By: Claire WentzFor homeowners considering downsizing, the hardest part often isn’t the move, it’s the tension between wanting more breathing room and feeling attached to a home that
Van Braun's Blog Posts
Image via FreepikBy: Claire WentzIf your investment property feels like it’s collecting more dust than interest, it might be time to stop thinking like a landlord and start thinking like a
By: Claire WentzMidlife isn’t a crisis—it’s a recalibration. You’ve lived enough to know what drains you and what energizes you. That clarity? That’s power. And
Image via PexelsBy: Claire WentzModern buyers often carry a specific image in their minds when shopping for a home: light-filled rooms, fresh finishes, and practical efficiency. If your property is
Photo via PexelsBy: Claire WentzMoving to a new city isn't just about changing your address. It’s about reshaping your routine, rethinking your habits, and renegotiating your identity. You
Image via FreepikBy: Claire WentzYou bought at the right time. Maybe it was 2020, maybe it was 2021. Mortgage rates were flirting with historic lows—somewhere in the high twos or low threes if
By Van BraunThe housing market in Fenton, MI continues to show dynamic trends as we move into March 2025. Here's a snapshot of the current market conditions:Market OverviewMedian Home Price:
By Van BraunThe Fenton housing market continues to evolve, offering unique opportunities for both buyers and sellers. As your trusted local real estate expert, Van Braun from American
Image: FreepikBy: Claire WentzRelocating for a new job often feels like embarking on a thrilling adventure while juggling a complex puzzle. The promise of new opportunities and personal growth
Image via Pexels By: Claire WentzAs your home-based business expands, upsizing your home becomes a practical consideration to support your growth and enhance operational efficiency. This
Image: FreepikBy: Claire WentzMoving to a small town from a bustling metropolis is a significant lifestyle change that promises a unique blend of challenges and rewards. Understanding the
Photo via FreepikBy: Claire WentzIt seems that every year our homes are getting smarter. Smart devices and home automation can certainly make our lives easier and more comfortable, but what impact
Image via Freepik By: Clair WentzNavigating the path back to college as an adult can be a complex journey, especially when it comes to funding your education. An innovative approach to this
Image via PexelsBy Claire WentzThe homebuying and selling process can be an exciting yet daunting experience. One of the most challenging aspects is keeping up with the mountains of paperwork that
By Van BraunThere are a lot of major factors people consider when buying a particular home, like size, location, or, for buyers who have children, the school district. But sometimes, it’s
By Van BraunThe real estate market is constantly changing; trying to sell your Brighton home in 2024 could be completely different from the selling experience in 2023.So, the question is, if&
By Van BraunHistorically, spring is the most popular time to sell a home. But 2023 was an extremely challenging year in real estate, and now that the market’s changing, it may be a better
By Van BraunIf you’re a Baby Boomer, there’s a good chance you own a house that people in younger generations would love for you to sell, but there’s also a good chance that
Image: PexelsBy Claire WentzStarting anew in a different city after facing a challenging period can be a transformative journey. It offers a unique opportunity to redefine who you are and rewrite
By Van BraunAmerican Associates RealtorsIf you’ve ever heard real estate agents promoting the benefits of homeownership over renting, you may have thought they were doing it because they
By Van BraunAccording to a recent study, the average person’s home is only completely clean 11 days per year! It also revealed that the definition of “completely” is a bit
By Van BraunIf you’ve been searching for a house for any amount of time, you’re probably well aware of how important it is to get a mortgage pre-approval before you even start looking at
By Van BraunIf you’d like to buy a Fenton home, but feel like it’s just not something you can actually do, there’s two things you should know. One — you’re not alone.
By Van BraunIf you’ve been hoping to buy a home, you’re probably well aware that prices (and competition) for places to live have both been steep for quite some time in many areas. And
Photo by UnsplashBy Claire WentzBuying a home is one of the most significant investments you will make in your lifetime. It's more than just purchasing a piece of property, it's about creating a
By Van BraunYou were approved for a mortgage. You put in an offer on your dream home, and it was accepted. You’re just weeks (or days!) away from closing.You’re in the clear, right.
By Van BraunBuying a house is never easy for younger generations, no matter what decade it is. Home prices always seem too steep, mortgage rates too high, and their incomes too low to be able to
Image via PexelsBy Claire WentzThe allure of sustainable living and the desire for self-sufficiency have prompted many people to explore the path of small-scale farming. However, turning your farm
Image via PexelsBy Claire WentzAre you planning to move to a new space where you can run your business or start a new venture? Relocating can be an exciting experience, but it can also be
Image via PixabayBy Claire WentzWhen it’s time to sell your home, it’s not enough to simply stick a sign in the front yard. Ask any realtor and they will tell you that it takes hard,
By Van BraunThe spring real estate market isn’t necessarily the best time to sell your house; you can get your Brighton house sold quickly and for top dollar at almost any
By Van BraunSaving for a down payment can be one of the biggest hurdles on the road to homeownership. And once you have that down payment set aside, you might think that you have all the cash you
By Van BraunThe price for most basic needs inevitably goes up over time. For instance, a loaf of bread cost a mere nickel decades ago, but now it’s usually going to cost you a few bucks, but
By Van BraunThere are a lot of reasons for being self-employed, but one of the biggest is to have control over how much money you earn, and ideally to make a lot of it. But there’s not always
By Van BraunIt may not feel or look like spring in many areas yet, but as of Monday March 20th, it’s here! So does that mean the spring real estate market officially begins that day as well?
