Daniela Sepulveda's Blog Posts

The True Cost of Homeownership: What You Pay Beyond the Mortgage

When most homebuyers calculate whether they can afford a new home, they focus almost exclusively on one number: the monthly mortgage payment. It's the figure lenders qualify them for, the number

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2026 US Housing Market Forecast: Will the Market Find Its Footing?

Will 2026 be the year buyers stop waiting? Forecasters are split, predicting anywhere from 1.7%1 to 14%2 growth in home sales. That 12-point gap reveals the central question facing the housing:

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Planning Your 2026 Real Estate Moves: A Guide to the Best Buying and Selling Seasons

Timing isn’t everything in real estate, but it can mean the difference between saving $20,000 or paying a premium, selling in 30 days or waiting three months, and negotiating from a position

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Can You Really Trust Online Home Estimates?

For millions of homeowners, checking their Zillow Zestimate has become as routine as checking a stock portfolio—a quick hit of seeing your home's estimated value, right at your fingertips.

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Home-Related Tax Deductions

Tax season. Just the words can send shivers down your spine. But if you're a homeowner, there's a silver lining: potential savings! You’ve probably heard that you can deduct the interest you

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4 Home Remodeling Projects with the Highest ROI

Ask any homeowner about what they would like to change about their home, and most will say, “How much time do you have?Home improvements (cue Tim Allen) or home remodeling projects can stem

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Tech the Halls: Smart Home Gadgets for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and celebration, but they also bring added responsibilities. Between decorating, hosting, and just keeping up with your daily routines, your home can quickly

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Multigenerational Home Buying: How to Find a Home That Fits Your Whole Family

For many homebuyers, multigenerational living used to be considered an option of last resort: it was a route families took only when they needed to ride out a financial storm or care for ailing

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Stage to Sell: 7 Proven Steps to Attract Buyers and Boost Offers

Selling your home quickly and at the right price takes more than just listing it online. To draw in potential buyers and secure top offers, your home needs to stand out. That’s where home

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7 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Contractor

A recent survey found that more than half (52%) of American homeowners have a renovation project planned this year.1 If you’re among them, you know that embarking on home improvements can be

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Top 4 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Mortgage

 With home prices and rates still relatively high, securing a mortgage can feel daunting––even to the most experienced borrowers. But don't let that deter you: If other homebuyers'

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Mid-Year Market Update for 2024: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

Last December, when the Federal Reserve projected a series of benchmark rate cuts in the coming year, some analysts speculated that mortgage rates—which had recently peaked near 8%—would

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The Ultimate Relocation Guide: From Finding a House to Feeling at Home

The peak moving season is upon us. In fact, according to Move.com, almost 70% of U.S. moves occur between May and September.1 And while the percentage of Americans who move each year has declined,

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6 Strategies to Save on Home Insurance Premiums

6 Strategies to Save on Home Insurance Premiums From wildfires to floods, the past few years have brought a historic number of devastating climate and weather events to the United States. In

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Downsize Your Home, Rightsize Your Life: How to Choose the Ideal Smaller Home

When you've lived somewhere for many years, it can be tough to say goodbye. But if you (or a loved one) currently have a home that is bigger than necessary or is too high maintenance, it may be time

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Upgrade Your Home With These 2024 Design Trends

          Upgrade Your Home With These 2024 Design TrendsOne of the best parts of owning a home is the freedom to make it truly your own with design

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Real Estate Market Forecast: Opportunities for Home Buyers and Sellers in 2024

A growing share of home buyers and sellers sat on the sidelines last year as the pace of home sales continued its downward trajectory.1 In fact, since the Federal Reserve began its series of

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Celebrate Sustainably: 5 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Holiday at Home

Celebrate Sustainably: 5 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Holiday at Home It's the most wonderful time of the year. But for many families with festive plans and hectic schedules, it's also the most

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35 Tips to Furnish Your New Home for Less

35 Tips to Furnish Your New Home for Less  Buying a new home is one of the most exciting experiences in life. And if you’re like most homebuyers, you’ll be planning your furniture

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Income Properties Are Trending, But Is Landlord Life for You?

If the thought of investing your money into brick and mortar—or perhaps some stylishly-painted siding—excites you, join the club. Investing in real estate has long been one of

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Top 7 Tips To Attract the Best Offers for Your Home

Top 7 Tips To Attract the Best Offers for Your Home Not long ago, home sellers were in their heyday, as historically-low mortgage rates triggered a real estate buying frenzy. However, the

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National Real Estate Market Update for 2023.

