With the holiday season upon us, it's time to reflect on the year and show gratitude for another year well-lived. While there's always something to be grateful for, whether it be friends, family, or a delicious pumpkin pie, today we'll discuss some of the top reasons homeowners have to be thankful as 2021 comes to a close. Read on to learn more!

While the last couple of years have been difficult for many around the world, there are still many reasons to be grateful this holiday season. Check out the top five reasons homeowners can be grateful as another year comes to an end.

1. Living Out the American Dream of Home Ownership

Even in 2021, homeownership is still considered the pinnacle when it comes to realizing the American Dream. So if you're fortunate enough to be a homeowner in 2021, that is definitely something to be grateful for.  

2. Historically Low-Interest Rates

For first-time home buyers, 2021 stacked up to be a great year to become a homeowner. With historically low interest rates, obtaining a home loan and securing low-interest rates was highly achievable. For first-time homeowners, these historically low-interest rates are definitely something to be grateful for as the year comes to an end.  The low-interest rates also helped those wanting to refinance their homes or make improvements, so the low-interest rates for all homeowners is something most homeowners are very grateful for.  

3. The Ability to Live How You Want, Where You Want

Another reason homeowners should be grateful this year is that owning a home affords them the ability to live how they want and where they want. Unlike renting, homeowners have the freedom to decorate, remodel, have pets, and more, all without getting approval from a landlord. This freedom of living your life where you choose and being able to make changes to your environment that enhance your daily living desires is definitely something to be grateful for as a homeowner in 2021.

4. A Place to Celebrate Milestones With Friends and Family

With the holiday season upon us, having a place to celebrate with family and friends is another great reason to be grateful as a homeowner in 2021. There's nothing better than bringing the loved ones together to have a special holiday dinner where memories will be made that last a lifetime.

5. A Safe and Secure Place to Call Home

A final yet essential reason to be grateful as a homeowner in 2021 is that your house provides a safe and secure place for you and your loved ones to call home.  Regardless of what's going on in the world, there's nothing quite like knowing you have a safe place to come back to at the end of a hard day. 

Overall, there is much to be grateful for as a homeowner in 2021!

Are you looking to become a first-time homeowner? Or maybe even looking to sell your current house and find a new place to call home? Well, if any of the above scenarios sound like you, it's time to check out your home selling and buying options.  

The #MARCUMsold Show, Season 3, Episode 16: Amanda Visits The Madison County Humane Society. 

🐕  🐈 On this week's #MARCUMsold Show, Amanda interviews Jan Barnes of the Madison County Humane Society and highlights their work in the county. They also discuss ways you can help support this cause. 

Madison County Human Society is located in the Wallingford Building at 128 Big Hill Ave, Richmond, KY.

Mailing address: PO Box 2096 Richmond, KY 40476 

Email: info@HumanSocietyall.com 

Website: www.humansocietyall.com

#MARCUMsold #CASA #Community  #BereaKY #BHHSFosterRealtors #GoodToKnow #Zillow  #RichmondKY

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People sell homes for a huge range of reasons...

The reason that you want to sell your home could influence the approach you take to selling. For example, you might feel comfortable letting your house sit on the market for several months when you simply want to move to a different neighborhood. If you need to relocate for a job or to live closer to family, though, you might feel more pressure to sell your house quickly.

No matter why you want to sell your home, a Realtor can help you get the best price within a time frame that works for you.

They Plan to Relocate to a Different City for Career Opportunities

More than 49% of people say that they want to move for career advancement opportunities. Relocation for work is the most common reason people sell homes. A person living in City A might consider moving to City B when an employer offers to pay them a significantly higher salary or let them work on exciting projects.

Moving for a job opportunity usually applies to certain demographics more than others. About 40% of people who move for new jobs are between 25 and 34 years old. This makes sense because recent graduates often leave their college towns to find employment in other cities.

Since 26.44% of employers assist with moving expenses, young professionals can start their careers or move into management positions without spending money on the relocation.

Nearly 37% of people between ages 35 and 54 move for new job opportunities. Importantly, about a quarter of home buyers are in their 30s, and the average home buyer is 45 years old. Many of these people need to sell homes quickly so they can relocate and purchase property in a new city. Paying two mortgages at the same time would cause significant financial strain, so it’s imperative to sell as soon as possible.

They Need Larger or Smaller Homes to Match Their Needs

The housing needs of a family can change dramatically over the decades. A single person may only need a small home with one or two bedrooms. A couple may want a slightly larger place to live. Couples frequently sell their “starter homes” when they have children or change their lifestyles.

A couple of decades later, people may find themselves in the opposite situation. Now, they may want to sell homes, so they don’t need to care for such large properties. Additionally, downsizing often means spending less money on property and taxes. As people near retirement, they recognize the benefits of selling larger, costlier homes in favor of smaller homes with lower values. (Lower property values lead to paying lower property taxes in most places.)

They Want to Live Closer to Loved Ones or Amenities

Life can take you all over the world. Eventually, though, you might want to return to your hometown or explore other amenities that cities and states have to offer. About 50% of people say they stay in their hometowns because they want to remain close to family. It makes sense to assume that plenty of people also move back home for the same reason.

