Kate Valor's Blog Posts

Have you ever wondered what a day in the life of a Canton, GA realtor actually looks like? Being a realtor isn’t just about showing homes—it’s about balancing client needs, market

How to Find the Right Home in a Low Inventory Market: Proven Buyer StrategiesWhen buyers tell me, “Ugh. Why can’t we find the right house?”—I completely understand the

It’s one of the hardest parts of selling a home: watching your listing sit on the market without offers. If this has happened to you, you’re not alone—it happens more often than&

The Best Game Day Snack Recipes for Football Season in Canton, GAWe’re coming up on the best time of the year: football season.There’s something nostalgic, energizing, and downright cozy

Saying Goodbye to Summer in Canton, GA: My End-of-Summer ItineraryThe hardest words I’ll say all year? “Bye, summer.”It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to this season

The Biggest Risk in Real Estate Investing—and How to Avoid ItWhen it comes to real estate investing, the riskiest thing is simple: the possibility that your deal flops. A property that doesn

The Ultimate Canton, GA Bucket List: Local Gems You Don’t Want to MissLiving in Canton, GA is already an incredible experience. Between the charm of downtown, the friendly community, and the

Didn’t Buy a Home Last Year? You’re Not Behind—Here’s How to Get Back on TrackIf buying a home was on your to-do list last year and it didn’t happen, take a deep breath

House Hunting Tip: Don’t Let the Rush Steal the Right OneHouse hunting is exciting—but let’s be real, it can also feel like a whirlwind. When you’ve got a packed day of back

If you're wondering whether now is the right time to buy a home, you're not alone. With real estate headlines constantly shifting — from rising interest rates to fluctuating home prices ;

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’re probably focused on big-ticket upgrades like kitchen remodels or fresh exterior paint. But what many homeowners don’t realize is

Selling a home in today’s competitive real estate market requires strategic planning and smart improvements that can maximize your property’s value. Whether you’re a first-time

The real estate market in 2025 is evolving rapidly, driven by changing buyer preferences, technology advancements, and economic shifts. Whether you’re planning to buy a home, sell your,

With mortgage rates fluctuating, housing inventory shifting, and national headlines shouting mixed messages, many are left wondering: Is 2025 a good time to buy a house? Whether you're a

Thinking about selling your home in 2025? Whether you’re in a hot seller’s market or more balanced conditions, maximizing your home’s value is key to getting top dollar and selling

Embarking on the journey to homeownership is an exciting adventure, but for many first-time buyers, the prospect of saving for a down payment can seem like a daunting task. Fear not! With careful

Real estate agent holding a for sale sign in front of a houseSelling a home is a significant financial transaction, and for many, it’s one of the most substantial investments they’ll.

Embarking on the journey to homeownership is a significant milestone—one that marks the transition from renting to establishing a place to call your own. Deciding when it's time to make this

Life is a journey, and just as our paths evolve, so do our living situations. Whether it's for a fresh start, career opportunities, or a change in lifestyle, there comes a time when the signs

As winter begins to creep in and cool things off, it's time to shift your focus to home maintenance projects that ensure your living space remains warm, cozy, and well-protected during the colder

If you’re not finding the right home that you’re looking for while looking online, it can be tempting to consider building as a good backup option. But is it really a good idea? As with

In the world of real estate, the ebb and flow of interest rates can create ripples of hesitation among potential homebuyers. When rates are high, the prospect of entering the housing market may seem

What does it take to buy a home? To help you embark on this exciting journey, understanding the diverse range of home loan options available in Georgia is crucial. In this article, we'll explore the

While Georgia may not be synonymous with winter wonderlands, the state's colder months offer a unique and enchanting charm. From festive holiday celebrations to outdoor adventures in crisp air,

Buying a home is a significant milestone, marking the beginning of a new chapter filled with memories and experiences. If you're looking for the perfect gift for someone who just took this big step,

As the holiday season approaches, the idea of diving into the real estate market might not be the first thing on everyone's wish list. However, the holidays can be an opportune time to turn dreams

