Chris Ess's Blog Posts

Home Projects That Boost ValueWhether you’re planning to move soon or not, it’s smart to be strategic about which home projects you take on. Your time, energy, and money matter –

The 20% Down Payment Myth, DebunkedSaving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like

Why a Pre-Listing Inspection May Be Worth It in Today’s MarketSelling a house comes with a lot of moving pieces, and the last thing you want is a deal falling apart over unexpected repairs

Are You Asking Yourself These Questions About Selling Your House?Some homeowners hesitate to sell because they’ve got unanswered questions that hold them back. But a lot of times their

Home Price Growth Is Moderating – Here’s Why That’s Good for YouOver the past few years, home prices skyrocketed. That’s been frustrating for buyers, leaving many wondering

The Real Benefits of Buying a Home This YearHave you been wondering whether you should keep renting or finally make the leap into homeownership? It’s a big decision, and let’s be real

Two Resources That Can Help You Buy a Home Right NowA recent report from Realtor.com says 20% of Americans don’t think homeownership is achievable. Maybe you feel the same way.

When Is the Perfect Time To Move?It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of waiting for the perfect moment to make your move – especially in today’s market. Maybe you’re

Roughly 11,000 Homes Will Sell Today – Will Yours Be One of Them?Are you hesitant to sell your house because you’re worried no one’s buying with rates and prices where they are

Get Ready To Buy a Home in 2025Some HighlightsIf buying a home is on your goal sheet this year, here’s how to make it happen.Focus on improving your credit, planning for your down

Simple Steps To Help You Save for Your First HomeTurning a dream into reality starts with one thing: a plan. And if buying your first home is on your list of goals, now’s the perfect time to

Why More Sellers Are Hiring Real Estate AgentsPutting your house for sale on your own – often called “For Sale by Owner” or FSBO – might be on your mind. But you should know

The Majority of Veterans Are Unaware of a Key VA Loan BenefitFor over 79 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped countless Veterans achieve the dream of homeownership. But according to

Why Pre-Approval Should Be at the Top of Your Homebuying To-Do ListSince the supply of homes for sale is growing and mortgage rates are coming down, you may be thinking it&rsquo

Homeowners Gained $28K in Equity over the Past YearIf you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you're

Click the video above to watch and be sure to subscribe to our channel!For over a decade now, builders have actually been underbuilding, unable to keep up with the growing demand for homes. But now,

The Inside Scoop on Handling the June Housing Market: Real Estate Real Talk with ChrisClick to watch my latest video!June is heating up, and so is the housing market! As we dive into the summer

How VA Loans Can Help You Buy a HomeFor over 80 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own homes. If you or someone you know has served in the

How Real Estate Transactions Fuel the Local Economy - Real Estate Real Talk with ChrisClick the play button to watch the videoBuying and selling real estate serves as a significant catalyst for

What's Going On With Housing Inventory - Real Estate Real Talk with ChrisClick play button to see the video.An influx of houses coming onto the market typically means that there is an increase in

🏡 Housing Prices: How Negative News Gets Attention 📉Don't get caught up in the click-bait frenzy! While some headlines may paint a grim picture of housing prices, the reality is much brighter.

Real Estate Real Talk with ChrisClick link to watchIt's your story! Ready to make your move in the booming real estate market? With home values rising 3-4% annually, now's the time to sell and

Click below to watch🏡 Thinking of selling your house? Here are 3 MUST-DO's for a successful sale! 🏡1️⃣ Correctly Price Your House: 💰💡 Setting the right price is crucial for

WHY PRE-APPROVAL MATTERSThinking of buying a home? Before you start searching, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is essential! It helps you understand how much you can afford and sets you

The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Real Estate Agent when Buying a HomeYou may have heard headlines in the news lately about agents in the real estate industry and discussions about their commissions. And

Don’t Let Your Student Loans Delay Your Homeownership PlansIf you have student loans and want to buy a home, you might have questions about how your debt affects your plans. Do you have

Why Overpricing Your House Can Cost YouIf you’re trying to sell your house, you may be looking at this spring season as the sweet spot – and you’re not wrong. We

Does It Make Sense To Buy a Home Right Now?Thinking about buying a home? If so, you're probably wondering: should I buy now or wait? Nobody can make that decision for you, but here's

Click below to watchThinking of moving this year? Are you limiting your options? 🤔Consider this: recently constructed homes can offer more amenities and purchaser incentives from! 🛠️

The Truth About Down PaymentsIf you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment.

It’s Time To Prepare Your House for a Spring ListingIf you're thinking of selling your house this spring, now is the perfect time to start getting it ready. With the market

Are More Homeowners Selling as Mortgage Rates Come Down?If you’re looking to buy a home, the recent downward trend in mortgage rates is good news because it helps with

The price of your house matters when

Experts Project Home Prices Will Increase in 2024Even though home prices are going up nationally, some people are still worried they might come down. In fact, a recent survey from 

Ways Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your GoalsIf you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about –

The Benefits of Working With an Agent When You Sell Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]Some HighlightsWhen it comes to selling your house, the expertise of a trusted real estate agent can make a big

Is Wall Street Buying Up All the Homes in America?If you’re thinking about buying a home, you may find yourself interested in the latest real estate headlines so you can have a

Homeowner Net Worth Has SkyrocketedIf you’re weighing your options to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy a home today, here’s one key data point that could help

Reasons To Sell Your House Before the New YearAs the year winds down, you may have decided it's time to make a move and put your house on the market. But should you sell now or wait until January?

Don’t Believe Everything You Read About Home PricesAccording to the latest data from Fannie Mae, 23% of Americans still think home prices will go down over the next twelve.

The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price AppreciationIf you’re thinking of making a move, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening