Staging Tips to Brighten Your Home For Spring

With spring in full swing, now is a great time to take some simple steps to brighten your home for potential buyers. Here are a few tips for spring staging courtesy of HGTV’s FrontDoor.

1. Do some spring cleaning. It’s natural to want to spruce up your space in the spring, so scrub away! A sparkling home will impress buyers and make your home seem even more appealing.
2. Box up your winter wardrobe. Bulky winter clothes take up lots of space, so move them out as you de-clutter your closets. You’ll impress buyers with all that space.
3. Spruce up the entryway. If your welcome mat is covered with winter dirt, pick up a new one. A clean, pretty doorway will help set the tone for the entire showing.

For the full list of tips, please click here. To speak with an experienced real estate agent about putting your home on the market, please contact us.

Source: HGTV’s FrontDoor | Full Article

Mortgage Rates Reach 2011 Low

According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage – a popular choice among buyers – dropped for the fourth consecutive week to 4.63 percent. This is the lowest the 30-year rate has been this year.

These falling rates have resulted in an increased number of mortgage applications being filed. The Mortgage Bankers Association reports that applications have increased 8.2 percent this week compared to the prior week.

With mortgage rates hitting a yearly low, now is a fantastic time to purchase a home! Contact one of our agents for more information.

Source: REALTOR® Magazine | Full Article

This Month in Real Estate Video – May 2011

May’s “This Month in Real Estate” video has been released. This month’s top story focuses on the positive effects staging can have on the sale of a home. Of particular note, KW research finds that $250 spent on staging for a $200,000 home can result in the home selling for a 2 percent higher sales price. For the complete story and more, click the “Play” button below.

For more information on staging and how it can lead to the sale of your home, contact us today!

Mortgage Rates Match Yearly Lows: 30 Year – 4.71 Percent

According to a recent Freddie Mac report, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage – one of the most popular choices among buyers – sank to 4.71 percent this week, matching the lowest rate of the year.

“Weaker economic data reports reduced Treasury bond yields and allowed mortgage rates to drift lower for the third consecutive week,” said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

With mortgage rates dropping to yearly lows and the spring market in full swing, now is a great time to purchase a home! Contact a Keller Williams Signature Partners agent today for more information, or click here for our property search!

Source: REALTOR® Magazine | Full Article

KW Ranked As Top Real Estate Franchise According to Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®

According to Entrepreneur Magazine’s recently released Franchise 500® list, Keller Williams is the top franchise among major real estate industry competitors, ranking 78th overall.

We are incredibly proud of all of our associates here in Lafayette as well as those across the nation for making Keller Williams such a successful business!

Information on the Keller Williams franchise can be accessed by clicking here.

To learn more about the fastest growing real estate agency in the nation or to join our team, please contact our Team Leader.

Source: Entrepreneur Magazine

RED Day 2011 – Renew, Energize, Donate

Keller Williams agents throughout the nation are preparing for RED Day, an initiative dedicated to celebrating the company’s year-round commitment to improving local communities. This year, Keller Williams Lafayette will be volunteering to help work on a home for Habitat For Humanity on Thursday, May 12.

Jim Romanski, REALTOR® at Keller Williams Lafayette and coordinator for this year’s RED Day, is very excited about the project.

“We’ve set the bar high!” Romanski said. “I am so excited to serve next to all of you.”

Stay tuned to the blog for pictures and highlights from the third annual RED Day in the coming week.

Is the Housing Market on a Path to Recovery?

After the sixth consecutive monthly rise in existing home sales last month, real estate industry experts are predicting that the market may be on a path to recovery.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said the housing market is “clearly” on a recovery path, a viewpoint echoed by economic advisor Joel Naroff.

“At this point, we’re likely to see a steady improvement in sales,” he said.

Click the “Full Article” link below for a summary of who is buying and driving the market, courtesy of REALTOR® Magazine.

For more information on the real estate market, or for a consultation with a KW agent, contact us!

Source: REALTOR® Magazine | Full Article