Scott Sutherland Content Marketing

11/05/2025

How To Know If You Should Stay Or You Should Go

Should you stay or should you go? It's the premise of the popular HGTV program "Love it or List it" and also a dilemma for countless homeowners today.

Many of us can relate to the issue raised on the show. But we don't all have $100,000 and a team of designers to make our old home sparkle again. So how do you know when it's time to cut and run or reach deep into the pockets to make the necessary changes to make your home function for you again?

When to stay:
Your mortgage is close to paid off.
You're almost done with monthly payments and about to own your home outright. Buying a new home would mean taking on a new 15- or 30-year mortgage, or coming up with a hunk of cash. Unless the house you are moving to is a far better fit for your lifestyle or you need to sell in order to downsize, experts recommend staying put.

You credit stinks.
If you're not going to qualify for a new loan because of bad credit or if you may qualify by the skin of your teeth—which would mean putting more money down and/or paying a higher interest rate—it might not be worth it to move.

"Depending on when you last bought a home, getting a mortgage may be harder than you remember," said FrontDoor. "Lenders will closely review your income, debts, assets and liabilities, to make sure you don't exceed the maximum debt-to-income ratio. Hopefully you didn't do any damage to your credit since your last home purchase. The most competitive interest rates only go to buyers with credit scores above 700."

You have money to renovate.
Your kitchen is an embarrassment, the yard you once imagined as an outdoor oasis is more like a mirage and don't even ask about that weird rippling thing that going on with your floors. Maybe you don't need a new house. You just need the house you live in to be new again.

Depending on how much savings your have or how much equity you can take out of your house, you could overhaul and reenergize your existing home. Even small changes that improve function or address important daily issues can make a big difference. Be sure to consult your Realtor for guidance on the changes you plan to make. That way you can ensure a decent return on investment so you can recoup some dollars when you are ready to sell.

You need to stay in your neighborhood and there's no inventory in your price range.
The tighter your parameters, the harder it can be to find the right home. If you need to be in a certain school district and can't find a home in the right district zone perhaps it makes sense to put off the move.

When to go:
The kids are gone.
It's been a great family home, but, memories aside, do you still need all that space?

"Do you find yourself walking into empty rooms wondering when the last time you vacuumed in there was? Having trouble deciding whether to convert your children's old bedrooms into the sewing room, home office or media room? You have too much house," said REALTOR and best-selling author Michael Corbett on Huffington Post. "Once the kids have left for college, Mom and Dad are left with an empty nest. Downsizing to a smaller home could be your reason to sell now."

You can cash out, and cash in.
All that equity you have in your house can be rolled into a new loan on a larger, more updated home. And the interest rate might even be lower than what you are currently paying.

Renovations are too costly.
"That orange countertop that seemed so retro and modern just looks like an old countertop in a bad color. The shower needs to be re-done and the floors have gotten so bad even the dog doesn't want to come inside," said She Knows.

"So then you start to dream about remodeling. And you probably get so caught up in the end result that you start to think this is actually a viable option. It's not. It's months of living in disorganized, sheetrock-dust covered filth and eating cardboard pizzas. Just save your money, your marriage and your sanity, and move into a new house already."

The neighborhood is changing.
It was perfect when you moved in. Friendly neighbors, block parties, lemonade stands. But now you find yourself looking over your shoulder on your evening walk and double-checking your door locks before bed.

"Are you up all night from the neighbor's barking dogs? Are you noticing a spike in crime or even more police activity as of late? A neighborhood moving in the wrong direction can be a very compelling argument for a sell and a move," said Huffington Post.

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08/08/2025

Why Homeownership Is Going To Be Worth It

Life can feel a bit unpredictable these days. What’s happening with inflation? The economy? The housing market? But in the middle of all that uncertainty, there’s one thing a lot of people still crave – a place to call their own.

