Real Estate Blog - The Spotlight Home Team's Blog | Page #4

We are excited to share that our Spotlight Home Team has been named one of America's Top Real Estate Professional Teams by RealTrend, as published in the Wall Street Journal!

Dan DeCapua and his Spotlight Home Team are now a member of the “The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals,” a prestigious, national award ranking sponsored annually by RealTrends and advertised in The Wall Street Journal.

Spotlight Home Team is now ranked in the top one-half of 1 percent of the more than 1.5 million Realtors® nationwide. The team placed 7th on the top medium-sized teams in the state of Michigan. 

The Thousand real estate professionals were announced on June 9, 2023, with four separate categories honoring the top 250 residential agents and agent teams for…

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Every year, it seems the holidays sneak up on us—and every year, that brings with it the dreaded last-minute gift panic. Finding a present that hits all the right notes can be surprisingly stressful, even when it comes to people you’ve known for years. 

But have no fear! We’ve lined up a list of unique gifts for every “type” on your list. And since we work in real estate, they’re all centered around home life. From the coffee snob to the sports enthusiast, these presents are the perfect way to bring beauty, function or a touch of whimsy to your loved one’s home this holiday season.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN

We all know someone whose kitchen is their happy place—but once all the basics are covered, it can be hard to find the…

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This completely redesigned Barton Hills home has been thoughtfully conceptualized with exquisite attention to detail and respect for the original character of this 1920's modern English Estate. Towering trees provide a lush, private 2.34 acre setting that sets the stage for the extensive craftsmanship that awaits inside. The open concept custom kitchen features a single slab 10ft quartz island, gold hardware and viking appliances. A designated formal dining space flows into either the parlor for post dinner libations, or the living room for a more comfortable setting. Main level also includes home office and 480sqft screened in porch with 360 views of the serene surroundings complete w/ gas fireplace to enjoy in any season. The second story was expanded…

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Homebuyers today are facing a huge dilemma. There simply aren’t enough homes for sale.1

Nationwide, there were 1.27 million active listings in September, down 13% from the previous year. According to the National Association of Realtors, that’s about 2.4 months of inventory, which is far less than the six months that is generally needed to strike a healthy balance between supply and demand.2

Given the limited number of available properties, if you’re a buyer in today’s market, you may need to expand your search to include both new construction and resale homes. But it can feel a little like comparing apples to oranges.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the factors you should take into account when choosing between a new build or an existing…

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According to the FBI, more than one million burglaries are committed in the United States each year, with victims suffering an estimated $3 billion in combined property losses.1 Fortunately, there are some proven tactics you can use to decrease your likelihood of a home invasion.

Most burglars won’t go to extreme lengths to enter a residence. They are looking for easy access with minimal risk. A monitored security system can be an effective deterrent—homes without one are 300% more likely to be burglarized—but it isn’t the only way to protect your property.2 The strategies below can help to maximize your home’s security and minimize your chances of being targeted by intruders.

Thinking about listing your home? We have some additional…

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Selling your home when you still need to shop for a new one can feel daunting to even the most seasoned homeowner––especially when the demand for new homes keeps rising, but the supply feels like it's dwindling.¹ You're not alone either if you're already feeling drained by the complex logistics of trying to sell and buy a new home all at once.

Searching for a new home can be exciting, but many homebuyers admit that it can also be stressful, especially if you live in an unpredictable market with plenty of competitors. Unfortunately, waiting out a competitive housing market isn’t always the best idea either since listings are expected to remain limited in the most coveted neighborhoods for some time.²

That doesn't mean, though, that you should…

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It’s the old supply-and-demand predicament: Home sales in the U.S. continue at a torrid pace, but the availability of listings remains limited. Buoyed by historically low mortgage rates, buyers keep shopping for homes, reducing the available inventory and sparking a rise in home prices across the country.

News website The Atlantic summarized the sizzling home market this way:

“Pick a housing statistic at random, and it’s probably setting an all-time record. Home prices: record high. Inventory: record low. Percentage of homes selling above asking price: record high. Average time on market: record low.”¹

Meanwhile, homebuilders are contending with an increase in material costs and a shortage of labor. These issues come amid an ongoing shortage…

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How to Bridge the Appraisal Gap in Today’s Real Estate Market

If you’re searching for drama, don’t limit yourself to Netflix. Instead, tune in to the real estate market, where the competition among buyers has never been fiercer. And with homes selling for record highs,1 the appraisal process—historically a standard part of a home purchase—is receiving more attention than ever.

That’s because some sellers are finding out the hard way that a strong offer can fizzle quickly when an appraisal comes in below the contract price. Traditionally, the sale of a home is contingent on a satisfactory valuation. But in a rapidly appreciating market, it can be difficult for appraisals to keep pace with rising prices.

Thus, many sellers in today’s…

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Learn how to determine your current net worth and how an investment in real estate can help improve your bottom line.

Among its many impacts, COVID-19 has had a pronounced effect on the housing market. Low home inventory and high buyer demand have driven home prices to an all-time high.1 This has given an unexpected financial boost to many homeowners during a challenging time. However, for some renters, rising home prices are making dreams of homeownership feel further out of reach.

If you’re a homeowner, it’s important for you to understand how your home’s value contributes to your overall net worth. If you’re a renter, now is the time for you to figure out how homeownership fits into your short-term goals and your long-term financial future.…

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Great starter or resizing home! Great location! Great size yard!! What more could you ask for?? Did we mention it is East facing?? Walking distance to shopping, dining, parks, and oh so much more. Just a few steps away from public transportation. Home features 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, an eat-in kitchen along with a fabulous 3 season room that is so inviting you will never want to leave. The backyard has a perfect spot for a garden tucked behind the garage, still leaving you plenty of space to play.

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