Today’s Housing Inventory Is a Sweet Spot for SellersOne of the biggest challenges in the housing market right now is how few homes there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy them. To help emphasize just how limited housing inventory still is, let’s take a look at the latest information on active listings, or homes for sale in a given month, as it compares to more normal levels.According to a recent report from Realtor.com:   “On average, active inventory in June was 50.6% below pre-pandemic 2017–2019 levels.” The graph below helps illustrate this point. It uses historical data to provide a more concrete look at how much the numbers are still lagging behind the level of inventory typical of a more normal market (see graph below):It’s worth noting that 2020-2022 ... 10/11/2023

Americans Still View Homeownership as the American DreamEveryone’s interpretation of the American Dream is unique and personal. But, for many people, it’s tied to a sense of success, freedom, and prosperity. These are all the things that owning a home can help provide.A recent survey from Bankrate asked respondents which achievements they feel most embody the American Dream. The responses prove owning a home is still important to so many Americans today (see graph below):As the graph shows, homeownership ranks above other significant milestones, including retirement, having a successful career, and earning a college degree.A recent report from MYND helps shed light on why so many people value homeownership. It finds: “. . . nearly two-thirds of Americans (65%) see homeownership as a mea... 10/11/2023

Evaluating Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Matters More TodayWhen it comes to buying a home, especially with today’s affordability challenges, you’ll want to be strategic. Mortgage rates impact how much it costs to borrow money for your home loan. And, to help offset the higher borrowing costs today, some homebuyers are taking a close look at their wish list and re-evaluating what features they really need in their next home to avoid overextending. As a recent NerdWallet article says:“A pool, for example, may be nice to have, but it may not provide as much day-to-day value as a garage or a space for a home office . . .”While that pool may be appealing, think twice on whether or not it’s really something you must have to be happy in your next home. Is getting that pool the main reaso... 10/11/2023

08/17/2023

Getting started on the road to rental investments is generally the most difficult obstacle for people without 25-30% down payment.  That is where buying the property as an owner occupant can be a huge advantage.The first example would be to buy a home to live in with a minimum FHA down payment of 3.5%.  If you find the right seller, they may even participate in paying part of your closing costs.  This type of loan requires that you live in it, which if it is a single-family property, means you won't be able to rent it while you are living in it.There is no set period but after living in the property for a while, say a year or so, you buy another single-family home to live in but instead of selling this home, you rent it.  With rents as high as they are currently, it will probably even h... 08/09/2023

Purchasing a home can feel like an overwhelming project, but the long-term advantages of homeownership make it a smart investment to secure your future where the benefits extend beyond simply having a place to live.Building equity is one of the most significant advantages of owning a home. As you make mortgage payments, your equity increases, and over time, your home can become a valuable asset to use the equity to finance home improvements, pay for college tuition, or even as a down payment on a second home.Two factors determine equity; the home going up in value and the unpaid balance of the mortgage being paid down.  Appreciation is the increase in value expressed in an annual amount.  Homes have averaged 4% nationally for the past 50 years.  Amortization is the systematic principal ... 08/09/2023

Having a list of talking points prepared before meeting with a real estate agent can be incredibly valuable in guiding the conversation and helping you make an informed decision about who will represent you in the sale of your home. Whether you're a first-time seller or it has been a while since you last sold a property, asking these questions can reveal important information about the experience and expertise of your candidate.Even if you already have a trusted friend who is a real estate agent, it's still appropriate to understand how different issues will be handled. A true professional should not feel challenged to discuss these important concerns. Tell me about your experience and training. Do you work in real estate full-time? Are you a REALTOR® and a member of MLS? What is the av... 08/09/2023

As a homeowner, you've likely invested a significant amount of time and money into furnishing and decorating your home with items that are important to you. Unfortunately, unexpected events like natural disasters or burglaries can result in the loss or damage of these belongings.That's why it's important to create a home inventory to document everything you own. This can help ensure that you're properly insured and can help speed up the recovery process if the worst were to happen. Here's how to construct a home inventory.First, gather your supplies. You'll need a camera, a notebook, and a computer or storage device to keep track of your inventory.Next, start in one room of your house and systematically go through all your belongings, one item at a time, focusing on the more expensive i... 08/06/2023

An appraisal gap describes the difference between the sales price and the lower amount of the appraisal required by the mortgage being obtained by the buyer.  It becomes an issue if the seller is not willing to lower the price or the buyer is not willing to pay the difference in cash.Looking at the issue from the seller's perspective, "if the buyer wants my home and he can't get the loan he wants, he'll have to make up the difference in cash."  The buyer might have a different view like "If an independent appraiser can't justify the price, I'm not going to pay more than appraised value." Pay the difference in the appraised value and the purchase price in cash. Solution - Assuming the buyer has adequate cash reserves and is willing to pay above appraised value, this will satisfy the lend... 08/06/2023

Sales in March 2023 were down 2.4% month over month and still down 22.0% year over year according to the NAR Housing Snapshot.  The median sales price dipped 0.9% to $375,700 and there are 2.6 months supply of homes on the market compared to 2 months a year ago."Inventory levels are still at historic lows, and consequently, multiple offers are returning on 28% of properties." According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of REALTORS®.It is still important to have a strategy for potentially competing with other buyers on the house you want to buy.  The plan should include several available provisions and options, so that at the time of drafting the sales offer, you can consider exactly what to include based on the situation.Unless a person is paying cash, you ne... 08/06/2023

