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Buyer Tips and Articles

Could a Reverse Mortgage Be The Answer for You in Retirement?

As our population ages, I am continually asked about the benefits of a reverse mortgage. Since a home is the average American’s largest investment and source of wealth, it makes sense that in retirement people may want to have that investment work even harder for them. As the newer trend of “aging in place” gains […]

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What Type of Buyer Are You?

This just about completely covers the day I had with my newest buyers. It’s okay because I love what I do. No matter what type of buyer becomes my client, we’ll find the right home. Gotta love the life of a Realtor!  

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What You Need To Know About VA Home Loans

What is a VA home loan? The VA Home loan was established in 1944 as part of the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Commonly referred to as the G.I. Bill, it provided returning World War II veterans with funds for medical care, unemployment insurance, higher education and housing. Who is eligible […]

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Who Said Camping Wouldn’t Be Good For You?

IT’S OFFICIAL!! After three days of “roughing it,” we are the WORST camping family ever!! We have been camping with real pros before and survived so we thought we would give it another try by camping in a cottage at Newport Dunes. I should have known that this camping trip would not be like most […]

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How To Clean Oil Stains From A Driveway

Ever had your driveway thrashed after the work crew drives away? This just happened to me. I hate oil stains in the driveway! Next time a work crew leaves you with a “parting gift,” try a solution of hydrogen peroxide mixed with blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. The best stain remover ever! Not to mention it’s […]

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Achieving Goals, Building Your Future and Your Priorities

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about priorities; my priorities and the priorities of the vast number of people that I come into contact with on a daily basis. So often, I will sit down to consult with clients on their life vision and their dreams as it pertains to real estate only to […]

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What Every Inland Empire Home Buyer Should Know About Negotiating In A Seller’s Market

 There are a few things every Inland Empire home buyer should know about negotiating in a seller’s market. Most buyers are reasonably concerned with making an offer that will get accepted by the home seller. A home seller who looks at all offers in a comprehensive fashion with the help of an experienced Realtor, will be […]

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Four Tips To Save Money When Packing For Your Move

Moving to a new home can be a costly experience. With so many things you will need to spend money on, there are a few ways to cut expenses and save money when packing for the move. Here’s Four Tips To Save Money When Packing For Your Move: 1. Use shredded paper to help pad fragile […]

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Inland Empire Real Estate As A Tax Shelter

That time of the year is approaching. Yes, there are two things guaranteed in life; death and taxes. But just like anything else in life, adequate preparation can help get anyone through even the less than pleasant of life’s aspects. Sitting down and analyzing your income is one of the first steps to financial security. […]

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What Is An Encroachment and What Happens When You Buy A Home That Encroaches on City Property?

Encroachments occur when one party builds upon another parties land. With many homes that have fallen into foreclosures, many of these encroachments are being called out by cities. The cities are seeking to have the encroachments corrected by asking the owners to remove anything that is built upon city property. This could include backyards, patios, […]

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How Do You Find Who You Can Trust For Your Real Estate Needs?

The root of any good or great relationship is trust. Without trust it is impossible to maintain or build a relationship. Trust is a necessary component to any relationship that is to be deeper than a superficial relationship. So how does an individual begin the journey of building trust with another individual? There are a […]

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Bank of Mom and Dad To The Rescue For Many Chino Hills Homebuyers

When traditional banks can’t help due to strict guidelines and other numerous reasons, the Bank of Mom and Dad Come To The Rescue For Many Chino Hills Homebuyers.  A recent article discussed how more parents are helping kids buy homes. More than 68% of the people polled responded that they expect to provide financial support for […]

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What Should I Expect At My Buyers Home Inspection?

Once you get your offer on a home accepted, you will probably want to schedule a professional home inspection. Most home inspections are based on the square footage of the home but typically run between $200 to $300. Your real estate agent should typically be able to refer you to some reliable inspectors. When you […]

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Should You Be Negotiating Or Simply Fact Finding Before The Buyer Actually Sees The Home?

