a new construction home to be built and what the future holds for new construction.

With more Realtors in the US than homes for sale it is safe to say you probably know someone with a real estate license, but that doesn’t mean that is who you should use to buy or sell your home. We discuss how the relationships agents have with other agents can make a big difference in getting offers looked at and how in this fast-paced market you can benefit from the calm experience an experienced agent provides. We also talk about communication and how using an agent to get the most exposure for you home can also help get you more money for your home.

We discuss some of the less common but important that buyers should be aware of before buying a home. Radon is a radioactive gas that can enter a home through foundation cracks drains, sump pumps and since it is odorless you don’t know if it is present unless you test for it. If detected, it can be remediated but you want to address this before you move in and live in your home We also discuss what you need to know about mold, easements and FEMA flood zones so that you can request any additional tests or information you need before buying your home.

You stare at their picture while waiting patiently for them to become available and perhaps you drive by to check things out. We could be talking about a romantic interest or searching for a home. In this episode we take a light-hearted look at the similarities of dating and house hunting that include the use of a matchmaker and online apps. We share how you can only tell so much from photos and a description, that you often have to see a home to get a sense of any potential chemistry and you want to learn everything you can about the home before making a commitment.

We cover buyers, sellers, appraisals, pop-taxes and much more during this free-flowing conversation. We take a look at the advice a recent first-time buyer was given to rent for now and wait to buy and compare that to current home prices and interest rates versus the same during the great recession to see if the math makes sense (it doesn’t!) and what sellers are finding that want to sell and buy their next home. We also talk about ibuyers and whether they are still in the market, why appraising a home can be a challenge right now and preparing buyers for the amount they will pay for property taxes once the home becomes theirs.

There is something about a home when it has that certain put-together look and that is what you want when selling your home. We talk to a professional about how they can make your home look larger, cleaner and warmer. We discuss what you can do to help keep buyers focus on the homes assets and not your personal furnishings, the different types of services home stagers can provide to you – everything from a “walk and talk” to a formal report to bringing in furniture an accent pieces as well as the difference between decorating and staging and why using a professional is important. We also share which rooms benefit the most from staging and what you can and should do to neutralize smells in your home.