Shawna Woodward

The real estate industry is full of acronyms. There are several that you should know and understand. In this article, I want to break down seven key acronyms that every buyer or investor should be familiar with. MLS, or Multiple Listing Service, is a database of properties for sale that real estate agents use to find and share information about properties. This database is a valuable tool for you because it allows you to see a wide range of properties and compare prices, features, and locations. By using the MLS,

Are you pondering thoughts of buying a home? Home ownership is truly the quintessential American dream. Regardless of who you are, I believe there are a few signs that signify you should start seriously considering the option of buying something to call home. #1. YOU HAVE A STABLE INCOME: If you have job security, you should be considering your home ownership options. I am fully convinced that owning a home is the smartest financial investment you will ever make. If you pay rent, you are spending the money on housing

When it comes to buying a home, there are generally two main options to consider: a fixer-upper or a move-in-ready home. Each option has its own set of pros and cons that should be carefully weighed before making a decision. A fixer-upper is a property that requires some level of renovation or remodeling before it can be considered livable. These homes are often priced lower than move-in ready homes, making them a popular choice for first-time homebuyers and those on a budget. The main advantage of buying a fixer-upper is

As a local real estate agent, I am often asked to explain some of the more complicated terms that come up during the buying and selling process. In this article, I will break down seven terms that I believe are particularly important for buyers and sellers to understand: Pending or contingent offer, Closing Costs, Equity, Certified Funds, Due Diligence, Contingencies, and Title Commitment. First, let’s talk about Pending Offers. Locally, we consider an accepted offer to purchase a property, as a “Pending Offer.” This means that the property is generally

When it comes to buying a home, many people believe they can save money by skipping the services of a realtor and going it alone. However, the reality is that working with a professional realtor can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. 1. Access to Listings Realtors are connected to the local Multiple Listings Service where other agents post their listings. This is where you can find the most accurate details on an active listing. Agents will also be able to access the lockbox for showings.

The short answer is everyone needs renters insurance at some point in their life! Insurance generally, feels like a rip-off and I don’t disagree. But this little nugget of advice will benefit everyone, everywhere! Why? That’s an easy answer if you have rented, will rent, or know someone who is renting a home or apartment. If you are a wise and experienced person at any phase of your life, someone will ask your opinion on renters insurance. I want to help put this question to bed, forever. The answer should

As the mortgage rates started to increase, so did the amount of time homes lingered on the market. At the height of the market, homes were selling in a few days. Now, they are taking months. Sellers now have to negotiate to sell their homes. Even though the market has started to normalize, offers are still being denied. Quite frankly, they get denied because they are just bad offers. Yes, the market has returned to normal but no, we are not at the point where low-balling will do you any

Finding ways to create holiday fun and games are some of my favorite things to do at Christmas. As a parent of only adult kids, it looks different than it did when they were younger. Since you still have a few days left to make some Christmas memories, I thought I’d share a few ideas we find fun! First off, we are a very competitive family! So we like to make sure there are winners and of course losers! Losers get nothing, but we give good prizes to the winners.

My daughter and her husband are planning on buying a home this coming year, so I asked for input on what would be a good topic that would benefit her now. I was looking for inspiration on what I could share to help other first-time buyers getting ready to take the leap. When she answered, she simply said, “I don’t know what I need to know to answer your question.” This simple answer made me think, buyers are charmed by the glamour of buying on HGTV and in videos. But

I need most things dumbed down. This is my truth, maybe not yours, but my attention span is really like 10 minutes MAX. If you want to communicate with me, I need short quick ideas that make sense and are explained with simple words. Real Estate terms and deals by nature already cause stress to most people because of the legal verbiage! So, let’s simply talk about a 1031 exchange. January is looming for CSRA investors who have to do their taxes. One thing that is simple to understand is