Ruth Pugh

3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House This Year It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces. However, despite the anticipation of what’s to come, we can still have deep sentimental attachments to the home we’re leaving behind. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale depending on how we manage them. When it comes to the bottom line, homeowners need to know what it takes to avoid costly mistakes when it’s time to move. Being ...mindful and prepared for the process can help you stay on the right track when selling your house this year. 1. Price Your Home Right When inventory is low, like it is in the... See more

Here's to a Wonderful 2021!

Four Expert Views on the 2021 Housing Market The housing market was a shining star in 2020, fueling the economic turnaround throughout the country. As we look forward to 2021, can we expect real estate to continue showing such promise? Here’s what four experts have to say about the year ahead. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors (NAR) In 2021, I think rates will be similar or modestly higher, maybe 3%...So, mortgage rates will continue to be histo...rically favorable. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist, realtor.com We expect sales to grow 7 percent and prices to rise another 5.7 percent on top of 2020’s already high... See more

Why Selling Your House on Your Own in 2021 Is a Mistake There are many benefits to working with a real estate professional when selling your house. During challenging times, like what we face today, it becomes even more important to have an expert you trust to help guide you through the process. If you’re considering selling on your own, known in the industry as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO), it’s critical to consider the following items. 1. Your Safety Is a Priority Your safety should always come first, and that’s more crucial than ever given the current health situation in our country. When you FSBO, it is incredibly difficult to control entry into your...

More Generations Are Living Under One Roof This Year This year challenged us to reprioritize everything - from the way we use our time to where we work, how we socialize and gather together, and our needs at home. For many, this also meant making decisions about how to best support and engage with our extended families, near and far. In some cases, we weren’t able to see our relatives and loved ones who were living in senior facilities. In others, maybe older children moved b...ack home. Jessica Lautz, Vice President of Demographics and Behavioral Insights for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: A lot of families have an aging senior relative... See more

Why It’s Important to Price Your House Right Today Even in today’s sellers’ market, setting the right price for your house is one of the most valuable things you can do. According to the U.S. Economic Outlook by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing home prices nationwide are forecasted to increase by 4.5% in 2021. This means experts anticipate home values will continue climbing next year. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, notes: We expect price gains to ease somewhat in 2021 and end 5.7% above 2020 levels, decelerating steadily through the spring and summer, and then gradually reaccelerating toward the end of the...

Selling Your House Is the Right Move, Right Now [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights Demand from homebuyers has skyrocketed this year, which means today’s sellers are poised to win big. This ideal moment in time to sell your house won’t last forever, though. With more sellers coming to the market in the spring, waiting until next year means buyers...

Home Values Projected to Keep Rising As we enter the final months of 2020 and continue to work through the challenges this year has brought, some of us wonder what impact continued economic uncertainty could have on home prices. Looking at the big picture, the rules of supply and demand will give us the clearest idea of what is to...

Why Today’s Options Will Save Homeowners from Foreclosure Many housing experts originally voiced concern that the mortgage forbearance program (which allows families impacted financially by COVID to delay mortgage payments to a later date) could lead to an increase in foreclosures when forbearances end. Some originally forecasted that up to 30% of...

Americans Are Gaining Confidence in the Economy The September Jobs Report issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate dropped to 7.9%. Though that percentage is well below what experts projected earlier this year, it still means millions of people are without work. There’s no way to minimize the tremendous...

Real Estate Continues to Show Unprecedented Strength This Year The 2020 housing market has surpassed all expectations and continues to drive the nation’s economic recovery. The question is, will this positive trend continue throughout the rest of the year, especially given the uncertainty around the current health crisis, the upcoming election, and...

How to Prepare for a Bidding War [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights With so few houses available on the market today, being ready for a bidding war is essential for prospective homebuyers. From pre-approval to making your best offer, here are three tips to make sure you can act quickly and confidently when you find the perfect home...

Do You Need to Know More about Forbearance and Mortgage Relief Options? Earlier this year when the nation pressed pause on the economy and unemployment rates jumped up significantly, many homeowners were immediately concerned about being able to pay their mortgages, and understandably so. To assist in this challenging time, two protection plans were put into place...

The #1 Reason Not to Wait to List Your House for Sale Many industries have been devastated by the economic shutdown caused by the COVID-19 virus. Real estate is not one of them. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist for First American, just reported: Since hitting a low point during the initial stages of the pandemic, the only major industry to...

Do You Have Enough Money Saved for a Down Payment? One of the biggest misconceptions for first-time homebuyers is how much you’ll need to save for a down payment. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to put 20% down to buy a house. Here’s how it breaks down. A recent survey by Point2Homes mentions that 74% of millennials...

6 Reasons You’ll Win by Selling with a Real Estate Agent This Fall There are many benefits to working with a real estate professional when selling your house. During challenging times, like what we face today, it becomes even more important to have an expert you trust to help guide you through the process. If you’re considering selling on your own, known in...

Thinking of Moving? [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights If you’re ready to sell your house but you’re worried about finding one to move into, why not invest in a brand-new home built just for you? New construction is on the rise, so it’s a great time to think about a custom home to fit your family’s changing needs...

Should You Buy a Retirement Home Sooner Rather than Later? Every day in the U.S., roughly 10,000 people turn 65. Prior to the health crisis that swept the nation in 2020, most people had to wait until they retired to make a move to the beach, the golf course, or the senior living community they were looking to settle into for their later years in life...

A Homeowner’s Net Worth Is 40x Greater Than a Renter’s One of the best ways to build your family’s financial future is through homeownership. Recent data from the Federal Reserve indicates the net worth of a homeowner is actually over 40 times greater than that of a renter. Maybe it’s time to start thinking about buying a home, especially when...

Is it Time to Move into a Single-Story Home? Once the kids have left the nest, you may be wondering what to do with all of the extra space in your home. Chances are, you don’t need four bedrooms anymore, and it may be a great time to sell your house and downsize, maybe even into a single-story home. You’ve likely gained significant...