By Van BraunYears ago it was common for children to move out and get a place of their own right after they turned 18, or maybe around 22 if they went to college. But times (and costs) have certainly
By Van BraunNo matter how much buying a Fenton house makes sense for your long-term financial well-being, buying your first house can often just seem expensive and totally out of reach. That leads
By Van BraunWhen it comes to buying a Fenton home, there are a variety of properties you could purchase. And that includes condominiums—more commonly known as condos.In the right situation, a
Image via PexelsBy Claire WentzFor help making your best move, contact American Associates REALTORS today!The housing market is booming. CNN reports that prices rose over 20% between 2021 and 2022.
Photo via PexelsBy Claire WentzDuring the excitement of buying a house, you had to wade through a mountain of paperwork and consider multiple factors over weeks or months. You may have pushed aside
Image via PexelsBy Claire WentzRenovating your home is a big undertaking. Whether you’re looking to spruce up an outdated kitchen or add an extra bedroom, it’s important to understand
By Claire WentzA growing business is a good thing, but when you manage your operations remotely, the home office can’t always keep up with progress. In this case, it can make sense to upsize
By Van BraunThere are a few different scenarios for homeowners that are struggling to make their mortgage payments or are “underwater” on their homes (and owe more than what it’s
By Van BraunWhen you list your Linden home, it’s important to describe the property accurately—and that includes accurately describing your bathrooms.But while you’ll have no
By Van BraunKitchen renovations can be expensive. But while there are some kitchen renovation projects that are worth the money (and will allow you to recoup costs when you sell), other projects?
By Van BraunAccording to this Housing Wire article, 75% of people recently polled by Fannie Mae felt pessimistic about the real estate market, and that it’s not a good time to buy a.
By Van BraunIf you’re selling your Howell home, chances are, the Howell buyers are going to get your home inspected.So, the question is, as a homeowner, what steps can you take to ensure that
By Van BraunAlmost 25% of Millennials (ages 26-41) claim they plan on renting forever according to this Apartment List article. That’s nearly double the amount since they started their
Article Written By: Claire WentzBuying a new home is an exciting time, but it can be a frustrating one as well. You might find what you believe is your dream home only to discover that it needs a
By Van BraunThere are a lot of reasons why you might want to sell your Brighton house. Maybe you want a bigger one. Or perhaps you’d rather downsize to something smaller. Moving closer to work
By Van BraunHaving a large down payment can make it easier to buy a home. But if your savings account isn’t where you’d like it to be, that doesn’t mean you can’t come up
By Van BraunWhen it comes to real estate, not all sales are created equal—and if you’re planning to sell a Fenton condo, there are tips and tricks you’ll want to use to make the
By Van BraunConsidering everything you’re thinking, feeling, and dealing with when going through a divorce, one of the last things you want to think about is selling your house. It’s a
By Van BraunSummer is in full swing and that means many people are spending more time enjoying their outdoor space.But if you feel like your Brighton backyard, patio, or deck is lacking, we have
By Van BraunIf you’re planning on buying Linden a home, it’s important to understand what’s going on in the real estate market. But with so much happening, it can be challenging to
By Van BraunWhen you’re buying a Brighton home, you want to avoid any mistakes—particularly mistakes that could prevent you from successfully purchasing your dream home. And if
By Van BraunIf you’ve been thinking about selling your Fenton house, you’ve probably heard that the market’s cooling off, or “resetting” (as Federal Reserve Chairman,
By Van BraunIt doesn’t matter if it’s a sellers’ market or one that’s more in favor of buyers; if a Fenton house is desirable and priced appropriately, the chances are you
By Van BraunThinking about buying a Fenton home, but concerned that your credit score isn’t where it needs to be? Not to worry; there are steps you can take to increase your credit score prior
By Van BraunThere’s a lot going on in the United States economy, and that can directly influence the housing market.So, what does the current economic climate in the US mean for the Brighton
By Van BraunPainting is a project that many homeowners feel comfortable doing themselves. But that sentiment often changes when the project involves getting rid of dark walls and covering them with
By Van BraunGetting an offer accepted can be an exciting experience. But, in most cases, your Linden home purchase isn’t a done deal just yet; before you close, you’ll need to get
By Van BraunWe’re in the midst of a huge demand for homes—and that demand translates to sellers fetching higher prices for their Fenton and Linden homes.According to data from real
By Van BraunAre you preparing to sell your Howell house? Well, hold on a second before counting all that money you intend to make from the sale. It may in fact cost you much more to sell your house
By Van BraunPeople say a lot of things about selling a home in today’s market. But unfortunately, some of it isn’t true—and buying into those myths can have a negative impact on
By Van BraunYou know that before listing and trying to sell your Brighton house, you’ll have to make some fixes and possibly some upgrades. But where do you start and what, exactly should you
Download Your Copy Of “The Ultimate Home Seller’s Guide” https://van.bestrealestateblog.com/pdf/ultimate-home-sellers-guide/382First and foremost, I’m really looking
By Van BraunIf you’ve been thinking about selling your Milford house and have been hesitating or simply waiting, you may want to start thinking about how you’ll feel if you miss out on
IDX provided courtesy of Realcomp II Ltd., via American Associates REALTORS and The Originating MLS(found above), © 2026 Realcomp II Ltd. Shareholders. The information being provided is for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing.
