Blog
2020-01-16
There’s a Long Line of Buyers Waiting for Your HouseIf you’re following what’s happening in the housing market right now, you know that many people believe the winter months aren’t a good time to sell a home. As realtor.com Senior Economist George Ratiu recently noted, “Sellers tend to be more reluctant to list during the colder time of year when th
2020-01-16
Homes Are More Affordable Today, Not Less AffordableThere’s a current narrative that owning a home today is less affordable than it has been in the past. The reason some are making this claim is because house prices have substantially increased over the last several years. It’s not, however, just the price of a home that matters. Homes, in most cas
2020-01-14
Buying a Home Early Can Significantly Increase Future WealthAccording to an Urban Institute study, homeowners who purchase a house before age 35 are better prepared for retirement at age 60. The good news is, our younger generations are strong believers in homeownership. According to a Freddie Mac survey, “The dream of homeownership is alive and well with
2020-01-07
Why Get a Pre-Listing Inspection?Sellers: should you get a home inspection prior to listing your property? Today my selling partner Michael Veltri and I will discuss the answer to this question.
2020-01-02
The 2020 Real Estate Projections That May Surprise YouThis will be an interesting year for residential real estate. With a presidential election taking place this fall and talk of a possible recession occurring before the end of the year, predicting what will happen in the 2020 U.S. housing market can be challenging. As a result, taking a look at the c
2019-12-30
What to Look for in a Homebuyer’s OfferBefore you accept a buyer’s offer on your home there are many considerations to determine if the offer is right for you.
2019-12-27
Working with a Local Real Estate Professional Makes All the Difference [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights: Choosing the right real estate professional is one of the most impactful decisions you can make in your home buying or selling process. A real estate professional can explain current market conditions and break down what they will mean to you and your family. If you’re considering b
2019-12-23
2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price AppreciationQuestions continue to rise around where home prices will head in 2020. The latest forecast from CoreLogic shows continued appreciation at 5.4% over the next year:2020 Forecast Shows Continued Home Price Appreciation | MyKCMAdditionally, ARCH Mortgage Insurance Company in their current Housing and Mo
2019-12-18
December 2019: The Buyer Stakes Are High Because Inventory Is LowThe reality of what we’re seeing this month is that homes are selling fast. In today’s strong seller’s market, bidding wars are common and expected with starter or entry-level homes. In most areas of the country, first-time buyers have been met with fierce competition throughout their homebuying ex
2019-12-11
Have You Outgrown Your Home?It may seem hard to imagine that the home you’re in today – whether it’s your starter home or just one you’ve fallen in love with along the way – might not be your forever home. The good news is, it’s okay to admit if your house no longer fits your needs. According to the latest Home Price Insight
2019-12-10
A 365 Day Difference in HomeownershipOver the past year, mortgage rates have fallen more than a full percentage point. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them: Refinance: If you already own a home, you may want to decide if you’re g
2019-12-02
5 Reasons to Sell This WinterBelow are five compelling reasons to list your house this winter. 1. Demand Is Strong The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing, and able to purc
2019-11-25
7 Reasons to List Your House This Holiday SeasonAround this time each year, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to list their houses. Similarly, others who already have their homes on the market remove their listings until the spring. Let’s unpack the top reasons why listing your house now or keeping it on the market this wint
2019-11-18
The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights: Historically, the choice between renting and buying a home has been a tough decision. Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (27.7%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (17.5%), the choice is clear. Every market is different.
2019-11-13
Thinking of Selling Your Home? The Waiting Is The Hardest Part.Tom Petty famously penned the words, “the waiting is the hardest part” in his early 80’s hit song The Waiting, and his thought process can surprisingly also be applied to individuals considering selling their homes today. Traditional thinking would suggest it may be best to wait until the spring to
2019-11-12
Forget the Price of the Home. The Cost is What Matters.Home buying activity (demand) is up, and the number of available listings (supply) is down. When demand outpaces supply, prices appreciate. That’s why firms are beginning to increase their projections for home price appreciation going forward. As an example, CoreLogic increased their 12-month projec
2019-11-12
Homeownership Rate Remains on the RiseIn the third quarter of 2019, the U.S. homeownership rate rose again, signaling another strong indicator of the current housing market. The U.S. Census Bureau announced, “The homeownership rate of 64.8 percent was not statistically different from the rate in the third quarter 2018 (64.4 percent),
2019-11-04
The #1 Reason to List Your House in the WinterMany sellers believe spring is the best time to put their homes on the market because buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year. What they don’t realize is if every homeowner believes the same thing, then that’s when they’ll have the most competition. So, what’s the #1 reason to lis
2019-10-23
Existing-Home Sales Report Indicates Now Is a Great Time to SellThe best time to sell anything is when demand for that item is high and the supply of that item is limited. The latest Existing-Home Sales Report released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), reveals that demand for housing continues to be strong, but the supply is struggling to keep pace.
2019-10-22
Depending on the Price, You’re Going to Need AdviceTo understand today’s complex real estate market, it is critical to have a local, trusted advisor on your side – for more reasons than you may think. In real estate today, there are essentially three different price points in the market: the starter-home market, the middle-home market, and the prem
2019-10-18
Homes Are Selling Quickly [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights: The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed their members for the release of their Confidence Index. The REALTORS® Confidence Index is a key indicator of housing market strength based on a monthly survey sent to over 50,000 real estate practitioners. Practitioners are asked about
2019-10-09
Homeownership is the Top Contributor to Your Net WorthMany people plan to build their net worth by buying CDs or stocks, or just having a savings account. Recently, however, Economist Jonathan Eggleston and Survey Statistician Donald Hays, both of the U.S. Census Bureau, shared the biggest determinants of wealth, “The biggest determinants of household
2019-10-03
What to Expect from Your Home InspectionYou made an offer and it was accepted. Your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. Agents often recommend you make your offer contingent upon a clean home inspection. This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price you offered for the home, ask the sellers to cover repairs,
2019-09-30
Homeowners Are Happy! Renters? Not So Much.When people talk about homeownership and the American Dream, much of the conversation revolves around the financial benefits of owning a home. However, two recent studies show that the non-financial benefits might be even more valuable. In a recent survey, Bank of America asked homeowners: “Does ow