Some HighlightsEquity is the difference between what your house is worth and what you still owe on your mortgage.The typical homeowner gained $28,000 over the past year and has a grand total of $305,000 in equity. And there are a lot of great ways you can use that equity.To find out how much equity you have, connect with a real estate agent who can give you a Professional Equity Assessment Report (PEAR). … [Read more...]
How the Economy Impacts Mortgage Rates
As someone who’s thinking about buying or selling a home, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates – and wondering what's ahead.One thing that can affect mortgage rates is the Federal Funds Rate, which influences how much it costs banks to borrow money from each other. While the Federal Reserve (the Fed) doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, they do control the Federal Funds Rate.The relationship between the two is why people have been watching closely to see when the Fed might lower the Federal … [Read more...]
Why Fixing Up Your House Can Help It Sell Faster
If you’re thinking about selling your house, you should know there are buyers who are ready and able to pay today’s high prices. But they want a home that’s move-in ready. A recent press release from Redfin explains:“Buyers are still out there and they’re willing to pay today’s high prices, but only if the house is in really good shape. They don’t want to spend extra money on paint or new appliances.”It makes sense when you think about it. They’re having to pay a lot of money for a house in today’s market. That … [Read more...]
Why Moving to a Smaller Home After Retirement Makes Life Easier
Retirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and enjoying the things you love. As you imagine this exciting new chapter in your life, it's important to think about whether your current home still fits your needs. If it's too big, too costly, or just not convenient anymore, downsizing might help you make the most of your retirement years. To find out if a smaller, more manageable home might be the perfect fit for your new lifestyle, ask yourself these questions:Do the original reasons I bought my current house … [Read more...]
Why Your Asking Price Matters Even More Right Now
If you’re thinking about selling your house, here’s something you really need to know. Even though it’s still a seller’s market today, you can’t pick just any price for your listing.While home prices are still appreciating in most areas, they’re climbing at a slower pace because higher mortgage rates are putting a squeeze on buyer demand. At the same time, the supply of homes for sale is growing. That means buyers have more options and your house may not stand out as much, if it’s not priced right.Those two factors … [Read more...]
Homeowners Gained $28K in Equity over the Past Year
If you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you're building equity much faster than you might think. Here’s how it works.Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan.Over the past year, there have still been more people wanting to buy than there are homes available for sale, and that’s pushed prices up. That rise in prices has translated directly into increasing equity for homeowners.How Much Equity Have You … [Read more...]
What To Do When Your House Didn’t Sell
If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, it’s totally natural to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. And as you’re working through that, you’re probably also wondering what went wrong and what you should do next.If you still need to move and want to get it back on the market, here are some things to consider as you look back.Was It Priced for Today’s Market?Setting the right price from the start is key. While it might be tempting to try shooting high with your price, that can slow down the … [Read more...]
How Long Will It Take To Sell My House?
You want your house to sell fast. And you may be wondering how long the whole process is going to take. One way to get your answer? Work with a local real estate agent.They have the expertise to tell you how quickly homes are selling in your area and what’s impacting timelines for other sellers. That way you have realistic expectations and can work together to come up with a plan that’s based on today’s market.Here’s a high-level overview of just one of the factors a great agent will walk you through – the supply … [Read more...]
Housing Market Forecast: What’s Ahead for the 2nd Half of 2024
As we move into the second half of 2024, here’s what experts say you should expect for home prices, mortgage rates, and home sales.Home Prices Are Expected To Climb ModeratelyHome prices are forecasted to rise at a more normal pace. The graph below shows the latest forecasts from seven of the most trusted sources in the industry:The reason for continued appreciation? The supply of homes for sale. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:“One thing that seems to … [Read more...]
The Downsides of Selling Your House Without an Agent
Some HighlightsConsidering selling your house without an agent? You should know there are some serious downsides to handling it on your own.You’ll be missing out on marketing tools that draw in more buyers, pricing and market expertise, essential negotiation skills, in-depth knowledge of the fine print in contracts, and so much more.Don’t take all of this responsibility on. Instead, connect with an agent so you have someone with the knowledge and experience you’ll need on your side. … [Read more...]
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