It’s no secret that affordability is tough with where mortgage rates and home prices are right now. And that may have you worried about how you’ll be able to buy a home. But, if you don’t need a ton of space, you may find you have more cost-effective options in an unexpected place: new home communities.Builders Are Building Smaller Homes Since smaller homes typically come with smaller price tags, buyers have turned their attention to homes with less square footage — and builders have shifted their focus to capitalize on that demand. As U.S. News notes:“The combination of higher home prices and...
If Your House’s Price Is Not Compelling, It’s Not Selling
There’s one big mistake you need to avoid when you sell your house this year: setting your price too high. It might seem like overpricing gives you room to negotiate or could really boost your profit, but the reality is, it usually backfires.In fact, Realtor.com says almost 20% of sellers — that’s one in five — have to reduce their price to get their house sold. And you don’t want to be one of them. Here’s why starting too high can lead to trouble, and how to avoid it.Overpricing Pushes Buyers AwayWith mortgage rates and home prices where they are right now, buyers are already stretching their...
When Is the Perfect Time To Move?
It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of waiting for the perfect moment to make your move – especially in today’s market. Maybe you’re holding out and hoping mortgage rates will drop, or that home prices will fall. But here’s what you need to realize: trying to time the market rarely works. And here’s why.There is no perfect market.No matter when you buy, there’s always some benefit and some sort of trade-off – and that’s not a bad thing. That’s just the reality of it. If you’re not sure you buy into that, think back to the last 5 years in housing. Just a few years ago, mortgage rates hit a...
2025 Housing Market Forecasts
Some HighlightsWondering what to expect when you buy or sell a home this year? Here’s what the experts say lies ahead.Mortgage rates are projected to come down slightly. Home prices are forecast to rise in most areas. And, there will be more homes available for sale.Want to know more about what this could mean for your plans this year? Connect with a local agent to discuss your 2025 goals.
One Homebuying Step You Don’t Want To Skip: Pre-Approval
There’s one essential step in the homebuying process you may not know a whole lot about and that’s pre-approval. Here’s a rundown of what it is and why it’s so important right now.What Is Pre-Approval?Pre-approval is like getting a green light from a lender. It lets you know how much they’re willing to let you borrow for a home. To determine that number, a lender looks at your financial history. According to Realtor.com, these are some of the documents a lender may ask you for during this process:W-2s from the last two yearsTax returns from the last two yearsPay stubs from the last 30 daysBank...
How Much Home Equity Have You Gained? The Answer Might Surprise You
Have you ever stopped to think about how much wealth you’ve built up just from being a homeowner? As home values rise, so does your net worth. And, if you’ve been in your house for a few years (or longer), there’s a good chance you’re sitting on a pile of equity — maybe even more than you realize.What Is Home Equity?Home equity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is worth $500,000 and you still owe $200,000 on your home loan, you have $300,000 in equity. It’s essentially the wealth you’ve built through homeownership....
Expert Forecasts for the 2025 Housing Market
Wondering what’s in store for the housing market this year? And more specifically, what it all means for you if you plan to buy or sell a home? The best way to get that information is to lean on the pros.Experts are constantly updating and revising their forecasts, so here’s the latest on two of the biggest factors expected to shape the year ahead: mortgage rates and home prices.Will Mortgage Rates Come Down?Everyone’s keeping an eye on mortgage rates and waiting for them to come down. So, the question is really: how far and how fast? The good news is they’re projected to ease a bit in 2025....
Why You Need an Agent To Set the Right Asking Price
Some HighlightsThe #1 task sellers struggle with is setting the right asking price for their house.Without an agent’s help, you may set a price that turns away buyers and takes a long time to sell. To make sure your house is priced right, connect with a local agent. Because if the price isn’t compelling, it’s not selling.
Q&A: How Do Presidential Elections Impact the Housing Market?
Some HighlightsEven if you’re not looking to move right away, you may have questions about how the election will impact the housing market.When we look at historical trends, combined with what’s happening right now, we can find your answers. Based on historical data, mortgage rates decrease in the months before and home prices and sales increase the year after the election.The facts show Presidential elections only have a small and temporary impact on the housing market.