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Is Airbnb Over: A Look at the Short-Term Rental In...

The short-term rental: a furnished and self-contained housing unit rented for a short period (less than 30 days), has exploded in popularity in recent years; even the pandemic couldn’t slow its growth. However, recently, the topic of the sustainability and longevity of this industry has emerged. In fact, a hashtag about the phenomenon has been created – #Airbnbust.  The company most synonymous with short-term rentals is Airbnb. A site where homeowners can put a property online to rent on a short-term basis, even just a night. Originally started as a way to make rent in the expensive San Francisco, the...
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Accessory Dwelling Units – The Solution to a...

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit? An Accessory dwelling unit or ADU is a secondary housing unit on a single-family residential lot. There are different types of ADUs, with most falling under the following categories: 1) Detached ADU  2) Garage/Shed Conversion ADU 3) ADU Above Secondary Structure  4) Attached ADU 5) Basement Conversion ADU 6) Internal ADU Although there can be many different types of ADUs, they have some similarities. These include aspects like. . . Being an accessory to another housing unit Being significantly smaller than a standard U.S. home Differing zoning regulations to a standard home    Drawbacks...
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5 Ways Trees Benefit Homeowners

Trees are an integral part of the environment, providing habitat, cover, cooling effect, and oxygen. However, did you also know that trees benefit homeowners who plant them in their yards? The following 5 points are reasons why homeowners should consider planting another tree, or two, in their yards.  1) Increased Property Value  Landscaping is a large part of curb appeal, and trees can be a large part of landscaping. They’ve been found to have an impact on property value, with mature trees adding to a property’s value (the percentage can vary from 2 to 15% depending on other factors). The study...
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Real Estate Wire Fraud: Unfortunate Reality in the...

Real estate is not immune to scams; one that has become more common is real estate wire fraud. This scam occurs when a scammer contacts a homebuyer through phishing, tricking them into wiring cash to a fake account. This is a complex scam, with well-developed conversations to convince homebuyers to trust them as valid entities.  Unfortunately, it’s one of the most prevalent cybercrimes in the United States, with over 13,000 people falling victim to it in 2020, a 17% increase from 2019. The highest reported came in the form of emails, with hackers forging emails and other information to assume...
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