Are you considering redoing your bathroom? Doing so could be drastically increase your home’s value, but this will only happen if you do it right! Make sure that you consider these items

Even in a seller’s market, you still want to do everything you can to get top dollar for your home. But when it comes to selling a house that’s empty, you might need to pull out a few

To rent or to buy… that is the question. Or is it? What really is going to keep the most money in your pocket in an economy where most people feel like they’re overpaying to live

We’ve all seen the shows: Fixer Upper, Flip or Flop, Love it Or List it, the list goes on forever. But what does it really take to flip a house beyond the magic of television? Are you up for

So, you’re ready to start making the big bucks? Trying to find out if the AirBnB market is your ticket to the big leagues? That’s AWESOME! Just make sure that you know what you’re

Closing is one of the most exciting parts of the whole real estate process because it means that you have finally reached the finish line. What does it take to make closing an easy process, though?

The term “preferred lender” gets thrown around a lot in real estate, but why is using your agent’s preferred lender actually important? After all, your personal bank already has

In a market moving so quickly that the typical length of due diligence has gone from 5-7 days to 3 if you’re lucky, you want to make sure that you’re making the most of every second. So,

There’s a lot to love about new construction—the chance to make your house exactly what you want and knowing that all systems will be brand new and issue-free are certainly two things

There’s nothing worse than losing a loved one except for having to handle that grief and also deal with all of the logistics that come with them passing away at the same time. After all, there

In a day and age where prices just keep going up and up, the word “Zestimate” has become a pretty commonly used word. “My Zestimate says that my home is now worth 120K more than

Moving is an exciting process, but there’s no denying that it can be stressful as well. In fact, in a poll conducted by OnePoll, it was ranked as the most stressful life event, even above

The market is incredibly competitive at the moment, causing buyers to waive or minimize the contingencies protecting their earnest money and allowing them to leave their contracts. So, with people

This week, we spoke with local real estate attorney, Matt Suber, at Lueder, Larkin, and Hunter, to get an idea of what exactly wire fraud is and what our clients need to do in order to protect

Closing day is a little like Christmas morning—you wake up, and you just know that it’s going to be an exciting, life-changing day! But, before you get caught up in that much-deserved

“How quickly will our house sell” is one of the questions we’re very used to answering in the real estate world, and while sometimes the true answer is, “I’m not 100%

One question you might want to ask yourself if you’re starting to get frustrated with your homebuying journey is: Am I seeing too many houses? After all, if you have a clear idea of what you

There are so many important parts of the homebuying process, and one of these parts is getting home insurance since doing so is required by your lender. Just like with any insurance process, you

We here at Homes By Valor are big fans of goal setting and vision boards because we believe that the first step to accomplishing your goals is to understand what it will take to get there and what

The last year has been a whirlwind of rapidly increasing home values and competitive offers, but one of the few saving graces has been the low interest rates. Is a low interest rate really worth

So, you're thinking about selling your home? WONDERFUL! You know what's not so wonderful, though? Sitting on the market for months on end when all of the comps you should have paid attention to sell

What does it take to find your dream home? Turns out that it's not as hard as you might think, as long as you have he right team, a clear understanding of what you are looking for, and a healthy

Showings are one of the most exciting parts of the home buying process, but it’s so important to make sure that you look at a home wholistically when you visit it, not just get taken in by

Considered king under cash by many agents, a conventional loan typically gives buyers an advantage. But why? What is it about this loan type that usually makes it a better option than other types of

The home buying process should be one fo the most exciting and financially fulfilling of your life, but if you're not careful, you can run into some serious trouble. Make sure you stay out of that

Earnest money is one of the words that gets thrown around a ton in real estate, but some people don’t understand exactly what the process looks like. Here at Homes By Valor, we’re all

Staging is a vital part of the listing process, and decluttering is the first step to staging in many homes. After all, the way we live in a house is not the same way we sell it. There’s

In a quickly-moving, competitive market like today’s, one of the most frequent questions we get is--- “How do we make our offer competitive?” quickly followed by, “What can