sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Spring Cleaning Checklist for Sellers - 03/18/22 04:50 AM
Spring Cleaning Checklist for Sellers
Some Highlights If you’re thinking about selling your house this spring, here are some things you’ll want to tackle before you list. Spend your time on tasks that make it feel inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal. To determine the full list of things you’ll want to tackle for your home, you need the opinion of a trusted expert. Let’s connect to help make sure your house shows well this season. … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market? - 03/17/22 06:58 PM
Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market?
For the first time in a long time, the number of newly listed homes is beginning to rise. In their latest monthly release, realtor.com reveals the number of existing homes entering the market has increased for two months in a row (this comes after six months of declines). Here’s a graph showing the monthly new listings going back to January of last year. The green bars indicate the first gains since June.

However, buying demand is still outpacing housing supply. Though the increase in homes coming to the market is great news for prospective … (1 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Are You Wondering if This Is the Year To Buy a Home? - 03/16/22 08:49 PM
Are You Wondering if This Is the Year To Buy a Home?
Every year, many renters ask themselves the same question: Should I continue renting, or is it time to buy a home? If you’re a renter, chances are you’ve asked yourself that question at least once, and it’s likely because you’ve faced an increase in your monthly housing costs over time. After all, according to Census data, rents have risen consistently for decades.
To make an informed and powerful decision, the first step is understanding what’s happening in today’s housing market so you can determine which option is the better long-term financial decision for you.
Rents Are Going … (1 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: This Spring Presents Sellers with a Golden Opportunity - 03/14/22 08:46 PM
This Spring Presents Sellers with a Golden Opportunity
If you’re thinking of selling your house this year, timing is crucial. After all, you’ll want to balance getting the most out of the sale of your current home and making the best investment when you buy your next one.
If that’s the case, you should know – you may be able to get the best of both worlds today. Here are four reasons why this spring may be your golden window of opportunity.
1. The Number of Homes on the Market Is Still Low Today’s limited supply of houses for sale is putting sellers in the driver’s seat. There … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Key Terms for Homebuyers  - 03/11/22 06:03 PM
Key Terms for Homebuyers 
Some Highlights Knowing key housing terms and how they relate to today’s market is important. For example, when mortgage rates and home prices rise, it impacts how much home you can afford. Terms like appraisal (what lenders rely on to validate a home’s value) and the inspection contingency (which gives buyers essential information on a home’s condition) directly impact the transaction. Buying a home can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the terms used throughout the process. Let’s connect so you have an expert guide and advice for any questions that may come up. … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: How To Navigate a Market Where Multiple Offers Is the New Normal - 03/10/22 08:07 PM
How To Navigate a Market Where Multiple Offers Is the New Normal
If you’re thinking of buying a home today, you already know that the number of homes available for sale is low. But what does that really mean for you? As a buyer, low housing supply coupled with high buyer demand means you should be prepared to navigate a highly competitive market where homes sell fast and get multiple offers. Realtor.com has this to say:
“Homes also flew off the market at record pace as buyers put offers in the moment properties came up for sale….”
In a bidding war situation like this, doing everything you can to get … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Key Factors That Impact Affordability Today - 03/09/22 07:27 PM
Key Factors That Impact Affordability Today
You can’t read an article about residential real estate without the author mentioning the affordability challenges that today’s buyers face. There’s no doubt homes are less affordable today than they were over the last two years, but that doesn’t mean homes are now unaffordable.
There are three measures used to establish home affordability: home prices, mortgage rates, and wages. Let’s look closely at each of these components.
1. Home Prices The most recent Home Price Insights report by CoreLogic shows home values have increased by 19.1% from last January to this January. That was one reason affordability declined over … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Why It’s Critical To Price Your House Right - 03/07/22 07:25 PM
Why It’s Critical To Price Your House Right
When you make a move, you want to sell your house for the highest price possible. That might be why many homeowners are eager to list in today’s sellers’ market. After all, with record-low inventory and high buyer demand, many homes are selling for more than asking price. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 46% of homes are selling above list price today.
But even in a market like we have now, working with an agent to set the right asking price is critical, as pricing it too high or too low could have a negative impact on your … (4 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Supply and Demand in Today’s Market  - 03/04/22 04:37 PM
Supply and Demand in Today’s Market 
Some Highlights Today’s housing market is the direct result of low supply and high buyer demand. Here’s what that means for you and your plans to buy or sell. For buyers, expect competition, be ready to move fast, and be prepared to submit your strongest offer. For sellers, know your house will be the center of attention and that it’ll likely sell quickly and get multiple offers. If you’re ready to move, let’s connect to talk about our local area and how you can take advantage of today’s unprecedented housing market. … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Are Home Prices Continuing To Rise? - 03/03/22 07:57 PM
Are Home Prices Continuing To Rise?
Many analysts projected home price appreciation would slow dramatically in the fall of 2021 and then continue to soften throughout 2022. So far, that hasn’t happened. The major price indices are all revealing ongoing double-digit price appreciation. Here’s a look at their reports on year-over-year price appreciation for December:
Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA): 17.6% S&P Case-Shiller: 18.8% CoreLogic: 18.5% To show that they’re not seeing signs of softening, here’s a graph that gives the progression of all three indices for each month of 2021.