Because when everything else feels up in the air, home can be the thing that grounds you. As the experts at 1000WATT put it:

“Homeownership isn’t primarily financial anymore. . . Across all demographics, emotional and lifestyle factors consistently outrank wealth-building as motivators.”

Here’s what owning a home can mean for you, especially right now.

Freedom To Make It Yours
When you’re a homeowner, you don’t need to ask permission to paint a wall, hang a gallery of your favorite art, or redo the floors. You have the freedom to create a space that reflects who you are, all the way from the light fixtures to the paint colors.

Pro Tip: Just be mindful about exterior changes, if you buy a home in a community that has a homeowner’s association (HOA). There may be some approvals you’d need to get for select outdoor changes.

More Privacy, More Peace
Owning your home can give you a sense of peace you didn’t even realize you were missing. It’s a comfortable place where you feel secure and can relax, enjoy your privacy, and unwind after a long day.

Room To Grow
Whether it’s starting a family, setting up a home office for your new career, or finally building that home gym in the garage so you can hit your fitness goals, owning gives you the space to live life on your terms.

A Stronger Sense of Community
When you own, you’re not just passing through, you’re putting down roots. That often leads to stronger ties with your community, more connection to your neighborhood, and a deeper feeling of belonging where you live. That’s very different from the temporary nature of renting.

A Feeling of Accomplishment
There’s something powerful about getting the keys and walking into your own front door for the first time. It’s more than pride, it’s personal satisfaction. A quiet and meaningful sense of “I did this.”

Sure, it’s not always easy for first-time homebuyers right now. The market today requires patience, strategy, and sometimes a little creative problem-solving. But it’s still worth it.

“Buying a home is a major commitment, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.”

When you get those keys in your hand, when you realize this place is where your life gets to unfold, it clicks. The stress, the waiting, the planning – all of it led you home.

Bottom Line
There are a lot of things out of your control right now. But building a life in a space that’s truly yours? That’s still possible with the right strategy and expert help. Talk to a local agent about how to make it happen.

What would it mean for you to finally have a place to call your own?

Contact Scott Sutherland Content Marketing To Get Your Personalized Content. [email protected]

05/09/2025

An Insider’s Look at the Reality of Home Staging

When it comes to home staging, there are typically two buyer camps: The first thinks it’s a waste of money and doesn’t want to pay more to potentially make their home more attractive to buyers—even if their real estate agent says they’ll make it up (and then some). The second realizes the value and is willing to make that smart investment.

But just how do those two contingents break down? The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Profile of Home Staging provides some insight. The study separated the study into three categories: Buyers’ Agent Perspective, Sellers’ Agent Perspective, and Buyer Expectations. We’re taking a closer look at the key points.

Home Staging: Buyers’ Agent Perspective
According to the study, “40 percent of buyers’ agents cited that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home” and “83 percent of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.” Buyers agents also noted that, “Staging the living room was found to be most important for buyers (47 percent), followed by staging the master bedroom (42 percent), and staging the kitchen (35 percent).”

Home Staging: Sellers’ Agent Perspective
Per the study, “28 percent of sellers’ agents said they staged all sellers’ homes prior to listing them for sale,” and “13 percent noted that they only staged homes that are difficult to sell.” The living room (93 percent), kitchen (84 percent), master bedroom (78 percent), and the dining room (72 percent) were the most commonly staged rooms.

Sellers’ agents offered to do the staging 26 percent of the time, and, “The median dollar value spent on home staging was $400.”

Buyer Expectations
Call it the HGTV effect: “A median of 10 percent of respondents cited that buyers felt homes should look the way they were staged on TV shows,” while “38 percent of respondents said that TV shows which displayed the buying process impacted their business.”

