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Shane Kilby | BrickDriven Realty Blog

Tuesday, August 13, 2024   /   by Shane Kilby

Should I Make Repairs Before Listing My Home?

Going over the key reasons it’s worth it to fix your home before selling.

Recently, a lot of sellers have been asking me, “Should I make repairs before listing my home?” The short answer is yes. While we’re still in a seller’s market, the truth is that there aren’t as many buyers as there were during the peak a few years ago. The good news is that buyers still looking to purchase a home in this environment are very serious about moving. However, due to higher interest rates and home prices, your property needs to be in great condition to stand out. That’s why today, I’m sharing three things you can do to get your home in perfect market condition before selling:
1. Have a pre-listing meeting. Meet with your agent before you list to go over which repairs are really worth it. Not every fix is worth your hard-earned money, so invest in repairs that will improve your home’s condition and net you a higher return on your investm! ...

Monday, July 29, 2024   /   by Shane Kilby

What’s Happening in the Real Estate Market This Summer?

As we head further into the summer real estate market, tons of people have been asking me, “What’s going on in the market right now?” I get it; if you’re looking to move in the near future, you want to be informed about what’s happening with real estate. The truth is that home prices are still high in most areas; however, they’re starting to come down in a few places that were most affected by the pandemic boom market. While we don’t know for sure what this means for the country at large, it might be safer to make a move sooner rather than later. With that in mind, I’m sharing three key points about our housing market you need to know if you’re planning on making a move this summer: 


1. There is a severe lack of inventory. Right now, a lot of people who would otherwise sell their homes are staying put because they have a low interest rate locked in with their current mortgage. As a result, inventory is incredibly low, and ...

Wednesday, June 19, 2024   /   by Shane Kilby

How Should You Respond to a Low Offer on Your Home?

A few steps you can take to negotiate a great deal with lowball offers.

If you’re planning on selling your home this spring, you need to be prepared to receive a lowball offer. Housing market activity has slowed since interest rates stagnated around 7%, but prices are still high in most markets due to low inventory. This has created a situation where a lot of homebuyers have warped expectations of what a “good” first offer on your home should look like, and you need to know how to respond. I know a low offer can be insulting, but you need to think strategically when selling your biggest asset. Today, I’ll go over how you should strategically react to a low offer to ultimately get the deal you wanted all along.
1. Check the comps one more time. Before you deal with your lowball offer, double-check that it’s actually as low as you think it is. The housing market changes at a rapid pace, so make sure your home is still worth what you thought it was. ! ...

Tuesday, June 4, 2024   /   by Shane Kilby

Do You Still Need To Pay Buyer’s Agents’ Commissions?

Discussing the key benefits of offering competitive buyer agent rates.

In case you don’t know, the real estate world was flipped on its head recently. A lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors is challenging how buyer agents get paid, and it’s left a lot of people confused. Here’s the short version: A court recently ruled that the current structure of buyer’s agents’ commissions was illegal and needed to change. In the past, the seller would pay full commission to their agent, and the seller’s agent would then split that commission with the buyer’s agent. In this way, the buyer wouldn’t actually need to put any money down for their representation. Now, the buyer commissions are negotiated separately from the seller side.
So, do you still need to pay the buyer’s agent’s commissions when selling your home? If you want the best representation possible, yes, and there are a few key reasons why:
1. Setting a! ...

Tuesday, May 28, 2024   /   by Shane Kilby

Which Remodels Offer the Best Return When Selling a Home?

How do I get the most bang for my buck when it comes to home improvements? Spring is a time when flowers bloom and home sales peak, but it’s also a time when we can shake the dust off of our home improvement projects. It’s a time when you’ll find homeowners out renovating their gardens and inside painting their walls to refresh their homes for the new season. But, for those who are interested in selling this spring, what kind of home improvement projects will net them the biggest return on their investment? It's a crucial consideration, as not all improvements will significantly enhance your home's value. Today, I'll go over what projects to avoid, what repairs to make, and how to select a good contractor to do the work.

1. Avoid these upgrades. While upgrading is a great way to build on your home’s existing value, there are plenty of upgrades that aren’t worth your time or trouble. Upgrading your kitchen to top-of-the-line or professional grade, or mak! ...
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