Did the frequency and intensity of bidding wars over the past two years make you put your home search on hold? If so, you should know the hyper competitive market has cooled as buyer demand has moderated and housing supply has grown. Those two factors combined mean you may see less competition from other buyers. And with less competition comes more opportunity. Here are two trends that may be the news you need to reenter the market. 1. The Return of Contingencies Over th[...]
For over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes of their own. If you or a loved one have served, it’s important to understand this program and its benefits. Here are some things you should know about VA loans before you start the homebuying process. What Are VA Loans? VA home loans provide a pathway to homeownership for those who have served our nation. The U.S. Department of Veterans A[...]
If you’re planning to buy a home this year, one of the first steps on your journey is getting pre-approved. Especially in today’s market when mortgage rates are higher than they were just a few months ago, getting a mortgage pre-approval can be a game changer. Here’s why. What Is Pre-Approval? To better understand why pre-approval is key, it’s important to know what pre-approval is. The Mortgage Reports explains it like th[...]
If you’re a young adult, you may be thinking about your goals and priorities for the months and years ahead. And if homeownership ranks high on your goal sheet, you’re in good company. Many of your peers are also pursuing their dream of owning a home. The 2022 Millennial & Gen Z Borrower Sentiment Report from Maxwell says: “Many young adults have demonstrated their resolve to embark on the journey toward homeownership soon. More than half of[...]
If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound scary at first. But it doesn’t have to be. One way to take the fear out of budgeting is understanding some of the costs you might encounter. And to do that, turn to trusted real estate professional, like me. We can help you plan your finances and prepare your budget. Here are just a few costs experts say you can expect. 1. Down Payment Saving for your down payment is likely[...]
If you’re thinking about selling your house, you’re likely hearing about the cooling housing market and wondering what that means for you. While it's not the peak intensity we saw during the pandemic, we’re still in a sellers’ market. That means you haven’t missed your window. Realtor.com explains: “. . . while prospective home sellers may lament that they missed their prime window, in reality, this is still a terrific time to sell. In fact, according to[...]
Should you price your home in line with the market or bump it up a little "just to see what happens?” It's a question I get all the time. Here's my no-nonsense answer: Overpricing your home (even by a few thousand) is the #1 way to sabotage your chances of getting top dollar for your home. Buyer agents know what your home is worth and if a home is overpriced they’re going to say so. A home priced correctly will ALWAYS generate more interest and sell faster.[...]
As exciting as it is to move into a new home, not many people look forward to the actual moving day. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, moving is stressful. Here are some helpful hints from expert movers to make the big day a little more bearable. 1. Schedule your move well ahead of time. Moving companies get booked up weeks in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your move. Make sure they know ahead of time if you have any very large[...]
If you are thinking about listing your home this fall, you might be concerned about showing it, and possibly having to move, over the holiday season. The holidays are already a busy time of year for most families, so you would be right to wonder if you are making a good decision by marketing your home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Some sellers even take their homes off the market temporarily during the holiday season, but, before you make that choice, consider all the pros[...]