Navigating the real estate market can be tricky, but the right information makes all the difference. In this roundup, we’ve collected six of our most helpful blog posts, covering everything from home improvement tips and boosting curb appeal to understanding property records and avoiding common pitfalls.

Each article offers practical advice and expert insights to help you make informed decisions, whether you’re buying, selling, or maintaining a home.

What Sellers Overlook When Preparing for the Move

Real Estate October 2025

Many homeowners focus on staging and packing when preparing to move, but overlook key details that can complicate their transition. In her article “What Sellers Overlook When Preparing for the Move,” Karen Highland highlights the smaller, often forgotten steps that make a big difference—such as addressing repairs, organizing documents, arranging storage, and scheduling early.

She emphasizes that selling a home isn’t just about the sale itself but about managing the move strategically to avoid stress and last-minute surprises. By staying proactive, homeowners can simplify their relocation, maintain buyer confidence, and ensure a smooth handoff to the next owner.

The article offers practical, step-by-step advice on common problem areas. Sellers are encouraged to start decluttering well before packing, handle minor repairs before listing, and keep essential paperwork easily accessible. Having a home sales checklist can ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Highland also discusses the importance of having a storage plan and setting a realistic moving timeline to prevent last-minute chaos. Her advice centers on foresight and organization—recognizing that a successful move depends less on luck and more on preparation.

By thinking ahead, sellers can shift their focus from scrambling to enjoying the excitement of starting fresh in their new home.

Understanding How to Make an Offer on a Home

In his detailed guide on the homebuying process, Luke Skar explains the steps every buyer should understand before making an offer on a property. The article walks readers through pre-approval, budgeting, offer strategies, contingencies, and negotiation tactics, offering insight into how each decision shapes the success of a transaction.

Skar emphasizes preparation—knowing your budget, securing financing early, and understanding the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval. Also, understanding the documents needed for approval can be essential.

He also explores how buyers can strengthen their offers through strategies like escalation clauses, flexible timelines, and carefully chosen contingencies. Each recommendation focuses on reducing stress and helping buyers feel confident in a complex process.

Skar’s breakdown continues beyond the initial offer, outlining what happens once an offer is accepted. He discusses inspections, appraisals, and the underwriting process in a practical, easy-to-follow timeline.

The article also covers potential deal breakers—such as title issues or inspection problems—and highlights post-closing steps like transferring utilities and finalizing title records. Readers gain a realistic view of what to expect, from earnest money deposits to counteroffer negotiations and electronic document handling.

By demystifying each stage, Skar empowers homebuyers to make informed decisions, manage risks, and move forward with clarity and confidence during one of life’s biggest financial commitments.

Helpful Advice for First-Time Homebuyers

In his article on essential homebuying tips, Paul Sian provides a comprehensive roadmap for those purchasing a home for the first time. He emphasizes preparation—starting with mortgage pre-approval, setting a realistic budget, and understanding long-term financial obligations beyond the mortgage payment.

Sian explains that new buyers often focus only on the principal and interest, overlooking taxes, insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance costs that can add up over time.

His guidance encourages buyers to borrow within their means and to plan for repairs and unexpected expenses, ensuring their home remains a stable investment rather than a financial burden.

The article also explores the importance of working with qualified professionals throughout the process. Sian outlines the role of real estate agents, inspectors, appraisers, and title companies, explaining how each contributes to a secure transaction.

He offers practical advice on signing buyer representation agreements, scheduling inspections promptly, and understanding contingencies in a purchase contract. The inclusion of real-world insights—such as how to compare title company fees or prepare for an appraisal—makes the article especially valuable for first-time buyers.

Sian concludes with a reminder that preparation and patience are key, echoing the idea that success in homeownership begins with thoughtful planning and informed decisions.

Evaluating Home Value Before You Buy — An Appraiser’s Perspective

Tom Horn’s article, The Appraiser’s Guide to Evaluating Home Value Before You Buy, offers a clear, practical explanation of how appraisers determine what makes a property valuable — and how buyers can use that knowledge to make smarter choices. He begins by emphasizing that emotional appeal shouldn’t drive a purchase decision.

