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Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You More Than You Think

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Cutting out the agent might seem like a smart way to save when you sell your house. But here’s the hard truth. Last year, homes that sold with an agent went for almost 15% more than those that sold without one.

That gap is pretty hard to ignore. And with more homes on the market to compete with right now, selling on your own is a mistake that’s going to cost you.

This Isn’t the Market for DIY Selling

A few years ago, you might’ve gotten away with a “For Sale By Owner” (FSBO) sign in your yard, navigating the process on your own. That’s because homes were flying off the market and buyers were pulling out all the stops. But that’s just not the case anymore. With more inventory than we’ve seen in years, we’re not in a “list it and they will come” market anymore. You need professional expertise.

A yard sign and some photos you take on your own won’t cut it.

Right now, the housing market is getting back to what most would consider a more normal balance of buyers and sellers, and that really changes the game. According to Realtor.com, the latest number of listings for sale was the highest it’s been in any month of July since 2019.

And while inventory growth is going to vary by local market, nationally, this graph shows the number of homes for sale is inching back toward normal.

With more listings available, that means buyers can be more selective. They’ll compare your home to others on price, condition, photos, location, and more. If yours doesn’t stand out, it will get skipped over.

More Inventory = More Competition for You

Selling today requires the latest pricing strategy, expert prep work, professional marketing, and strong negotiation skills. And if you’re not bringing all of that to the table, chances are, you’re going to feel it in your bottom line.

More Homeowners Are Turning To the Pros

That’s why even more home sellers are working with agents today. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows a record-low percentage of homeowners sold without an agent last year. And the few sellers who tried to sell on their own realized their mistake pretty quickly.

According to Zillow, 21% of homeowners ended up hiring an agent anyway after struggling to sell on their own.

So, why take the risk? With a local pro, you’ll have:

  • Pricing precision to attract buyers and maximize your return

  • Expert staging and presentation advice to highlight your home’s best features

  • Pro-level marketing, including the best exposure and access to buyer networks you can’t reach on your own

  • Skilled negotiation to evaluate offers and navigate inspections, protecting your bottom line

  • Local market expertise that helps your listing stand out based on what inventory looks like in your area

An agent’s expertise isn’t optional anymore. It’s essential.

Bottom Line

In a market with more listings and pickier buyers, many sellers who try to sell on their own end up working with an agent anyway. So why not start there?

Connect with an agent so you have a pro who knows exactly what it takes to sell your house in today’s market, for the best possible price, without leaving money on the table.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

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How to Create a Beautiful Bedscape—and Style Your Sleeping Space Like a Pro

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Beds are more than just a place to rest your head at night—they're also an integral part of a well-designed room. Naturally, this starts with making your bed in the morning, but aesthetic appeal is more than just a set of white sheets.

Nowadays, a bedscape has become a top-of-mind consideration for homeowners. This idea goes beyond a matchy-matchy bedding set, and explores the impact a bed can have on its overall space—whether it's a set of graphic throw pillows, a lace-lined top sheet, or a nubby quilt.

Here, we spoke to designers about how to make a bedscape sing—or rather, sleep.

What Is a Bedscape?

A bedscape is a stylish, visually cohesive arrangement of bedding that creates an intentional, elevated look—much like a tablescape does for a dining table. Bedding should be comfortable first and foremost, whether you're snoozing on a set of fine silk sheets or a crisp percale. However, it should also function well from an aesthetic lens—which is where the bedscape comes into play.

The idea is to create a bed that's as well tailored and smartly considered as a bespoke suit. It's about the smaller details—like Euro shams and throw blankets—that add up to make a cohesive, elevated final look.

How exactly you style this layered look is up to personal preference. A sunny color palette may appeal to some; cover-to-cover pattern may speak to others.

How to Design One

Creating a bedscape is an easy design project that won't break the bank. Where you start depends on your aesthetic desires—perhaps it's a color that you love, or it's a certain quilt that catches your eye—however, there are a few need-to-knows that remain the same.

Layer Patterns

Pattern can be a great place to start. Some may prefer the same pattern on every facet of their bedding, but the best bedscapes come from those who take a more fearless approach to their blankets and duvets.

"I love to mix and match different prints for the flat sheet, fitted sheet, pillowcases, and quilt," says Shreya Shah, founder of Marigold Living. "The interplay between the different colors and patterns always makes for a beautiful bedscape."

Find a Color Palette

Everyone has a different color that they love, but there are some palettes that play better than others.

"We look to nature for guidance ... soothing tones like undyed ivory or stone, fog grays, ocean blues, and earthy clay create a rich yet harmonious palette," says Brenna Freisleben, vice president of wholesale and merchandising at Coyuchi. "A neutral foundation offers versatility, making it easy to introduce seasonal or personal touches."

You can also change your bedscape's palette depending on the time of year. "I love a red and white bed, especially when it's snowing outside, and during the holiday season," adds Shah.

