About Ashley Billins

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So far Ashley Billins has created 112 blog entries.

Equity Is a Game Changer for Homeowners Looking To Sell

By |2023-08-17T12:00:42-05:00August 15, 2023|Real Estate|

If you’re a homeowner, you might be torn on whether or not to sell your house right now. Maybe that’s because you don’t want to take on a higher mortgage rate on your next home. If that’s your biggest hurdle, understanding your equity may be exactly what you need to help you feel more comfortable making your move. What Equity Is and How It Works Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. And recently, that equity has been growing far faster than you may expect. Over the last few years, home prices rose dramatically, and that gave your equity [...]

Mildew vs. Mold: What’s the Difference?

By |2023-08-17T14:49:43-05:00August 12, 2023|Real Estate|

Mildew and mold are two types of fungi that can grow in your home. They can both cause health problems, so it is important to know how to identify and prevent them. Mildew: Mildew is a type of fungus that grows on the surface of moist, warm areas. It is typically white, gray, or yellow and has a powdery appearance. Mildew can grow on a variety of surfaces, including walls, ceilings, furniture, and clothing. Mold: Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on both wet and dry surfaces. It is typically green, black, or brown and has a fuzzy [...]

Sellers: Don’t Let These Two Things Hold You Back

By |2023-08-02T08:00:17-05:00August 2, 2023|Real Estate|

Many homeowners thinking about selling have two key things holding them back. That’s feeling locked in by today’s higher mortgage rates and worrying they won’t be able to find something to buy while supply is so low. Let’s dive into each challenge and give you some helpful advice on how to overcome these obstacles. Challenge #1: The Reluctance to Take on a Higher Mortgage Rate According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the average interest rate for current homeowners with mortgages is less than 4% (see graph below): But today, the typical 30-year fixed mortgage rate offered to buyers is closer to 7%. As a result, many homeowners [...]

Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home

By |2023-07-27T17:14:11-05:00July 27, 2023|Real Estate|

While the wild ride that was the ‘unicorn’ years of housing is behind us, today’s market is still competitive in many areas because the supply of homes for sale is still low. If you’re looking to buy a home this season, know that the peak frenzy of bidding wars is in the rearview mirror, but you may still come up against some multiple-offer scenarios. Here are a few things to consider to help you put your best foot forward when making an offer on a home. 1. Lean on a Real Estate Professional Rely on an agent who can support your goals and help you understand [...]

Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth

By |2023-07-20T18:44:37-05:00July 20, 2023|Real Estate|

You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now. But, even today, there are lots of good reasons to become a homeowner. One of them is that owning a home is typically viewed as a good long-term investment that helps your net worth grow over time. Homeownership Builds Wealth Regardless of Income Level You may be surprised to learn homeowners across various income levels have a much higher net worth than renters who make the same amount. Data from First American helps illustrate this point (see graph below): What makes wealth so much higher for homeowners? A recent article from Realtor.com says: “Homeownership has [...]

What’s in Store? Decoding Mortgage Rate Trend Predictions

By |2023-12-01T12:17:32-06:00July 19, 2023|Real Estate Video|

In this brief video, I dive into the burning question everyone wants to know: "What's going to happen with mortgage rates?" While I can't predict the future, I'll share valuable insights from industry experts and tell you the advice I’m currently giving to my Austin, TX home buyers. My goal is to provide you with a clear understanding of the housing market, empowering you to make informed decisions whether you're a prospective home buyer or just curious about economic trends. If you have any questions or would like talk about real estate or your home buying and selling goals, please [...]

6 Brilliant Garage Storage Ideas

By |2023-07-17T11:32:48-05:00July 17, 2023|Real Estate|

Be honest: Does your garage look like a junkyard? Don’t be embarrassed if it does, you’re definitely not alone. While garages are something most people want as part of their house, a lot of the time, they end up becoming storage units for knickknacks, tools, gardening gear, and equipment that you don’t want inside your home over the years. And more often than not, over time they become more of a cluttered mess than a clean space to park your car. However, they don’t have to be. The trick is to invest in a few organizational products and DIYs. Use [...]

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