A seemingly simple question but one that seems to elude many real estate agents. Should You Be ‘Negotiating’ Or Simply ‘Fact Finding’ Before The Buyer Actually Sees The Home? In the world of real estate, these two skills are essential when it comes to writing an offer for a buyer. But real estate agents must understand […]

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When A Home Buyer Asks Me To Be One of Many Realtors To Show Them Homes, I Am Afraid I Must Decline The Offer

Many buyers do not understand what a Realtors business entails. A simple analogy of this may help the average buyer understand why I must decline an offer to be one of many Realtors to work for them in a simultaneous fashion.  Take a moment and think about what you do for a living. Really it […]

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When A Home Is Over Priced, How Much Should A Buyer Offer The Seller?

So you have found a home that you would like to put an offer in on, but it looks like the home may be over priced. What do you do? First and foremost when contemplating placing an offer, a buyer should always have their real estate agent run a report of comparable home sales. By […]

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Winter Home Maintenance in The Inland Empire

Some Call It Winterizing, but in the Inland Empire, We’ll Just Call It Winter Home Maintenance We probably don’t get cold enough in most Southern California areas to really do “winterizing” on our homes but we can certainly prepare for winter. Homes in the Inland Empire may need a little spot check to make sure […]

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What Happens When The Appraisal Comes Back Lower Than My Offered Price On My Corona Home Purchase?

What Happens When The Appraisal Comes Back Lower Than My Offered Price On My Corona Home Purchase? When an appraisal comes back lower than a home buyers offered price, there are several courses of action that a home buyer can take with their Real Estate Agents help. The first step is to thoroughly review the […]

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Do You Know The Difference Between A Necessary Repair vs A “Desirous Repair”?

Do You Know The Difference Between A Necessary Repair vs A “Desirous Repair”? Okay, so maybe I have coined my own term here. Yes, I am asking about the “desirous repair.” So since I am asking the question of whether you know the difference between a necessary home repair vs. a “desirous home repair,” I will […]

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Your Corona CA Real Estate Agent Should Respect Your Privacy. Do They?

Your Corona CA Real Estate Agent Should Respect Your Privacy. Do They? One of the issues that many people are concerned about when they buy or sell a home in Corona is their privacy. It’s the reason that many home sellers in Corona do not want a sign in the yard or a buyer may not […]

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Four Things To Think About When Buying A One Bedroom Condo in Fountain Valley CA

Four Things To Think About When Buying A One Bedroom Condo in Fountain Valley CA 1. A one bedroom condo can be a good entry into the housing market if you are on a limited budget. 2. With rising rent rates, you are making a wiser financial decision by purchasing a one bedroom Fountain Valley […]

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How Do You Determine Whether To Buy A Home in Chino Hills or Rent?

Many people are wondering with today’s staggering economic downfall, whether they should buy a home or simply rent a home.  Forbes had an article, The Next Mortgage Crisis, that laid out some interesting points. You should considering buying a home if: 1. you can afford to buy 2. you want to build equity in a […]

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What Steve Jobs Knew About A Trust That You Should Know Too

The sad passing of an intellectual genius such as Steve Jobs leaves people with lingering thoughts as they ponder their own immortality. In 2009, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and his wife placed at least three properties into trusts. A trust is an arrangement under which one person (the trustee) holds legal title to property for […]

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Why Do We Have To Be “Cross-Qualified” By The Sellers Lender If We Are Already Pre-Approved With Our Own Lender?

“Cross- qualification” is when a lender examines assets and income of a borrower without doing a complete pre-qualification necessarily. Sometimes a seller will require that a buyer be “cross-qualified” with the lender of their choosing for several reasons: 1. To ensure that the borrower has indeed been pre-approved and can purchase for the amount specified […]

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Inexperienced Short Sale Agents Costs Everyone Time and Money…Be Careful Who You Jump Into Business With

Inexperienced Short Sale Agents Costs Everyone Time and Money…Be Careful Who You Jump Into Business With Just recently I wrote a cathartic blog entitled, What Do You Do When Your Cooperating Agent Does Not Have A Clue??? venting some frustration I was having with a cooperating agent on a short sale. Turns out that my […]

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Listen To What Other People Say Before You Decide On Your Next Realtor

There’s no better way to really know about a business than to hear what other people have to say about them. Listen to what some of our clients are saying about us…. Disclaimer-All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. You are advised to consult a reputable attorney for all legal advice or […]

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Every Buyer Deserves A Chance To Get Their Offer Accepted

In a competitive market, buyers often wonder why their offers are continually not accepted. One thing that buyers must understand is that the “cleaner” and more competitive the offer is, the better chance they will have of getting their offer accepted. When a buyer’s agent submits an offer, it is equally important that the offer […]

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Stressful Life Events: Your Move May Be One of Them

Stressful Life Events: Your Move May Be One of Them Moving along with several other life events can produce stress. There is good stress and bad stress. Here’s a little test to see just how stressed you may or may not be. The relative stressfulness of each event is indicated by the number on the left. […]

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How Do I Use A Homestead for My Fontana CA Home?

