How stable is the real estate market? How have the mortgage rates affected the current housing market? Higher interest rates can make it more expensive for people to borrow money and typically slow the real estate market down. However, we have such a housing shortage that demand has kept the hou

    Headlines do more to terrify than clarify. The headlines report that we are in a market crash similar to 2008. There are a lot of mixed signals in the media about the current real estate market, and we want to clarify based on actual numbers in the market.   Here are some nationwide facts about

  If you want top dollar for your home, you should price it high. “You can always come down if you need to.” Hands up if you’ve heard this. Or if you’ve heard people say:  “Just wait it out. You’ll eventually get the offer you want if you’re willing to wait.”  Or, my favorite: “Zillow says my home i

    Interest rates, simplified.  An interest rate is the “price” a lender charges a borrower for a loan. Just like a pair of jeans at your favorite store, every loan has a price tag, and that price tag is the interest rate. But instead of dollars and cents, the price of borrowing a sum of money is a

    Are you a first-time homebuyer? Let’s talk about the current market conditions.  We couldn’t be more excited if you are buying your first home. You’re probably hearing lots of chatter about this not being the ideal buying time. Maybe even from people you love.  Here’s the thing: Maybe conditions

    When you list your home with Castle Rock Realty, we will take professional photos, videos, and drone shots of your property.    Professional photos are essential when selling your home because they help showcase the property in the best possible light. Good quality photos can help to make your h

    According to the National Association of Realtors, for sale by owner, homes sell for $58,000 less than homes listed with a realtor.   Here are some reasons why selling without a realtor could cost you $58,000 Limited marketing exposure: Realtors have access to a wide range of marketing channels

    The data has spoken, and if you’re planning to sell, the countdown is on!  According to Zillow:  If you want to sell quickly – list mid-March, and if you’re going to sell for max profit – shoot for late April.  And if you’re the over-achiever type, list on a Thursday – the best day of the week f

Are you interested in a free or discounted home warranty? If so, check this out! A Home Warranty is a type of insurance policy. Typically it covers the mechanicals in a house for one year after buying a home. Some mechanicals covered include the furnace, water heater, and appliances. A home warranty

Of all the expenses that come with buying a home, there's one category that can catch buyers by surprise: prepaid costs. And while surprises can be exciting, you definitely don't want them during the home buying process. So, let's dive into what you need to know about prepaid costs. Prepaid costs ar

With a low inventory of homes on the market and soaring prices, you may be feeling hopeless about finding your dream home. But what if we told you there's an alternative? Instead of searching for your dream home, you can create it yourself. And it's easier than you might think. One option is to purc

  Many people believe that waiting for interest rates to decrease is a smart move before buying a home. However, this misconception may be holding them back from their homeownership dreams. In this video, we reveal the truth about interest rates and why waiting may not be necessary. With the ability

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It's not enough to simply identify where your smoke detectors are located; you must also ensure they are in working order. Put fresh batteries in and make sure they are functioning correctly to provide the necessary protection. Have an emergency meeting

  If you are thinking of selling your home, take note of these three bathroom features buyers are currently frowning on. Number one: Carpet in the bathroom. Believe it or not, carpet in the bathroom was a trend in the 60s. However, it has fallen out of favor for several reasons, primarily because it

Moving into your new home is extremely exciting, and it's fun to decorate and make it your own. But, don't forget about keeping your home safe. Here are some safety tips that we recommend for every new homeowner. Change your locks. You should have received all keys to the house at closing, but you n

  Have you ever thought, "I see a new listing that I like, can I just go check it out?" The short answer is no, you can't just walk up and knock on the door. The longer version is that it's better this way! Scheduled showings with a licensed agent are the best way to learn all the important ins and

Renters, did your monthly payment go up this year? Or are you tired of paying for something that isn't yours? It doesn't have to stay this way! When you're renting an apartment or home, you're essentially paying someone else instead of investing in your own home. Many renters feel like their hard-ea

With the media constantly reporting that the housing market is crashing, but demand is still high, you might be confused about what the market is actually doing. We are here to help you weed through the reports and get to the reality. The Wisconsin Realtors Association recently released reports for

  Hey sellers, even in today's "seller's market," you can still make some costly mistakes. Here are three things to avoid when selling your home. Mistake #1 - Thinking your home is worth more than it is. This is a common mistake that sellers make, especially in today's market. Prices may be favorabl

  You hear us talking about contingencies a lot: home inspection contingencies, financing contingencies, appraisal contingencies. What does all this mean for you as a buyer or seller? Today, we are going to answer all of those questions! As a buyer, you want to have contingencies in your offer for y