sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: The True Strength of Homeowners Today - 09/27/22 03:20 AM
The True Strength of Homeowners Today
The real estate market is on just about everyone’s mind these days. That’s because the unsustainable market of the past two years is behind us, and the difference is being felt. The question now is, just how financially strong are homeowners throughout the country? Mortgage debt grew beyond 10 trillion dollars over the past year, and many called that a troubling sign when it happened for the first time in history.
Recently Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, answered that question when she said:
“U.S. households own $41 trillion in owner-occupied real estate, just over $12 trillion in … (5 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Fall Home Selling Checklist  - 09/25/22 07:09 PM
Fall Home Selling Checklist 
Some Highlights When it comes to selling your house, you want it to look its best inside and out so it catches the attention of buyers. A real estate professional can help you decide what to do to make that happen. Focus on tasks that can make it inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal. Let’s connect so you have advice on what you may want to do to get your house ready to sell this season. … (5 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: What Experts Say Will Happen with Home Prices Next Year - 09/22/22 10:16 PM
What Experts Say Will Happen with Home Prices Next Year
Experts are starting to make their 2023 home price forecasts. As they do, most agree homes will continue to gain value, just at a slower pace. Over the past couple of years, home prices have risen at an unsustainable rate, leaving many to wonder how long it would last. If you’re asking yourself: what’s ahead for the price of my home, know that experts are now answering this question, and its welcome news for homeowners who may have been led by the media to believe their home would lose value.
Historically, home prices have appreciated … (4 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Top Reasons Homeowners Are Selling Their Houses Right Now - 09/21/22 09:25 PM
Top Reasons Homeowners Are Selling Their Houses Right Now
Some people believe there’s a group of homeowners who may be reluctant to sell their houses because they don’t want to lose the historically low mortgage rate they have on their current home. You may even have the same hesitation if you’re thinking about selling your house.
Data shows 51% of homeowners have a mortgage rate under 4% as of April this year. And while it’s true mortgage rates are higher than that right now, there are other non-financial factors to consider when it comes to making a move. In other words, your mortgage rate is important, … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Three Things Buyers Can Do in Today’s Housing Market - 09/14/22 05:50 AM
Three Things Buyers Can Do in Today’s Housing Market
It’s clear the 2022 housing market has been defined by rising mortgage rates. With rates on the rise, it’s also become more costly to purchase a home. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“Compared to one year ago, the monthly mortgage payment rose to $1,944 from $1,265, an increase of 53.7%.”
If you’re thinking of buying a home or have been trying to recently, that’s a big increase in a monthly mortgage payment – and it may be causing you to press pause on your plans. This jump is making homes less affordable, especially compared … (5 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Getting Your House Ready To Sell? Work with an Agent for Expert Advice - 09/13/22 02:40 AM
Getting Your House Ready To Sell? Work with an Agent for Expert Advice
In a market that’s shifting as fast as it is today, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be renovated before they sell their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn’t – do before selling your house.
Here are some considerations a professional will guide you through.
What You Need To Know About Your Local Market Since the supply of homes for sale has increased so much this year, today’s … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Why It’s So Important To Hire a Pro  - 09/10/22 12:06 AM
Why It’s So Important To Hire a Pro 
Some Highlights If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, you’ll want a trusted real estate professional on your side for their industry experience and expert insights. The right advisor utilizes the latest technology and can help you navigate today’s home pricing and market values, the contracts and fine print, and the negotiations you’ll face. Let’s connect so you have expert advice each step of the way. … (4 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Expert Forecasts on Mortgage Rates - 09/08/22 02:17 AM
Expert Forecasts on Mortgage Rates
If you’ve been thinking of buying a home, you may have been watching what’s happened with mortgage rates over the past year. It’s true they’ve risen dramatically, but where will they go from here, especially as the market continues to slow?
As you think about your homeownership goals and decide if now’s the time to make your move, the best place to turn to for that information is the professionals. Here’s a summary of the latest mortgage rate forecasts from housing market experts.
Experts Project Mortgage Rates Will Stabilize While mortgage rates continue to fluctuate due to ongoing inflationary pressures … (4 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Here’s Why It’s Still a Sellers’ Market  - 09/02/22 09:00 PM
Here’s Why It’s Still a Sellers’ Market 
Some Highlights While buyer demand has moderated and housing supply has grown in recent months, it’s still a sellers’ market because inventory is low. The latest data shows sellers continue to benefit from serious buyers and competitive offers. In July, the average home received 2.8 offers and 39% sold over the asking price. You haven’t missed your opportunity to sell. Let’s connect to start the process today. … (5 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: What’s Actually Happening with Home Prices Today? - 09/01/22 07:41 PM
What’s Actually Happening with Home Prices Today?
One of the biggest questions people are asking right now is: what’s happening with home prices? There are headlines about ongoing price appreciation, but at the same time, some sellers are reducing the price of their homes. That can feel confusing and makes it more difficult to get a clear picture.
Part of the challenge is that it can be hard to understand what experts are saying when the words they use sound similar. Let’s break down the differences among those terms to help clarify what’s actually happening today.