How Do I Use A Homestead for My Fontana CA Home? A homestead is used to limit the amount of liability for certain debts by unsecured creditors against which a home can be used to satisfy a judgment. It will not, however, protect a homeowner from foreclosure on a trust deed, mechanic’s lien, real property […]

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Is It Better To Be the Little Fish In The Big Pond When Buying My Diamond Bar CA Home?

Is It Better To Be the Little Fish In The Big Pond When Buying My Diamond Bar CA Home? First time buyers in Diamond Bar CA often have more desire than they do money. This is not a bad thing, it is just simply a matter of fact. We’ve all got to start somewhere. Sometimes […]

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As A First Time Buyer in San Bernardino County, CA When Are My Property Taxes Due?

First time buyers in San Bernardino County, CA will need to be aware of when their San Bernardino County property taxes are due if they decide not to have an impound account. Preparation is half the battle when its time to pay up. Remember that on January 1 on each year an unpaid tax becomes […]

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Discover Easy Ways To Prevent Yourself From Falling Prey To Rental Scams

Discover Easy Ways To Prevent Yourself From Falling Prey To Rental Scams With foreclosures and short sales being quite prevalent in and around Riverside County, CA with the great recession, it seems that a few less than honorable crooks have decided to capitalize on this. One such person is Antonio Rios Simon who was recently […]

Read More

What Does A Back Up Offer Really Mean?

What Does A Back Up Offer Really Mean? A back up offer is an offer that is taken and placed on file. In the event that the buyer currently under contract for some reason can not follow through with the purchase of the house then anyone with a back up offer on file may be […]

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Four Reasons Why We Can’t Go See The House Just Because You See A Sign

Four Reasons Why We Can’t Go See The House Just Because You See A Sign It happens all too often. I’m out touring a buyer around the homes that we have scheduled to view. They spot another home with a sign out front. Here it comes…”Ooh can we go see that house?” Now comes the […]

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What You Don’t See Behind The Scenes Means Everything

What You Don’t See Behind The Scenes Means Everything If you have never been behind the scenes of a television production, it is well worth your while to spend a day. I’ve grown up in California my whole life so I have taken for granted a lot of the tourist attractions that are available. This […]

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Your “Saavy Negotiating” May Cost You Your Dream Home

Your “Saavy Negotiating” May Cost You Your Dream Home Most buyers have an idea of what their dream home might look like and the price range that they would be comfortable in more or less. This is a wonderful start to the home buying process. With a pre-approval letter in hand, you set out to […]

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You Can Get The Home That You Want But You Have To Be Wise In Your Approach

What every agent and home buyer must realize is that when we look at homes, there are three homes. There is the fantasy home for the buyer. This is the home that they REALLY want but cannot afford. Next, there is the home that the home buyer thinks they would be willing to settle on. […]

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Here’s a Good Reason To Change Your Locks When You Buy A New Home:

Here’s a Good Reason To Change Your Locks When You Buy A New Home: A Simi Valley, California woman  arrived home to find a strange man in her bed. The woman called the Simi Valley Police Department to report that a man with a shaved head was “passed out” in her bed, according to reports […]

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Seller Tips and Articles

Is It Possible To Sell Your Home During a Divorce and Keep Your Sanity?

Divorce is probably not the topic that most people wish to discuss. But did you know that statistics show that from January to March, the divorce rate rises? It is said that the U.S. divorce filings increase by 33% in January. So much that the month of January is known as “divorce month” in legal […]

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Mr Overpriced Seller Are You Sure That’s The Message You Want To Send?

Have you ever heard the adage, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”? Home sellers would do well to keep this adage in mind when preparing to price their home to sell. What is key is to actually price it to SELL. I thought hard about this today as I finished showing […]

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How To Clean Oil Stains From A Driveway

Ever had your driveway thrashed after the work crew drives away? This just happened to me. I hate oil stains in the driveway! Next time a work crew leaves you with a “parting gift,” try a solution of hydrogen peroxide mixed with blue Dawn dishwashing liquid. The best stain remover ever! Not to mention it’s […]

Read More

The Easy Way To Get Top Dollar For Your Home Is To Start With The ABC’s

  A- Announce to the world that your home is for sale. Some sellers insist that they do not want a sign in the front yard or they do not want to tell their friends and family that their home is for sale. Homes often sell simply due to word of mouth and often to […]

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Four Tips To Save Money When Packing For Your Move

Moving to a new home can be a costly experience. With so many things you will need to spend money on, there are a few ways to cut expenses and save money when packing for the move. Here’s Four Tips To Save Money When Packing For Your Move: 1. Use shredded paper to help pad fragile […]

Read More

How Do You Find Who You Can Trust For Your Real Estate Needs?

The root of any good or great relationship is trust. Without trust it is impossible to maintain or build a relationship. Trust is a necessary component to any relationship that is to be deeper than a superficial relationship. So how does an individual begin the journey of building trust with another individual? There are a […]

Read More

Your Best Open House When Selling Your Corona Home Is The Internet

Your Best Open House When Selling Your Corona Home Is The Internet. Wondering how this could be the case? The evidence is all available in black and white. The 2011 National Association of Realtors Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers shows that 40% of home buyers and sellers first learned about the home they purchased via […]

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Winter Home Maintenance in The Inland Empire

Some Call It Winterizing, but in the Inland Empire, We’ll Just Call It Winter Home Maintenance We probably don’t get cold enough in most Southern California areas to really do “winterizing” on our homes but we can certainly prepare for winter. Homes in the Inland Empire may need a little spot check to make sure […]

Read More

Do You Know The Difference Between A Necessary Repair vs A “Desirous Repair”?

Do You Know The Difference Between A Necessary Repair vs A “Desirous Repair”? Okay, so maybe I have coined my own term here. Yes, I am asking about the “desirous repair.” So since I am asking the question of whether you know the difference between a necessary home repair vs. a “desirous home repair,” I will […]

Read More

If You Really Want to Sell Your Chino Hills Home, Don’t Leave Buyers At The Door

If  You Really Want to Sell Your Chino Hills Home, Don’t Leave Buyers At The DoorAfter all the paperwork is signed and the home is prepared for sale, the next logical thing to do is to find a Chino Hills buyer. Most Chino Hills buyers intend to occupy the home and would very much like […]

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Your Corona CA Real Estate Agent Should Respect Your Privacy. Do They?

Your Corona CA Real Estate Agent Should Respect Your Privacy. Do They? One of the issues that many people are concerned about when they buy or sell a home in Corona is their privacy. It’s the reason that many home sellers in Corona do not want a sign in the yard or a buyer may not […]

Read More

What Steve Jobs Knew About A Trust That You Should Know Too

The sad passing of an intellectual genius such as Steve Jobs leaves people with lingering thoughts as they ponder their own immortality. In 2009, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and his wife placed at least three properties into trusts. A trust is an arrangement under which one person (the trustee) holds legal title to property for […]

Read More

Listen To What Other People Say Before You Decide On Your Next Realtor

There’s no better way to really know about a business than to hear what other people have to say about them. Listen to what some of our clients are saying about us…. Disclaimer-All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. You are advised to consult a reputable attorney for all legal advice or […]

Read More

Stressful Life Events: Your Move May Be One of Them

Stressful Life Events: Your Move May Be One of Them Moving along with several other life events can produce stress. There is good stress and bad stress. Here’s a little test to see just how stressed you may or may not be. The relative stressfulness of each event is indicated by the number on the left. […]

Read More

What NOT To Do When Selling Your Home- Lesson #5

What NOT To Do When Selling Your Home- Lesson #5 Seems that a slight re-visit to lesson #4 is in order. In lesson #4 we reviewed the fact that Cars In The Driveway Don’t Exactly Show Off The Home That Well.  However, maybe we missed also telling you don’t leave the garage doors open when […]

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Discover Easy Ways To Prevent Yourself From Falling Prey To Rental Scams

Discover Easy Ways To Prevent Yourself From Falling Prey To Rental Scams With foreclosures and short sales being quite prevalent in and around Riverside County, CA with the great recession, it seems that a few less than honorable crooks have decided to capitalize on this. One such person is Antonio Rios Simon who was recently […]

Read More

What Does A Back Up Offer Really Mean?

