LeAnne Carswell's (leannecarswell) Blog

By now, you’ve probably heard about the news: the Federal Reserve recently cut interest rates for the first time in four years.  But what does that really mean for home buyers and sellers? You might be wondering how this impacts mortgage rates, home prices, or your ability to make a move in today...

For most homeowners, selling a home feels less like a straightforward transaction and more like taking on a second job. A job that doesn’t just demand your money but also your most precious resource: time. In fact, according to recent data, selling a home can consume over a third of your waking h...

No matter how many elections you’ve lived through, each one can feel a bit like a wildcard when November draws near and you’re wondering whether you should make a move—or wait until the dust settles. Generally speaking, presidential elections have only a small and temporary impact on the housing ...

You may not feel it yet, but the housing market is shifting.  In July, the market shifted from a strong sellers’ advantage to more balanced neutral territory, according to Zillow’s latest market report.  So, what does this mean for you? Let’s dive in.The Shift to a Neutral MarketFor the first tim...

Let’s get real. Do you have to use a real estate agent when buying or selling a home? The answer, of course, is no. You can absolutely go it alone, and there are people who opt to do so every year. After all, with the internet at your fingertips, you can search for homes, look up property values,...

A little backstory:  Back in March, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) agreed to a settlement deal. The organization agreed to both a monetary settlement as well as real estate practice changes aimed at providing more transparency regarding how real estate agents are paid.  But how exactl...

A headline caught my eye this week. It read:  “The Housing Market Isn’t Making Sense. What’s Going On.”  It got me thinking about how much information is circulating out there. Numbers are flying around about inventory increases and price reductions (promising news for buyers)—and at the same tim...

When it comes to selling your home, making a great first impression is crucial. But what if you don't have the budget for a major renovation?  Luckily, new data from Zillow and Thumbtack reveal that you don't need to break the bank to boost your home's appeal. "Certain low-lift projects can deliv...

When it comes to selling your home, making a great first impression is crucial. But what if you don't have the budget for a major renovation?  Luckily, new data from Zillow and Thumbtack reveal that you don't need to break the bank to boost your home's appeal. "Certain low-lift projects can deliv...

A recent study by Fannie Mae revealed a surprising lack of confidence among consumers about the mortgage process.  There’s good reason to feel a little cautious. Here in Greenville, SC, home prices have risen 62% since 2020, and mortgage rates have also climbed. However, homeownership remains a t...