The real effect of staging
Now that we have the buyer’s agent, seller’s agent, and buyer’s perspective, let’s look at some real data about staged homes. According to the NAR study, 22 percent of sellers’ agents “reported an increase of one percent to five percent of the dollar value offered by buyers, in comparison to similar homes,” and “17 percent of respondents stated that staging a home increased the dollar value of the home between six and 10 percent. 28 percent of sellers’ agents stated that there were slight decreases in the time on the market when the home is staged, while 25 percent reported that staging a home greatly decreased the amount of time the home was on the market.”

Of course, time on market and sales prices can range depending on a number of factors, like age of home, location, square footage, and price point. The Real Estate Staging Association has found, overall, that staged homes sell “73% faster, on average, than their non-staged counterparts,” said The Mortgage Reports.

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03/14/2025

Decorating Tricks for Hiding Kids’ Messes While Selling Your Home

Keeping the house together during the selling process is a challenge. Making sure everything is just right for showings and open houses can be exhausting and overwhelming. Throw kids into the mix, and things can get downright chaotic. Fortunately, a few small decor choices can help conceal kid clutter—changing your “for sale” sign to “sold.”

Hide in Plain Sight
With overflowing toy boxes and tea-party set-ups overtaking the living room, it may be unrealistic to banish all kid stuff to other rooms. Instead, make use of your furniture’s built-in compartments and drawers. Have a storage ottoman next to the sofa? Fill it with everything from action figures and dolls to coloring books, art supplies, stuffed animals and more. Divide the credenza in the family room so that your little ones can store toys behind its closed doors. Accent the open shelves with ceramic vases, family photos, decorative carafes and other appealing decor items.

If your built-in storage is already in use, opt for two or three woven baskets with lids instead. Place them wherever you want, whether it’s next to the loveseat or on the bottom shelf of a console table. Buyers will be too busy appreciating your home’s cleanliness and open floor space to think about what’s inside.

Hide Within Reach
Families in smaller living spaces might consider another strategy—underbed and attic storage. While the underside of your child’s bed may already be home to all sorts of tchotchkes, encourage kids to neaten it up with rolling plastic or rattan storage bins. Discreetly stow away everything from dress-up clothes to seasonal clothing in multiple containers. Slide them out of sight, then help your little one make the bed with an oversized quilt that conceals what’s hidden below. The best part? These containers can still be used after moving into the new bedroom or playroom.

For toys that are too big to fit in this space, such as kids’ teepees and play tents, consider collapsing them and stowing behind a dresser. If the dresser has legs that makes it easy to spot what’s behind it, opt for a chest instead.

Rotate Toys in Longer-Term Storage
Consider storing bins of toys longer-term and swapping them out every few weeks. In addition to the attic and basement, the back corner of a deep closet is a great place to stack storage tubs filled with everything from building blocks and board games to miniature cars and pull toys. Strategically hide them behind long coats so a quick peek inside the closet doesn’t give anything away. Better yet, switch out the storage tubs for suitcases. Rotate the toys in storage every few weeks--kids will have renewed interest when they come out of hiding.

Minimize and Add Some Style
Rather than attempting to conceal every toy, consider downsizing. Prior to the first showing, help your little one sort through toys, determining what still gets played with and what doesn’t. Sort into “keep,” “donate,” and “throw away.” This streamlines the cleanup process and makes it easier to stow away what remains. Bonus? You’ll have less to move when the time comes. For every item your children give up, consider rewarding them with small change or a trip to a favorite restaurant or ice cream shop.

For kids’ areas like bedrooms and playrooms, embrace the playful nature and just add a little style. Choose bookcases and desks with useful cubbies and shelves, and dress up the space with vibrant and unique artwork. Inspire imagination in potential buyers (and keep the space useful while your home is on the market) by choosing a few colorful supplies and knick-knacks to display.

Strategically rearrange home decor to hide kids’ messes while your house is being shown, and potential buyers will see a clean space that they’ll want to make their own.

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02/27/2025

How Do Mortgage Points Work?

When you close on a loan, there’s a term you may hear—mortgage points.

Mortgage points are part of your closing costs. There are origination points, which are one type of mortgage point. There are also discount points. The two are different from one another despite being categorized together.

