STOP WAITING for the "perfect" time to buy a home. Keep in mind, starter homes are rarely forever homes, but merely a first step onto the property ladder. By gaining a foothold in the real estate market now, you can set yourself up to afford a more expensive property in the future....
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Last year, one factor drove the real estate market more than any other: rising mortgage rates. In March 2022, the Federal Reserve began a series of interest rate hikes in an effort to pump the brakes on inflation.1 And while some market sectors have been slow to respond, the housing market has reacted accordingly. Both demand and price appreciation have tapered, as the primary challenge for homebuyers has shifted from availability to affordability. And although this higher-mortgage rate environment has been a painful adjustment for many buyers and sellers, it should ultimately...
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In the short term, the answer is both! However, sellers, who have been in the power seat for many years will need to quickly adjust their expectations and settle on the new reality of a balance of power. As the market shifts and becomes less of a sellers market and moves towards a balanced market buyers and sellers need to get up to speed and understand the new terms and rules....
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Why would anyone want to spend their summer looking for a new house? Here are 3 solid reasons why it makes sense to find your perfect home THIS summer. There are many different types of buyers and buyers in many stages of the home searching and buying process. Maybe you searched for most of 2021 and into 2022 and either couldn’t find your perfect home or got outbid by the competition? Maybe you have been passively searching online and waiting for the right time? Are you just starting the process? Whatever...
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Realtors are not sales people! There I said it. Contrary to public opinion, reputation and all the negative attention that gets dumped on us we don't "sell" property. We manage and build relationships, guide clients through complicated and emotional transactions and creative problem solve. Realtors wear many hats but have one focus - our clients. What is best for them, how we can help them, how we can make their real estate dreams come true and hopefully with joy and the least amount of stress. Some clients don't make it easy My...
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The last two years caught many of us off guard—and not just because of the pandemic. They also ushered in the hottest housing market on record, with home prices rising nationally by nearly 19% in 2021, driven primarily by low mortgage rates and a major supply shortage.1 But while some had hoped 2022 would bring a return to normalcy, the U.S. real estate market continues to boom, despite rising interest rates and decreasing affordability. So what’s driving this persistent demand? And is there an end in sight? Here are three factors impacting the...
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Our nation is in the midst of a serious housing crunch. Last year, a lack of inventory and soaring prices left many would-be homebuyers feeling pinched. But now, with interest rates climbing, many of them are also feeling desperate to lock in a mortgage—which has only added fuel to the fire.1 Fortunately, if you’re a buyer struggling to find a home, we have some good news. While it’s true that higher mortgage rates can decrease your purchasing budget, there are additional ways to compete in a hot market. Yes, a high offer...
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The annual inflation rate in the United States is currently around 7.5%—the highest it has been since 1982.1 It doesn’t matter if you’re a cashier, lawyer, plumber, or retiree; if you spend U.S. dollars, inflation impacts you. Economists expect the effects of inflation, like a higher cost of goods, to continue.2 Luckily, an investment in real estate can ease some of the financial strain. Here’s what you need to know about inflation, how it impacts you, and how an investment in real estate can help. WHAT IS INFLATION AND HOW DOES IT IMPACT...
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Homebuyers today are facing a huge dilemma. There simply aren’t enough homes for sale.1 Nationwide, there were 1.27 million active listings in September, down 13% from the previous year. According to the National Association of Realtors, that’s about 2.4 months of inventory, which is far less than the six months that is generally needed to strike a healthy balance between supply and demand.2 Given the limited number of available properties, if you’re a buyer in today’s market, you may need to expand your search to include both new construction and resale homes....
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10 Steps in Buying a Home: Part 6-Negotiating Towards Ratification Negotiating aspects This is the point in the 10 Steps in Buying a Home where you really find out what your true commitment is to buying this house! Do you want this house more then the other buyers who have submitted offers? There are several terms and conditions written into your offer in addition to price. The seller and their agent consider the terms of all offers and weighs them with the price to find the very best offer....
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