The Difference Between Hard and Soft Credit Checks

Two Big Reasons To Move This Summer A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: "Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down." While waiting sounds like a good plan, there's something worth knowing before you decide. Rates aren’t expected to change much, so if that’s the #1 reason you’re waiting, it may not pay off. And there may be other things you miss out on in the meantime. Historically, Summer is one of the strongest seasons of the year for both buyers and sellers. And if you delay your move until Fall or Winter, some of those opportunities may already be fading. Buyers: Fresh Inventory Is Your Real Summer Advantage One of the biggest frustrations buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of affordable options . Maybe you’ve run into that yourself: You find a house you like, but it's out of your budget. You find something in your budget, but you don’t like it. Or worse, nothing interesting hits the market for weeks. Historically, Summer helps with that. Looking at data from the last few years, Summer months consistently bring more sellers into the market than later in the year. And that gives buyers a real window of fresh choices. According to Realtor.com, any given Summer month typically sees about 32% more fresh options than the average month from September-December. With more newly listed homes, there’s a better chance of finding one you like where the numbers actually work. Because all it really takes is one home to completely change your search. And if you’ve got more popping onto the market to choose from, maybe one of those is exactly what you need. But keep in mind, this seasonal window isn’t open forever. Fresh inventory tends to slow down once Summer ends. Many homeowners who planned to sell this year have already listed by then. Families who wanted to move before school starts have often already gotten it done, or at least, set it into motion. So, new listing activity usually cools as we head into Fall and Winter. Of course, every year is different. But if finding the right home at the right price has been your biggest challenge, waiting until later in the year may not necessarily give you more options. In fact, recent history suggests it may do just the opposite. Sellers: Homes Usually Sell for More in the Summer If you're thinking of selling, you may be considering holding off because you've seen headlines about lower asking prices, price cuts, and softer conditions in some markets. But those headlines don’t tell the whole story or convey just how much it varies by area. Here’s what you really need to know. Even though the market’s becoming more balanced and some pockets are experiencing price declines, that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to sell. Seasonality can still work in your favor no matter where you are . And this Summer could still give you the chance to sell for a good price. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sold during a Summer month usually sell for about 4% more than homes sold during the typical month from September-December: Why? Summer buyers are usually operating on a set timeframe. They’re trying to move before the next school year or when they have more PTO and warmer weather to tour houses. That urgency can translate into better offers. Now, that doesn’t mean you should price your house 4% higher this Summer. That would actually be a mistake in today’s market. It just means if you’re looking to get as much for your house as you reasonably can, a Summer move could be a smarter play than waiting until later this year. Because based on typical seasonality , you may get more for your house than you would if you waited until the Fall or Winter (when there are typically fewer buyers active). And if you're considering a move anyway, that’s worth factoring in. Bottom Line Could waiting until later this year work out? Sure. But it's important to understand what you may gain by moving now too – that way you have the full picture before you decide. If a 2026 move is on your radar, let’s connect and talk about what matters most to you. Depending on your priorities, Summer could be your moment.

Why Staging Your House Could Pay Off This Spring Selling your house this season? You’ve probably heard you should stage it before it hits the market. But what does that really mean – and is it worth the effort? The short answer is “yes,” especially right now. With more houses for sale this year, you’re likely wondering how to make the most money possible without your house sitting on the market. The answer is staging. It can help your house stand out, bring in stronger offers, and sell faster . As Nadia Evangelou, Principal Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), puts it: “Staging matters. Preparing the home to be ‘buyer-ready’ attracts more buyers, especially now that inventory has increased.” Here's what staging actually involves and what it could do for your sale. What Is Home Staging? Home staging is the process of preparing your house, so it appeals to as many buyers as possible . That usually means decluttering, deep cleaning, rearranging furniture, and adding simple touches that help each room feel bright, open, and welcoming. The goal is to help buyers fall in love with the space and picture themselves living there , which makes them more likely to make an offer. Why Staging Is Worth the Effort Staged houses tend to perform better on almost every metric that matters when you sell. According to Redfin, staged homes have been shown to sell up to 73% faster than unstaged homes. And they often close in under a month, compared to anywhere from two to three months for vacant ones. There’s also a strong return on the money you spend. The Home Staging Institute says mid-level staging can deliver a 350% return on investment. On a $400k home, that turns the typical $4k cost into roughly $18k in added value when you sell (see graph below): By that estimate, that’s an extra potential profit of about $14k – a meaningful boost when you’re trying to maximize what you walk away with at closing. Your Staging Options And just in case you’re seeing that $4k upfront investment above and thinking, “I’m not going to spend that,” here’s what you should know. Staging doesn’t always have to mean hiring a full crew or filling your house with rented furniture. There are a few different paths you can take, depending on your budget and timeline. So, you could spend a lot less and still get a good return. Here are a few options: Professional staging. A stager handles everything from layout to décor, often bringing in their own inventory. According to the Home Staging Institute, costs typically range from $500 to $5k or more, depending on the size of your house. Virtual staging. Digital furniture and styling are added to your listing photos, which can be a budget-friendly option for vacant houses. DIY staging. If your budget is tight and your home only needs minor updates, decluttering, deep cleaning, and arranging furniture for flow can still make a real difference. Your agent can help you figure out which approach fits your house, your market, and your goals. Agents see what buyers respond to in open houses and showings every week, so they can give you specific, personalized recommendations on what’s worth your time and money (and what isn’t). That way you can get the most bang for your buck – no matter your budget. Bottom Line With more homes for sale right now, making a strong first impression matters. Staging can help your house sell faster and for more – and there's an option for almost every budget. If you’re getting ready to list, let’s talk about what level of staging makes sense for your house and make a plan for attracting the right buyers.