In instances of both origination and discount points, each point is usually equal to 1% of the total amount you’re mortgaging. So, if you get a home loan for $350,000, one mortgage point is equal to $3,000. Both points are listed in your official loan estimate and closing disclosure which you get from your lender.

Below, we talk more about the two specific types of mortgage points and how each works.

What Are Origination Points?
Origination points are paid by borrowers as a way to compensate a lender.

Not all lenders of mortgages require paying origination points. For those lenders who do require origination points to be paid on a loan, they are negotiable.

Origination points aren’t tax-deductible, and many lenders have moved away from them altogether in favor of no-fee or flat-rate home loans.

What Are Discount Points?
Discount points are considered interest that you’re pre-paying. When you buy a point, it lowers the interest rate on your mortgage by up to 0.25%. Many lenders offer the opportunity to buy a fraction of a point up to three discount points.

Before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was passed in 2017, applying to tax years 2018 through 2025, origination points weren’t tax-deductible. Discounts points could be deducted on Schedule A previously.

Now, discount points can be deducted, but they’re limited to the first $750,000 of your loan. There is a higher standard deduction as well, so you should consult with an accountant to figure out the specifics of the tax benefits for purchasing points.

When you’re deciding if you want to pay for discount points, first think about how long you plan to live in the house. Then, you’ll have to think about if you have enough money to pay for the points out-of-pocket.

As far as the first factor of how long you’ll live in the house, the longer you plan to stay, the more savings you’re likely to get if you purchase discount points. If you’re only going to stay a few years, you might skip buying discount points altogether.

As far as the money to pay for the discount points, you may not have enough to use this option if you’re already feeling the pinch of your down payment. If you were buying a $500,000 home, for example, to buy three discount points would cost you $15,000.

You might simply be priced out of the option.

You could also invest your money in other ways and get a better return than you would for the amount you would save if you paid for the points.

If your priority is paying off your mortgage, you might not worry as much about alternative returns.

There’s no one right answer for everyone as far as buying discount points. You need to crunch the numbers in your situation, and you might find you’re better off making a large down payment or buying a less expensive home.

You also need to comparison shop when you get a mortgage. There are a lot of options to choose from, and you can usually negotiate or avoid origination points altogether if you comparison shop.

As far as discount points, yes, you can save over the life of your loan, but only if you’re able to maintain a 20% down payment. Otherwise, with less than a 20% down payment, you may have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI).

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12/30/2024

Seven Steps to Take to Prepare Your House to Sell in the New Year

The holidays are a wrap, and with the coming of the new year, many people are starting to make their new year’s resolutions. If selling your home is one of those resolutions, it’s beneficial to take steps now to prepare your house to sell in the new year. Getting a jump start on this preparation can help your home be ready for the spring/summer homebuying season, an annual tradition that typically sees an increase in buyer demand.

Preparing a house for sale in the new year involves more than taking down the holiday decorations. Some of the key steps to take before putting your home on the market in the new year include:

1. Decide on a listing date
One of the first steps is to decide when you want to put your house on the market and create a timeline for all the tasks that need to be completed before this happens. Work backward from the listing date to establish deadlines for each task. Establishing these deadlines can be a great motivator for getting all of the to dos done in order to showcase your house to its best advantage.

2. Hire a Realtor
A REALTOR® will guide you through the selling process and provide a plan for attracting potential buyers to get your house sold for the best possible price. REALTORS® have reams of data and calculators at their fingertips to help you make the most strategic choices when selling your house.

3. Give the house a deep clean
Deep cleaning goes beyond vacuuming and dusting. Giving your home a deep clean means getting carpets steam cleaned, mopping floors, cleaning windows inside and out, washing walls to remove stains and scrubbing bathrooms. Consider using professional carpet cleaning and maid services to really make your house sparkle and shine.

