Recent Blog Posts

The amazing members of ActiveRain produce hundreds of blog posts every single day of the year.  There is a wonderful mix of all things real estate and beyond for your reading pleasure.

This board rolls all day long with the newest blog posts to our site. You’ll find some diamonds in the rough on this page, so check back often to peruse the blog roll and learn from our committed community of real estate professionals.

The newest blog posts on ActiveRain

By E. Steve Banis, Jr., https://www.SouthCarolinaHomesInc.com
(South Carolina Homes Inc.)
►►🈚 We Buy Mobile Homes ANY CONDITION Summerville Charleston►►🈚 We Buy Cash Mobile Homes  ANY CONDITION in LowCountry Charleston ►►🈚 We Buy Cash Mobile Homes  ANY CONDITION in the Counties of Greater Charleston  - Berkeley - Dorchester  - Low Country Area  - Georgetown - Colleton - Horry - Orangeburg - Beaufort - Clarendon🈚  WE CASH CLOSE on Your Schedule  -  You Remain as You Require After We Purchase ►► 🈚 WE BUY and SELL MOBILE HOMES HOUSES LAND CASH ★ Close on Your Schedule Greater Charleston-Summerville 29483★ ★ Text us: Please Leave Your Name, Your Number, and Your Message for Steve to Call You Back Today843-881-7171★ ★  🈚 BUY - SELL - RENT to OWN -WHOLESALE - INVEST 🈚Houses - Mobile Homes - Land  ★★ SPECIAL NOTE!! This is Our 22nd Year in Business ★★We Are the Mt Pleasant SC Licen...
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By Ellie McIntire, Luxury service in Central Maryland
(Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate)
Every year, buyers and sellers ask the same question:“Should I wait until spring?”Spring has long been considered the “best” time for real estate—but that doesn’t mean it’s always the right time. Before you press pause on your plans, let’s take a closer look at what waiting until spring really means and whether it’s worth it for your situation.Why People Believe Spring Is BetterSpring’s reputation isn’t totally undeserved. Traditionally, it brings: More homes hitting the market Warmer weather and better curb appeal Longer daylight hours for showings Families planning moves around the school year Because of this, many people assume spring guarantees better prices, more options, and smoother transactions.But here’s the part most people don’t consider 👇What Happens When Everyone WaitsWhen ...
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By Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!, Southern Utah's Preferred Real Estate Agent.
(Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374)
 Volunteerism: A Balancing Act  The giving of time in the community is one rewarding way to give back. As a business owner, it requires thoughtful contemplation to protect both personal fulfillment and professional success.  Avoid running to meetings. For many years, I served on multiple boards, committees and organizations. These roles brought genuine joy and a deep sense of purpose. In recent years, I considerably lightened the load.  Preserve your energy and focus. Time constraints may prevent 'a best effort' and the most responsible choice at the moment of realization is to respectfully step down. That can free an organization to find someone to fully engage.  Spend priceless time wisely. Look for opportunities that naturally build relationships, opens doors and supports professiona...
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By Bob "RealMan" Timm, Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker
(Ward County Notary Services)
I believe most of us like to encourage others. That is certainly true of participants here in/on Active Rain. "Everyone needs encouragement; a pat on the back is good for the backbone." (author unknown)Good Monday to You. 😊My Monday coffee mug features Mr Bill. Do you remember him from the first season of SNL? Mr Bill was a fatalist, and for good reason, as a claymation character he usually got flattened at the end of the skit.Thankfully you and I don't get flattened. We may get a bit deflated but if we share out woes and concerns here in the Rain there is always an outpouring of encouragement from fellow bloggers. That encouragement alone keeps me faithful to Active Rain.Have a wonderful Monday! 
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By Kat Palmiotti, Helping your Montana dreams take root
(eXp Commercial, Referral Divison)
I'm a day late for the weekend, a time when ActiveRainers share various recipes with the community, and with the BananaTUDES! group. But I remembered to take a photo of our Saturday night dinner, and thought our entree would make a good share.I made crab cakes, big huge ones that I served on a potato bun with a salad on the side and some remoulade sauce. This simple-to-make recipe could be used to make four or six smaller crab cakes if preferred.So here are both recipes: Crab Cakes- 1 egg- 2 Tablespoons mayonnaise- 2 teaspoons lemon juice- 1/8 teaspoon red chili/pepper flakes- 1 tablespoon minced spring onions/scallions- 8 ounces crab meat (I used 12 ounces)- approximately 25-30 crushed crackers (I used ritz)- 1 Tablespoon butterIn a medium bowl, whisk the egg, mayo, lemon juice, pepper...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
Short answer: It’s critically important — probably the #1 factor you control to get a solid contract quickly and with fewer headaches. There’s no magic fairy dust; pricing right = attention, competition, and confidence from buyers and agents. Here’s the real deal on how pricing shapes outcomes for a single-family home in a place like Clintonville in 2026: 💥 1) First impressions matter — and pricing is the first market impression Buyers and agents judge a home before they see it — and that judgment is almost always based on price first. If it’s even a little off-market, you’ll see: fewer showings fewer offers longer days on market more lowball negotiations In a neighborhood with savvy buyers (Clintonville buyers watch comps and shop online), overpriced homes often get ignored — or worse...
