Blog
Rent for Single-Family Homes Surged 10% in October
Every single week I speak to someone on the phone that’s looking for a home to rent. They are frustrated because they can’t find any available homes, so they start calling real estate agents to see if they know anyone willing to rent their home. Sometimes they’re calling because the rental prices are so high... Read More
Zillow Is No Longer Buying Homes
Many of you probably don’t know that over the last couple years Zillow has been buying up single family homes across America and paying top dollar for them too. This story really starts in 2018, when Zillow got into what’s called the “iBuying” business. iBuying refers to the process in which deep-pocketed, tech-enabled companies buy... Read More
What’s This $600 IRS Reporting Requirement All About?
The Internal Revenue Service has recently gotten a lot of attention on social media, specifically, a proposal by the Biden administration to widen authority to root out tax evasion by allowing the IRS to get annual reports of money flows from bank accounts with a minimum of $600. Under this proposal, banks would be required... Read More
Should I Pay for a Home Inspection Before Putting My Home on the Market?
A few weeks ago, one of our home buyers decided to write an offer on a home that had already been given a full, professional home inspection prior to going on the market. The home was in great shape, priced well, and there were multiple buyers interested in the property. Because the seller had already... Read More
Where Did All the Restaurant Workers Go?
My wife and I decided to go eat dinner at Steak ‘n Shake, and as we walked in the door, a big sign read, “Please order at the counter and then seat yourself.” As I read the sign, I was a little confused. If you’ve never been to a Steak ‘n Shake, you typically have... Read More
Social Media Has Made Us Hateful
Earlier this week I saw a post on Facebook from Marcus Lemonis, the famed star of the hit TV show The Profit. Marcus posted a beautiful selfie of himself and his wife with the words, “some things matter more” as the title. I thought it was very cute and “liked” the photo. I wish I... Read More
Parents Are Buying Real Estate in College Towns
Last week I got a call from someone out of state. He said his son is attending William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri, as a freshman. After looking at the cost of student housing while his son attends college over the next four years, it occurred to him that it might make sense to purchase... Read More
Are Today’s Homes Overpriced?
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to show one of our listings to an older gentleman. We met at the front door and I introduced myself, handed him my business card, then invited him into the home. He was pleasant, but somewhat reserved about answering any of my questions. Finally, as we were in... Read More
Real Estate Agents Do Not Set the Price of Your Home
I spoke with someone on the phone this week who had the misconception that real estate agents are running up the prices of homes. I was puzzled by this and explained to her that real estate agents don’t actually control the price of a home, the buyers do. Obviously market conditions play into this as... Read More
The Misconception About Open Houses
A couple weeks ago, one of my friends was telling me about the house for sale across the street from him. He expressed his concern about why the home has been sitting on the market for so long and said, “Clearly their real estate agent is working hard for them. She’s held open houses every... Read More