Let’s get you started with these ideas below:

1. Create focal points: Showcase antique items in prominent places around the room. For example, a vintage clock, can serve as a centerpiece and add conversation and character.

2. Repurpose antique pieces: Give a new lease of life to antique furniture items, such as chairs or tables, by repurposing them with updated upholstery or wood stain finish.

3. Use antique artwork: Vintage paintings and prints provide a glimpse into another time period and can add depth and texture to a room. Old frames in new homes are commonly used by well-known interior designers.

4. Add antique lighting: Place antique lamps or chandeliers in rooms for a touch of elegance and sophistication.

5. Display collections: Collectibles such as vintage teacups, figurines, and antique crockery can be displayed on shelves or cabinets. This will add personality and interest to the space.

The post Mixing Old with New appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

Is placing your house in a trust a smart move?

By placing your real estate asset in the name of your trust, you can ensure that your property will be distributed according to your wishes. This will avoid the need for probate, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Here are some key benefits of placing your house in a trust:

1. Avoiding Probate: When your house is placed in a trust, it is no longer considered part of your probate estate. This means that your beneficiaries can inherit the property without the need for probate, which can be a lengthy and expensive process.

2. Ensuring Privacy: The probate process is public, which means that anyone can access information about your assets and beneficiaries. By placing your house in a trust, you can keep your estate details private and confidential.
3 Protecting your property: If you become incapacitated, a trust can help ensure that your property is protected and managed according to your wishes. By designating a trustee to manage the trust, you can ensure that your property is cared for and maintained even if you are unable to do so.

4 Minimizing Taxes: Depending on the size of your estate, a trust can help minimize estate taxes by reducing the value of your probate estate. This can help ensure that more of your assets go to your beneficiaries rather than to taxes.

Be sure to check in with your trusted advisor and/or attorney for expertise. *We are not qualified to give legal advice. This means that we cannot offer guidance on legal matters. It is important for you and your family members to seek legal advice from a licensed attorney.

The post Should You Put Your House in a Trust? appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

Here are some tips to help make the moving process as easy as possible for children:

1. Communicate with your child: Talk to your child about the upcoming move and convey positive feelings about it. Explain to them the reasons behind the move and how it will benefit your family. Listen to your child’s concerns and fears and address them as honestly as possible.

2. Involve your child in the process: Allow your child to participate in the moving process by letting them pack their own things, choose their new room color, or even select the moving company. This will give them a sense of control and ownership over the move.



3. Maintain routines: Children thrive on routine, so try to maintain their usual routines as much as possible, even during the moving process. This means sticking to regular meal times, bedtimes, and other activities that your child is accustomed to.

4. Explore the new neighborhood: Take a tour of the new neighborhood with your child before moving day. Show them the parks, playgrounds, and other fun places they can visit. This will help them feel more familiar with their new surroundings.

5. Stay positive and optimistic: Children pick up on their parents’ moods and emotions, so try to stay positive and optimistic about the move, even if you’re feeling anxious or stressed. Remind your child of the exciting opportunities that await them in their new home.



6. Provide emotional support: Moving can be an emotional rollercoaster, and children may experience a range of emotions, such as sadness, anger, anxiety, or confusion. Be there for your child and provide them with emotional support as they navigate this transition. Remember how you feel and know they might be feeling some of the same. 

In summary, moving can be a challenging experience for children, but with some preparation and support, you can help make it a smoother and more positive experience for your child. Kids are resilient and will adjust and grow through the experience right along with you!

The post Preparing to Move with Children appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make! Between your pre-approval and closing on your house, there are a number of financial changes you should NOT make. This time period is very sensitive, and these financial actions could jeopardize your ability to close on your new home.

• Do Not Cosign Loans or Apply for New Credit

You are accountable for any loan that you’ve signed, even as a co-signer. Taking out a new loan will change your debt-to-income ratio, which changes your lender’s documentation. In addition, taking out new loans (such as a new credit card or car) affects your credit score and could also affect your mortgage eligibility.

• Do Not Make Large Purchases or Deposits

Seeing large amounts of money going in or out of your bank account could be a red flag for your lender. If you need to make a large deposit or purchase, contact your loan officer.

• Do Not Close Any Accounts

Your credit score is partially based on your length and depth of credit history, so do not close any lines of credit without first speaking to your loan officer.

