When selling a home, the most critical stage is from contract to closing .Most sellers make it through this period without major issues, but recently, more transactions have been falling apart unexpectedly. The good news is that many of these cancellations can be prevented — and the key is one step: a Pre-Listing Inspection . How Often Do Deals Actually Fall Through? According to recent Redfin data, about 15% of pending home sales fail to close , up slightly from pre-pandemic

You’ve probably heard people say, “The market isn’t what it used to be.”Let’s look at the numbers behind that statement. Over the past year or two, inventory has been rising across the Chicago suburbs — and homes are staying on the market longer. In many areas, we’re seeing more price adjustments before contracts , and final sale prices slightly below asking . Nationwide, active inventory has climbed by double digits for three consecutive months (July +24.8%, August +20.9%,

When selling a home, most sellers focus on what buyers see . But experts say what buyers smell when they first walk in can be just as powerful. Fall is the final stretch of the active home-selling season, and during this time, the smallest details — including scent — can make the biggest difference in whether your home sells quickly or lingers on the market. How Fall Scents Influence Buyers Scent works on emotion faster than visuals. Seasonal, cozy aromas help buyers feel at

A few years ago, homes were selling fast thanks to record-low inventory. But today, things have changed — listings are up nearly 20% nationwide compared to last year. Some markets are even seeing inventory return to 2017–2019 levels . In this environment, one thing matters most for sellers:👉 Making your home stand out from the moment it hits the market. Why Are Listings Increasing? This rise isn’t just from new listings — it’s largely from active listings that haven’t sold

If you follow real estate news or social media, you’ve probably heard people say that large investors are driving up home prices. In fact, nearly 48% of Americans believe investors are the main cause of rising housing costs. But the data tells a different story. Investor Impact Is Smaller Than You Think While investors do play a role in certain areas, their overall influence on the housing market is quite limited. According to Realtor.com , large-scale investors (those ownin

If you’re thinking about selling your home next year, the best time to start preparing is now —especially if you’re aiming for the busy spring market . According to Realtor.com , sellers who begin early are better positioned to take advantage of strong buyer demand when the season arrives. Why Start Now? The housing market currently has more active listings than it has in several years. Buyers now have more options and are comparing multiple homes before making an offer. Tha