Posts from May 6th, 2025

Think you've got a good eye for real estate? Listing photos can reveal a lot more than just square footage and staging, especially if you know what to look for.

Agents are trained to catch the little things that others might miss—the kind of stuff that can hint at a home's true condition, value, or quirks.

Take this quiz to see how your instincts compare. You might be more real estate savvy than you think!

The Rules:

For each question, pick the answer that feels most like your gut reaction—and note the point value. At the end, total up your score and check your results!

1) What's the first thing you notice in a listing photo of a bathroom?

1. The outdated 1950's tile. (2)
2. The toilet seat was left up by the photographer. (3)

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If you've ever felt the silent judgment of a neighbor side-eyeing your overgrown grass, you're not alone. A recent survey found that 76% of homeowners feel pressured to keep their homes looking as good as—or better than—their neighbors'.

With over half of homeowners (51%) saying they genuinely care about having one of the nicest exteriors in the neighborhood, and nearly a quarter (23%) believing their yard is award-worthy, it's clear that curb appeal isn't just about personal pride…it's a full-blown competition.

So, if you want to keep up with the Joneses (or maybe even outshine them), here's a ranked list of what homeowners say matters most, so you can focus your time and money where it counts:

1) Start by Making Sure Your Lawn Is Mowed to Perfection…

A shaggy lawn is basically the equivalent of showing up to a black-tie event with bedhead—no matter how good everything else looks, people are going to focus on it. A full 67% of homeowners say they feel the most pressure to keep their grass neatly mowed, edged, and trimmed. So if you're going to focus on one thing, start here.

2) …and Then Make Sure to Fertilize It Before Moving On

In close second place, 66% of survey respondents said they stress about maintaining healthy, vibrant grass. So once your grass is short and tidy, get out there with some fertilizer and make it greener than your neighbor's envious glances.

3) Tuck Some Flowers Into Those Beds

Once the grass is greener on your side of the fence, it's time to focus on the flowers. 52% of homeowners say lush flower beds are the next most important element in your yard, so make sure you put some flowers into those beds before you hit yours for a nap!

4) Put a Coat On

Peeling paint and faded siding can make even the tidiest yard look neglected. 51% of homeowners say keeping up with exterior paint and siding is a priority, so if yours is looking a little worse for wear, grab a brush and get to work. (Or just hire a pro…painting isn't everyone's strong suit!)

5) Sweep it…and Then Hose It for Good Measure

If the driveway and sidewalks are looking a little grimy, it's time for a clean sweep, literally. 47% of homeowners say they focus on keeping these areas spotless. A pressure washer can do wonders, and if nothing else, it's a good excuse to play with high-powered water jets for an afternoon. Not only is it fun, it certainly beats scrubbing it on your hands and knees!

6) Perfect Your Porch

Nothing says "welcoming" like a porch that looks like it belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting. 47% of homeowners prioritize an inviting entryway, so if yours looks a little underwhelming, add some cozy seating, potted plants, or a tasteful seasonal wreath. Just be warned: this might cause people to want to pull up a chair and just stare at your porch rather than sit on it!

7) Mulch Ado About Nothing (But It Still Looks Nice)

Mulch is nothing but ground up trees, but whoever originally thought of throwing it around the yard rather than throwing it away was really onto something! 41% of homeowners make it a priority, and for good reason—it instantly makes everything look polished and put-together with minimal effort. Bonus: it also helps keep weeds in check. Win-win.

8) 'Tis the (Every) Season!

Holiday lights, pumpkins, a tasteful autumn wreath—seasonal decor makes your home look festive and well-maintained. 41% of homeowners consider it an important detail, so feel free to show off your decorating skills. Just, you know, don't leave the Christmas lights up until July.

9) Raise the Roof (or at Least Keep It Looking Good)

If your roof looks like it's seen better days, it might be time for an upgrade. 40% of homeowners say a good-looking roof is a must, and let's face it—missing shingles are about as noticeable as a missing front tooth. But even if it's in good shape, make sure it's clean of debris like sticks, leaves…and pizza of course.

10) Get Lit

Strategic outdoor lighting isn't just for safety—it's also a major curb appeal booster. 39% of homeowners say attractive outdoor lighting matters to them, so consider some pathway lights, lanterns, or even twinkle lights for that extra charm. Just don't go full Vegas casino. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Including way too bright lighting.

11) Mend Fences (And Gates)

A rickety fence can make even the best-kept yard look neglected. 34% of homeowners make sure their fences and gates are in top shape, so if yours is leaning, creaky, or missing a plank or two, now's the time to fix it. Bonus: it'll keep nosy neighbors from peeking through the gaps.

12) Finish With a Furnish

If you've made it this far, congratulations—you're probably in the running for the best yard on the block! Now it's time for the finishing touch to put you in the top spot. 33% of homeowners say nice looking outdoor furniture is a priority, and let's be honest: what's the point of having a stunning yard if you don't have a comfy spot to sit and admire your handiwork?

Finding the perfect house is exciting, but realizing the neighborhood isn't a perfect fit for you after you've moved in…not so great. Maybe the street turns into a speedway at rush hour. Maybe the neighbor's dog thinks barking is a competitive sport. Or maybe it just doesn't feel right, and you can't quite put your finger on why. Either way, it's a hard thing to fix once you've signed the papers and unpacked the boxes.

So before you fall completely in love with a house, make sure you're also feeling good about where it's located. A little extra effort up front can save you from a lot of frustration later. Taking the time to really explore the area—not just th...

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When buyers and sellers already know each other—whether it's a close friend, a cousin, or your sister's college roommate's stepdad—it might seem like there's no need for a real estate agent. No marketing, no strangers, no need to impress anyone…what could go wrong?

