Real Estate Information Archive

As summer quickly approaches, the home project list tends to build. If you sell this summer, you'll want your home to look its best. Ensuring your home’s exterior is updated should move to the top of your list. If your home looks outdated on the outside, it could lead to a bad impression of the inside. Here are three ideas to give your home a modern look.​

You can do many things to help make your home more attractive to buyers, but enuring your home looks up-to-date should top your list.

If you want to sell your home, we'd be happy to talk about your home's value and how to market it in today's market. 

Every year smart technology becomes more integrated into every aspect of our lives. Let’s face it. Technology makes our lives easier. Home technology can make your home more efficient, help you save money, and add value. If you're considering selling this spring, you'll find your home more attractive to buyers if it has smart technology. Add these products to add value to your home.

Happy New Year! I hope 2023 is off to a great start for you and your family. If you have plans to sell your home this year, you might ask, is it still a good time, or should I wait? You're not alone. I'm getting that question a lot this year. It's not news that the housing market has shifted, and homes aren't selling hours or days after they hit the market. However, there are still buyers, and homes are selling. Here are a few ways to turn your home into a HOT home during this slower market.

Fix Any Maintenance Issues

In this market, it's essential to make a great first impression. Use these ideas to make your home a must-see home for potential buyers. I'd be happy to set up a time to discuss your home. Reply to this email, call or text me to set a time to talk.

Are you ready for the holidays? There's something special about a home spruced up with holiday decorations. The holidays come with a lot of traditions. How do you decorate? Do you use family heirlooms or keep things fresh every year? If you want to mix some new ideas with the old, here are a few of this year's trends.

Frosty & Minty

Bring that cool wintery weather inside with frosted glass ornaments and decor. Add a mint green touch to add a sense of pine.

If you're looking for a new look for your wall, create a wreath using silver and seafoam Christmas ball ornaments.

Metallic Luxury

Want a modern and luxurious look this year? Add gold, silver, and luxury metals to your holiday scene. Metallic-looking ornaments will glisten and sparkle on your tree. You can carry them off the tree to create a stunning tablescape or mantel.

A Pop of Purple

​Tie into the Pantone color of the year, “Very Peri.” It's an excellent color to accent your beautiful green Christmas tree. Purple hues blend well with your home's favorite silver and gold decorations.

Learn more about these ideas and get a few more holiday trends here. We hope that you have a wonderful holiday season. If theres anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you for trusting us as your local real estate experts!

The housing market is always changing, so it can be hard to determine exactly when to buy — and when to wait it out.

What if home prices or interest rates rise? What if lower costs are just around the corner? No crystal ball can give us these answers, but there are some factors you can take into account before making your decision.

Are you hoping to buy a home soon? Not sure if you should act now or wait until next year? Here’s what to think about:

1. The State of the Market: Is a housing market crash or recession likely? Look to expert predictions to determine how the future of the market may look. Then, you can evaluate any risks there might be in buying now.
   
   
2. Supply and Demand Trends: If supply is up and demand is down, you might be able to get a great deal. If the opposite is true, there’s probably a lot more competition (and higher prices due to bidding wars). We can talk about the market trends to come up with a strategy for you.
   
   
3. Mortgage Interest Rates: Keep tabs on overall economic trends. If rates are expected to keep rising, acting sooner could save you money in the long run, especially if home prices also rise. And you may be able to refinance for a lower rate in the future, too.
   
   
4. Home Prices: Consider that price declines can help you get a deal upfront, but they could also mean your home may not gain as much value immediately; this might be more of an issue if you’re not planning to stay there for the long haul. Small price fluctuations in either direction are usually not indicative of larger trends.
   
   
5. Personal Finances: Your financial situation is the most important factor. Does it make sense for you to buy a house now? Consider your credit score, debts, income and other expenses when evaluating whether or not buying a home is affordable.

Are you interested in buying a home? Do you have questions about the market? Let’s chat.

Remodeling your home can be a big (and stressful) undertaking. Fortunately, hiring a contractor who’s well-versed in the process can help alleviate some of that stress.

If you bring in a contractor, be diligent in your hiring. Get referrals, compare quotes and interview several candidates to make sure you get the best fit for the job.

Are you unsure how a contractor can help with your project? Here are four ways:

• They can handle all the permits. Many remodeling projects — even small ones — require permitting from the city. A contractor will know how to obtain these permits and what documentation is necessary for approval. And if you’re selling in the future, having project permits will be important to prove everything was done correctly.
  
  
• They can build a skilled team. You’ll likely need several workers (including specialized ones) if you’re doing a large project. An experienced contractor will know plenty of vetted professionals they can hire to help get the job done right.
  
  
• They can improve efficiency. A seasoned contractor wants to ensure your project stays on track and is completed on time; they should have paperwork to give you a timeline and other essential information. In addition, they’ll have a plan to divide up the tasks among workers to minimize mess and disruption.
  
  
• They could reduce your material expenses. Contractors typically have connections to local suppliers and material vendors. They may also get discounts for ordering in bulk (or for multiple projects at once) — all of which can help you save in the long run.

Reach out if you’re considering buying a new place rather than remodeling your current one.

Homes often get a lot of water exposure in the back half of the year due to storms and winter weather. And that doesn’t even include the internal issues that can cause water damage, like undetected plumbing problems.

It’s important to consider how that water could threaten your property: It can damage your roof, cause mold and mildew, and ruin your belongings.

These four steps can help prevent water damage to your home and everything in it.

1. Keep gutters and downspouts clear. Clogged gutters cause water and ice melt to build up instead of flowing out. This can cause damage to the roof and lead to expensive repairs.
   
