Steve Quaife,

Amy Hoyer,

Jason Hanson,

Darren Plank,

Leah Stanley,

Pam McCormick,

Melinda Gottfryd,

To view the most recent Mortgage Barometer report, click here.

In the age of the internet, most potential buyers have already scoped out your house online long before they ever set foot in it. A well-staged home can mean the difference between a home that sells quickly for top dollar and one that stagnates on the market. What many people don't realize is that home staging is not just for interiors. A well-staged home exterior can increase the perceived value and set it apart from the competition. In order to stage your outdoors and increase curb appeal, avoid these common outdoor staging mistakes.

Kitchen updates can give you the most bang for your buck in terms of your home's value. But upgrading your kitchen presents a number of design choices that can seem overwhelming. If you're planning to sell your home soon, the issue is compounded. You have to make choices that you like as well as ones that will appeal to a potential buyer. Check out these recent kitchen design trends that are creative enough to satisfy owners and versatile enough for a range of would-be buyers.

According to a new report from Redfin, the typical home is bought and sold every 12.3 years, a number that is down from a peak of 13.4 years in 2020 and up from a median of 10 years in 2012 and 6.5 years in 2005. There are many different variables that contribute to how often a home changes hands. One of the major factors is that the general population is aging, and many people are choosing to age in place. Another contributing factor is high home prices and higher-than-average interest rates, both of which keep people in their homes longer. For a closer look at the many variables that influence this trend, click here.

In multifamily building, there is an increased concern for how building processes and materials affect the environment along with a desire to cut construction time and expense. Both of these factors are having a major impact on the industry. Mass timber products are emerging as one possible solution to these challenges, since they save construction time, sequester carbon rather than emit it, and interior wood exposure promotes aesthetics and healthfulness. Click here to learn more.

Winter weather is always a challenge for homeowners, especially when it comes to heating bills and home exteriors. We are guessing that at this time of year your lawn is far from looking its best. Spring is just around the corner, and while it's not time to break out the lawn mower yet, there are a number of preliminary steps you can take now that will help you nurse your lawn back to its former glory. Click here to learn more.

Every week has 168 hours. Of those, you need at least 56 for sleep, which is important for a myriad of reasons. That leaves you, as a real estate professional, with 112 hours in which to run your business. What's one attainable, yet potentially business-changing goal, you can set in that 112 hours? Think of the number 2. Book just 2 listing appointments each week and see what happens to your business! (If you're already past that goal, adjust it to a number that inspires and motivates you!) The most important takeaway here is that you should be focused on taking more listings right now. Click here to learn more.