Well, actually—kind of a lot.

Even the friendliest transactions can get tricky, emotional, or legally murky. That's where having a real estate agent on board can make all the difference. Here's why hiring a pro is still a smart move, even when the deal stays in the family.

1) Ensures the Price Makes Sense

Even if you're offering a "family discount" or trying to make the deal work for someone you care about, it's important to understand what the property is actually worth. Your real estate agent can provide up-to-date market data and comparable sales so the price makes sense—so no one ends up overpaying or underselling without realizing it.

2) Prevents Awkward Money Conversations

Negotiating directly with someone you care about can get… tense. Should you knock a little off the price because it's family? Is asking for repairs too much? A real estate agent can handle those conversations professionally—so you don't have to haggle with your sister over price, repairs, or who pays for what. It keeps the transaction businesslike, and your relationship intact.

3) Offers a Buffer When Things Get Bumpy

If the inspection turns up issues or the appraisal comes in low, emotions can run high—especially when people already know each other. An agent helps manage the fallout, smooths over rough patches, and keeps the deal alive without anyone storming off. Family dinners are much more enjoyable when no one's secretly stewing about who got the better end of the deal.

4) They Have a Handle on All the Paperwork

The paperwork is no joke. It's more than just signing a napkin that says "Deal!" Agents handle everything from disclosures and contracts to amendments and inspection reports. They also make sure deadlines aren't missed, which can keep the deal from falling apart.

5) Manages the Timeline

Letting your brother-in-law "handle the timing" might work for barbecues, but not real estate transactions. Inspections, appraisals, financing milestones, and closing dates all come with deadlines. Real estate agents keep everything moving on schedule, making sure timelines are met, contingencies are cleared, and that everyone is doing what they're supposed to—so the deal doesn't fall apart.

6) Avoids Risky (and Expensive) DIY Mistakes

Even the friendliest, most straightforward deals come with a mountain of legal requirements—contracts, disclosures, timelines, and more. It's easy to miss something critical, like a form, a deadline, or a required disclosure. And in real estate, even small mistakes can lead to big (and costly) consequences.

7) Adds Professional Credibility

No offense to your uncle who "knows a lot about real estate," but experience matters. Lenders, title companies, attorneys—they all appreciate working with someone who knows the process. When a real estate agent is involved, it helps avoid the need to explain the process to someone unfamiliar with it, prevents misunderstandings, and helps the process run more smoothly.

8) Preserves the Relationship

At the end of the day, the goal isn't just to buy or sell a house. It's to do it without creating tension, resentment, or regrets. Real estate agents help protect the deal and the relationship, which is probably worth more than any amount of commission you'll pay them.

A recent article suggested an unconventional house-hunting tip for buyers: bring a dinner plate and a clothes hanger along when touring homes. The logic? Use the plate to check cabinet depth and the hanger to gauge closet space.

If you're wondering why a good old-fashioned tape measure wouldn't suffice, you're not alone. But at the same time, it's kind of practical…if you can get past the befuddled stare of your real estate agent as you walk up to the house looking like you're walking up to the register at HomeGoods.

Actually, come to think of it, that might spice up the whole homebuying process! And after all, a tape measure tells you dimensions, but it doesn't always tell you how something feels in a space. So why stop with plates and hangers?

Here are 6 other offbeat things you could bring on a home tour to help decide whether a house truly fits your life:

1) Your Phone Charger

We've all played the bedtime tug-of-war with a charger cord that's juuust a few inches too short. So bring your actual charger to a showing, plug it in, and do a little test run to see if it can reach your bed from the nearest outlet. Will you be able to doom-scroll comfortably, or are you in for nightly cable gymnastics?

2) Your Laundry Basket

Laundry isn't fun to begin with, so the last thing you want is to deal with a hallway or stairwell that feels like a full-contact sport every time you do laundry. Carry it around with you as you tour the home to make sure it fits around corners and staircases. See how many times you need to adjust the way you're holding it in order to avoid scraping your knuckles on the wall.

3) Your Roomba

If you own a Roomba, you know the struggle. It can easily get stuck in a corner, trapped behind furniture, or—worst of all—find a cliff to jump off of like a lemming. If you're eyeing a home with open staircases, high thresholds, or tricky floor layouts, bring your trusty Roomba and see how it handles the terrain.

If your trusty robot vacuum gets stuck under a cabinet lip, trapped between chair legs, or nearly takes a tumble down the stairs, you've just uncovered a few quirks that no floor plan would warn you about.

4) Your Average Dirty Dish Stack

Do they all fit in the sink? If not, how do they look on the surrounding counter area?

Let's face it, no one has a perfectly tidy kitchen all the time. So, it's worth testing whether your usual post-dinner chaos can fit entirely in the sink. Bring your dirty dish stack (or just simulate it with a few clean ones if you think that's a bit over the top) to see how much space is actually available for your typical everyday mess.

5) The Bulk Toilet Paper or Paper Towels You Buy

Buying in bulk is a great way to save money, but finding a place to plop them once you get them home can be quite the challenge. Before you commit to a new home, make sure your bulk TP or paper towels have somewhere to live. And if there isn't room for one of those bad boys, what're you gonna do if there's another pandemic?!

6) Your Bathroom Caddy or Shower Products

Those sleek built-in ledges look nice… until your shampoo bottle does a swan dive every morning. Bring your actual shower setup or caddy and do a little staging in the tub. Can everything sit securely? Is there a spot for your razor, loofah, or absurdly tall conditioner bottle? Or are you going to need suction cups and a prayer?