The Real Estate Market: What You Need to Know to Make Informed Decision

If you’re thinking about moving, selling your house this fall might be the way to go. Here are four highlights in the housing market that may make your decision to sell this fall an easy one. 1. Buyers Are Actively in the Market ShowingTime, a leading real estate showing software and market stat service provider, […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/30/why-selling-this-fall-may-be-your-best-move/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

In a recent article, The Wall Street Journal reported that investors have rarely been this flush with cash.   The economic uncertainty due to the pandemic and the volatility of the stock market has caused assets in money-market funds to increase to approximately $4.6 trillion, the highest level on record according to Refinitv Lipper. The question becomes should an investor be "out of the market" until things settle down or should they seek to find alternative investments to produce satisfactory results.   Even in the middle of this uncertainty, residential rental property has been a stable performer. Rents are continuing to increase along with values.   Investor mortgages are available at 80% loan-to-value at fixed interest rates for 30-year terms.   Most other investments must be purchased for cash or at best, are limited to low loan-to-value loans, at floating interest rates for relatively short time frames. The use of borrowed funds, especially at today's low int

As shelter-in-place orders were implemented earlier this year, many questioned what the shutdown would mean to the real estate market. Specifically, there was concern about home values. After years of rising home prices, would 2020 be the year this appreciation trend would come to a screeching halt? Even worse, would home values begin to depreciate? […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/29/where-are-home-values-headed-over-the-next-12-months/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Back in March, as the nation’s economy was shut down because of the coronavirus, many were predicting the real estate market would face a major collapse. Some forecasts called for a 15-20% decline in transactions. However, six months later, it seems as though the housing market has fully recovered. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/28/housing-market-on-track-to-beat-last-years-success/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Some Highlights * As a seller today, you may think pricing your home on the high end will result in a higher final sale price, but the opposite is actually true. * To sell your home quickly and for the best possible price, you should eliminate buyer concerns by pricing your home competitively right from the start. * Let’s connect today to make sure you have the guidance you need to price your home right this fall. https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/25/why-pricing-your-home-right-matters-this-fall-infographic/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Homeownership is one of the best ways to invest in your financial future, especially as your home equity grows. Home equity is a form of forced savings that can work to your advantage as the value of your home appreciates. Across the country, home equity was increasing before the health crisis swept our nation, and […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/24/home-equity-give-sellers-options-in-todays-market/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Last week, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported their Housing Market Index (HMI) hit an all-time high in the 35-year history of the series with a score of 83. The index gauges builder perceptions of current single-family home sales and sale expectations for the next six months, as well as the traffic of […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/23/home-builder-confidence-hits-all-time-record/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

It seems like most homes have sprinkler systems and if they do, they have some form of controller to automatically turn the water on and off for the time and days you feel necessary.  It seems like basic functionality and if it isn't broken, you may not feel the need to replace it.   Today, there are so many smart home devices that are not only convenient, but they'll end up saving you enough money to pay for the upgrade.  There are different manufacturers, but you should at least consider the Rachio if for no other reason than the easy installation procedure .   The process is simple.  Unplug the old controller and disconnect the wires being sure to label which wires went to which stations.  Using the Rachio template, mark three spots on the wall, drill holes in the drywall, insert the anchors into the holes and screw the new controller to the wall.   This model has convenient wire connectors that do not require crimping a wire around a screw.  It i

Housing inventory is at an all-time low. There are 39% fewer homes for sale today than at this time last year, and buyer demand continues to set records. Zillow recently reported: “Newly pending sales are up 25.5% compared to the same week last year, the highest year-over-year increase in the weekly Zillow database.” Whenever there […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/22/the-cost-of-a-home-is-far-more-important-than-the-price/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

There are a number of factors that dictate a home's worth — the value of similar homes in the area, lot size, recent renovations, the list goes on! Email or call me to get a quick estimate! http://estradahomeevaluation.websitebox.biz/

Earlier this year, many economists and market analysts were predicting an apocalyptic financial downturn that would potentially rattle the U.S. economy for years to come. They immediately started to compare it to the Great Depression of a century ago. Six months later, the economy is still trying to stabilize, but it is evident that the […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/21/is-the-economic-recovery-beating-all-projections/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Are you looking to sell? I'd be happy to provide a report of your property's value! Want to know how much your home is worth? Find out now http://estradahomeevaluation.websitebox.biz/

Some Highlights * Buyers are actively searching for and purchasing homes at a record-breaking pace. According to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), in July, 68% of homes were on the market for less than a month. * With homes moving from listing day to pending sale in an average of just 22 days, it’s a great time to sell a house. * Let’s connect today so you can make your move while buyers are scooping homes up faster than they’re coming to market. https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/18/homes-across-the-country-are-selling-fast-infographic-2/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Real estate continues to be called the ‘bright spot’ in the current economy, but there’s one thing that may hold the housing market back from achieving its full potential this year: the lack of homes for sale. Buyers are actively searching for and purchasing homes, looking to capitalize on today’s historically low interest rates, but […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/17/how-low-inventory-may-impact-the-housing-market-this-fall/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Earlier this year, realtor.com announced the release of the Housing Recovery Index, a weekly guide showing how the pandemic has impacted the residential real estate market. The index leverages a weighted average of four key components of the housing industry by tracking each of the following: Housing Demand – Growth in online search activity Home […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/16/the-surging-real-estate-market-continues-to-climb/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