They Don’t Like How the Neighborhood Has Changed

A neighborhood’s personality can change a lot within just a few years. As new businesses and people move into the area, your community might start to lose some of the characteristics that attracted you when you bought your home.

Maybe you bought an apartment downtown because you loved the hustle and bustle. Now, you find that the events you enjoyed tend to take place in the suburbs. You might decide to sell your house and move closer to the action.

The opposite is true for other people. Maybe you bought a house in a quiet suburb because you didn’t want a lot of neighbors. Now, the area’s population has grown, and you would like to relocate to a more rural spot.

The #MARCUMsold Show, Season 3, Episode 15: CASA of Madison and Clark Counties

🏡 On this week's #MARCUMsold Show, Amanda speaks with Victoria Benge, executive director of CASA.

 Learn what CASA does and how you can help with this amazing organization. 

#MARCUMsold #CASA #Community  #BereaKY #BHHSFosterRealtors #GoodToKnow #Zillow  #RichmondKY

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Fall Family Fest 2021

Soooo much fun at our 1st Annual #MARCUMsold Fall Family Fest! We cherish our clients and friends more then we can ever show or say! Thank you so much to everyone who came out… we love y’all!

It's fall, and we’re headed toward that time again—Halloween, with the spooky pumpkins and skeletons and plastic bats. But then again, deep in the heart of the property owner, a different fear might be growing – the fear of selling your home!

If you're thinking about accomplishing a real estate sale this fall, don't get spooked. With the right assistance from a professional real estate agent, you can move into this process with confidence, knowing that you're in good shape to sell your home.

As with those skeletons and other scary creatures, you can deal with a lot of your real estate seller fears by facing them head-on and shining some light on them. Here are some of the ways that real estate agents can help you settle your nerves before you go forward with a real estate sales process.

Dealing With a Hot Market

Hot markets always make people on both sides of a real estate sale feel nervous. Although hot markets may be great for sellers in some scenarios, there is the fear that a certain seller is going to lose out by moving slowly, or that the competitive process is going to be stressful and require snap decisions.

In any case, your agent can help you plan for this market by looking at seasonal trends, local market trends, and more to understand what's happening so that you don't feel like it's going to disrupt your sales process.

Fluctuating Interest Rates

Interest rates moving are probably more scary to buyers than they are to you if you're selling. However, one fear around interest rates is that they will rise so much that buyers will be scared off, and your house will continue to sit on the market.

Again, though, many of these fears are somewhat unrealistic. Interest rates tend to tick up and down around a general value—they don't just spike overnight and then continue to soar. Regardless of the activity, with a common-sense sales process, you should be poised to move forward regardless of what's happening with base interest rates at a given time.

What About Low Inventory Levels?

This is another problem that may be scarier for a buyer than it is for a seller. Low inventory means that there's not a lot of stock available, and so there's more market interest. In general, low inventory levels help sellers get where they want to go more quickly.

But let's talk about the corollary fear that many sellers might have: the emotional investment that you make in your home.

In short, if you're looking to sell, that means you’ll have to move somewhere else, and you’ll have to do it on a defined timeline. If you're looking to buy somewhere else, you may be nervous about being able to buy in a low inventory environment. One of the best ways to deal with this fear is, again, to do the research and start a basic shopping process for yourself while you're looking to move toward settlement. That way you won't get any unpleasant surprises as you go!

Is My Property Good Enough?

This is one of the most common fears that professional agents help sellers with.

It's normal for sellers to look at their own properties with a critical eye. Maybe the landscaping is not optimal or the house isn’t in good shape for staging. There may be any number of structural or home system problems that have been causing the sellers themselves grief. They can't imagine it being any different for a buyer: they live in fear that because of these issues, their property will be considered a ‘dog,’ and continue to sit on the market forever.

That's really at the heart of many of these fears—that the property won't sell well, and that it won't sell at all. Having to take a loss on a property is another thing that sends shivers down a seller’s spine.

The good news is that, again, professional real estate agents can ballpark values and assess a property with all of its flaws, in the context of the deal that’s likely to be made. They’ll get you to a price point where your property will sell. 

#MARCUMsold Show, Season 3, Episode 14: Meet MARCUMsold Team Member, Chelsea Huff

🏡 On this week's #MARCUMsold Show, Amanda interviews Chelsea Huff. Chelsea joined our team right at the beginning of the pandemic. We love all the postive & youthful energy she brings to the team.    

#MARCUMsoldShow #MARCUMsoldTeam #BHHSFosterRealtors #RichmondKY #BereaKY #NewEpisode 

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#MARCUMsold Show: Season 3: Episode 13 Amanda Interviews Susan Hatfield Of Benchmark Mortgage in Richmond

🏡 On this week's #MARCUMsold Show, Amanda interviews Susan Hatfield of Benchmark Mortgage. Together we learn more about pre-approvals and mortgage planning. 

#MARCUMsoldShow #MARCUMsoldTeam #BHHSFosterRealtors #RichmondKY #BereaKY #NewEpisode 

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It's official—fall is here! While Mother Nature works her magic outside, you can do the same inside. These easy fall home decor ideas can "autumn-atically" transform your living room, front porch, dining room, and more.

This is the time of year all about coziness and making your home as inviting as possible. We've pulled together some of the coolest fall decorating ideas that are not only impressive but aren't difficult to do. From a cozy entrance and a crackling fire in the hearth to some perfectly placed blankets and pillows, your home will come alive with the fall spirit.

And best of all, these ideas work with any budget. Many of the items you can use are already in your yard: pinecones, leaves, branches. With these easy home decorating ideas for fall, your home will be the envy of the neighborhood.

1. A Cozy Entryway and Foyer

Guests will feel at home from the minute they reach the front door. A fall door decoration really ups your home's curb appeal (we'll get to porch decorations in just a moment). A new coat of paint in an amber hue or wallpaper with colorful leaves immediately evokes the autumnal spirit. Adding some fresh orange and yellow flowers and a classic runner can make your home's entrance and foyer feel exceptionally welcoming.

2. Warm the Hearth With a Cozy Fire

There's no comfier living room than one with a crackling fire. As a nod to the fact that winter's right around the corner—and your fireplace will soon get much more use—have a professional come to ensure your chimney is in working order.

Bonus tip: Decorate your mantel with gourds, maize, and other fall cornucopia items.

3. Add Hanging Baskets

Baskets can be hung from almost anywhere inside or outside your home. Wall baskets add texture to a room and can work regardless of the season. But hanging baskets work best in fall when the warm golds, browns, and other buff colors are paired with pumpkins and other fall decorations.

4. Speaking of Pumpkins…

Tis the season for pumpkins! While you can place these orange baubles on your front porch for all to see, you can also place them around your home's interior. After all, it can be fall indoors, too. Place some pumpkins where guests wouldn't typically expect to see them, such as in a corner in your foyer or on a countertop in your kitchen. Pumpkins help conjure the spirit of the season-best, adding a cozy ambiance wherever they're spotted—so think of other rooms in your home that could use a bit of the fall spirit.

5. Create a Gourd Display in Your Kitchen

Got some baskets left over from the third idea above? Or maybe some colorful bowls to match the season? Fill them with gourds and place them around your kitchen on countertops, on the table, or even on top of your fridge (when was the last time you looked up there? Fridge tops become a catch-all, and this is the perfect time to clean off the top of your refrigerator). Too many gourds? Fill some bowls with pinecones, apples, or fall-scented potpourri.

6. Forage for a Display All Your Own

Looking for a unique way to add some fall flair to your dining room? Forage your yard for fallen leaves or branches, and then style your findings in a vase. Not only is this a beautiful way to bring fall indoors—but it doesn't cost a thing!

7. Brighten Your Kitchen Floor

Regardless of how big or small your kitchen is—or even its current color scheme—new flooring always changes a space. And you don't have to spend a ton completely overhauling your kitchen flooring—a simple throw rug in warm, fall colors can really add to your home's comfy vibe while displaying your style. A multi-colored runner could change the ambiance of your kitchen so well; you may even decide to keep it year-round.

8. Make Art with Leaves

Many people have traditions of finding leaves and then pressing them in the pages of a book. Take this tradition one step further and use the leaves to make decorative statement pieces. Instead of framing them, use a mounting spray to affix them to white card stock. Use golden thumbtacks to tack the finished pieces to your walls—consider an orderly pattern for even more appeal.

9. Hang Wreaths

Wreaths work for all occasions and seasons, but especially during fall. You can add a wreath to your front door, on the inside or outside of windows, the breakfast nook, or even a bare wall to bring in the season. Fall wreaths can have various decorations, such as apples, mini maize cobs, and even fall flowers. This is a great way to herald in the season—indoors or out.

10. Create an Autumn Vignette

Capture fall with a themed space indoors or out. For instance, get your porch ready for fall with a pretty, yet functional rustic bench. It's perfect even as the seasons change—for cozy cups of cocoa with a warm, wool blanket or for putting on boots once the season changes yet again. A basket with pinecones or firewood and a long, fall-colored runner completes the look—and the runner even doubles as a doormat!

11. Go Crazy on the Outside

For some things, less is more—but for fall home decor ideas, more is definitely more. For instance, decorate the entire space outside your home—think gourds and pumpkins in mounds around your yard; cozy blankets draped across your porch swing, rocking chair, or outdoor seating area; giant wreaths that can weather all the holidays from Halloween to Thanksgiving and even Christmas.

#MARCUMsold Show: Season 3: Episode 12 Bluegrass Marble & Granite

 On this week's #MARCUMsold Show, Amanda interviews Lindsey Guzman of Bluegrass Marble & Granite   

#MARCUMsoldShow #MARCUMsoldTeam #BHHSFosterRealtors #RichmondKY #BereaKY #NewEpisode 

Catch up on our past episodes of The #MARCUMsold Show!