Wednesday, April 30, 2025 / by Lme Realty Group
When you put your house on the market, you want to sell it quickly and for the best price possible; that's generally the goal. But too many sellers are shooting too high right now. They don’t realize the market has shifted as inventory has grown. The side effect? Price cuts are on the rise, but they really don’t have to be. Here’s why.
According to data from Realtor.com, in February, price cuts were the highest they’ve been in any other February since 2019 (see graph below):
If you consider that 2019 was the last true normal year for the housing market – that's a big deal. We’re getting back to what’s typical for the market.
This isn’t the same frenzied seller’s market we saw a few years ago. You may not get the same price your neighbor did at the height of the pandemic. And that means you may need to reset your expectations.
Because here’s the reality. If you shoot too high and have to lower your price after the fact, . ...
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for sellers, pricing, selling tips
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 / by Lme Realty Group
Now that spring is here, more and more buyers are jumping back into the market, and competition is heating up.
If you’re serious about landing a home you’ll love, you need more than just a wish list. You need a smart strategy – and that starts with working with a great agent who can help you put together a strong offer.
Here are some top tips your agent will share with you that are helping buyers stand out (and win) in today’s market.
1. Don’t Lowball on Price
It’s tempting to start with a super low offer in an attempt to save money. But in a competitive spring market, that could backfire. If the price isn’t reasonable, you could offend the seller and lose out to a better bid. As NerdWallet says:
“If you really want the property, you should avoid offending the seller. So, be wary of placing a so-called lowball offer. One of the most obvious risks of making a lowball offer is outright rejection. . . As a buyer, you’ll need t ...
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for buyers, agent value, buying tips
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 / by Lme Realty Group
Retirement isn’t just a milestone. It's the beginning of something really special. After years of hard work, it’s finally time to slow down, explore new passions, and live life on your own terms.
But with this exciting chapter comes some big choices. And one of the biggest is this: does your current home still make sense for the lifestyle (and budget) you want in this next phase of life?
That’s an especially important question right now. Just in the past five years, the cost of living has jumped by 23% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is how changes are tracked in the average price consumers pay for goods and services (see graph below):
When you’re thinking about how to make your retirement savings last, those rising expenses matter. And if you’ve started to wonder whether your money will stretch as far as you need it to go, don’t worry. You may have more control than . ...
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economy, senior living, downsize
Wednesday, April 9, 2025 / by Lme Realty Group
Spring is here, and so is the busiest season in real estate. More buyers are out looking for homes, which means more competition for you. If you want to put yourself in the best position to buy, there’s one step you can’t afford to skip, and that’s getting pre-approved for a mortgage.
Some buyers think they can wait until they’ve found a home they love before talking to a lender. But in a season where homes can sell fast, that’s a risky move. Getting pre-approved before you start your search is a much better bet.
Here’s what you need to know about this early step in the buying process.
What Is Pre-Approval?
Pre-approval gives you a sense of how much a lender is willing to let you borrow for your home loan. To determine that number, a lender starts by looking at your financial history. Here are some of the things that can have an impact, according to Yahoo Finance:
Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: This is how much money you owe divided by how m. ...
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for buyers, buying tips
Wednesday, April 2, 2025 / by Lme Realty Group
Homeowner’s insurance is a must-have to protect what’s probably your biggest investment – your home. And while you never want to think about worst-case scenarios, the right coverage is basically your safety net if something goes wrong. Here’s how it helps you.
Covers Repairs and Rebuilding Costs: If your home is damaged by fire, storms, or other covered events, your policy helps pay for repairs or even a full rebuild.
Protects Your Belongings: Many policies can also cover personal items like furniture, electronics, and clothing if they’re stolen or damaged.
Provides Liability Coverage: If someone gets injured on your property, homeowner’s insurance can help cover medical bills or legal expenses.
In the simplest sense, it gives you peace of mind. Knowing you have protection against unexpected events helps you worry less. And with such a big purchase, having that reassurance is a big deal.
And while your first insurance payment will be wrapped. ...
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for buyers, home buying, buying tips