SusanMarie Jensen - Coldwell Banker Advantage

SusanMarie Jensen - Coldwell Banker Advantage Listing Agent/Buyer's Agent

If you give me a call to set up a showing, not only will we explore that gorgeous home you spotted on Zillow (or any oth...
04/12/2024

If you give me a call to set up a showing, not only will we explore that gorgeous home you spotted on Zillow (or any other place), but your contact information will stay safe — just with me. Plus, you won't have to worry about your phone ringing nonstop.

Asking your lender this ONE question could save you big. Does my loan have a pre-payment penalty?Making just ONE extra ...
04/01/2024

Asking your lender this ONE question could save you big.

Does my loan have a pre-payment penalty?

Making just ONE extra payment each year can shave years off your mortgage term and save you thousands in interest.

Let’s look at a client with a 30-year mortgage of $400,000 at a 6% interest rate. Without extra payments, the total interest paid over the loan term is approximately $463,353
With ONE extra payment of $2,400 each year ($200/mo) the interest drops to $368,734, and the loan would be paid off 5 years earlier than the original term.

And the savings hitting their pocket? $94,619 over the life of the loan

BUT Make sure to ask your lender about pre-payment penalties (penalties can be steep - often 2% of the loan balance).

Check with your lender so you can save on your timeline.
And if you need a lender recommendation, send me a message!

Here's your market snapshot for February in Guilford County.
03/29/2024

Here's your market snapshot for February in Guilford County.

It's probably not what you think!You need to hear this if you’re running out of space in your current house ⬇️New builds...
03/26/2024

It's probably not what you think!

You need to hear this if you’re running out of space in your current house ⬇️

New builds are worth considering.

First, I know what you're thinking. But Susan Marie, I'm on a budget! I can't afford a big brand new house.

But here's the thing. Builders today are all about blueprints that MAXIMIZE every square inch of space.

Additional closets. Vertical storage. Dining and living rooms with built-ins so you don't need near as much furniture!

Yes, I am saying you could buy a new home that's *technically* less square footage than your current home and feel like you hit the JACKPOT on space.

The good news is, according to Redfin, new builds make up for 31.8% of U.S. single-family homes for sale nationwide. Considering just 10 years ago they only made up for 10% of the market, new builds today are within reach more than before.

Also, did you know that some builders have programs that allow you to buy a brand new home for a less than market value interest rate?

Most people don't realize how important it is to have buyer representation even when working with a builder on a new home. If building is something you've always wanted to do but has felt out of reach, reach out to me! It may be more doable (and a better option than buying an existing home) than you think!

Selling a home is less of a scientific formula and more of an art. 🎨Sure, comparing a home to similar homes sold does he...
03/18/2024

Selling a home is less of a scientific formula and more of an art. 🎨

Sure, comparing a home to similar homes sold does help you come up with a fair asking price, but there's so much more to selling a home than a pricing strategy.

📕 Take listing descriptions, for example. Listing descriptions are like the summary on the back of your favorite novel...you read and re-read it until you just *have* to dive in, right there in the bookstore.

🛋️ Staging is like your favorite movie set, filled with details that paint the picture of the kind of lifestyle the owners lived out within its four walls.

📸 The photography is like a movie trailer, telling the story of the home and what life is really like on that little street in that little town. It's thorough but also leaves you wanting more, like any good cliffhanger would.

🤝 Negotiations are less of an argument and more like friendly banter at book club, where both sides have valid points but still agree the book was worth reading.

It's so much more than putting a sign in the yard and entering the square footage in the MLS. Selling a home is an art to me because I'm selling more than a home...I'm selling the lifestyle and the story of your home. I'm working to grab the attention of potential buyers to get them in the door and experience your home for themselves.

Next time you go to sell your home (or if you know someone who is), I hope you'll remember your home deserves marketing that feels less like a punch list and more like an art 🌈

This is a tale about resilience.And the protagonists of this story are millennials.They’ve faced their fair share of cha...
03/12/2024

This is a tale about resilience.

And the protagonists of this story are millennials.

They’ve faced their fair share of challenges with higher interest rates, home prices, and the struggle to save for a down payment while renting.

The market conditions have not been the friendliest.
It was reported that 67% of millennials regret not buying a home when rates were lower.

A remarkable 78% of you are still open to the idea of buying a home

Even if it means navigating higher-than-average mortgage rates and making some compromises.

Today I’m sharing a few clever ways millennials can get started on their home buying journeys, despite the setbacks.

Getting in the game:
Buying a home just to get into the game, living in it for two years, then using the proceeds to level up to a more desirable home. The key here is to start building equity — then keep going!

