sandy sills: Avoid the Rental Trap in 2022 - 01/04/22 07:58 PM
Avoid the Rental Trap in 2022
Are you one of the many renters thinking about where you’ll live the next time your lease is up? Before you decide whether to look for a new house or another apartment, it’s important to understand the true costs of renting in 2022.
As a renter, you should know rents have been rising since 1988 (see graph below):

In 2021, rents grew dramatically. According to ApartmentList.com, since January 2021:
“. . . the national median rent has increased by a staggering 17.8 percent. To put that in context, rent growth from January to November averaged just 2.6 percent in the pre-pandemic … (2 comments)

sandy sills: How Much Do You Need for Your Down Payment? - 01/03/22 08:03 PM
How Much Do You Need for Your Down Payment?
As you set out on your homebuying journey, you likely have a plan in place, and you’re working on saving for your purchase. But do you know how much you actually need for your down payment?
If you think you have to put 20% down, you may have set your goal based on a common misconception. Freddie Mac says:
“The most damaging down payment myth—since it stops the homebuying process before it can start—is the belief that 20% is necessary.”
Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% … (1 comments)

sandy sills: Why Selling Your House with a Real Estate Professional Is Essential - 12/30/21 06:58 PM
Why Selling Your House with a Real Estate Professional Is Essential
Selling your house is no simple task. And when you sell on your own – known as a FSBO (or For Sale by Owner) – you’re responsible for handling some of the more difficult aspects of the process without the expert guidance you need.
The 2021 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveys homeowners who recently sold their house on their own and asks what difficulties they faced. Those sellers say some of the biggest headaches are prepping their house for sale, pricing it right, and handling the … (3 comments)

sandy sills: Homebuyers: Be Ready To Act This Winter - 12/20/21 07:55 PM
Homebuyers: Be Ready To Act This Winter
To succeed as a buyer in today’s market, it’s important to understand which market trends will have the greatest impact on your home search. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, says there are two factors every buyer should keep their eyes on:
“Going forward, the conditions buyers face are primarily dependent on two things: mortgage rates and housing supply.”
Here’s a look at each one.
Mortgage Rates Projected To Rise in 2022 As a buyer, your interest rate directly impacts how much you’ll pay on your monthly mortgage when you purchase a home. Rates are beginning to rise, and … (3 comments)

sandy sills: 2022 Housing Market Forecast - 12/17/21 08:25 PM
2022 Housing Market Forecast
Some Highlights What does the coming year hold for the housing market? Here’s what experts project for 2022. Mortgage rates are projected to rise and so are home prices. Experts are forecasting buyer demand will remain strong as people try to capitalize on rates and prices before they climb, creating another strong year for home sales. Let’s connect so you can make your best move in the new year. … (2 comments)

sandy sills: Homebuyers Are Going on a Shopping Spree This Winter - 12/16/21 07:04 PM
Homebuyers Are Going on a Shopping Spree This Winter
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, which means some shoppers have wrapped up their holiday buying. But there’s still a group of buyers that are very active this holiday season – homebuyers.
Experts anticipate the real estate market will see a flurry of activity this winter, and that’s great news for today’s sellers. If you’re planning on listing your home, there’s no need to wait until the spring for better conditions – today’s real estate market is already heating up.
Buyers Have Warmed Up to the Idea of Purchasing This Winter The past 18 … (0 comments)

sandy sills: Advice for First-Generation Homebuyers - 12/14/21 05:41 PM
Advice for First-Generation Homebuyers
The sense of pride you’ll feel when you purchase a home can’t be overstated. For first-generation homebuyers, that feeling of accomplishment is even greater. That’s because the pride of homeownership for first-generation buyers extends far beyond the homebuyer. AJ Barkley, Head of Neighborhood and Community Lending for Bank of America, says:
“Achieving this goal can create a sense of pride and accomplishment that resonates both for the buyer and those closest to them, including their parents and future generations.”
In other words, your dream of homeownership has far-reaching impacts. If you’re about to be the first person in your family to … (2 comments)

sandy sills: If You Think the Housing Market Will Slow This Winter, Think Again. - 12/13/21 08:30 PM
If You Think the Housing Market Will Slow This Winter, Think Again.
From the opportunity to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates to changing homeowner needs, Americans have more motivation than ever to buy a home. According to the experts, buyers are making moves right now, creating an unseasonably strong housing market for this time of year.
As we wrap up the fall season and move into the winter months, here’s a look at what several industry leaders have to say about the continued momentum in the current market, and what it means as we head into the early part of next year.
Lawrence Yun, … (2 comments)

sandy sills: Two Reasons Why Waiting To Buy a Home Will Cost You - 12/09/21 08:55 PM
Two Reasons Why Waiting To Buy a Home Will Cost You
If you’re a homeowner who’s decided your current house no longer fits your needs, or a renter with a strong desire to become a homeowner, you may be hoping that waiting until next year could mean better market conditions to purchase a home.
To determine whether you should buy now or wait another year, you can ask yourself two simple questions:
Where will home prices be a year from now? Where will mortgage rates be a year from now? Let’s shed some light on the answers to both of these … (0 comments)

sandy sills: Struggling To Find a Home To Buy? New Construction May Be an Option. - 12/08/21 08:43 PM
Struggling To Find a Home To Buy? New Construction May Be an Option.
There’s no question that the financial benefits of selling a house are outstanding today. Now is truly a great time to list if you’re ready to make a change. But if you do sell your house right now, you may be wondering where you’ll go when you move.
With so few homes available to buy right now, you might be considering building a new home as one of your options. But you may be unsure if that’s the way to go. Let’s compare the benefits of a newly built home versus moving … (0 comments)

sandy sills: Why It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home - 12/07/21 07:41 PM
Why It Just Became Much Easier To Buy a Home
Since the pandemic began, Americans have reevaluated the meaning of the word home. That’s led some renters to realize the many benefits of homeownership, including the feelings of security and stability and the financial benefits that come with rising home equity. At the same time, many current homeowners have decided their house no longer meets their needs, so they moved into homes with more space inside and out, including a home office for remote work.
However, not every purchaser has been able to fulfill their desire for a new home. Here are two obstacles some homebuyers … (1 comments)

sandy sills: A Checklist for Selling Your House This Winter - 12/03/21 08:12 PM
A Checklist for Selling Your House This Winter
Some Highlights If you’re planning to sell your house this winter, you’ll want it to look its best inside and out. Take the time and focus on tasks that make it inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal. Let’s connect so you have an expert opinion on what to focus on, so it shows well and catches a buyer’s eye. … (4 comments)

sandy sills: How To Think Strategically as a Buyer in Today’s Market - 12/01/21 08:16 PM
How To Think Strategically as a Buyer in Today’s Market
The game of chess can provide incredible lessons to apply to all aspects of life, including the homebuying process. Chess requires you to plan and think about your strategy from the very beginning of the game.
The homebuying process, like chess, requires strategy and planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your plan is as strong as possible when you begin your home search.
Pre-Approval: the Best Opening Play To Make as a Homebuyer It’s important to have a great opening play when you’re buying a … (1 comments)

sandy sills: Why Now Is a Great Time To Sell Your House - 11/29/21 08:40 PM
Why Now Is a Great Time To Sell Your House
As we near the end of the year, more homeowners are realizing the benefits of today’s sellers’ market. Record-breaking home price appreciation, growing equity, low inventory, and competitive mortgage rates are motivating homeowners to make a move that addresses their changing lifestyles.
In fact, recent data from realtor.com shows a larger share of homeowners are planning to list their houses this winter. So, that means more homes are about to hit the market, which will lead to more choices for buyers too.
According to George Ratiu, Manager of Economic Research at realtor.com:
"The pandemic has delayed plans for many Americans, and homeowners looking to … (1 comments)

sandy sills: Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Professional  - 11/26/21 05:48 PM
Reasons To Hire a Real Estate Professional 
Some Highlights Whether you’re buying or selling, there are many perks that come from working with a real estate advisor. Real estate professionals are experts at navigating all aspects of the buying and selling process, including negotiating on your behalf. We can also explain today’s market and break down what it means for you. Don’t go at it alone. Let’s connect today so you have advice and an expert to count on each step of the way. … (3 comments)

sandy sills: How Smart Buyers Are Approaching Rising Mortgage Rates - 11/24/21 07:39 PM
How Smart Buyers Are Approaching Rising Mortgage Rates
Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022:
“The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2021. We forecast mortgage rates to increase slightly through the remainder of the year and reach 3.0%, rising to 3.5% for full year 2022.”
If you’re thinking of buying a home, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can succeed even as mortgage rates rise.
Taking Time Off Can Be Costly Mortgage rates play a significant role in your home … (0 comments)

sandy sills: 4 Ways Homeowners Can Use Their Equity - 11/22/21 08:07 PM
4 Ways Homeowners Can Use Their Equity
Your equity is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals as a homeowner. And chances are, your equity grew substantially over the past year. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, homeowners gained an average of $51,500 in equity over the past year.
If you’re looking for the best ways to use your growing equity, here are four options:
1. Use Your Equity To Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs If you’re finding you no longer have the space you need, it might be time to move into a larger home. Or, it’s possible you have too much space and … (2 comments)

sandy sills: Home Sales About To Surge? We May See a Winter Like Never Before. - 11/18/21 07:41 PM
Home Sales About To Surge? We May See a Winter Like Never Before.
Like most industries, residential real estate has a seasonality to it. For example, toy stores sell more toys in October, November, and December than they do in any other three-month span throughout the year. More cars are sold in the U.S. during the second quarter (April, May, and June) than in any other quarter of the year.
Real estate is very similar. The number of homes sold in the spring is almost always much greater than at any other time of the year. It’s even labeled as the spring … (0 comments)

sandy sills: Retirement May Be Changing What You Need in a Home - 11/17/21 08:28 PM
Retirement May Be Changing What You Need in a Home
The past year and a half brought about significant life changes for many of us. For some, it meant entering retirement earlier than expected. Recent data shows more people retired this year than anticipated. According to the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis, 2021 saw a retirement boom:
“At least 1.7 million more older workers than expected retired due to the pandemic recession.”
If you’ve recently retired, your home may not fit your new lifestyle. The good news is, you’ve likely built-up significant equity that can fuel your next move. According to the … (1 comments)

sandy sills: Sellers: You’ll Likely Get Multiple Strong Offers This Season - 11/16/21 08:45 PM
Sellers: You’ll Likely Get Multiple Strong Offers This Season
Are you thinking about selling your house right now, but you’re not sure you’ll have the time to do so as the holidays draw near? If so, consider this: even as the holiday season approaches, there are plenty of buyers out there, and they really want your house. Here’s why selling this winter is a win for you.
Today’s buyers are still dealing with a limited number of homes for sale. Thanks to continued low inventory, those buyers are competing with one another for their dream home. And when that happens, if your house is one of the … (2 comments)