Mortgage rates still remain elevated although on a long-term time frame these rates are within line of the averages.  With home prices remaining elevated home buyers are sitting back in some markets and waiting for lower rates or lower prices.  The economy still continues to move along but with some bumps in the road from tariffs and unemployment.  Check out this months great real estate reads from March 2025.

Smart Home Technology For Today’s Homes

Paul Sian provides an overview of various smart home technologies and automation solutions designed to enhance safety, convenience, energy efficiency, and resale value. Smart home systems include security features such as video doorbells and cameras, smart locks, and motion-activated sensors. Energy-efficient devices, including programmable thermostats and smart lights, can help conserve resources and reduce utility costs. Voice assistants and smart hubs enable centralized control over connected devices, while smart kitchen appliances and entertainment systems further enhance home convenience. Incorporating these technologies into a home can improve the quality of life for its occupants and boost the property’s appeal to prospective buyers.

Get Home Ready to Sell!

In this great read from Luke Skar he provides an article about preparing a house for sale and note that involves several essential steps to boost its appeal and value in a competitive market. He suggests starting by decluttering, cleaning, and depersonalizing the space, followed by minor repairs, neutral paint colors, and updates to appliances and fixtures. In addition, by maximizing living space, enhancing lighting, and sprucing up the outdoors for added appeal home buyers will be thoroughly impressed. By pricing strategically, hiring out professional photography, and choosing the right real estate agent to help sell your home at the best possible price success is right around the corner.

Smart Tips for Home Lighting

In this article by Karen Highland she highlights the importance of proper lighting in interior design and offers practical tips for creating the perfect ambiance in any room. She emphasizes how lighting influences a room’s perceived size and atmosphere, and offers guidance on selecting fixtures, bulbs, and dimmers. Recommendations include using layered lighting, strategically positioning lights, and maximizing natural light to enhance a room’s brightness and depth. The article also highlights different lighting types like ambient, task, and accent, while stressing the importance of considering color temperature, energy efficiency, and lamp shades in achieving the desired mood.

Home Seller Mistakes to Avoid

Michelle Gibson highlights several common mistakes sellers make during home showings and offers valuable tips to ensure a successful sale. Some pitfalls to avoid include being present during showings, not properly staging the home, ignoring necessary repairs, leaving pets in the house, and not paying attention to lighting and temperature. Sellers can enhance their property’s appeal by making minor upgrades, cleaning thoroughly, and keeping personal items and clutter out of sight. Additionally, offering easy access to showings and being receptive to feedback can help make the process more efficient and successful.

Working with the Right Agent

Erica Zepp emphasizes the importance of choosing the right real estate agent when buying or selling a home. She highlights key factors to consider, such as local market expertise, negotiation skills, marketing strategies, and communication styles. Working with an experienced and professional agent who understands clients’ needs and preferences can lead to a smoother and more successful transaction. By thoroughly researching and interviewing potential agents, clients can ensure a more satisfying real estate experience and achieve their property goals.

Comparable Property Appraisal Tips

Tom Horn offers real estate agents a concise set of guidelines to follow when selecting comparable properties for appraisals. These guidelines include focusing on sales within a mile of the subject property and within the last three to six months, using similar property styles, and considering square footage, bedroom and bathroom counts, and lot sizes. Additionally, he article recommends avoiding comparables that are drastically different in size, significantly renovated, or in a different school district. Following these guidelines will ensure accurate appraisals, provide better service to clients, and help agents build strong relationships with appraisers.

Check out this other great roundup at Bill Gassett’s website MassRealEstateNews.com.  Feel free to share any great real estate reads you have found below.

Real Estate Roundup for March 2025 was provided by Greater Cincinnati Area Luxury Realtor Paul Sian of United Real Estate Home Connections. Paul is a licensed real estate agent in the states of Ohio and Kentucky and has over 17 years of experience. Do you have a home you are ready to sell now in Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky? Be sure to contact me now!