Author Archives: Sabrina Mapes

There’s been anecdotal evidence of urban Americans moving out of the big cities and metropolitan areas en route to rural locations. But is it really happening? As it turns out, hard evidence is in short supply – or maybe it’s just too early to tell. GETTY Realtor.com’s Market Hotness rankings for May indicates that out of nearly 20,000 ZIP […]

Installing an electric floor heating system can be a do-it-yourself project if you’re armed with the right skills and information. It’s bad enough that you have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, but that tile — it’s so cold! The notion of warming floors for comfort is […]

7 easy ways to revitalize your space and boost your mood. With many Americans spending a lot more time at home, you may find your house taking on the roles of office, classroom, gym and community center — and it’s easy to feel uninspired by your surroundings after occupying the same space day in, day […]

Even with the backdrop of a pandemic extremely present, the Real Estate world does not stop. There are many sellers who were waiting for the spring market to list their home and find a buyer. On the surface it would seem that these plans have taken a hit, but in reality they just need a […]

A seller’s goal should be to find the highest offer with the strongest probability of closing. While a near asking price offer may look great after initial review, it may be full of unnecessary contingencies and red flags that may put you in a bad position as the seller. What if you knew what to look for […]

As we have seen over the last few months life can change on a dime. One day we are thinking about March Madness and the next planning when we can leave our homes. If you have inherited a property over this time or making preparations, you may be dealing with an extra layer of stress […]

Home buying hurdles exist — but research, creativity and flexibility will help you clear them. Home buyers today face tough challenges — housing prices have soared, a dollar doesn’t go as far as it once did and rent is more expensive than the past. How are people today making such a large purchase despite these […]

In a typical listing agreement, instructions are defined in writing for how both Listing Agent and Buyer’s Agent receive their commission at the Close of Escrow. Industry Standard suggest the Listing Agent receives about 3.5% in a normal transaction while the Buyer’s Agent receives about 2.5%. Does that mean the seller or the buyer pays […]

See the stars in your own backyard … on your DIY big screen, that is. In the height of summer, your backyard or porch is headquarters for family time and date night alike. Combine both, and cue up a movie on your DIY movie screen for a staycation highlight. A bedsheet or table cloth affixed to […]

If your move is delayed, evaluate the features of your current home so you know just what you want in your next one. Now that many of us have spent several weeks living inside, we’ve become quite familiar with our homes — in some cases, maybe too familiar. If you were planning to move before […]