Like opening and closing a faucet increases and decreases the water flow, lowering interest rates increases home sales and raising interest rates decreases home sales.When home sales increase during periods of limited inventory, demand increases and prices go up.  Contrarily, when home sales decrease, demand could lessen and prices moderate. There is opportunity with higher rates because it affects sales and demand, which in turn keeps prices in check.  By waiting for rates to come down, and no one knows by how much but certainly not to the 3-4% range, buyers' pent-up demand will affect the already low supply and cause prices to increase.Let's look at a scenario where you could buy a home today for $400,000 with a 90% loan at 6.5% for 30-years with P&I payments of $2,275.44.  If interes... 08/06/2023

Nobel Prize recipient, Richard Thaler, in his research into seemingly irrational economic behaviors, "found that consumers generally search too little, get confused while evaluating complex alternatives, and are slow to switch from past choices, even if it costs them." "Why are consumers leaving money on the table?"Based on this behavior, a borrower securing a mortgage might depend on their existing banking relationship or a single referral from a friend or agent rather than shopping multiple lenders.When shopping for a lower mortgage rate, consider that not all lenders share the same business practices.  Some may lure unsuspecting borrowers to a rate, knowing full well that they cannot deliver on it.  After making a loan application and supplying information necessary for approval, the... 08/06/2023

A person's decision to sell their home comes with a lot of other decisions causing an owner to stress or procrastinate.  Early in the process, the owner will consider selling the home "As Is" to avoid the looming issues that accompany selling a home.From a seller's standpoint, "as is" means the buyer will purchase the home in its current condition without asking for any repairs.  While it is convenient for the seller to take this approach, the normal trade out is the property will not result in the highest possible sales price.Regardless of how the home is sold, the seller is required to disclose all defects which include repair history, condition of systems and appliances, water damage, pest infestation, radon, and other things that affect the value and livability of the home.From a bu... 08/06/2023

Key Reasons To Use a Real Estate Agent When You SellSome Highlights An agent is a really important part of selling your home because they bring a lot of skill and expertise to the sales process. They’ll explain what’s happening today, what that means for you, and how to price and market your house. They’re also skilled negotiators and well versed in the contracts and disclosures involved. Let’s connect to ensure you have an expert helping you sell your house successfully. 08/06/2023

Where Will You Go If You Sell? Newly Built Homes Might Be the Answer.Do you want to sell your house, but hesitate because you’re worried you won’t be able to find your next home in today’s market? You're not alone, but there’s some good news that may ease your worries. New home construction is up and is becoming an increasingly significant part of the housing inventory.That means when you go to put your house on the market this summer, considering newly built homes is crucial for expanding the options you’ll have for your next move.Near-Record Percentage of New Home InventoryNewly built homes today make up a near-record percentage of the total number of homes available for sale (see graph below):In fact, as the data shows, newly built homes now make up 31% of the total for-sale inventor... 08/06/2023

Lending Standards Are Not Like They Were Leading Up to the CrashYou might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008. One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help prove it. Every month, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) releases the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to their website:“The MCAI provides the only standardized quantitative index that is solely focused on mortgage credit. The MCAI is . . . a summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”Basically, the index determines how easy it is to get a mortgage. Take a look at the graph below of the MCAI since they started keeping track ... 08/06/2023

Why Homeownership Wins in the Long RunToday’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to think about the long-term benefits of homeownership when making your decision.Consider this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that grows your own wealth. That may be why, in a recent Fannie Mae survey, 70% of respondents say they believe buying a home is a safe investment.Here’s a look at how just the hom... 08/06/2023

 Dania Beach 2/2 Corner Unit Condo SELL$ for $200,000!This Dania Beach 2/2 corner unit condo SELL$ for $200,000! The new owner will enjoy the spacious floor plan with peaceful, relaxing courtyard view from the screened in patio.  The Oak Hills Condominium community amenities include a clubhouse, barbeque area and sparkling pool.  It is also conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and major highways to get you to great shopping, Fort Lauderdale International Airport and beautiful beaches.The Broward County Public Schools that the children of this community will attend are:  Stirling Elementary School, Attucks Middle School and Hollywood Hills High School.  There are also Brauser Maimonides Academy, AEF Schools and Nova Elementary, Middl... 08/03/2023

The True Cost of Selling Your House on Your OwnSelling your house is no simple task. While some homeowners opt to sell their homes on their own, known as a FSBO (For Sale by Owner), they often encounter various challenges without the guidance of a real estate agent. If you’re currently considering selling your house on your own, here’s what you should know.The most recent Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveyed homeowners who’d recently sold their own homes and asked what difficulties they faced. Those sellers say some of the greatest challenges were prepping their home for sale, pricing it right, and properly managing the required paperwork, just to name a few.When it comes to selling your most valuable asset, consider the invaluable ... 08/03/2023

Homeownership Helps Protect You from InflationSome Highlights Wondering if it makes sense to buy a home today even when inflation is high? When other costs go up due to inflation, buying a home helps you keep your monthly housing expense steady. Rents typically increase with inflation. Maybe that’s why, according to a recent survey, 65.1% of landlords say they plan to raise the rent of at least one of their properties within the next 12 months. Especially when inflation is up, having a stable housing payment can be helpful. Let’s connect so you can learn more and start your journey to owning a home today. 08/03/2023