With budgets already stretched thin along with higher interest rates, today’s buyers are more selective than ever regarding homes they’re willing to purchase. They don’t want to get stuck with a home they’ll need to sink even more money into after closing. In fact, according to a recent report from Zillow, buyers are willing to pay up to 4% more (an average of $13,000 for the average American home) for a move-in-ready listing that doesn’t need renovations or repairs. 

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One of the first questions people ask when getting ready to sell is “What is my home worth?” Setting the right asking price is crucial. Price it too high and it could be left on the market with no buyer in sight; ask too little, and you’re leaving money on the table. 

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If you plan to move in the near future, it doesn’t make sense to sink a lot of money into home updates you won’t be able to enjoy for long. It’s also not a good idea to invest in projects that won’t boost your home value when it’s time to sell, or give you a good return on your investment.  

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Congrats! Your house is selling for substantially more than you paid for it! That’s a good thing… or is it? There are some scenarios when selling a home will come with hidden fees and tax liabilities.The IRS may want a chunk of the profits in the form of capital gains tax. But there are ways that homeowners can avoid taxes on home sales.

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With houses still selling so fast, it’s easy to wonder if staging is even necessary. The answer is absolutely, especially because today’s buyers are ready to make a purchase quickly. If they look at two homes on the same day — and can see themselves living in one but not the other — there’s no question that they will choose the one they can visualize as their own. In fact, according to a 2023 report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), some buyers will even offer up to five percent more for a staged home compared to similar homes on the market that were not staged. 

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When it comes to life’s milestones, buying your first home is right up there with getting married, having a child, or starting a new career. It’s an exciting time that often comes with a large dose of stress and anxiety. As a first-time buyer, it’s easy to start second-guessing yourself, wondering if you’re making the right decisions. 

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If you’ve ever thought “Maybe I should sell my house to a family member,” you’ve likely also wondered whether or not it’s a good idea. The sale of a home to a family member is possible, legal, and can be very easy for everyone involved.

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When some homeowners begin to think about selling, they anticipate making a nice profit with plenty to put down on their next home — particularly in today’s seller’s market. However, many sellers don’t realize that there are hidden fees when selling a house and that those fees are deducted from the purchase price. 

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While April and May are great months to put a home on the market, selling a house in spring is not the only option. The St. Louis area is still a seller’s market, which means buyers are out there all year long waiting for the right home to become available. 

Following a few strategies can increase your chances of selling your home this winter and ending up in your new home before springtime.

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Most homeowners have a pretty good idea of where their property ends and their neighbor’s begins. But when it comes to a yard’s exact boundaries in a legal sense, “pretty good” is not good enough. Finding property lines for your house is particularly important when getting ready to sell. Buyers need to know precisely what they are getting—and not getting—along with the house.

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