Traditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. However, the corona-virus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home orders—led many buyers and sellers to put their moving plans on hold. In April, new listings fell nearly 45%, and sales volume fell 15% compared to last year.1 Fortunately, as restrictions have eased, we’ve seen an uptick in market activity. And … [Read more...]
2020 Outlook: Real Estate Market Forecast
We’re in the midst of the longest economic expansion in U.S. history, and economists think there’s still room to grow. A recent survey by the National Association for Business Economics found that experts believe the U.S. economy will remain positive throughout 2020.1 Still, given that recessions are a natural (and necessary) part of a business cycle, we know this period of growth will … [Read more...]
Mortgage Limits Increase For 2020!
Here is a quick update on the official Mortgage Limits changes for 2020! "Conventional – new limits for all loans delivered after 1/1/2020 will be $510,400 (whoo hoo!!!) This means First time home buyers using (3% down payment) can buy at a maximum purchase price of $526,185 5% down Owner Occupant Buyers can buy at a maximum purchase price of $537,263 FHA made their official announcement and … [Read more...]
5 Steps to Finding Your Next Home
5 Steps to Finding Your Next Home. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, shopping for a new home can feel daunting. In fact, 56% of buyers said that “finding the right property” was the most difficult step in the home buying process.1 Buying a home is a significant commitment of both time and money. And a home purchase has the power to improve both your current quality of … [Read more...]
Everything You Need to Know About iBuyers and the “Instant Cash Offer”
Technology is changing the way we do almost everything, and real estate transactions are no exception. In fact, a new crop of tech companies wants to revolutionize the way we buy and sell homes. iBuyer startups like Opendoor, Offerpad, and Properly are rapidly expanding into new territories, and now established players, like Zillow, are starting to get in on the action. Also known as Direct … [Read more...]
National Snapshot: What’s Ahead for Real Estate
National Snapshot: What’s Ahead for Real Estate The U.S. unemployment rate is at a 50-year low, and consumer confidence remains high. In fact, the University of Michigan’s latest Surveys of Consumers found that Americans have their most positive personal finance outlook since 2003.1 However, if you follow national news, you’ve probably heard speculation that we could be headed toward a … [Read more...]
5 Step Strategy for Downsizing Your Home
In our “bigger is better” culture, there’s an expectation that each home should be larger and grander than the last. But life changes like divorce, kids leaving for college, or even the simple act of growing older can prompt us to find a smaller home that better suits our shifting needs and lifestyle. Here is a 5 Step Strategy for Downsizing Your Home In fact, the advantages of downsizing are … [Read more...]
Top 6 Home Organization Upgrades that “Spark Joy” for Buyers
Thanks to Marie Kondo and her hit Netflix series “Tidying Up,” home organization is a hot topic right now. Marie encourages her viewers to minimize their possessions and keep only those items that “spark joy.” Here are Top 6 Home Organization Upgrades that “Spark Joy” for Buyers. With spring in full bloom, now is the perfect time to do some spring cleaning and add organizational systems to … [Read more...]
Top 10 Myths That Trip Up First-Time Home Buyers
Here are the Top 10 Myths That Trip Up First-Time Home Buyers. If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably received your share of advice from family and friends. Add to that the constant stream of TV shows, news segments, and social media posts that over-simplify the home buying process for easy entertainment. With so much information to sift through, it can be tough to distinguish … [Read more...]
What’s Your Home Actually Worth? Discover What Buyers Will Pay in Today’s Market
What’s Your Home Actually Worth? Discover What Buyers Will Pay in Today’s Market. It’s easy to look up how much money you have in your savings account or the real-time value of your stock investments. But determining the dollar value of a home is trickier. As a seller, knowing your home’s worth helps you price it correctly when you put it up for sale. If you price it too high, it may sit on … [Read more...]
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