The Best Investment You Could Make

 Today’s housing market is all over the palace. There are prospective homebuyers out there who are asking themselves if this is the right time to purchase a home.

The pandemic caused a crazy housing market with home prices skyrocketing and buyers in bidding wars. Today, the market is cooling off a bit because of the high inflation.  The average interest rate for the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage reached 7.29%, as of July 31.

Even though these red flags might scare you, this is a great time to invest in the real estate market. According to Mike Biryla with The Agency, when there’s volatility in the housing market, it is a great time to purchase. “Sellers that are on the market right now are not opportunistic sellers. This isn’t the market where sellers can just try for a high number and see if it’ll happen,” says Biryla.

When investing in real estate, you need to remember that you are setting yourself up for the future. “If you’re not ready to take on that responsibility just yet but want to lock in an interest rate, buy it now. When it comes to real estate, I think it’s one of the best investments you could possibly make. It’s great for your portfolio and it’s great for your retirement,” says Emma Hernan of the Oppenheim Group.

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Is the Housing Market Slowing Down?

 According to data from the National Association of Realtors, pending home sales increased for the first time in six months in December 2022. Along with this it also reports that new home sales and mortgage applications are rising.

This has many in the industry asking if the housing market is slowing down. “The recent low point in home sales activity is likely over,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Mortgage rates are the dominant factor driving home sales, and recent declines in rates are clearly helping to stabilize the market.”

The new home market is seeing some progress even with higher construction costs and low affordability.

“Builder incentives and declining mortgage rates during the month of December helped push new-home sales up for the month,” says Jerry Konter, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders.

“The new normal for mortgage rates will likely be in the 5.5% to 6.5% range,” Yun says. “Job gains will steadily become important in driving local markets. The South, in particular, is set to outperform the rest of the country, thanks primarily to better job market conditions in this part of the country compared to other regions.”

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Ways To Sell a Home in a Buyer's or Seller’s Market

 How to determine which type of home buying market you are in?

If there are more buyers than sellers then it is a seller's market. If there are more homes for sale than there are buyers, then it is a buyer's market.

If you are a seller, then being able to sell your home whether it's in a buyer's market or a seller's market is the goal. Selling your home is a big life-changing event that can be bother costly and time-consuming. This is why it is so important to know what kind of market you are in and approach the market accordingly.

The first step in the process is to figure out what type of market you are currently in. It can only be one of two types, a seller's market or a buyer's market. When you are in a buyer's market, it is a little bit harder to sell a home. This means that there are more listings than there are potential buyers. You have a lot more competition when it comes to selling. In a seller's market, it is less demanding on a seller. This means there are more potential buyers than there are listings. A seller can usually list for top prices and get multiple offers, selling their home more quickly.

A seller has to work hard in a buyer's market. That means a seller needs to do more to have their house stands out in an inundated market. Make sure your home is staged. You want a potential buyer to come into the house and be able to envision themselves in the home. Professional home stagers can work with your Realtor to stage your home. A big part of the process is cleaning, decluttering and removing personal artifacts.

Not only is the interior important but your home's curb appeal must be eye-catching. The yard and exterior are the first things that potential buyers see when they come to see your home in person. Make sure your yard is clean and tidy. You will also want to repaint outdoor fixtures and your front door.

Buyers have the upper hand so a seller needs to be prepared to make concessions. Keep in mind that in a buyer's market, you might need to negotiate on your asking price, be flexible with the closing date, pay for some of the repairs, and waive certain contingencies if requested.

In a seller's market, the demands are not as demanding. This doesn't mean that you should list your home for an inflated price, but you should price your home fairly. If you price your home too high, it can be skipped by potential buyers who are looking online within a certain budget. Remember some offers may sound too good to be true. You will want to weigh multiple offers very carefully. Sometimes choosing the highest offer is not always the best way to go.

No matter what the current market, it is important to use a Realtor when it comes to selling your home. A Realtor can help you navigate both markets and get you the best price for the best home.

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Facts All Agents Should Know When It Comes to the Green House Market

 What are simple ways to make sure my new home is cared for?

-Focus on home decor that pulls double-duty
-Make sure your insurance protects your needs
-While you have a blank slate, create an organized foundation
-Learn climate-specific maintenance tips
-Add or update safety monitors
-Assess landscaping and head-off concerns
-Get to know your neighbors
-Put household check-ups on the schedule

Buying a new home is a big step in life and is both an exciting and nerve-wracking time. Many new homeowners feel very overwhelmed not with just the buying process but owning their own home and caring for it. In order to feel peace of mind, there are several things you can do to maintain your new home from the start.

1. Focus on home decor that pulls double-duty

When you start to move your belongings into your new house becomes your home. Remember to prioritize multi-functional products. For example, a nice ottoman can also act as a storage space. You want to limit the clutter from the beginning. Studies show that limiting excess items can boost your mental health. Not only can some things boost your mental health but your physical health as well. House plants are natural air purifiers. The snake plant takes indoor air and filters it by taking up to four toxins out of the air plus it changes carbon dioxide into oxygen.

2. Make sure your insurance protects your needs

When you are shopping around for home insurance, make sure that you choose a plan that fits your unique home's needs. If you have an expensive piano, you will want to make sure this is covered. There are many insurance companies where you can get a quote and a new policy online. You can also save if you bundle things such as your car and home insurance.

3. While you have a blank slate, create an organized foundation

Remember to make a plan for each item when moving all your stuff into your new home. If you are moving from another home you will be tempted to put everything in the same room it went in in the new home. Add things such as closet organizers before moving all your items into the closet, and racks in the garage.

4. Learn climate-specific maintenance tips

If you are moving from New York to Miami, it might be a good idea to study the average tips and weather for each season. In New York, you have to winterize your home, whereas in Miami you do not. You will need to look into different pest maintenance in the South.

5. Add or update safety monitors

A fire can happen anytime day or night so having a smoke and carbon monoxide detector can save a homeowner's life. These should be in every home. When installing, be sure to follow the installation guidelines. You want to make sure they are strategically placed throughout your house and always make sure to test them monthly. Another safety measure is to install a home-monitoring system or a burglar alarm.

6. Assess landscaping and head-off concerns

Tree branches hanging over your roof can be a hazard. A heavy tree branch can fall on a roof during bad weather or make a great extension for pests to enter a home. Look around your home and assess what would cause a threat to the exterior of the house or your property if a storm were to occur. The leading cause of homeowners' insurance claims is weather-related incidents.

7. Get to know your neighbors

It is always nice to know your neighbors but it can also have an advantage when it comes to safety. When you are away it is nice to have your neighbors that will keep an eye out on your place. Neighbors can also help with taking out your trash or bringing in the mail when you are out of town.

8. Put household check-ups on the schedule

Just like we need an annual check-up with the doctor, your home needs one as well. Put a household check-up on your calendar. Go around and look at what needs to be done every season. Check the landscaping, test the smoke detectors, make sure your HVAC filters are good and even take a minute to declutter.

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