4. Get rid of all the clutter
De-cluttering will make your house seem more spacious and make it easier for potential buyers to envision themselves in the house. Start the de-cluttering process by cleaning out closets, cabinets, and garages. Donate clothing and other items of use and throw out items that are broken or cannot be used.

5. Make needed repairs and updates
Leaky faucets, chipped paint, running toilets, and squeaky doors may seem minor but really signal to potential buyers that your home has not been well maintained. To help attract buyers and get top dollar for your home, take the time to make needed minor repairs and consider updates such as repainting rooms with neutral paint colors, replacing worn carpeting, and modernizing bathroom and lighting fixtures.

6. Spruce up curb appeal
Sprucing up the curb appeal of your home is an important step to take before putting it on the market. In fact, among REALTORS®, 92% have suggested sellers improve their curb appeal before listing a home for sale. This recommendation is so common simply because the outside of your home is the first thing buyers see when they pull up to the curb and as the saying goes - you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Painting or replacing the front door, keeping the lawn mowed and weeded, trimming overgrown shrubs and trees, and repairing cracked walkways are just a few things that can go a long way to sprucing up the curb appeal of your home.

7. Stage it to sell
Staging your home can show it in its best light. The National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Staging found that 58% of buyers’ agents cited that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home, and 81% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. Staging a house can involve things like adjusting furniture layouts to make rooms appear larger, repainting rooms, opening curtains and blinds to let light in and adding extras like fresh flowers in vases, a bowl of fruit in the kitchen and folded towels in the bathrooms.

If selling your house is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, make sure to take the steps outlined above to get it ready to sell. This preparation can help your house stand out among the millions of homes nationwide projected to sell in the new year.

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10/31/2024

Designing a Kitchen That Will Sell Your House For You

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in a house when it comes to home value and appealing to buyers while trying to sell. For this reason, it's important to pay special attention to your kitchen when preparing a house to sell or building a house for the first time. The following is a guide for how to build a modern, desirable kitchen that will work to sell your house for you.

Keep It Clean
Because the kitchen is a room that sees significant use, it can get grimy and worn down easily. Upkeep your kitchen in order to upkeep its value. When it does come time to sell, make it a point to deep clean it. Polish all surfaces and metal, including countertops and faucets. Go at tile to clean out grout. Keep a kitchen clean and well-maintained and it will be a major asset when you do go to sell the house.

Appliances
All appliances should be energy-efficient because energy efficiency is desired in modern homes. This is not only because it is good for the environment but also because it saves money over time. Look for appliances with Energy Star labels when shopping and consider estimated average yearly operating costs. Many modern kitchen designs also hide appliances, so a design incorporating that may be worth considering as well. Consider brand too, because at least in certain areas, brands that are considered too thrifty can bring down the perceived value of the property.

Cabinets
Cabinets are another major item in the kitchen that buyers pay attention to. Their color and how well they blend into the rest of the kitchen are important, as is their size. It is amazing what a difference painting your cabinets can make. You can undertake this project yourself or hire a professional to do it. Another thing you can do is replace cabinet handles, which is a smaller upgrade but will still make them look better.

Colors
There are a number of color schemes you can choose for your kitchen. You can also change those colors anytime you want with paint, for the most part. White and gray is in right now, as is wood and more natural-looking colors and surfaces. You can also get more creative and use brighter colors such as teal or yellow. Most colors can work in the right combination, but at the end of the day, more neutral colors are easier to sell down the road.

Lighting
Lighting is also important to consider. Get modern light fixtures that will look good with the rest of the kitchen and provide strong lighting throughout the room. Ensure fixtures use energy-efficient bulbs. Remove broken or dim bulbs and replace them with new ones. Under cabinet lighting can be a good investment as it is relatively inexpensive and provides more light to workspaces.