Instead, understanding measurable factors like square footage, layout, condition, and location helps buyers avoid overpaying and choose homes that retain value over time. Horn’s message is straightforward: lasting value comes from informed decisions, not just aesthetics.

The article walks through ten key factors appraisers analyze when assessing value. These include Gross Living Area (GLA), floor plan functionality, and external influences such as proximity to roads or commercial zones.

Horn explains the principle of regression and progression — how being the largest or smallest home in a neighborhood can affect resale value.

He also highlights practical considerations, like how privacy, lot usability, and neighborhood stability impact long-term appreciation. Each section includes an “appraiser’s tip,” helping readers think like professionals during their search.

27 Things That Make Your Home Look Outdated — and Simple Fixes

In her article 27 Things That Make Your Home Look Outdated (and Fixes), Michelle Gibson highlights how small design choices can make a home appear stuck in the past — and how affordable updates can instantly modernize its look.

Gibson explains that elements like brass light fixtures, heavy drapes, or old carpeting often signal an older home, even when the structure itself is in good shape. Her approach focuses on cost-effective improvements that create a fresh, inviting feel without the need for a major renovation.

The guide divides updates into two sections: **interior** and **exterior**. Inside the home, Gibson points to twenty easy fixes — from replacing outdated lighting and hardware to refreshing walls and flooring.

She emphasizes details like door handles, outlet covers, and vent registers, noting that even small updates can make a noticeable difference. The advice is practical and actionable, encouraging homeowners to prioritize lighting, neutral colors, and clean finishes to make spaces feel larger and more contemporary.

The article also covers seven simple exterior updates to enhance curb appeal. Gibson suggests replacing worn house numbers, dated mailboxes, and old light fixtures to improve a home’s first impression.

Other inexpensive fixes, such as repainting trim and refreshing landscaping, can dramatically increase visual appeal. Each suggestion is designed for accessibility — projects that most homeowners can complete on a weekend with modest expense.

In her closing thoughts, Gibson reminds readers that modernizing a home doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Instead, it’s about updating the small, visible details that signal care and style.

By focusing on lighting, hardware, paint, and landscaping, homeowners can make their spaces feel cleaner, brighter, and more welcoming — while adding lasting value for future buyers.

Transform Your Yard Into a Guest-Friendly Space

Harley Grandone outlines practical strategies for turning a yard into a welcoming space for guests. It emphasizes thoughtful planning, including creating a smooth flow between entertaining areas and designing distinct zones for dining, lounging, and activities.

Hardscaping, such as patios, decks, and pathways, provides structure and visual appeal, while flexible seating—both movable and built-in—encourages conversation and comfort. Seasonal considerations are important, with shade solutions for summer, heating options for colder months, and versatile plantings that provide year-round color, fragrance, and texture.

Additional features like outdoor kitchens, water elements, and container plants enhance usability and aesthetic charm.

Lighting and entertainment options further elevate the guest experience. Layered lighting—from path lights to string lights and firelight—creates ambiance while extending usable hours.

Dedicated activity zones for games, music, kids, or outdoor movie nights keep guests engaged, and year-round maintenance ensures the space remains inviting. Ultimately, combining design, comfort, and functionality not only creates a pleasant environment for gatherings but also boosts curb appeal and long-term home value.

Summing it Up

With these six blog posts, you now have a wealth of knowledge to guide your real estate journey. From practical tips on home maintenance and curb appeal to navigating records and avoiding costly mistakes, each article is designed to help you make confident, informed decisions. Use these insights to simplify the process and make your next move a success.

PREVIOUS REAL ESTATE ROUNDUPS

• Real Estate Roundup September 2025 – Did you miss last months roundup? Take a look at terrific buying and home selling tips.
• Real Estate Roundup August 2025 – see some of the helpful advice for buyers and sellers published in August.

Realtor Chris Highland with eXp Realty in Central Maryland has been helping people buy and sell residential real estate in and around Frederick, Maryland, for over 33 years. “We’re passionate about educating consumers about the ins and outs of residential real estate and the local market and equipping them with realistic expectations about buying and selling a home.”