   
2. Monitor water pressure and plumbing issues. It’s important to catch leaks and other plumbing problems early — before they cause serious destruction. You may want to consider installing a water leak monitor for your pipes; many come with handy apps that alert you of even the smallest leak or potential problem.
   
   
3. Make sure your roof and chimney are maintained. Get your roof and chimney inspected annually. Sometimes, just repairing a small area of the roof can make all the difference in a storm.
   
   
4. Keep an eye out for mold and mildew. Monitor your ceilings for signs of mold and mildew, which typically indicates a leak or deeper moisture issue at work. If you see anything remotely suspicious, call a plumbing professional to look at it.

Those in flood- or hurricane-prone areas should look into their options for a flood insurance policy — separate from homeowners insurance — that protects you in case of weather-related flooding.

If you want to learn more about homeownership or anything real estate-related, please get in touch.

Moving can be expensive, whether you’re headed a few miles away or across the country.

There are the costs to rent a truck, purchase packing supplies and possibly hire professional movers — all of which may be more expensive now because of inflation.

Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your costs if you plan ahead. Do you want to save money on your next move? Just follow these tips:

• Declutter and donate before packing up. There’s no sense in paying to move items you no longer want or use. Before you start packing or getting moving quotes, declutter your home. You can donate or sell anything you don’t actively use if it’s still in good shape. You might be surprised how much time and money it can save you later.
  
  
• Get creative with packing materials. Buying boxes, tape and other packing supplies can quickly increase your costs. Instead of purchasing these items, try to source them from neighbors, work or your local stores. You can also use towels, sheets and other linens (which need to be packed anyway) as DIY padding for fragile items.
  
  
• Shop around for professionals. Don’t go with the first truck rental or moving company you find. Get quotes from several providers and read reviews to ensure you’re getting good service with a trustworthy company — and at a reasonable cost.
  
  
• Pick your moving dates carefully. The cost of movers rises when they’re in high demand, so plan your move for a less popular time of the year, month and week. Typically, movers cost less in the fall and winter, in the middle of the month, and on weekdays (not including Fridays).

Are you hoping to find a new place to move to soon? Reach out today.

Cause to Pause

Rising mortgage rates are causing some would-be buyers to pause their decisions until they determine whether rates are going to come back down.  While it may be possible, the probability is that prices are going to continue to increase.

On December 23, 2021, the 30-year fixed-rate, according to Freddie Mac, was 3.05% and is at 6.29% as of September 22, 2022, a 3.24% increase. On a $360,000 mortgage, the principal and interest payment went from $1,528 to $2,226.  The $698 difference represents a 46% increase in the payment.

It seems understandable to pause and see if rates will come down again, especially since they went up so fast, but it probably isn't going to happen anytime soon based on the Fed's position on controlling inflation.

The fact that inventories are growing slightly, and market times are increasing doesn't negate that supply cannot keep up with demand and homes are continuing to appreciate, albeit, not as much as they did in 2021.

If a person waited a year to see if the rates come down but, in the meantime, the prices increased 10% and the rates stayed the same, the home in the example above, would have a $226 larger P&I payment.

As an alternative strategy, the buyer could purchase the home on a 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage with a 4.64% rate for five-years.  Instead of $2,226 for the P&I payment for the fixed rate at 6.29%, the payment on the ARM would be $1,926, a $300 savings.

They would have purchased the home at today's prices, avoiding appreciated prices and would have five years to refinance at a lower fixed rate should they come down.  Assuming the rate adjusted upward the maximum amount at each period, it would take over seven years to exhaust the savings on the lower payments for the first five years.

It is unfortunate that some buyers missed a window of opportunity to purchase last fall when mortgage rates were near an all-time low.  That window has closed, and it may not open again.  People who can still afford to buy, even though rates are significantly higher, are taking a risk waiting for rates to come down.  Even if they are correct, the prices will be higher, offsetting any possible savings.  

If they are wrong, both prices and rates will be higher, and they may be priced out of the market.

In the 1980s, when mortgage rates topped 18%, the best real estate agents in the country presented alternative financing choices to buyers.  If your agent hasn't had conversations with you about alternatives to fixed rate financing, there could be options available that you need to consider.

Depending on your price range and individual situation, investigate local and state financial assistance programs, ARM Comparison, 2/1 Buydown, and Cost of Waiting to Buy and download our Buyers Guide.

Is it me, or does life get a little more stressful in the fall? Whether it's schedules, finances, or the coming holiday season, things are just less relaxed than in other seasons. However, you can help keep things calm and less stressful with a few tweaks to your home decor. Here are five decorating tips for a stress-free home.

Let Natural Light Shine

Natural light will instantly make you feel more relaxed and comfortable. Let the light shine in and take in a bit of nature to have a calm home. Use skylights and windows to keep things bright.

Add a Touch of Nature

Did you know that looking at nature can lower your blood pressure? Add a few live plants to your home to reduce added stress. Don’t like plants? Photographs, prints, or nature paintings will bring a calming touch to your busy home.

The Right Chairs Make a Difference

Finding the right furniture goes a long way for comfort, but it also helps keep stress minimal. When looking for chairs, look for something big enough so that you can change position while sitting, move around the room easily, and have a taller back. Add a side table and a plant behind for a stress-free corner.

Paint Light Colors

Ultimate comfort and relaxation start with the colors on the wall. Dusty blue, sage green or other light colors help create a stress-free environment.

Declutter

There's nothing more stressful in a home than clutter. So take time to declutter and organize your home. Place items you use the most easily accessible and store items away that you don't use awesome. Less clutter will help your flow and keep your home stress free.

I hope these tips help you keep your home as relaxing as possible. If you need help reorganizing, I can connect you with a professional to help you organize your home. If you have questions about the current state of real estate or want to make a move this fall, I'm here to help. Reply to this email or give me a call.