There’s an old adage in real estate: location, location, location. But ever since the Federal Reserve began its series of inflation-fighting interest rate hikes last year, a new mantra has

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How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s Budget.

How to Become a Homeowner on a First-Time Buyer’s BudgetIt's not easy being a first-time homebuyer right now. At the end of last year, housing affordability hit an all-time low.1 Additionally,

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Stress-Free Home Cleaning: 27 Practical Tactics for Busy Households.

Keeping a clean and orderly home is a challenge for many of us. Between busy work schedules, social obligations, and family commitments, it’s tough to keep up with daily chores—let alone

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My Home Didn’t Sell! Now What??

My Home Didn’t Sell! Now What? When it comes to listing their home, most home sellers want three things: 1) to make a lot of money, 2) to put in minimal time and effort, and 3) to sell

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Top 6 Home Design Trends To Watch in 2023.

  Top 6 Home Design Trends To Watch in 2023 Over the past few years, many of us have spent extra time at home—and that means we appreciate the personal design touches that make

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2023 Real Estate Market Outlook (And What It Means for You).

Last year, one factor drove the real estate market more than any other: rising mortgage rates. In March 2022, the Federal Reserve began a series of interest rate hikes in an effort to pump the

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Home for the Holidays: How To Stretch Your Budget in a Season of Inflation.

Home for the Holidays: How To Stretch Your Budgetin a Season of Inflation  You don't have to break the bank to celebrate the holidays in style—even in this season of inflation. Prices may

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7 Tips to Maximize Your Home’s Sale Price.

7 Tips to Maximize Your Home’s Sale Price Over the past few years, a real estate buying frenzy bid up home prices to eye-popping amounts. However, as mortgage rates have risen, buyer

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Buy Now or Rent Longer? 5 Questions to Answer Before Purchasing Your Home

Buy Now or Rent Longer? 5 Questions to AnswerBefore Purchasing Your First Home Deciding whether to jump into the housing market or rent instead is rarely an easy decision – especially if

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Seller’s Checklist: A Timeline to Prep Your Home for Sale

Seller’s Checklist: A Timeline to Prep Your Home for Sale  We’re still in a seller’s market, but that doesn’t mean your home is guaranteed to easily sell.1 If you

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Hedge Against Inflation With These 3 Real Estate Investment Types

The annual inflation rate in the United States is currently around 7.9%—the highest it has been since 1982.1 It doesn’t matter if you’re a cashier, lawyer, plumber, or retiree; if

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8 Popular Home Design Features for 2022

There’s a lot to consider when selling your home, from the market and appraisals to where you’ll go next. Don’t forget, however, that design is also a key factor. It’s often

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9 Tips for Buying and Selling Your Home at the Same Time

9 Tips for Buying and Selling Your Home at the Same Time Selling your home when you still need to shop for a new one can feel daunting to even the most seasoned homeowner–&ndash

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5 Factors That Reveal Where The Real Estate Market Is Really Heade

5 Factors That Reveal Where The Real Estate Market Is Really HeadeIt’s the old supply-and-demand predicament: Home sales in the U.S. continue at a torrid pace, but the availability of listings

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Can I Buy or Sell a Home Without a Real Estate Agent?

Can I Buy or Sell a Home Without a Real Estate Agent? Today’s real estate market is one of the fastest-moving in recent memory. With record-low inventory in many market segments, we&rsquo

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Is the Real Estate Market Going to Crash?

 Is the Real Estate Market Going to Crash?While many areas of the economy have contracted, the housing market has stayed remarkably strong. But can the good news last?When COVID-related

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New Year, New Home? Set Homeownership Goals Whether You’re Buying, Selling, or Staying Put

New Year, New Home? Set Homeownership Goals Whether You’re Buying, Selling, or Staying Put  The start of a new year always compels people to take a fresh look at their goals, from

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The New Normal: A Strong Housing Market Expected to Continue into 2021

“2020 will be known for a lot of things, and a record-breaking year for real estate will certainly be one of its more unexpected legacies,” prominent economist Daryl Fairweather said.1

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Lowest Mortgage Rates in History: What It Means for Homeowners and Buyers

In July, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 3% for the first time in history.1 And while many Americans have rushed to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity, others

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Add Value To Your Home With These 9 DIY Improvements

Whether you’re prepping your house to go on the market or looking for ways to maximize its long-term appreciation, these nine home improvement projects are great ways to add function, beauty,

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Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell Real Estate?

IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO BUY OR SELL REAL ESTATE?Traditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. However, the coronavirus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home&

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