Now that we’ve covered what not to do, here’s what you should do, financially, between pre-approval and closing: Keep your lender in the loop!

If it’s absolutely necessary to make any of the above-listed actions, reach out to your loan officer. They will be able to help you through any of the mortgage eligibility ramifications these financial actions could have. In addition, if you have any changes in income or employment, give your lender this information as soon as possible.

The post The Pre-Approval Process appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

We’ve seen rising home values over the last few years, which means you probably have noticed that your home value has gone up, which also increases your equity. In addition, as you’ve made mortgage payments, your home equity has grown.

So how can you leverage this valuable asset? Here are some ideas!

• Make Home Improvements

You could use your home equity to reinvest back into your house. You could finish your basement, upgrade your kitchen, or improve your landscaping. Before taking on one of these projects, get in touch with my team – we can let you know whether or not the improvements you have in mind would add more value to your home.

• Upgrade (or Downgrade) to a New Home

Do you need more (or less) space? Now could be a good time to sell your house and move into something that fits your current lifestyle. Your equity could be put towards a down payment on that new house!

• Fund Something New

Your home equity doesn’t have to stay in real estate. You could tap into those extra resources to fund a personal financial goal, such as a dream vacation, new business, or college education.

Are you weighing your options when it comes to using your home equity? Get in touch with a member of my team today – we’d be happy to talk through your options!

The post Home Equity appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

We are often asked why we are an affiliate of Keller Wiliams Realty (KW). Why are we aligned with this national company? The answer is simple: We have always set out to partner with only the best, and KW brings the very best in support and experience for our clients. As a cutting-edge technology real estate company, KW is the technological and marketing engine behind our personable, local team.

It all starts with the mission and beliefs behind KW. As stated on the KW website:

Keller Williams Mission

To build careers worth having, businesses worth owning, lives worth living, experiences worth giving, and legacies worth leaving.

Keller Williams Perspective

A technology company that provides the real estate platform that our agents’ buyers and sellers prefer. Keller Williams thinks like a top producer, acts like a trainer-consultant, and focuses all its activities on service, productivity, and profitability.

Keller Williams Beliefs

Win-Win:  or no deal

Integrity:  do the right thing

Customers:  always come first

Commitment:  in all things

Communication:  seek first to understand

Creativity:  ideas before results

Teamwork:  together everyone achieves more

At Double Boldt Real Estate, we care deeply about you, your family, and your home. We are committed to your bottom line and providing a smooth, custom-tailored experience. You can see why our mission aligns so well with KW!

While we brand Dobule Boldt Real Estate as a local real estate company with local expertise and feet on the ground, it’s important for you to know that we are supported by a much larger brand that’s backed by stellar leadership. In fact, one of KW’s founders was recently ranked on a national scale.

According to Businesss Wire:

“Gary Keller, the co-founder of Keller Williams (KW), the world’s largest real estate franchise by agent count, was ranked in the Swanepoel Power 200 (SP 200) as the nation’s No. 2 most powerful person in real estate for 2023. According to the SP 200 report, “Keller is the only leader to have been named one of the top five most powerful people in residential real estate brokerage for the past 10 years. With expertise in real estate, entrepreneurship, technology, and more, Gary has led and cleared a path toward success. Gary has had the foresight of market shifts before they occurred. He has implemented an agent network that allows for all of our clients to utilize tools connecting agents, potential buyers and sellers.”

Finally, KW provides incredible resources in marketing, web design, and social media, which benefits not only teams like ours, but each of our clients who are concerned about buying or selling their home.

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about our KW affiliation. We would be happy to help.

The post We Partnered with KW for a Reason appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

As families gather everything they need to file their 2022 taxes, it’s worth asking whether or not additional tax breaks are available to you, as a homeowner. Here’s a list of questions to ask your CPA or tax preparer:

Question 1: Can I write off my mortgage interest? 

If you itemize your taxes, the interest you paid on your mortgage in the past year could be a tax deduction. If you took out your loan after December 16, 2017, you can deduct up to $750,000 (or up to $375,000 if married and filing separately). If your loan was taken out between October 14, 1987, and December 15, 2017, you can deduct up to $1 million ($500,000 if married and filing separately). If you took out your loan before October 14, 1987, all of your interest may be deductible.