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By Leanne Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent
(Dirt Road Real Estate)
Possibly, some of us we may remember the TV series “Mission Impossible.” Peter Graves (the brother to James Arness). Graves played Mr. Phelps, a leader of a covert team, MI. Phelps would received instructions via a tape recorder with a specific mission and the desired result. Of course, Phelps always had the choice not to accept the mission as well as the tape would self-destruct in 5 seconds.The definition of mission is “a specific task with which a person or a group is charged.” (Source: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary)From my experience in working with small to even larger businesses, the published Mission Statement is often the Vision as there is no specificity in what is called the HOW.  I have asked CEO’s to managers to read the Mission Statement and consider this question:If yo...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
Selling your home can be a significant financial event, and it's important to understand how capital gains taxes may apply. Fortunately, U.S. tax law offers generous exclusions for homeowners under certain conditions, and with proper recordkeeping, many can reduce or eliminate their tax burden altogether.Here's what every homeowner should know about capital gains, exclusions, and the importance of documenting improvements.What Are Capital Gains?Capital gain is the profit you make from selling your home. It's calculated as the difference between your adjusted cost basis and the sale price (minus allowable selling costs, such as real estate commissions).Sale Price ... (Purchase Price + Capital Improvements + Selling Costs) = Capital GainCapital Gains Exclusion for Your Primary ResidenceUn...
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By Tamra Lee Ulmer, NRBA ~REO Broker / Auctioneer
(Arizona Resource Realty)
The kitchen is considered as the workhorse of the American home. It is where meals are prepped, homework gets done, and sometimes guests gather. Unfortunately, the surfaces take the brunt of these activities. A forgotten lemon wedge, a dropped cast-iron pan or a hot pot set down too quickly can leave permanent scars. Homeowners eventually face a common dilemma: live with the damage, spring for expensive new countertops or repair the existing ones?The Triage: Assess the DamageBefore calling a contractor for a full demo, one must assess the material and the severity of the issue. Not all damage requires replacement.For laminate countertops, the most common issues are chips on the edges and burns. A surprising DIY lifehack for small chips involves superglue and baking soda. Filling the chi...
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By DANIEL PATTON, Real Estate agent serving Hampton Road VA.
(Prodigy Realty)
What to Expect From a Good Real Estate Agent in Hampton RoadsBuying or selling a home in Hampton Roads, Virginia isn’t like doing it anywhere else. Between military relocations, waterfront properties, flood zones, historic neighborhoods, and fast-moving markets like Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Newport News, you need more than someone who “opens doors.”You need a real estate agent who knows the terrain, the timing, and the tactics.Here’s what you should expect from any good real estate agent in the Hampton Roads area—and what separates true professionals from the rest.1. Deep Local Knowledge of Hampton Roads NeighborhoodsA good Hampton Roads real estate agent doesn’t just know prices—they understand micro-markets.They should confidently explain: The difference betwe...
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By Lise Howe, Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC
(Keller Williams Capital Properties)
Bethesda residents love food and bargains almost equally!  (I think the food wins out by a narrow margin.) Bethesda Winter Week is a perfect opportunity to combine the two!  The event runs from Monday, Jan. 19, to Sunday, Jan. 25.Restaurant Week always offers diners a chance to try multi-course, specially priced menus at some of the area’s most renowned restaurants. According to the event's website, participating restaurants will offer brunch for $25 or $35, three-course lunch menus for $25 or $35, and dinners for $40, $55, and $65.Many participating restaurants will also offer cocktail and wine pairings to enhance the meals. Some establishments may feature special to-go menus and family-style offerings.Here are Bethesda and Chevy Chase restaurants participating to date: ala | Bethesda ...
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By Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner, Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!
Now that we are into the winter months and some parts of the Country are experiencing true winter with cold weather and snow.   Some residents are experiencing SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder.   With less sun, more gray, this is a feeling some residents feel this time of year.We cannot say this in Denver this year, we really haven't experienced too much winter yet.  Today is expected to be 60 degrees!    
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By Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518, Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.
(Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc)
 Title: 2026 Is Bringing Balance Back to Real EstateAfter several years of extreme swings, the 2026 housing market is beginning to show something many buyers and sellers have not seen in a long time. Balance.Mortgage rates have moved lower from their 2024 and 2025 peaks. Inventory is no longer collapsing. Buyers are coming back into the market, but they are no longer forced to make rushed decisions just to compete.This shift matters.When rates were climbing and inventory was tight, many buyers stepped out. Sellers had the advantage. In some areas, homes sold in days with little room for negotiation. That environment created inflated expectations that were never meant to last.Now we are seeing a more stable pattern. Homes are selling. Buyers are qualifying more easily. Sellers are pricin...
