In line with many other living expenses, home insurance has been rising over the last several years. According to the Consumer Federation of America, the average annual home insurance premium for a typical homeowner increased by an average of $648 across the country from 2021 to 2024. Home insurance in Missouri increased by an average of 12% during that time span, while Illinois home insurance increased by a whopping 50%.

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One of the first questions people ask when getting ready to sell is “What is my home worth?” Setting the right asking price is crucial. Price it too high and it could be left on the market with no buyer in sight; ask too little, and you’re leaving money on the table. 

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Unless you are a first-time homebuyer or opting to sell your house and rent instead, chances are you will need to navigate buying and selling a home at the same time. According to Zillow, roughly 71% of buyers and sellers end up going through this process. 

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Whether you’ve recently retired or your last baby bird has just left the nest, you may be wondering if it’s time to downsize. With vacant bedrooms and a backyard that no longer serves as a playground, many homeowners in the 55+ crowd begin to wonder if they should move somewhere smaller — perhaps to a place more physically and financially manageable. But not all seniors see unused space as wasted space, and in fact, see advantages to staying in the family home well into their golden years.

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One thing is certain in Missouri and Illinois: we love spending summers on the water. So whether you’re selling a lake house at Innsbrook or in the Ozarks, or a cottage on the river in Grafton, chances are that buyers will be lining up to take a look. 

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As the outdoor world wakes up from its long winter nap, we humans often start to feel the need for a fresh start. Sometimes this results in spring cleaning, and other times it can be a more dramatic change–like buying or selling a house. If you’re leaning toward the latter option, you can (and should) start preparing to sell your house well before the warm weather arrives. 

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Buying your first home can be exciting as you start a new chapter of your life, but selling your first home may be a different story. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average first time home seller has lived in their house for about 10 years by the time they decide to move on. At this point, owners may be ready to upgrade, and in the process of finding a new home. Or, they may need to move for work, or due to family issues. Any of these can add a layer of stress to the selling process. 

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Congrats! Your house is selling for substantially more than you paid for it! That’s a good thing… or is it? There are some scenarios when selling a home will come with hidden fees and tax liabilities.The IRS may want a chunk of the profits in the form of capital gains tax. But there are ways that homeowners can avoid taxes on home sales.

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With houses still selling so fast, it’s easy to wonder if staging is even necessary. The answer is absolutely, especially because today’s buyers are ready to make a purchase quickly. If they look at two homes on the same day — and can see themselves living in one but not the other — there’s no question that they will choose the one they can visualize as their own. In fact, according to a 2023 report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), some buyers will even offer up to five percent more for a staged home compared to similar homes on the market that were not staged. 

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When it comes to unusual things you might disclose when selling a house, there are three possible responses from potential buyers. Some people won’t care; for others it will be a deal breaker; and a third group will think it’s cool. This is true for pink tile in the retro bathroom or the circa 1970s wet bar in the wood paneled basement. It’s also true for a house with a dark past or one with… dare we say it? Ghosts.

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