Cheryl Bower's Real Estate Blog

Ways Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals

By Cheryl Bower | January 9, 2024

If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is…

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What Lower Mortgage Rates Mean for Your Purchasing Power

By Cheryl Bower | January 8, 2024

If you want to buy a home, it’s important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. Fortunately, rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have come down significantly since the end of October and are currently under 7%, according to Freddie Mac (see graph below):   This…

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Achieving Your Homebuying Dreams in 2024 [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | January 5, 2024

Some Highlights Planning to buy a home in 2024? Here’s what to focus on. Improve your credit score, plan for your down payment, get pre-approved, and decide what’s most important to you. Partner with a trusted real estate agent so you have expert advice on how to achieve your homebuying goals this year.

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Why Pre-Approval Is Your Homebuying Game Changer

By Cheryl Bower | January 4, 2024

If you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial part of the process you definitely don’t want to skip. So, before you start picturing yourself in your new living room or dining on your future all-season patio, be sure you’re working with a trusted lender to prioritize this essential step. Here’s why. While…

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Thinking About Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions

By Cheryl Bower | January 3, 2024

If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you’re probably paying closer attention than normal to the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a variety of channels: the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends and loved ones, the list goes on and on. Most likely, home prices and…

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Things To Consider If Your House Didn’t Sell

By Cheryl Bower | January 2, 2024

If your listing has expired and your house didn’t sell, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. Understandably, you’re probably wondering what may have gone wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next. Did You Limit Access to Your House? One of the…

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3 Keys To Hitting Your Homeownership Goals in 2024

By Cheryl Bower | January 1, 2024

If buying or selling a home is your goal for 2024, it’s important to understand today’s housing market, know your why, and work with industry experts to bring your homeownership vision for the new year into focus. Over the last year, the economy had a big impact on the housing market, and likely on your…

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The Benefits of Working With an Agent When You Sell Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | December 29, 2023

Some Highlights When it comes to selling your house, the expertise of a trusted real estate agent can make a big difference. They’ll explain what’s happening today, what that means for you, and how to price and market your house. They’re also skilled negotiators and well versed in the contracts and disclosures involved.  Partner with…

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What You Need To Know About Saving for a Home in 2024

By Cheryl Bower | December 28, 2023

If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be. One way to ease those concerns is to make sure you understand some of the costs you may encounter up front. And to do that, always turn to trusted real estate professionals.…

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Retiring Soon? Why Moving Might Be the Perfect Next Step

By Cheryl Bower | December 27, 2023

If you’re thinking about retirement or have already retired this year, it’s a good time to consider if your current house is still a good fit for the next chapter in your life. Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few things to think…

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