BLOGS

    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

Want to buy a home but wondering about your credit score? Let's talk about what credit score you need to buy a house, so that you can become a homeowner! Your credit score is very important when buying a house. Typically, you need a credit score of 620 to qualify for a conventional mortgage. However

  What is earnest money? How much earnest money do I have to put down? And when is my earnest money due? Are you a buyer wondering about all of these things? Well...today we are going to break it down for you! Earnest money is "good faith money" when you are buying a home. It basically shows the sel

  How do you know if it's time for you to buy a house? Here are 3 signs that you are ready to buy a home! When your debt is in line. Sure, we all have some amount of debt, but clearing up any credit card debt will help improve your credit and ensure that you qualify for a mortgage. When you have a d

  What is the difference between being pre-approved for a mortgage and pre-qualified? There is a significant difference between the two, and we are here to break that down for you! A pre-approval is a letter from a lender stating how much they are willing to lend to you. Having a pre-approval is exc