When it comes to a mortgage that’s been refinanced, the limit depends on when your first loan was taken out. Here’s more information from the IRS on this topic.

Question 2: Can I write off house renovations? 

If you made medically necessary home improvements last year – such as building entrance ramps, support bars, installing healthcare equipment, widening doorways, etc. – these could be deductible on your taxes. If the improvements you made will increase the value of your home, however, they are only partially deductible. Here’s a resource from the IRS to help you determine what is deductible.

Question 3: Can I write off my home office? 

If you are self-employed and there is a space in your home used exclusively for your business, that could be deductible as a home office expense. Check this page of the IRS website for more details.

Question 4: Can I write off my house property taxes?

Yes – the maximum deduction of $10,000 ($5,000 if married and filing separately) can be taken. Look at this page of the IRS website for more information.

Question 5: Can I write off expenses on my rental properties?

If you own a rental property that isn’t your primary residence, you can possibly take advantage of a number of deductions. These include asset depreciation, repairs, and operating expenses. See this page of the IRS website for more details.

We hope this blog is helpful to you as you file your 2022 taxes! Reach out to us if you have any questions.

The post 2022 Taxes appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

Amidst continued news of the housing market slowing down concern, local statistics appear to contradict this sentiment. When we drill a little deeper into market activity. Here is what we find:

If you thinking of selling, now is a good time. Why? Historical low inventory levels continue. Buyer activity and pre-approval application process are steady. The continued storyline with a lack of sellers mixed with steady buyer activity is driving pricing activity UP this month.

88% of units that have come on the market in the first three weeks of the year are under contract. For quick and easy market stats  see the chart below.

Keller Williams Market Insights & Trends (Last 6 Months)

The post Market Insights & Trends appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

If you plan to sell or buy a home soon, you likely have questions about appraisals. If so, you may find your answers below. This information comes compliments of Blake Early of Cream City Mortgage, a lender with years of expertise and relationships with bankers, appraisers, underwriters, agents, and buyers.

Q: My home and neighborhood are not part of a defined neighborhood association (this could also apply to a subdivision). How do appraisers typically assess these types of homes?  Do they consider a radius or just the surrounding  neighborhood(s)?

A: This really depends on the neighborhood. Appraisers will use comps from the immediate subdivision or neighborhood OR street—but only if there are good or similar comps. Sometimes if there aren’t good comps, they will consider nearby subdivisions or neighborhoods, but only if they are comparable in overall values. Ideally, appraisers will look at similar homes that have sold in the last 6 months within a one-mile radius, though appraisers will consider homes outside these parameters to find reliable comps. 

Q: The appraisal report itself talks about a “balanced market.” What is this referring to?

A: A balanced market is an equation. It is based on the number of homes on the market under contract and sold in a certain time frame. Appraisers will also consider the market in general and whether it is increasing, stable, or declining as a whole. 

Q: What time frame do appraisers consider when valuing a home? 

A: Investor guidelines allow appraisers to go up to 12 months back—further if absolutely necessary but only if it they can  thoroughly explain why doing so is necessary. Most appraisers will start at 6 months and will only venture back further if there aren’t enough comparable properties.

Q: How much do you look at/weigh finishes as opposed to the stats or features of the home? For example, if the entire shower wall is expensive, book-matched marble, does that hold more value than just a regular white marble subway tile shower? 

A: One high-quality feature isn’t going to change the value of your home. However, if the property has extensive, quality work throughout the property, then you could argue it should have more value—but all details would need to be supplied to the appraiser for consideration. 

The post FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS appeared first on Double Boldt Real Estate.

Once you arrive at the decision to sell, preparing for showings can seem like a daunting task. Here’s a quick checklist to help you along the way:

• Note and complete repairs—hire professionals if you need.
• Clean and clear everything, making the space feel spacious.
• Remove personal touches to help buyers picture themselves there.
• Small improvements like touching up paint can really highlight the home’s strengths and character.
• Stage the home—the staging team at Double Boldt Real Estate can help you here!
• Talk to your realtor about the appraisal process, or see below for some FAQs.

Making the decision to sell is often the hardest part—but new beginnings never come without an ending. Wherever you go next, there are new memories to make and chapters to write! And we’re here to help you from beginning to end.

-Your Friends at Double Boldt Real Estate-

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