Appreciation is when home prices increase. Depreciation is when … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: A Trusted Real Estate Advisor Provides Expert Advice - 08/31/22 09:46 PM
A Trusted Real Estate Advisor Provides Expert Advice
If you’re a homeowner or are planning to become one soon, you’re probably looking for clear information about today’s housing market. And if you’ve turned to the news or even just read headlines recently, you might feel like you’re left with more questions than answers. The best way to make sure you get what you need is to work with an expert.
Why You Want To Lean on a Trusted Professional With any big milestone in life, it’s wise to seek advice from people who are experts in their field.  While you likely want that advice … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: What Would a Recession Mean for the Housing Market?  - 08/26/22 09:39 PM
What Would a Recession Mean for the Housing Market? 
Some Highlights If you’re wondering what a potential recession could mean for the housing market, here’s what history tells us. In four of the last six recessions, home prices actually appreciated, only falling during the early 90s and the housing crash in 2008. Mortgage rates, though, declined during each of the previous recessions. If you have questions about buying or selling a home in today’s market, let’s connect. … (0 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Why You May Want To Start Your Home Search Today - 08/26/22 12:27 AM
Why You May Want To Start Your Home Search Today
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you likely have a lot of factors on your mind. You’re weighing your own needs against higher mortgage rates, today’s home prices, and more to try to decide if you want to jump into the market. While some buyers may wait things out, there’s a reason serious buyers are making moves right now, and that’s the growing number of homes for sale.
So far this year, housing inventory has been increasing and that’s making the prospect of finding your dream home less difficult. While there are always reasons you … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Why Today’s Housing Inventory Proves the Market Isn’t Headed for a Crash - 08/25/22 03:54 PM
Why Today’s Housing Inventory Proves the Market Isn’t Headed for a Crash
Whether or not you owned a home in 2008, you likely remember the housing crash that took place back then. And news about an economic slowdown happening today may bring all those concerns back to the surface. While those feelings are understandable, data can help reassure you the situation today is nothing like it was in 2008.
One of the key reasons why the market won’t crash this time is the current undersupply of inventory. Housing supply comes from three key places:
Current homeowners putting their homes up for sale Newly built homes … (1 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Why a Home Inspection Is Important  - 08/19/22 06:45 PM
Why a Home Inspection Is Important 
Some Highlights If you’re buying a home, here’s what you should know about your home inspection and why it’s so important. A home inspection is a crucial step in the homebuying process. It assesses the condition of the home you plan to purchase so you can avoid costly surprises down the road. Let’s connect so you have an expert on your side to guide you through the process. … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Experts Increase 2022 Home Price Projections - 08/17/22 09:46 PM
Experts Increase 2022 Home Price Projections
If you’re wondering if home prices are going to come down due to the cooldown in the housing market or a potential recession, here’s what you need to know. Not only are experts forecasting home prices will continue to appreciate nationwide this year, but most of them also actually increased their projections for home price appreciation from their original 2022 forecasts (shown in green in the chart below):
As the chart shows, most sources adjusted up, and now call for more appreciation in 2022 than they originally projected this January. But why are experts so confident the housing market will … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: What Would a Recession Mean for the Housing Market? - 08/16/22 09:28 PM
What Would a Recession Mean for the Housing Market?
According to a recent survey from the Wall Street Journal, the percentage of economists who believe we’ll see a recession in the next 12 months is growing. When surveyed in July 2021, only 12% of economists consulted thought there’d be a recession by now. But this July, when polled, 49% believe we will see a recession in the coming 12 months.
And as more recession talk fills the air, one concern many people have is: should I delay my homeownership plans if there’s a recession?
Here’s a look at historical data to show what happened in … (1 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Why Experts Say the Housing Market Won’t Crash  - 08/12/22 06:38 PM
Why Experts Say the Housing Market Won’t Crash 
Some Highlights Many people remember the housing crash in 2008, but experts say today’s market is fundamentally different in many ways. First, there isn’t an oversupply of homes for sale today. Plus, lending standards are much tighter, and homeowners have record levels of equity. That means signs say there won’t be a wave of foreclosures like the last time. If you have questions about the housing market, let’s connect. … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for Home Prices? - 08/12/22 03:06 AM
What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for Home Prices?
Whether you’re a potential homebuyer, seller, or both, you probably want to know: will home prices fall this year? Let’s break down what’s happening with home prices, where experts say they’re headed, and why this matters for your homeownership goals.
Last Year’s Rapid Home Price Growth Wasn’t the Norm In 2021, home prices appreciated quickly. One reason why is that record-low mortgage rates motivated more buyers to enter the market. As a result, there were more people looking to make a purchase than there were homes available for sale. That led to competitive bidding wars which drove … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Housing Market Forecast for the Rest of 2022  - 08/06/22 03:23 AM
Housing Market Forecast for the Rest of 2022 
Some Highlights The housing market is shifting away from the intensity of the past two years. Here’s what experts project for the remainder of 2022. Home prices are forecast to rise more moderately than last year. Mortgage rates will respond to inflation, and home sales will be more in line with pre-pandemic years. Let’s connect so you can make your best move this year. … (4 comments)