Nikita Sims

09/02/2026

Setting a Price That Attracts Serious Buyers
Setting the right asking price can make a big difference in how buyers respond to a home once it hits the market. Price it with current conditions in mind, and you're more likely to attract serious interest early. Price it too high or too low, and the selling process can become more complicated than...

A fair asking price attracts serious buyers fast, while an unrealistic one can turn buyers away before they even see the home in person.

08/31/2026

What Buyers Should Know About Neighborhood Development Plans
When searching for real estate, don't forget that the property you're considering buying and the surrounding area may change dramatically over the years. Looking into future development plans can help you avoid surprises, such as buying near a major construction project or a new commercial development.
Where...

Before you buy, it helps to find out what's planned nearby. Development plans can shape your daily life and your home's future value, so it pays to check.

08/21/2026

💵How to Evaluate a Rental Property for Profitability

Remember That Purchasing a Rental Property Is Different From Purchasing Your Own Home

Calculate Your Net Operating Income (NOI)

Calculating your Net Operating Income (NOI) is the first big key to evaluating a rental property for profitability. Your NOI from a property represents the annual income generated by the property, minus operating expenses. Operating expenses don't include debt service, capital expenditures, or depreciation, but do include:

Property Insurance

Property Maintenance

Property Taxes

Snow Removal, Lawn Care, Landscaping

Property Management Fees

Vacancies

When evaluating whether a property is profitable based on NOI, many investors recommend using the 55 percent rule. This rule suggests that operating expenses should account for a max of about 45 percent of your rental income. This means that the remaining 55 percent should be enough to cover the mortgage for the property. If a property doesn't meet the 55 percent rule, most investors recommend looking elsewhere...

https://nikitasims.keyes.com/blog/2025/12/03/how-to-evaluate-a-rental-property-for-profitability

08/21/2026

Can This Home Adapt to Your Future Needs?
When visiting a property, it's important to think beyond the upgrades and ask yourself if this floor plan will still suit your needs five, 10, even 20 years from now. Needs change with age, or when multigenerational families come together, or even if a loved one finds that stairs are just too much to...

Before you buy or sell, take a closer look at how well a home can adjust to changing needs, from mobility and growing families to flexible, adaptable living spaces.

08/20/2026

🏠Breaking Down Mortgage Types: Which One Fits Your Financial Goals?

💵Adjustable-Rate Mortgage

💰Conventional Mortgage

💵Fixed-Rate Mortgage

💰Government-Backed Loans

There are a variety of government-backed loans available, which can offer advantages for military members, first-time buyers, and more. The most common types of government-backed loans are...

Blog Link Below

Each mortgage type has its own pros and cons, so it's key to evaluate your options to find the one that best fits your financial goals. Learn about your options on our latest blog.

08/17/2026

What to Repair Before Listing Your House
Making a home ready to be listed for sale isn't always a matter of large-scale improvements. It is, more often than not, a matter of a few key repairs that will make all the difference, while a handful of less important fixes will wait. Here's how to determine which is which.
Begin With What Turns Off...

Before listing, a few repairs can help you attract more buyers, get them to pay your asking price, and save you the headache of last-minute negotiations.

08/16/2026

Ways to Make Small Bathrooms Feel Larger
Small bathrooms tend to feel restrictive, but there's no need to break the bank to fix that. A few simple tweaks to lighting, color, and storage can make a real difference in how big a bathroom feels, and none of it requires a major renovation.
Let Light In (And Out!)
Bathrooms that are underlit tend...

Bounded by a small space? Add some layered lighting, a larger mirror, and smarter storage to make your bathroom feel almost twice as big without a full renovation.

08/14/2026

What Buyers Should Know About Property Boundaries

You might assume the fence marks the edge of your property. In many cases, it doesn't, and that gap between what you see and what the survey shows is where boundary disputes start.

Before you fall in love with a lot size or a mature tree line, it's worth understanding what actually sets the edge of a...

Property lines aren't always where you think they are. Here's what buyers should check before closing so a boundary question never turns into a costly surprise.

08/10/2026

Keeping Your Home Showing-Ready While You're Busy
Selling a home is rarely easy, especially when showing requests arrive during the busiest part of the week or at the worst possible time. Fortunately, a few simple preparations can make it much easier to keep a home looking good for showings.
First Impressions: The Front Door
Much of the work involved...

Selling a home while juggling everything else doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here's how to keep your house ready for showings without much extra time or effort.

08/09/2026

Weekend Projects That Improve Your Home's Function & Appeal

You don't need to wait for the perfect time or hire a professional to make worthwhile improvements around your home.

A few hours of work over the weekend can help surfaces, fixtures, and other features last longer while also improving how the property looks.

Many projects require only basic tools and...

Small weekend projects can improve both the function and appeal of your home with minimal time and expense. Here are the areas to focus on first.