What Does A Back Up Offer Really Mean? A back up offer is an offer that is taken and placed on file. In the event that the buyer currently under contract for some reason can not follow through with the purchase of the house then anyone with a back up offer on file may be […]

Read More

What You Don’t See Behind The Scenes Means Everything

What You Don’t See Behind The Scenes Means Everything If you have never been behind the scenes of a television production, it is well worth your while to spend a day. I’ve grown up in California my whole life so I have taken for granted a lot of the tourist attractions that are available. This […]

Read More

Don’t Shoot The Messenger, Just Accept Reality

Mr. Home Seller, let’s have a heart to heart. It’s interesting because just two days ago, I wrote a blog entitled, Home Over Pricing Will Cost You Greatly! As I was out today canvassing a neighborhood regarding a new listing, a gentleman stopped me. He asked me if I had placed the postcard he was […]

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Home Over Pricing Will Cost You Greatly!

Home Over Pricing Will Cost You Greatly! It’s a simple phenomenon that home sellers often fall prey to. It’s the pricing phenomenon. Oddly enough, our prized possession are always worth more than everyone else’s. The same holds true for many home sellers. An objective opinion is quite often garnered upon meeting with a reputable Real […]

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What NOT To Do When Selling Your Home- Lesson #2

What NOT To Do When Selling Your Home- Lesson #2 Don’t Forget That Most Potential Buyers Will Not Be Excited About Seeing Trash Bags And Old Mattresses As Part of The Sale   The pictures displayed are actual MLS listings that are used for illustrative purposes. Disclaimer-All information contained herein is deemed reliable but not […]

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Inland Empire Home Sellers: Here’s Why You’ll Want A Lockbox On Your Home

Listing your home for sale can be both an exciting and daunting task. Often during the course of listing a home for sale, the home seller will ask, “Why Would I Want A Lockbox on My Home?” The short answer is, it’s the same reason that food establishments developed “the drive-through” and banks developed “the […]

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Mr. and Mrs. Seller Make Sure Your Agent Puts Inviting Information in The Multiple Listing Service

Mr. and Mrs. Seller may I be honest with you? Your home is not being shown because the instructions in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) stink! Remember, you said I could be honest. Yes, I am pulling real live examples that I have encountered and continue to encounter. 1. Please do not call for status, […]

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Seller Beware! You Like The Realtor You Interviewed But Do Other Realtors Like Them?

Seller Beware! You Like The Realtor You Interviewed But Do Other Realtors Like Them? Caution Mr Seller, you just interviewed an agent and think that you really liked them. But before you hire them for the job, consider this. You like the Realtor you interviewed, but do other Realtors? Do other professionals within the industry, […]

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Questionable Marketing Almost Always Guarantees Questionable Results

Questionable Marketing Almost Always Guarantees Questionable Results We’ve heard the old adage about selling a home…put a sign in the yard, place it in the MLS and Pray! Truthfully, this is going on but it is probably due to not knowing any better. One thing my grandmother always said was, “When you know better, you […]

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Selling Your Home: It Really Boils Down To Supply and Demand. Do You Have An In Demand Product or is the Market Over-Saturated?

Selling Your Home: It Really Boils Down To Supply and Demand. Do You Have An In Demand Product or is the Market Over-Saturated? Selling your home really boils down to supply and demand as the first element. Do you have an In demand product or is the market over-saturated? The typical home seller has an […]

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Selling Your Home: Pink Fishnet Stockings May Not Be Your Style But You Better Stand Out!

Even though pink fishnets may not be your style, you better find a way to stand out. Standing out in a positive way will not only help sell your home, it will help you get top dollar. While at a local amusement park recently, I spotted such a young lady. My first thought was, “Did […]

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