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By Tom Bashe, Your Temecula Valley Expert
(Localist Realty)
North Park Weekly Market Update January 5th - 11th, 2026 Mississippi Townhomes NEWLY LISTED Mississippi Street | 1 bedrooms | 1 baths | 547 sq. ft. | $389,000
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By Kim N. Bregman, Exclusive Buyer Agent in South Florida
(Optima Properties)
Buying a fixer-upper offers pros like lower purchase prices, less competition, and total customization for building equity, but comes with significant cons including hidden costs, major time commitments, unexpected problems (like bad wiring), and lifestyle disruptions from living through renovations, requiring deep pockets and patience to succeed. It's a great investment if planned well but can become a "money pit" if you underestimate the work or skip due diligence like inspections.  A fixer-upper is best for those with patience, a strong budget buffer, DIY skills (or money for contractors), and a clear vision, especially if you can live in a partially completed home.Read complete article on Optima Properties' Blog  
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By Dorie Dillard Austin TX, NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones
(Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899)
“You have to love the person you're taking care of. If it's a stranger, then it's a job, but if it's your partner, that's my whole life.”— Jay LenoWhen I read this quote from Jay Leno, speaking about caring for his wife Mavis as she lives with advanced dementia, it stopped me in my tracks. His words capture something profound: the difference between duty and devotion, between obligation and love.Caregiving, at its heart, is an act of love. It’s showing up when it’s hard, staying present when the road is uncertain, and offering comfort simply because your heart is tied to another’s. It isn’t about recognition or reward, it’s about connection.As I continue my own cancer journey, this quote caused me to reflect deeply on the many dear family members and friends who have surrounded me with ...
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By Alan Brown, 35 Years of Real Estate Experience .
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
If you are selling a home that has VA loan it is assumable. Here are some important things to know.1. Can a VA loan be assumed?Yes, most VA loans are assumable, but VA + lender approval is required.The buyer must: Qualify with the lender (credit, income, DTI) Agree to assume the existing interest rate, balance, and terms Pay any required equity (cash or secondary financing) 2. Who can assume a VA loan?A VA loan can be assumed by: ✅ Another eligible veteran ✅ A non-veteran (civilian) ⚠️ This distinction is critical for the seller’s future VA eligibility.3. Seller Release of Liability (VERY IMPORTANT)A Release of Liability protects the seller if the buyer later defaults.To get a release: The buyer must qualify The lender and VA must approve It must be formally documented (not automatic) ❗...
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By Nina Hollander, Broker, Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker
(Coldwell Banker Realty)
 Charlotte’s Dining Event of the Season: Queen’s Feast Winter 2026 👑🍽️ 🥂 🍷 🍴 Queen's Feast, as Charlotte's much loved Restaurant Week is known, returns for its 18th year on Friday, January 23rd and runs through Sunday, February 1st.  Charlotteans are already looking forward to the Queen City's much-loved, bi-annual Restaurant Week.   This January it will be time to once again enjoy a true Queen's Feast! You'll have 10 days to dine like royalty at some 120 participating Greater Charlotte restaurants located in nine surrounding counties at a reasonable fixed price of $30 to $55 per person for three courses.   The theme for the Winter 2026 Queen's Feast is "Get Out and Taste The Town." Great advice!   Highlights of Charlotte's Queen's Feast: Diverse Cuisine: Queen's Feast showcases a wide ...
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By Ken Semler, Nationwide Custom Modular Home Builder
(ImpresaModular.com)
The first principle to understand in modular residential construction is that modular is just that, a type of construction, not a type of home. While the term modular home is the well-worn industry description and I’ll use it in this article, it is a misnomer (i.e. wrong or inaccurate name or designation). Simply put, modular construction is a method of making a home plan and redesigning it to be built in modules off-site in a factory. Those modules are then transported to the home site where they are assembled in LEGO-like fashion on a permanent foundation. Once completed, a modular home is indistinguishable from a home that is built onsite. However, one of the unseen big differences is that the modular home had to be built to take the punishment of being transported on today’s highway...
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By Kathy Streib, Retired Home Stager/Redesign
 Motivational Monday…Jettison Judging How often do we see someone dressed a certain way or observe a particular behavior, and we form an instant opinion? We’ve all done it!"Don't judge people based on their worst days, judge them based on their every day. We all have devils in us, but the best of us have angels too." Raymond Reddinton (via The Blacklist). When someone behaves in a bad way, it’s easy to place a label on them and put them in that box. Oh yes, we do the same to ourselves. We don’t have to ignore inappropriate behavior or actions. That’s asking a lot. However, reducing a person or us to that single moment is unfair as well.  We owe ourselves and others the space to be human…to have bad days or moments.  With the grace we show in those moments, we allow others and ourselves ...
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