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REALTORS® Offer Advantages “For Sale by Owner” Can’t Match
When selling a home, the advantages of using a REALTOR translate into sizeable savings in money, time and peace of mind. According to recent research conducted in the Milwaukee area by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), 95% of homes for sale were listed with a REALTOR. In addition, the overwhelming majority of sellers were…
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Hispanic Americans Have Fastest Growing Homeownership Rate
A collection of numbers paint a positive picture of homeownership growth among Hispanics. According to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey/Housing Vacancy Survey, more than 2.3 million new Hispanic homeowner households have formed since 2014. Last year, the rate of Hispanic homeownership reached a record 48.6 percent. The addition of 349,000 new households…
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VA Home Loan Program Offers Advantageous Path to Home Ownership
One of the great benefits of serving in the U.S. military is the Veterans Affairs Guaranteed Home Loan program. Since it was established in 1944, the VA Home Loan program has provided more than 24 million veterans with an affordable path to home ownership. Yet, according to a 2022 Freddie Mac survey, 64% of active-duty…
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Why Owning a Home is the Best Choice Money Can Buy
Buying a home isn’t called the American Dream for nothing. The phrase captures the desire to put down roots, create a space that’s truly your own and invest in a solid financial future. Recent statistics indicate that in 2022 nearly 66% of Americans owned a home and 34% rented. The sizeable population renting amounts to…
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First Impressions Can Sell a Home
Love at first sight DOES happen in real estate. Buyers pull up to a listing and their hearts start fluttering. The home is affordable and has fantastic curb appeal. A giddy sense of possibility fills the air. “Buying a home is very emotional. People just know,” says Beth Jaworski, an associate vice president with Shorewest…
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REALTORS® Are Advocates for Fair Housing
On December 9, 1965, Gov. Warren Knowles signed the Wisconsin Fair Housing Law, making it illegal to discriminate against someone in housing transactions. Since that time, considerable progress has been made to ensure housing equity, but there’s still more work to do. This work is crucial every day with every transaction, but because April is…
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REALTORS® Bound by Code of Ethics
The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) reports that 87% of home buyers and 90% of home sellers in 2022 used a REALTOR or real estate agent. That’s a smart move since REALTORS must adhere to NAR’s ethical standards of practice and professional courtesies. For buyers and sellers, working with a REALTOR typically delivers a smoother…
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Understanding the Home Buying & Selling Fine Print
So, you have an accepted offer. Congratulations! But don’t celebrate just yet. Every qualified REALTOR® knows the best time to raise a glass is after closing. To get there, it’s imperative the buyer and seller pay attention to the fine print. “A typical contract can be fifteen pages or more,” says Tina Balaka, managing broker…
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Date the Rate. Marry the House.
In today’s mortgage environment, many REALTORS® are sharing the adage of “Date the rate. Marry the house.” to keep things in perspective. The expression encourages homebuyers to remember the long-term commitment they’re making is with their home – not the interest rate. Viewing the interest rate as a shorter-term commitment can be less intimidating since…
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A REALTOR® – Guiding Clients with Expertise and Care
While a day in the life of a REALTOR® can be hectic and challenging, fulfillment is found in the heart of the business – guiding clients with compassion and expertise. We visited with three Realtors who are each on their own path. The Day Starts Early So Rise and Shine Jeremy Rynders is co-owner of…
