RE/MAX Real Estate Insights

Current market conditions may make now the right time to buy a new construction home. We discuss the benefits of purchasing a new construction home the include not having to worry about immediate repairs and maintenance at a time when many buyers are stretching their budget to get their offer accepted on a existing home and what features are popular with new home buyers. And we share an often over...

When folks come to your home you want to roll out the proverbial red carpet for them. A great way to do that is to pay attention to the first impression your home makes and that is the view from the street. We share several easy and economical ways to add some color and charm to your curb appeal that will be attractive to buyers if your are selling or you can enjoy as the current homeowner. From p...

Whether it is investors, flippers or traditional buyers there is a lot going on in Detroit when it comes to residential real estate. We discuss the recent announcement by Dan Gilbert to provide some property tax relief and who it will and won’t help, who is relocating to Detroit and what is brining them into the city and how marketing conditions are impacting the home flipping segment of the marke...

If you are tired of making rent payments that help pay someone else’s mortgage or you day-dream about decorating your own home, you may be ready to buy a home. We share six signs that you are ready for home ownership including things like you are ready to make an investment, you crave freedom to personalize your home or you have simply outgrown your existing space. Then we ask five important quest...

Winter weather can reek havoc your home’s exterior so come spring your home can use a little TLC. We share 10 spring home maintenance tips focusing on everything from the foundation to the roof. We focus on the exterior first to address any serious issues before moving inside. HVAC, gutters, roof, decks, siding, sprinkler system, windows and doors and more are all addressed along with a bonus tip...

Your excitement over a major home renovation project can take a turn once the contractor and crew starts shows up and your daily routine is disrupted. We share tips to help you prepare and plan for a kitchen or bathroom remodel so that you can minimize the inconvenience you and your family. Getting clarity on the crew’s arrival time and giving them access to one entry to your home not only helps e...

Before you get to the closing table, the final walkthrough is an important step in the home buying process that give the buyer one last opportunity to view the home before officially buying it. Chances are it has been a few weeks since you were last in the home and a final walkthrough tends to occur within 72 hours of the closing giving buyers a chance to insure nothing has changed in the conditio...

The real estate market is experiencing record low inventory and record low interest rates. Either one could make the market a little crazy, but when you have both of these dynamics together it has created a market unlike anything we have seen before. We talk about how buyers need to expect they will face competition and how an experienced team of an agent and lender working for them can make all t...

It is no secret that homes for sale are in short supply right now and this is driving many “Coming Soon” teasers for listings about to hit the market. We discuss pros and cons of this type of marketing and what it means for buyers and sellers. We also talk about exactly what buyers can focus on when they are told to submit a “highest and best” offer and how our current marketing conditions may hav...

Interest rates have been bouncing around historic lows benefitting buyers but we also share how current homeowners can take advantage of these rates through refinancing. And while there is a lot of focus on rates, we discuss how buyers can benefit from talking to a lender to understand the wide variety of programs available to them that can help reduce the amount of money they need to put down to...

Before the hammers and saw get going, you need to find the right contractor. We identify and explain the three different types of contractors – specialty, general an design-build - so you can use the right type for your project. We share tips on what to ask potential contractors, what to look for in their bids, why you want to talk to references and the importance of having a budget to lead things...

There are some easy and economical things you can do to make a small kitchen look larger. In this episode we talk about simplifying the color scheme, lighting up, opening up, clearing up and using optical illusions to give your small kitchen a larger look and feel. We share what colors work best and how taking off cupboard doors can really change the look of your kitchen and why having a junk draw...

VA loans are a benefit to those who have served in the military but many buyers and sellers don’t understand them and there are many myths surrounding them. We dispel some of the common myths sellers may have like it takes longer to close VA loan or that you will have to do more home improvements to meet the inspection required for a VA loan. And on the buyer side we address the fact that while a...

Interest rates, housing supply, consumer confidence, vaccines, the stock market and a new administration in Washington…all of these factors will impact the housing market this year. We discuss all of these issues and what we are seeing now (an interest in higher priced homes) and expect to see this year (slightly rising interest rates) in our metro Detroit market. We also chat about mortgage foreb...

If your small bathroom has you feeling cramped, there are strategies that you can use to make this small space look and feel bigger. We share how to use natural light, paint colors and lighting to work together to make the room airy and bright. We also share tips like how raising your shower curtain can create an optical illusions to make your room seem taller, how using less space, like with corn...

Special guest Paul Corvino, iHeart President Detroit Region shares his experiences as a current seller and some lessons he has learned about marketing and selling a home that is unique. We chat about his history of condo living and how that compares to owning a home and he shares a bit of the history of his current home and surrounding area.

If you are considering a major home renovation project you may need or benefit from working with an architect. We are talking with a Licensed Architect about how architects are problem solvers trained to provide you ideas and solutions to the challenges you are experiencing with your current home situation. We discuss what to expect when working with an architect, the timeline for projects that in...

Selling your home means allowing interested buyers into your home so what can you do to keep yourself and your belongings safe during the showings and open houses you may have. We discuss the small everyday items that you want to put out of sight like extra key fobs, garage door openers even prescription medicine and share where not to hide these items. We also talk about removing certificates and...

Whether you just bought a new home or are doing an update, you want to spend your money wisely. We share which three rooms are the most important to tackle first when it comes to buying furniture and why sofas, dining tables and bedding are the most important items to focus on. We also include some bonus tips on rugs and artwork to pull it all together.

Americans spent $332 billion in home improvements projects during Q3 of 2020 and much of this spending was done with the goal of improving the value of their home. But all home improvement projects are not created equal when it comes to a return on investment. Bart Patterson joins us for a conversation on what you can expect to get back for common projects like kitchen, bath and basement remodels...

: Private home inspections are often a part of the process of buying a home. Guest Bob Bowling from Buyers Protection Group Inspections shares that the number one goal of a home inspection is education; to educate buyers about the condition of the home they are about to buy. From a buyers perspective we share what is and is not covered during a home inspection, what you should look for when search...

Special Guest Brad Ward, Vice President of Public Policy and Legal Affairs shares what has been happening behind the scenes in Lansing to help protect private property and homeowner rights this year. He talks about the importance of electronic notary to help real estate deals close at a time of social distancing. Issues like the ability to rent out a seasonal home and a first-time homebuyer saving...

If you are a buyer or seller your agent may be recommending you purchase a home warranty to protect yourself. But what does a home warranty cover and is purchasing a warranty right for you? We cover the differences between home insurance and a home warranty and what is covered by a home warranty. Guest Brian Heath from America’s Preferred Home Warranty takes us through the process when you need to...

When you walk through the door of a home you are considering buying it is easy to get caught up by the colors currently in the home or the floor plan but those aren’t the only things you should be looking for. We share how to look for signs of previous water damage and which cabinet doors to be sure to open to look for signs of mold. The importance of paying attention to closet and storage space i...

Photos, videos, social media, yard signs, websites, apps! All of these options and even more can be used to effectively market a home today so we break down what is working now when so many buyers are doing even more research online. When it comes to photos, we share why honest photos (hint: no weird filters) and descriptions of your home are critical and what type of video does your property need...