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Why a Permanent Mortgage Buydown Works Better Than a Price Reduction
When a home sits on the market, the first instinct is often to lower the price. While that can work, it is not always the smartest move. A permanent mortgage buydown offers another approach that can make a much bigger difference for buyers. Instead of cutting the price, the seller uses the same money to permanently buy down the buyer’s interest rate. That lower rate stays in place for the entire life of the loan. The result is a lower monthly payment, improved affordability,

Racheli Refael Smilovits
Dec 28, 20251 min read


1031 Exchange: How Investors Legally Defer Taxes and Build Wealth
The 1031 Exchange is a powerful strategy used by savvy real estate investors to grow wealth without paying capital gains taxes right away. When a client sells an investment property, the 1031 Exchange allows them to reinvest the proceeds into another property of equal or greater value. By deferring taxes, they preserve equity, leverage it for larger deals, and accelerate their path to building generational wealth. Understanding the 1031 Exchange is not just for investors — it

Racheli Refael Smilovits
Dec 21, 20251 min read


Why a Permanent Mortgage Buydown Can Be Better Than Lowering the Home Price
In today’s market, many sellers immediately think about lowering the price when a home is not getting enough attention. While that may seem like the easiest solution, it is not always the most effective one. A permanent mortgage buydown can often create a bigger impact using the same amount of money Instead of reducing the sales price, the seller applies those funds to permanently buy down the buyer’s interest rate. That lower rate stays in place for the entire life of the lo

Racheli Refael Smilovits
Dec 14, 20251 min read


Stagnant Listing? Get Buyers with 4.99 Percent Rates
Many real estate agents know the frustration of a listing that just will not move. You adjust the price, update the marketing, run new ads, yet the inquiries stay quiet. The usual fixes do not always solve the deeper issue, especially when buyers feel discouraged by rising interest rates. That is where a different strategy comes in. Instead of another price reduction, guide buyers into seeing how the home becomes affordable with a 4.99 percent interest rate for qualified appl

Racheli Refael Smilovits
Dec 7, 20251 min read


3 Types of Buyers I’ll Always Have a Soft Spot For
There are moments in this business that remind you why you started. Maybe it’s the excitement of a first-time homebuyer getting their keys,or the satisfaction of helping an investor turn vision into value.Or maybe it’s guiding a divorcing client toward a new beginning, bringing peace and stability to their family. Those are the moments that matter.The ones that make the long days worth it. For me, those three types of buyers—the dreamers, the visionaries, and the rebuilders—a

Racheli Refael Smilovits
Oct 19, 20251 min read


Stop Cutting Price. Start Cutting the Rate.
If your listing has been sitting on the MLS without much action, you might be tempted to reduce the price. But what if the price isn’t...

Racheli Refael Smilovits
Aug 23, 20251 min read


Fixed vs ARM Mortgage: what's the difference?
Buying a home? Let's talk mortgages! Fixed vs ARM Mortgage: what's the difference? Fixed Rate: This option offers stability with a...

Racheli Refael Smilovits
Jun 26, 20241 min read
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