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Should You Sell (or Not Sell) in 2021?
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Should You Sell (or Not Sell) in 2021?

In 2020, buyer demand increased thanks to record low mortgage rates. Homebuyers are eager to purchase, but the low inventory of available homes on the market led to increased demand and higher home prices – making it a seller’s market. For homeowners, it’s a great time to sell your home and receive a maximum return on your investment. But the question remains: will 2021 follow the same trend?

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Why Refinance?
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Why Refinance?

Refinancing might be a good option if you want to lower your monthly mortgage payment or pay off your home loan faster. But what is refinancing, exactly? What are the benefits to you as a homeowner? And what do you need to refinance?

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Interior Design Trends for 2021
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Interior Design Trends for 2021

If staying inside our living spaces for the better part of 2020 made us realize anything, it’s “there’s no place like home.” Our homes became – and in most places remain – multi-functional spaces, serving as an office, a school, an entertainment center, and a shelter from what looms outside. And since we’re spending more time at home, we’ve discovered that some spaces could use an upgrade. Our homes have quite literally become our sanctuaries, having a big influence on the interior design trends for 2021.

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Shop Local When You Can, Even If You’re Shopping Online
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Shop Local When You Can, Even If You’re Shopping Online

2020 has been a year like no other in our lifetime and if you’re like a majority of Americans you are probably counting down the days until we raise our glasses and start a new year. With the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the global economy and wiping out calendars and social gatherings the holidays will no doubt have a different feel. If you’re still planning on checking off all your holiday gift lists for those you love, consider supporting local business. According to Fortune, nearly 100,000 establishments that temporarily shut down due to the pandemic are now out of business. With the sharp decrease in physical store shopping, online sales are expected to grow 20-25% this year. Before you jump on Amazon or another big box store, consider shopping online at your favorite local boutique, coffee shop, or specialty store.

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Mortgage Rates in 2021
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Mortgage Rates in 2021

In 2020, 30-year fixed mortgage rates started the year at historically low levels. Rates fell below 3.0% for the first time as COVID-19 took its toll on the economy. What does the future hold? Can we expect interest rates to rise or fall in 2021?

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Rural Development Loans
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Rural Development Loans

If you’re looking to buy a home in a suburban or rural area and have little or no down payment, consider a USDA Rural Development Loan. This can be a great option if you’re a first time home buyer or want to further away from a large, urban area.

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The Time to Sell Is Now!
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

The Time to Sell Is Now!

It’s been an uncertain few months in the United States real estate market, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic and an unstable economy. If you were planning on selling your home this fall, you may now be asking “is now a good time to sell?” or “should I wait to sell until everything settles down?”

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Ways to Improve Your Credit Score
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Ways to Improve Your Credit Score

Your credit score is the biggest factor in determining the mortgage rate you receive, or even if you qualify for a home mortgage. If you have a good or higher credit score, it can ultimately save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. According to Experian®, the minimum credit score needed to apply for a conventional loan is 620. However, if you’re applying for a government-funded loan, you can qualify with a lower score but likely will have to pay for private mortgage insurance. For the best mortgage terms and rates, the ideal credit score is 720 or higher.

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Pacor Mortgage Is An Equal Housing Opportunity Lender
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Pacor Mortgage Is An Equal Housing Opportunity Lender

Equal Opportunity Housing is based on the idea that all persons should be granted “equal opportunities” when it comes to renting or purchasing real estate property. Often used in connection with the phrase “Fair Housing,” the term references anti-discrimination policies and laws set forth by the local, state, and federal government.

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Post-Pandemic Real Estate Outlook
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Post-Pandemic Real Estate Outlook

In the world of real estate, spring is usually the official start of the home-buying frenzy. Prior to mid-March, the real estate industry was slated for a highly competitive and profitable home-buying season thanks to historically low inventory and ultra-low mortgage rates.

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How to Keep Your Home Safe From Viruses and Germs
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

How to Keep Your Home Safe From Viruses and Germs

In the past two months, the COVID-19 pandemic has cautioned that being “safer at home” is the best practice to prevent the spread of the virus. Despite your best efforts, infectious viruses, germs, and bacteria can still find their way into your home.

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How Will Coronavirus Impact Real Estate?
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

How Will Coronavirus Impact Real Estate?

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only had a negative impact on the United States financially but mentally and emotionally as well. The real estate market is no exception.

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How to Stage Your Home
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

How to Stage Your Home

Thanks to an influx of home-decorating and renovation shows, potential buyers expect to see picture-perfect homes during their home search. How does one achieve this? By staging your home.

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Home Selling Tips
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Home Selling Tips

Whether it’s the home where you raised your family, your first (or starter) home, or a home you’ve inherited from your parents, selling a home can be a stressful and emotional experience. Not only will you be packing boxes, but you’ll also be packing memories and embarking on a new chapter in your life.

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Home Buying in 2020
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Home Buying in 2020

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

This sums up the home buying forecast for 2020. While there will still be opportunities for home buyers, the actual buying journey will be as challenging as it has been in recent years.

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Ways to Wow Your Winter décor
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Ways to Wow Your Winter décor

In order to survive a blistering cold Illinois winter, your home needs more than a six-month supply of coffee and a collection of blankets and sweaters. If you plan on hibernating until spring, your home needs to feel homey and inviting. Luckily, winter décorations mean more than keeping your holiday wreaths and décor until March. The key to creating a stylish winter home is incorporating textural layers and seasonal colors with natural elements, touches of greenery and the strategic use of winter white.

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2020 Real Estate Outlook
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

2020 Real Estate Outlook

What does the housing market forecast look like in the upcoming year? Here’s some 20/20 insight into the most common questions about home prices and sales, mortgage rates, and possible recession.

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Why You Should Sell Your Home in 2019
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Why You Should Sell Your Home in 2019

Are you thinking about selling your home? If you’re on the fence about doing so, keep reading. The last quarter of 2019 will likely be the best time to sell your home over the next few years.

The experts at Pacor Mortgage have compiled a list of reasons why you should sell now instead of waiting until 2020.

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Re-Financing Your Home: What You Need to Ask
Brooke Hartnett Brooke Hartnett

Re-Financing Your Home: What You Need to Ask

Refinancing is the latest buzz word throughout the mortgage and real estate world. But what is refinancing, exactly? In its simplest terms, refinancing is replacing an existing mortgage with a new one. The process is similar to when you applied for your original mortgage: researching options, gathering the correct documentation, and submitting an application.

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