One quick trick to make sure the bedding flows together? "If a quilt has a few colors in it, try to pull them out with the throw pillows to create a cohesive feel," says Jamie Gernert, founder of WYC Designs.

Consider Texture—and Quality

Layering bedding thoughtfully is essential, and texture is a key part of that conversation.

"Start with high-quality base layers such as organic cotton percale or sateen sheets, then build dimension with color & texture, like a relaxed linen duvet," says Freisleben.

Mixing smooth, crisp materials with fabrics that drape adds to this sense of visual interest, she notes, creating a "restful, intentional" sanctuary.

Add Pillows and Blankets

If you've taken a subtle approach to your bedscape, then throw pillows and blankets are where you can let your personality shine.

"[It's] where you can really play," says artist and designer Kelly Ventura. "If your core bedding is more neutral or solid, this is your opportunity to bring in personality." For example, if you're afraid of adding color, then a red pillow or a green blanket can add a soft accent.

The Bigger Picture

A bedscape can be more than just your sheets and pillows—those who really pull off this look will also incorporate other aspects of the larger room. A bed frame, for example, should be top-of-mind.

"It anchors the bedscape and also the bedroom," says Shah. "I like to mix and match my bedding across a slew of color palettes, so I prefer organic materials, like wood, for a bed frame.... handcrafted finishes are also a big draw for me."

Wallpaper and home décor can also be a starting point for your bedscape. "Pull out a tone or texture and repeat it subtly in your bedding," says Ventura. "It doesn't have to match perfectly, but there should be a dialogue between the bed and its surroundings."

Read more at Martha Stewart

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5 Common Yard Items That Could Be Secretly Driving Your Neighbors Nuts

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Have you noticed your neighbors aren’t exactly friendly lately? Maybe they nearly block your driveway or don’t wave back when you smile at them. There's a chance you’ve been less-than-neighborly without even realizing it. If your yard is visible from the street or other homes, there could be a few eyesores you’re unaware of.

Want to restore the peace? It might be time to tidy up your outdoor space. Here are five things in your yard that might be annoying your neighbors.

Overflowing Trash and Recycling Bins

According to Wendy Zanders, professional organizer and declutter coach, overflowing trash and recycling bins definitely won’t score you an invitation to your neighbor’s pickleball league. While this might feel minor, constantly overflowing bins can become a major issue, especially during the warmer months when they can smell or attract pests.

“When I'm working with clients, it’s common that during our very first decluttering session, the trash and recycling bins are already full," she says. "Sometimes they’ve just missed trash day or it’s still a few days away, and we’re adding even more during the session ... If collection day is still several days away, I help my clients break down boxes as flat as possible and store them discreetly in the garage or tuck them behind a recycling bin. For trash, we can press what we can so the lids can close fully, then place the bins out of sight behind a gate.”

To remedy this problem in the future, Zanders advises tucking your trash and recycling bins behind a privacy screen, in the side yard, or inside a small shed.

Unused or Broken Furniture

While many of us have outdoor seating like dining tables or lounge chairs for our families, we often bring out extra folding chairs or a table when guests come over. But if you don’t put them away after the gathering, they can quickly become an eyesore for those around you.

Or, we simply end up leaving broken or old furniture outside that we plan on disposing of, but don’t end up doing it in a timely manner. “When I'm working with clients, so many times we are dragging out broken or unused furniture," she says. "All will be kept in the garage to either be given away in the local Facebook group, taken to a donation or to go out with bulk trash. The goal is to get it out of the home as soon as possible and be kept away from the public so as to not have visual clutter in front of the house,” explains the pro organizer.

Bright Lights

Whether it's festive string lights or wall-mounted sconces, overly bright outdoor lighting doesn't just illuminate your yard—it spills into your neighbors’ spaces too. While it might not seem like a true nuisance, lights as bright as car high beams can disrupt their privacy, interfere with their quiet enjoyment, and even wake them from sleep. So, be mindful to turn off your lights when you head inside or opt for lower-wattage bulbs.

Poorly Maintained Landscaping

We all get busy, but forgetting to prune your hedges or trim your trees can truly annoy your neighbors. From landscaping that encroaches to piles of leaves from trees that aren’t located on their property, your landscaping should be your responsibility—not the person who lives next door.

Dog Poop

Who let the dogs out? You did. And you probably didn’t notice that your dog pooped in your yard. While this might not feel like a problem—after all, it’s your yard, your neighbors may not be such big dog lovers. Not only is this unsightly and potentially smelly, but dog poop can also attract rats, which is not something you or your neighbors want in their yard. So, try to clean up after your pup in a timely manner.

Read more at Real Simple

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Thinking of Selling the Family Home? Here’s How To Make the Most of It—for You and Your Kids

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These days, it takes powerful motivations to convince older homeowners to sell their property—and more than half say they’ll never do it.

