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Home Sales About to Surge? This Winter Could Be a Record Breaking!

Real estate, like most industries, has a season where more homes are sold during a specific time of the year. The number of homes sold in the spring is almost always much greater than at any other time of the year. It’s called the spring buying season. Historically, the number of buyers and listings for sale significantly increase in the spring and remains strong throughout the summer. Once fall sets in, the number of buyers and sellers typically drops off. 

During 2020, however, that seasonality didn’t happen. The outbreak of Covid and subsequent slowing of the economy limited sales during the spring market. The home sales last fall and winter saw a dramatic increase in home sales over previous years. The only thing that held the market…

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Does Your House Have What Buyer's Want?

More remote work means a greater need for home offices 

The rise in remote work is changing what many American homeowners want in their homes. Many large companies are not reopening their offices and keeping their employees remote full-time, and so that means today’s buyers are looking for homes with more space to support their work needs. 

As a seller, if you no longer need the extra room you have in your home, there are buyers who want your extra space. 

Remote work remains a reality for many Americans. A recent poll from Garter, inc. This shows many organizations have not yet returned their offices: 

“. . . 66% of organizations are delaying reopening their offices due to new covid-19 variants.” 

And a…

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Win When You Sell (And When You Move)!

If you’re trying to decide when to sell your house, this winter may be your best chance.  Selling at this time means you can take advantage of today’s strong sellers’ market when you make a move. 

Win when you sell 

Right now, conditions are extremely favorable for current homeowners looking for a change. If you sell now, here’s what you can expect: 

Your house will stand out – while recent data shows inventory may increase this coming winter, there are still more buyers in the market than there are homes for sale. If you sell your house now before more houses are listed, it will get more attention from serious buyers who are eager to find a home. 

Your house will likely get multiple offers, buyers have to…

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Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional [Infographic]

Choosing the right real estate professional to work with is one of the most important decisions you can make when buying or selling property. The right agent can explain current market conditions and present your best courses of action. If you’re considering buying or selling a home soon, contact us for answers to all of your questions about pricing, contracts, negotiations, and more.

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Housing Market Predictions for End of Year 2021 and 2022

 While 2021 had its moments of turbulence, the real estate market exceeded expectations and broke records along the way. 

So the question is: will the 2022 housing market continue to follow the same trajectory, or are we facing a possible downturn? 

Let’s see what leading real estate experts are projecting for the final quarter of 2021 and what to expect in 2022 so you will be prepared if you make any real estate changes in 2022. 

HOUSING MARKET FORECAST 

Here’s what experts are saying about what’s going to happen with real estate for the rest of 2021: 

• Interest rates are rising but projected to stay low 

• One of the biggest drivers for 2021’s booming real estate market was record-low mortgage…

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Multigenerational Housing Is Gaining Momentum [Infographic]

If your house is feeling a little cramped with the addition of adult children or aging parents, it might be time to consider a move-up into a multigenerational home that better suits your changing needs.

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How Smart Buyers Are Approaching Rising Mortgage Rates

If you’re thinking of buying a home, here are a few things to keep in mind even as mortgage rates rise. 

The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022: 

“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2021. We forecast mortgage rates to increase slightly through the remainder of the year and reach 3.0%, rising to 3.5% for full-year 2022.” 

Taking Time Off Can Be Costly 

Mortgage rates play a significant role in your home search.  And even the smallest increase can have a large impact on your monthly payment (see chart below): 

Instead of waiting and hoping rates will fall,…

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The Power of Mortgage Pre-Approval [INFOGRAPHIC]

Mortgage pre-approval means a lender has reviewed your finances and, based on factors like your income, debt, and credit history, determined how much you’re qualified to borrow.  Being pre-approved for a loan can give you clarity while planning your homebuying budget, confidence in your ability to secure a loan, and a competitive edge in a bidding war.  In today’s market, connecting with a lender to get pre-approved may be the game-changer that helps you secure your dream home.

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Is It Time to Move to Your New Home?

How long have you been in your current home?  If you have been in your home for more than five years, you are like many other people across the country.

According to the management company, First American, homeowners are staying longer in their homes than usual.

As the graph shows, before 2008, homeowners sold their houses after an average of just five years. Today, that number has doubled to ten years. The housing industry refers to this as your tenure.  To understand tenure, it is helpful to find out what drives a person to sell their home.

An article from real estate magazine, The Balance, further explains.  

“People who move for home-related reasons might need a larger home or a house that better fits their needs.  Financial…

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How to Think Strategically as a Buyer in Today's Market

The homebuying process, like chess, requires strategy and planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your plan is as strong as possible when you begin your home search. 

Pre-approval: the best opening play to make as a homebuyer 

It’s important to have a great opening play when you’re buying a home. And the best move you can make when you begin your home search is getting pre-approved by a lender. You’ve probably already heard this is an important step but what exactly is pre-approval and what benefits does it provide you? 

As Freddie Mac puts it: 

“The pre-approval letter from your lender tells you the maximum amount you are qualified to borrow. Getting a pre-approval letter is not a loan…

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