Christine Stilley's Blog Posts

Moving can be a stressful experience in the best of times—and, for many people, it’s proving to be even more stressful in the midst of COVID-19.While you can’t remove all 

A lot of people dream about building their own home from the ground up. But do the benefits outweigh the challenges?A recent article from realtor.com outlined the pros and cons of building

When buying a home, there may be no single event as important as the open house. Attending an open house gives you the opportunity to see, feel, and experience the home for yourself, far beyond what

What buyers want in a home changes all the time. So, the question is—what are home buyers looking for in 2021?The National Association of Home Builders 2021 What Home Buyers Really Want

Purchasing a home is arguably one of the biggest financial decisions you will make in your lifetime. As you start your hunt, don't forget there will be other costs associated with your purchase then

2020 was a tough year for buyers. Low inventory made it difficult for potential buyers to find the right property—and if they did find a home they were interested in, demand often drove up

Winter is a great time for hot chocolate, cozying up by the fire, and playing in the snow.It also happens to be a great time to tackle home maintenance projects.But what home projects should you

For many, Super Bowl Sunday is synonymous with football and food. But for real estate agents, this sports-centered holiday also signals the unofficial start to the spring home buying and selling

Have you noticed there are very few real estate “For Sale” signs in your neighborhood?On Sundays, you barely ever see an open house sign around here lately.A lot of people are saying the

While the country is reopening and restrictions are being lifted, the quarantine experience is still fresh in many potential buyer’s minds—and many of those buyers are favoring spacious

f you’re planning to buy a new home, you probably have a wish list of features. But how likely is it that you’ll find those features in a new build?According to a recent survey from

You’ve found your dream home and now it’s time to cross all your T's and dot all your I's before it’s all your own. And one of the first items on your closing checklist the home

If you own an older home, at some point, you might want to remodel or update your property. But if you’re thinking about putting your home on the market—and want to make sure your

Clearly, you want your home to sell for the highest price possible. As it turns out, when you sell your home plays one of the biggest roles into how much it sells for—and the best time to?

The shelter in place orders that have been in effect for weeks across the country have many people spending more time at home than ever before. And after spending so much time in their homes, many

In the past few years, the biggest kitchen trends revolved around stainless steel appliances, bright white or light gray cupboards, granite countertops, and minimalist decor, maintaining a clean,

If you are a big wine connoisseur or just saving a few bottles to crack open on special occasions, it’s important to understand how best to store them safely until you’re ready to.

Unfortunately, our homes don’t always grow with us. And with the Stay-At-Home order in place right now, that is more apparent than ever. What may have initially worked fine for a single,

The Coronavirus pandemic has sent the stock market in a downward spiral and has left most Americans struggling to find simple necessities like toilet paper and cleaning products. Working from home

Ever wish you could become one of those rare morning people? The ones that wake with a start, feeling refreshed and energized. The ones that get in that morning workout or wrap up some work before

You've heard the term "Seller's Market" but what does it mean? When the number of potential buyers exceeds the number of homes being sold, it's a seller's market. This tips the advantage toward the

An evacuation plan is a necessity for every home. Many families create evacuation plans for their homes and practice them with their kids, but far fewer have considered one for their pets. Take

Negotiation is a subtle art in real estate, but skilled negotiators can usually find some common ground that satisfies all parties. On the other hand, using the wrong negotiation tactics can sink a

When you put your home up for sale, one of the best ways to determine the asking price is to look at comparable sales. There’s rarely a perfect apples-to-apples comparison, so a pricing

Use this February Home Maintenance and Safety Checklist to get your home ready for the change in seasons and to protect your family.  Included are home safety tips. Be proactive and take small

Hunting for a new home online is a great place to start your search, but it should not be your end all be all. Good listing agents are excellent at highlighting the best features of the home, but

As we are all unique, it’s critical that when you begin your home buying journey you do thorough research on what loans you can apply for. A popular loan choice among first-time homebuyers is

Ever get the itch to do a DIY project? Whenever I do, my favorite involves getting outdoors and mixing up features.Whether it's as simple as installing some lighting or a little more time-consuming

You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and

When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its