By Victoria Lim In the past, home sellers were told to tidy up, mow the lawn and perhaps do a few modifications; however, the current dog-eat-dog real estate market now demands a more hardball approach, and that's where home staging comes in. Staging a home is a crucial selling point when marketing a house. Studies show that investment for staging takes 1 - 3 percent...
Editor's Note: This post was originally published on January 25, 2018. Housecall continues to share this piece due to ongoing requests and reader interest. When it comes to connecting with potential clients, social media is not to be slighted. Whether your favorite platform is Instagram or Twitter, simply posting great content is not enough—you also need to lead...
Be it an email hack, a phishing scam, a Nigerian money order or a product that sounds just too good to be true, there are dozens of ways you can get scammed online. At best, you lose $20 on a product that doesn't exist. At worst? All your financial data gets hacked and your electronic device becomes infected with malware. To avoid any situation similar to these,...
Are you on the hunt for a rental? Ad boards, listing portals and vacation sites have made it easier than ever to find one—and easier than ever, regrettably, for scammers to strike. Common cons include: False Identity Cyber criminals are altering the contact information on existing online rental posts, changing the email and/or phone number and disseminating the...
Oporto Ribeira reflections on Douro River, Portugal. By Lief Simon and the Editors of Live and Invest Overseas In today’s complicated world, international property stands out among investment options because it is both a hard asset and one of the best current opportunities for generating cash flow while building real, long-term wealth. Whether you’re contemplating...
By Rana Waxman Rent-to-own is an alternative to the traditional agreement between homebuyers and sellers. Typically, a buyer presents an offer. Once accepted, the payment, settlement and new ownership takes place. Lease-to-own or rent-to-own does not follow this process. Instead, it allows a renter to become the buyer. This is done through another type of contract...
For the most part, social media platforms tend to promote permanent content. But there's one app that stands out for its ability to create an air of mystery by adding a shelf life to what you post: Snapchat. Although initially promoted as a social media platform for millennials, Snapchat is now being used by consumers of all ages, as well as real estate professionals....
By Dixie Somers Can’t wait until spring to sell your home? Winter can be a tough time to attract buyers, particularly if you live in a region where there’s going to be ice and snow all around. Your home may not show as well in bad weather; however, it is possible. Here are some winter real estate facts to keep in mind: People Like an Orderly Property In the...
By John Asher It’s no surprise that phone calls and emails fall short when it comes to closing a deal. That’s because body language accounts for 55 percent of a person’s signals throughout a conversation. The most successful agents know how to look and listen carefully, using non-verbal indicators to establish relationships and make sales. So how can you...
By Mikkie Mills If you’re someone who keeps a lot of cash in long-term savings, the thought of an interest rate hike is thrilling; however, most other consumers greet the news with dread because it could mean they'll end up paying more for their existing loans. For homeowners, interest rate increases are confusing. There’s little doubt that a higher interest rate...