Consider Utility
The kitchen is going to be a major place to entertain and work in most homes. For this reason, it needs to be designed with utility in mind. Most people nowadays prefer kitchens with plenty of space, both in general and on the counters. Islands are usually a good idea to put in because they give great places for preparation or entertaining as well as provide additional countertop space. Whether you are preparing a large dinner for the holidays or even if you skip lunch, you want a kitchen that will work with you.

Worth It To Remodel?
If you are considering remodeling your house, whether to sell or just to update, remodeling your kitchen is always an option. As with any addition to a property, look at it from the perspective of a cost-benefit analysis. Don't pour more money into a remodel than you expect it will increase the value of the home by, typically around 6% of the home's value. When remodeling your kitchen, you always want to find the right people for the job. Get referrals and quotes before making a final decision.

You are presented with a lot of options when designing a kitchen. Break it down to each individual aspect so you don't get overwhelmed and go in with a grand plan. You will end up with a gorgeous kitchen that will be the envy of buyers.

Contact Scott Sutherland Content Marketing To Get Your Personalized Content. [email protected]

10/02/2024

09/20/2024

6 Ways You Can Protect Your New Home

When you purchase a new home, you want to take care of it as well as you can. There are a lot of different ways you can protect your home. They range from security to preparing for expected expenses. These six tips will help you ensure your home is always as protected as possible.

Insure It Fully
Your insurance is an important tool for ensuring that your home is protected against the unforeseen. It is a way to protect yourself against the costs of damages and personal liabilities. However, not all homeowner’s insurance is equal. Understanding home insurance will help you make better decisions for your home.

While not everyone needs every form of insurance, being prepared for the unforeseen is important. For example, if you live in Arizona, you likely don’t need flood insurance, but you probably do in Florida.

Get a Warranty
Homeowners insurance won’t cover all the possible expenses you experience. For example, it won’t cover damage to major appliances and systems due to wear and tear. A home warranty, on the other hand, will help with these costs.

It is a simple way to extend your protection, so you aren’t caught unprepared. Your home needs to be maintained and repaired from time to time. A warranty and insurance will help you do that.

Buy a Security System
Of course, damage and wear and tear aren’t the only issues you need to contend with. Finding the right home security system will help you protect against unwanted entrants. Even a basic system can make a huge difference in your security. Burglars and other unauthorized people generally target homes that are easy to access.

Many systems also monitor for smoke and other hazards. The right monitoring subscription can protect you against many threats.

Trim Back Vegetation
Vegetation growing up against your house can be a risk for two reasons. First, it is a way for burglars to get close to your home without being easily seen. Second, branches and debris can damage your home.

Keeping your vegetation well-trimmed and maintained can help keep your home safe. Better yet, it is easy to do and will make your home look a lot nicer. It is a smart practice and much easier if you keep up with regular groundskeeping.

Keep Up With Maintenance
Similarly, regular maintenance will help protect your home against minor issues causing bigger ones. A little cracking paint may not seem like a big issue. However, paint protects the structure underneath it. Fixing the issue early involves a little sanding and painting. Waiting may mean mold, rot or other issues.

Again, it is significantly cheaper and easier to address problems promptly. This is one area that the right warranty and insurance can come in handy. For example, if your air conditioning is making a strange sound, you can use your warranty to get it checked and fixed rather than just waiting. That could save you from having to replace the whole system in the near future.

Meet Your Neighbors
Your neighbors are one of your best protections against issues such as unwanted entrants, fire and other similar problems. The people who live around you can e your eyes and ears when you aren’t home. While not every neighbor is interested in looking out for you, getting to know the people around you can never hurt.

Plus, this has the added benefit of enjoying your local community. It is often nicer to live in a neighborhood when you are friends with those around you. So, get out there and get to know people, at least the ones on either side of your house.

These tips will help you protect your new home. They can give you peace of mind when you are out. Your home is a major investment and keeping it safe both physically and financially is worth the effort. Give these ideas a try in your new home.

Contact Scott Sutherland Content Marketing To Get Your Personalized Content. [email protected]