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