As the graph above reveals, last year, home price appreciation accelerated … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help You Achieve Homeownership - 03/02/22 08:18 PM
Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help You Achieve Homeownership
For many homebuyers, the thought of saving for a down payment can feel daunting, especially in today’s market. That’s why, when asked what they find most difficult in the homebuying process, some buyers say it’s one of the hardest steps on the path to homeownership. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows:
“For first-time home buyers, 29 percent said saving for a downpayment [sic] was the most difficult step in the process.”
If you’re finding that your down payment is your biggest hurdle, the good news is there are many down payment assistance programs available that … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: An Expert Advisor Will Give You the Best Advice in Today’s Market - 03/01/22 07:59 PM
An Expert Advisor Will Give You the Best Advice in Today’s Market
Having an experienced guide coaching you through the process of buying or selling a home is important in a normal market – but today’s market is far from normal. As a result, an expert real estate advisor isn’t just good to have by your side, they’re essential.
Today’s housing market is full of extremes. Experts project mortgage rates will continue to rise this year, and that’s driving significant demand for homes as buyers want to make their purchases before rates climb even higher. At the same time, an absence of sellers is leading to record-low housing … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Millennials: Do You Need a Home with More Space? - 02/28/22 08:35 PM
Millennials: Do You Need a Home with More Space?
If you’re a millennial, homebuying might be top of mind for you. Your generation is the largest group of homebuyers in the market today and has been since 2014, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). And while other millennials are looking to buy for the first time, you may be one of the many who are now discovering you’ve outgrown your home.
If that’s the case, you’re not alone. The past two years brought about significant changes for many people, and today, homeowners are reevaluating what they truly need in a home. … (0 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: The Difference Between Renting and Owning - 02/25/22 09:06 AM
The Difference Between Renting and Owning
Some Highlights If you’re deciding whether to rent or buy, consider the many financial benefits that come with owning a home. As a renter, you build your landlord’s wealth and face rising costs. As a homeowner, you build your own net worth and can lock in your monthly payments for the length of your loan. If you’re weighing your options, remember that owning a home is a decision that has considerable financial perks. If you want to learn more, let’s connect to talk about the perks of homeownership. … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: The #1 Reason To Sell Your House Today - 02/24/22 09:32 PM
The #1 Reason To Sell Your House Today
Almost every industry is currently struggling with supply chain disruptions. This also applies to the current U.S. housing market, where buyer demand far exceeds housing supply.
Purchaser demand is very strong right now. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released their latest Existing Home Sales Report which reveals that sales surged in January. Existing home sales rose to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.5 million – an increase of 6.7% from the prior month, with sales up in all regions. However, there’s one big challenge.
Inventory Is at an All-Time Low Because purchaser demand is … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: How Supply and Demand Can Impact Your Buying and Selling Goals - 02/23/22 08:29 PM
How Supply and Demand Can Impact Your Buying and Selling Goals
In today’s housing market, there are far more buyers looking for homes than sellers listing their houses. Based on the concept of supply and demand, this means home prices will naturally rise. Why is that? When there are more people trying to buy an item than there are making that item available for sale, that drives prices up. And that’s exactly the case in today’s housing market. So, knowing what’s happening with the inventory of homes for sale and the demand for housing is crucial for today’s buyers and sellers.
Nationally, … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: Real Estate Voted the Best Investment Eight Years in a Row - 02/21/22 08:45 PM
Real Estate Voted the Best Investment Eight Years in a Row
In an annual Gallup poll, Americans chose real estate as the best long-term investment. And it’s not the first time it’s topped the list, either. Real estate has been on a winning streak for the past eight years, consistently gaining traction as the best long-term investment (see graph below):
If you’re thinking about purchasing a home this year, this poll should reassure you. Even when inflation is rising like it is today, Americans agree an investment like real estate truly shines.
Why Is Real Estate a Great Investment During Times of High Inflation? With inflation … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: What’s Driving Today’s High Buyer Demand? - 02/18/22 07:14 PM
What’s Driving Today’s High Buyer Demand?
Some Highlights There’s an influx of buyers looking for homes today, and that means your house is in high demand. Here are a few reasons why so many people are looking to buy a home. Buyers are motivated to beat rising mortgage rates, and many want to escape rising rents. There’s also additional demand from millennials who are reaching peak homebuying age. If you’re thinking about selling your house, today’s demand is great news. Let’s connect to begin the process of listing your house while buyers are ready to purchase. … (3 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: 4 Simple Graphs Showing Why This Is Not a Housing Bubble - 02/17/22 08:22 PM
4 Simple Graphs Showing Why This Is Not a Housing Bubble
A recent survey revealed that many consumers believe there’s a housing bubble beginning to form. That feeling is understandable, as year-over-year home price appreciation is still in the double digits. However, this market is very different than it was during the housing crash 15 years ago. Here are four key reasons why today is nothing like the last time.
1. Houses Are Not Unaffordable Like They Were During the Housing Boom The affordability formula has three components: the price of the home, wages earned by the purchaser, and the mortgage rate available … (2 comments)

sandy giff the giff group orlando florida homes: More People Are Planning To Buy a Home Soon - 02/16/22 07:54 PM
More People Are Planning To Buy a Home Soon
While some homeowners may be tempted to hold off until spring to list their houses, you should know – homebuyers aren’t waiting. Demand is high today as more people are trying to beat rising mortgage rates. As a result, eager buyers are entering the market or moving their plans up so they can make their purchases as soon as possible.
The most recent Consumer Confidence Survey finds that, of those surveyed, the percentage of people planning to buy over the next six months has increased substantially since last fall (see graph below):

As the graph … (2 comments)