For those who do sell, the reasons include accessing their home’s equity for healthcare costs, wanting to escape the burdens of upkeep and maintenance, or seeking a quieter life in a warmer climate.

But there is another reason increasingly in play: grown kids who need help.

As the baby boomer generation finally settles into retirement, many of them have children who already have or are planning to have families of their own. And there may not be a more valuable asset to leverage in support of the next generation—and the ones to come—than their homes.

Why some people sell, and some people don’t

Baby boomers collectively hold between $18 trillion and $19 trillion worth of real estate across the country—about double what millennials claim, according to analysis from Realtor.com.®

If you’re part of that generation, and you’re hoping to pass your wealth along with “warm hands” rather than cold, what’s the best way to do it without taking a major tax hit?

“When you're thinking about selling your home, it’s usually because you want to preserve the value of the asset and pass something on to your children. But the way and timing of the sale can carry very different tax consequences,” says Laura Cowan, an estate planning attorney and founder of 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer. That’s because how and when you transfer the home—whether during your lifetime or after your death—directly affects how much your heirs may owe the government.

If you give your kids the home while you’re alive, they inherit your original purchase price, which can lead to big capital gains taxes later. If they inherit it after your death, the value gets “stepped up” to market price, often reducing or eliminating those taxes.

“Each situation is different. For instance, if the kids don’t plan to sell the house anytime soon, it might not matter as much right away,” says Cowan. “But generally speaking, the step-up in basis can provide a much better tax outcome.”

Take, for example, a homeowner who bought a median-priced home in 1985 for $82,800. That median-priced home today is likely worth $423,100. While this might sound like a big payday if they sell, depending on their circumstances, as much as $90,000 of the profit could be subject to capital gains tax. However, if the home is inherited after death, that tax may not apply, thanks to the step-up in basis.

This means that, in many cases, it is more tax-advantageous to give with “cold hands,” as creepy as that sounds.

Read more at Realtor.com

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Mortgage Applications Today: Home Loans Surge as Borrowers Take Advantage of Lower Rates

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The demand to finance a home surged as mortgage applications increased 3.1% for the week ending Aug. 1, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The increase comes after applications decreased 3.8% the week prior.

In addition, mortgage interest rates remained fairly steady at 6.72% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, for the week ending July 31, according to Freddie Mac.

The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 3.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 3% compared with the previous week.

The refinance index increased 5% from the previous week and was 18% higher than the same week one year ago.

The seasonally adjusted purchase index increased 2% from one week earlier. The unadjusted purchase index increased 1% compared with the previous week and was 18% higher than the same week one year ago.

Homeowners who decided to refinance increased to 41.5% of total applications from 40.7% the previous week. The adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) share of activity increased to 8.5% of total applications.

There was a slight decrease in Federal Housing Administration loan applications to 18.5% from 18.8% the week prior.

Veterans Affairs loan applications increased to 13.3% from 12.2% the week prior. USDA loan applications also decreased, though slightly, to 0.5% from 0.6% the week prior.

"Mortgage rates moved lower last week, following declining Treasury yields as economic data releases signaled a weakening U.S. economy. As a result, the 30-year fixed rate decreased for the third straight week to 6.77 percent," says Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist.

"Refinance applications increased to their strongest pace in four weeks after being on a downward trend the prior three weeks. The refinance share increased to almost 42 percent, its highest level since April."

Contract rates

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($806,500 or less) decreased to 6.77% from 6.83%, with points decreasing to 0.59 from 0.60 (including the origination fee) for 80% loan-to-value ratio (LTV) loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with jumbo loan balances (greater than $806,500) decreased to 6.65% from 6.74%, with points increasing to 0.59 from 0.51 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

For 30-year fixed mortgages backed by the FHA, the average contract interest rate decreased to 6.47% from 6.56% , with points decreasing to 0.81 from 0.83 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

The average contract interest rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 6.03% from 6.12%, with points increasing to 0.66 from 0.64 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

For 5/1 ARMs, the average contract interest rate decreased to 6.06% from 6.22%, with points decreasing to 0.49 from 0.51 (including the origination fee) for 80% LTV loans. The effective rate decreased from last week.

"Borrowers sought to take advantage of these lower rates, as both purchase and refinance applications increased over the week," says Kan. "Purchase activity continued to lead 2024’s pace, as increasing for-sale inventory of homes has been supporting homebuying, but on the other hand recent weakness in the economic environment has deterred some prospective homebuyers."

Mortgage rates calculated

Mortgage rates are calculated by various factors in the economy, and the length of your loan will also figure into the mortgage rate you qualify for.

The 30-year mortgage rate is tied to the yield of the 10-year Treasury note, according to Fannie Mae. As the yield on the 10-year Treasury note moves, mortgage rates follow.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note is determined by expectations for shorter-term interest rates in the economy over the duration of a bond, plus a term premium.

Read more at Realtor.com

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If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

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