by Kathy Kohler | May 25, 2026 | Buyer Tips
First-Time Home Buyer Q&ASimple suggestions before starting your home search. Buying your first home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. The goal is not to find a perfect house – it is to find a smart first home that fits your budget, your lifestyle,...
by Kathy Kohler | May 22, 2026 | Buyer Tips, Professional Services, Selling Tips
Source: MRED & Zillow Listing Data Update Simple explanation for buyers and sellers Bottom line: This does NOT stop homes from being listed, shown, marketed, or sold. What happened? Midwest Real Estate Data (MRED) announced that it suspended Zillow Group’s access...
by Kathy Kohler | May 7, 2026 | Buyer Tips, Selling Tips, What is Tips
What does “contingent” mean in real estate? A contingent home sale means a seller has accepted a buyer’s offer, but the sale is not final yet. Certain conditions, called real estate contingencies, must be met before the home can close. In simple terms, the home is...
by Kathy Kohler | Sep 7, 2021 | Buyer Tips, Financial
Prequalified vs. Preapproved: What’s the Difference? The difference between preapproval and prequalification can depend on the creditor and the type of loan or credit card—some creditors may even use the terms interchangeably. In either case, a creditor has done an...
by Kathy Kohler | Oct 22, 2020 | Buyer Tips, Selling Tips
Contingencies are a common occurrence in real estate transactions. They simply mean the sale and purchase of a house will only happen if certain conditions are met. The offer is made and accepted, but either party can bow out if those conditions aren’t satisfied. Most...
by Kathy Kohler | Sep 27, 2019 | Buyer Tips
Here’s a checklist of things to remember to get ready to buy a home. Check your credit score Do not pass “Go,” do not start browsing homes until you have checked your credit score. This is the number that mortgage lenders will look at to determine...