People are always looking for a "down and dirty" way to determine the value of a home and square footage seems to be one of the most common things used by people whether they are buyers, sellers or real estate agents.   While it seems straight forward, there are several variances that can lead to inaccurate determinations. The market data approach to value uses similar properties in size, location, condition and amenities to compare with the subject to arrive at a price.   Differences in any of these things can affect the price per square foot.   Appraisers are trained and licensed to make these adjustments but the differences are not necessarily objective and that is where opinions start to influence the value. Even if a person were to make accurate adjustments, they would be based on the assumption that the square footage of the comparable properties is correct.   That leads to the next area of concern: how was the subject property measured. It is commonly accepted to

How long have you lived in your current home? If it’s been a while, you may be thinking about moving. According to the latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), in 2019, homeowners were living in their homes for an average of 10 years. That’s a long time […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/15/is-now-a-good-time-to-move/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

There has been much talk around the possibility that Americans are feeling less enamored with the benefits of living in a large city and now may be longing for the open spaces that suburban and rural areas provide. In a recent Realtor Magazine article, they discussed the issue and addressed comments made by Lawrence Yun, […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/14/two-new-surveys-indicate-urban-to-suburban-lean/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Sinking, Sagging and Other Signs Your Home Has Serious Foundation Issues : Over time or due to major storm damage, a foundation may begin to show evidence of a damage. Here are four signs that your foundation may be in trouble.

https://infogram.com/live-mortgage-rates-1h7g6k5k0jxj6oy  

Some Highlights * With remote learning sweeping the nation this academic year, organized spaces with enough room for kids to learn effectively are high on buyer wish lists. * If you’re trying to make room for your family’s growing needs, multi-purpose rooms and dedicated workspaces may be features to consider in your next home. * Let’s connect today so you can find a home where your kids feel confident and comfortable too. https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/11/virtual-school-is-changing-homebuyer-needs-infographic/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

One of the biggest surprises of 2020 is the resilience of the residential real estate market. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), is now forecasting that more homes will sell this year than last year. He’s also predicting home sales to increase by 8-12% next year. There’s strong evidence that […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/10/homebuyer-traffic-is-on-the-rise/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Last Friday, the Bureau for Labor Statistics released their Employment Report for August 2020. The big surprise was that the unemployment rate fell to 8.4%, a full percent lower than what many analysts had forecasted earlier in the week. Though it is tough to look at this as great news when millions of Americans are […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/09/the-latest-unemployment-rate-fell-to-8-4/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

There are hundreds of thousands of people who believe, for one reason or another, they cannot afford to buy a home currently.   Some people  may not for any number of reasons but it would be very surprising to know how many who can buy but have gotten some bad information along the way.   It's worth digging a little deeper to find out the facts. John and Karen have been renting a home for the last five years at $2,000 a month.   During that time, the value of the home they were renting went up by $30,000 in value while the unpaid balance decreased by $18, 400.   Even though they were fortunate enough the rent remained constant over the five years, they missed out on close to $50,000 of equity that the owner realized instead of them. Another thing to consider with today's low interest rates, it is quite common for a mortgage payment to be lower than a tenant is paying rent for a similar property.   So, in this example, John & Karen paid more to rent than a house payment

The year 2020 will certainly be one to remember, with new realities and norms that changed the way we live. This year’s real estate market is certainly no exception to that shift, with historic highlights continuing to break records and challenge what many thought possible in the housing market. Here’s a look at four key […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/08/have-you-ever-seen-a-housing-market-like-this/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

To all essential workers on this Labor Day, thank you. https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/07/thank-you-essential-workers/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Some Highlights * The word “home” is taking on a whole new meaning this year, and buyers are starting to look for new features as they re-think their needs and what’s truly possible. * From more outdoor space to virtual classrooms for their children, buyers have a growing list of what they’d like to see in their homes. * Let’s connect today if your needs have changed and your wish list is expanding too. https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/04/the-2020-homebuyer-wish-list-infographic/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Homebuying has been on the rise over the past few months, with record-breaking sales powering through the market in June and July. Buyers are actively purchasing homes, and the momentum is continuing into the fall. It is, however, becoming harder for buyers to find homes to purchase. If you’ve been thinking about selling your house, […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/03/homebuyer-demand-is-far-above-last-years-pace/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The year 2020 will be remembered as one of the most challenging times of our lives. A worldwide pandemic, a recession causing historic unemployment, and a level of social unrest perhaps never seen before have all changed the way we live. Only the real estate market seems to be unaffected, as a new forecast projects […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/02/how-will-the-presidential-election-impact-real-estate/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

More people grill in July, June & August than any other months and correspondingly, there are more injuries, as well as fires, due to grilling accidents in those months. Even though Labor Day is in September, we still need to be aware of safety. Close to 20,000 patients per year visit the emergency room due to injuries involving grills.   Approximately half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns.   If you are around fire, there's a chance of getting burned.   About 2/3 of American households own at least one outdoor barbecue, grill or smoker.   Interestingly, gas grills contribute to more fires than charcoal grills.   In addition, there are over 10,600 home fires started by grills each year. While grilling is associated with celebrations, good food, fun and friends, it is important to make sure that accidents don't interrupt your activities.   Only use BBQ grills outdoors and in ventilated areas Place the grill away from home or anything that

When most of us begin searching for a home, we naturally start by looking at the price. It’s important, however, to closely consider what else impacts the purchase. It’s not just the price of the house that matters, but the overall cost in the long run. Today, that’s largely impacted by low mortgage rates. Low […] https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2020/09/01/its-not-just-about-the-price-of-the-home/?a=492508-5792a6ba3fc4f971e5ea39a74a0ea948&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger