home buying: Trending Housing Markets
- 09/14/15 05:28 AM
Over the past 39 years as an agent in the Rapid City real estate market, one of the questions I have been repeatedly asked is, “How is the current market?” Most agents will address trending housing markets with terms such as: good, bad, hot, or cold. Years ago, it occurred to me that these terms really did not accurately portray the real estate market. A more accurate assessment of housing market trends really boils down to what is happening with buyers and sellers. Scenario 1: Does the market have a shortage of buyers and too many sellers?High Inventory Markets: In this type (0 comments)
home buying: Home Prices Stabilize After Years of Fluctuation
- 07/15/15 01:29 AM
According to Neil Irwin writing for the New York Times, the housing market in general, and home prices more specifically, seem to be stabilizing at last after nearly a decade of dramatic ups and downs. Buyers are no longer feeling the need to either put off buying for a better time or jump in immediately to get the best deals as the market becomes more regular over the long term. "In contrast to the periods of irrational optimism and pessimism, the market is settling into a balance in which buyers are comfortable spending what they can afford given their income and savings, (0 comments)
home buying: Looking for the Perfect Home, a Buyers Agent Can Help
- 04/02/15 06:11 AM
Last month I was working with motivated buyers to find a home in a specific area of town. With today's limited inventory, I had to get creative in order to find them a home meeting their requirements. When inventory is low, and buyers are ready, it can be frustrating to wait each day for the new listing alerts — hoping the next email will send notification of your next home. This is why having a dedicated agent working on your behalf is essential. Most often we can find a home for buyers through our MLS boards. We can also assist with (1 comments)
home buying: How to Determine the Best School District to Buy a Home
- 04/02/15 02:09 AM
Kids do a lot to influence their parents' lives. Perhaps the biggest thing that kids have sway over is the location of a new home because most parents want the best schools for their children. When it comes to searching for a new home, identifying the best school districts becomes critical when narrowing down choices. Places to Find Information Before you begin comparing school districts, you need to know where to find information. Usually states come out with an annual report on the condition of the school districts. You can see which districts perform well on standardized testing, see their populations (0 comments)
home buying: 55+ Real Estate Market Booming
- 02/27/15 08:05 AM
While many in the real estate profession have been busy wringing their hands over when millennials will get into the housing market, there is a solid segment of homebuyers and renters who have been quietly supporting the market on their end: those 55 years of age and over. With many baby boomers looking for retirement homes or downsizing now that their children are out of the house, this demographic has been spurring increased single-family and multifamily starts for the past year. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)'s 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI), builder sentiment is more confident in the 55+ (1 comments)
home buying: Overoming the Challenges for First Time Home Financing
- 02/17/15 03:03 AM
Financing a first home can be challenging. However, buyers who are prepared, and know what they can afford, can help expedite the process, saving themselves unnecessary headaches later. Before starting your home search, here are a few financial tips to consider. First, figure out what you can afford to pay in a monthly house payment. This payment should take in to consideration, principle, interest, taxes, insurance, condo or home owner’s fees, and monthly assessments. Look at your monthly budget and track your cash flow, allowing no more than 28% of your gross income to go towards your new home payment. Keep (0 comments)
home buying: Rapid City Real Estate November 2014 Market Snapshot
- 12/22/14 06:22 AM
The Rapid City Real Estate Market Snapshot for November 2014 has been published. Call the Kahler Team at (605) 939-0508 if we can help you in the selling or buying of your home. Visit our website at http://www.thekahlerteam.com/ for find out more about our team, or to search for your new home!
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home buying: Borrowing Costs and Fixed-Rate Mortgages Decrease
- 12/18/14 11:00 AM
In the ever evolving housing market, it can be hard for buyers and sellers to know just when the right time to invest in a property is. While the chance of the market being predictable is a long shot, the near future for buyers looks promising When it comes to purchasing a home, it is not only a big emotional decision, but it is also a giant financial endeavor. For home buyers who don’t have cash to put down on a home, the need to borrow and save can seem astronomical. In recent years, it has been increasingly difficult as wages (0 comments)
home buying: Rapid City Market Snapshot for October 2014
- 11/20/14 02:56 AM
The Rapid City Real Estate Market Snapshot for October 2014 has been published. Call the Kahler Team at (605) 939-0508 if we can help you in the selling or buying of your home. Visit our website at http://www.thekahlerteam.com/ for find out more about our team, or to search for your new home!
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home buying: Five Reasons You Need A Buyer's Agent
- 11/19/14 08:09 AM
Are you looking for a home, and wondering if you need a buyers agent? Here are five reasons how a buyers agent can help you with your new home search. We are the market experts: we can guide you through market trends, help determine market value of home you’re buying and provide insight into future resale value. We can also provide background and historical information on the home you like so you know exactly what you are getting. We only get paid if you close on a home: Did you know that our commission is paid by the seller’s agent? We (3 comments)
home buying: The Right Way to Leave Your Home for New Buyers
- 11/11/14 06:40 AM
At some point in our lives, most of us will have move into a new home. Moving can be stressful, time consuming, and exhausting. After going through the painstaking effort of moving out of a home, there is nothing worse than opening the door to your new home, only to find the house a mess, with a dirty kitchen and bathrooms. On the flip side, there is nothing more exciting than opening the door to your new home that has been thoroughly cleaned, ready for you to move in, and enjoy.
At the same time, the seller is also (3 comments)
home buying: Negotiating Repairs on Your New Home Purchase
- 11/11/14 12:42 AM
Once you have negotiated a purchase on your new home, what should you do if some issues arise from your home inspection or appraisal? Should you have the seller address and repair the issues, negotiate a price reduction, or fix make the repairs yourself prior to closing. In this blog we will address these options in order to assist you with making a wise decision. Issues such as a new roof, gutters, sewer lines, new furnace, water heater, etc. are items that you can have the seller take care of, prior to closing. Make sure they hire a licensed professional in (2 comments)