House hacking:
Buying a duplex or home with a mother-in-law suite and renting it out on airbnb or to a longer term tenant to reduce costs.

Creative financing:
Looking into creative financing options - there are some incredible loan programs that offer reduced or 0% down payments. (I’d be happy to connect you with a stellar lender who can put together a few great options!)

Recasting:
I’ve seen some paying slightly over the asking price to seal the deal then recasting or refinancing their mortgage at a later date to reduce monthly payments. (Of course, it’s critical to not overextend yourself).

If you're interested in taking the first steps towards owning your own place - let’s chat. Your path to homeownership could be closer than you think!

03/10/2024

Now that the sun is BACK...

Celebrate Daylight Savings in Greensboro at these local destinations.

Share this with a friend who loves the sun!

We typically think home buying is all about square footage and bed/bath count...And it is certainly the starting point! ...
03/07/2024

We typically think home buying is all about square footage and bed/bath count...

And it is certainly the starting point! But these days, I’m hearing from buyers who are in search of a few extras.

Here’s a snapshot of what buyers are asking for in their search right now:

Home Office Spaces: The percentage of U.S. companies offering flexibility increased from 51% at the start of 2023 to 62% around November. – Forbes

With remote work still going strong, a dedicated (and quiet!) workspace is a must for many.

Outdoor escapes: Private yards, access to parks and trails, or even balconies for apartment dwellers are in high demand.

Since 2020, the number of people who spend time in nature has increased by more than 25%, according to the 2022 Outdoor Participation Trends Report.

Energy efficient upgrades: Lower utility bills *and* kinder to the environment - sign buyers up! Energy-star appliances, solar panels, and high-efficiency windows are increasingly sought-after features.

Move-in ready condition: Minimizing upkeep and maintenance is a big plus — especially for young families and empty nest buyers.

Open layout: No matter what they say, buyers still love those open floor plans with easy flow from kitchen to living rooms.

“Our lifestyles have become less formal than previous generations, and open-concept floor plans were popularized as a more casual way of living.” – Lindsay Speace, Interior Designer (Better Homes & Gardens)

If you're thinking about selling, send me a message. I can help match your home's features to the wants of buyers!

It's time to go *Boujie on a Budget*I've seen some impactful upgrades that give the homes a fresh look AND are easy on t...
03/05/2024

It's time to go *Boujie on a Budget*

I've seen some impactful upgrades that give the homes a fresh look AND are easy on the wallet.

These are a few of my favorites:

• Replace faucets and cabinet hardware. Estimated cost: $150-$400 for a kitchen faucet and $5-$25 per cabinet pull.

• Upgrade door k***s and hardware. Estimated cost: $28 per passage door and $31 per privacy lock.

• Swap builder-grade switch plates for decorative ones. Estimated cost: $5-25 per plate, depending on style.

• Refresh rugs. Check out Rugs USA or Loloi on Amazon. Both sites partner with designers, like Rifle Paper Co and Arvin Olano for elevated looks. Estimated cost: $189 for a 5x8 rug.

I'm a huge proponent of making small changes that go a lonnnng way.

Want more tips about small projects with big impact? Reach out - I’ll share what I’m seeing local DIYers take on these days.

Rental affordability has reached a new low, with half of all tenants paying over 30% of their income on rent and utiliti...
03/04/2024

Rental affordability has reached a new low, with half of all tenants paying over 30% of their income on rent and utilities. Middle-income renters are particularly affected, with a 5.4 percentage point increase in cost burden from 2019 to 2022.

Despite a plateau in price growth, 22.4 million households were cost-burdened in 2022, and 12.1 million severely so. Renters' incomes have not kept pace with rising rents, especially impacting low-income households.

Affordable rentals are scarce, forcing many to make trade-offs in essentials like food and healthcare. This has contributed to record homelessness rates.

While rent hikes have slowed, rents remain high. However, more rental units are coming online, which could ease the shortage, although older units may lack modern amenities.

Do you love where you live? Here are just a few of my favorite locally owned and operated spots around Greensboro. What ...
03/04/2024

Do you love where you live? Here are just a few of my favorite locally owned and operated spots around Greensboro. What would you add to the list?

Becoming a homeowner can be one of the best gifts you’ll ever give to yourself and your family. You’ll be able to build ...
03/01/2024

Becoming a homeowner can be one of the best gifts you’ll ever give to yourself and your family. You’ll be able to build equity and stop throwing money away in rent. You’ll also have the chance to pay less than you do in rent! Owning a home also means that you’ll be able to personalize it however you want.
Want to get started on giving your family the best gift ever?
Then just send me a DM!

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1201 Battleground Avenue
Greensboro, NC
27408

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