A March survey by Realtor.com suggests that sellers may have trouble suppressing that instinct. The vast majority of potential sellers surveyed — 81 percent — said they expect to get their asking price or more when they decide to list their home.
Yet Zillow’s latest housing report found that 23 percent of listings received a price cut in March — the highest share on record for any March since 2018 — indicating that the original asking price was too high.
If the market remains on its current trajectory, sellers looking for a speedy sale may have to price lower than they’d like — or be willing to reduce prices later if buyers aren’t biting.
via Real Estate News
Real estate is still the best long-term investment
With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful decision.
According to the experts at Gallup, real estate has been crowned the top long-term investment for a whopping 12 years in a row. It has consistently beat out other investment types like gold, stocks, and bonds. Just take a look at the graph below – it speaks volumes:Continue Reading
What’s next for home prices and mortgage rates?
If you’re thinking of making a move this year, there are two housing market factors that are probably on your mind: home prices and mortgage rates. You’re wondering what’s going to happen next. And if it’s worth it to move now, or better to wait it out. The only thing you can really do is make the best decision you can based on the latest information available. So, here’s what experts are saying about both prices and rates.
1. What’s Next for Home Prices?
One reliable place you can turn to for information on home price forecasts is the Home Price Expectations Survey from Fannie Mae – a survey of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists.
According to the most recent release, experts are projecting home prices will continue to rise at least through 2028 (see the graph below):Continue Reading
3 myths that are hurting home buyers and sellers
There’s no denying that it’s a tough market, with challenges for both buyers and sellers. But myths and misconceptions floating around about this market and what’s going to happen next aren’t making things any easier.
So what, exactly, are those myths and misconceptions, and why are they incorrect? Here are some of the common myths in today’s housing market that are hurting both buyers and sellers, including:
Myth 1: Owners with low mortgage rates will never sell.
Many buyers that purchased a home a few years ago locked in record low interest rates on their mortgages. And with interest rates significantly higher today, there’s a belief that those homeowners will never give up their low interest rates and sell. But the truth is, there are a ton of life circumstances that could force a person to list and sell their home — like a new job, growing family, or change in their financial situation — no matter what kind of interest rate they have on their mortgage.Continue Reading
Are home prices going up or down? That depends…
Media coverage about what’s happening with home prices can be confusing. A large part of that is due to the type of data being used and what they’re choosing to draw attention to. For home prices, there are two different methods used to compare home prices over different time periods: year-over-year (Y-O-Y) and month-over-month (M-O-M). Here’s an explanation of each, and why it’s important to consider the differences:
Year-over-Year (Y-O-Y):
- This comparison measures the change in home prices from the same month or quarter in the previous year. For example, if you’re comparing Y-O-Y home prices for April 2023, you would compare them to the home prices for April 2022.
- Y-O-Y comparisons focus on changes over a one-year period, providing a more comprehensive view of long-term trends. They are usually useful for evaluating annual growth rates and determining if the market is generally appreciating or depreciating.
Oops! Home prices didn’t crash after all
During the fourth quarter of last year, many housing experts predicted home prices were going to crash this year. Here are a few of those forecasts:
“I expect housing prices fall 10% to 15%, and the housing prices are accelerating on the downside,” said Jeremy Siegel, Russell E. Palmer Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School of Business.
“Buckle in,” said Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics. “Assuming rates remain near their current 6.5% and the economy skirts recession, then national house prices will fall almost 10% peak-to-trough. Most of those declines will happen sooner rather than later. And house prices will fall 20% if there is a typical recession.”
And from Goldman Sachs: “Housing is already cooling in the U.S., according to July data that was reported last week. As interest rates climb steadily higher, Goldman Sachs Research’s G-10 home price model suggests home prices will decline by around 5% to 10% from the peak in the U.S. … Economists at Goldman Sachs Research say there are risks that housing markets could decline more than their model suggests.”Continue Reading
Buying a home makes more financial sense than renting
Wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the Census shows rents have been climbing pretty steadily since 1988.
“In March 2023, the U.S. rental market experienced single-digit growth for the eighth month in a row,” according to data from the latest rental report from Realtor.com. “The median asking rent was $1,732, up by $15 from last month and down by $32 from the peak but is still $354 (25.7%) higher than the same time in 2019 (pre-pandemic).”
With rents much higher now than they were in more normal, pre-pandemic years, owning your home may be a better option, especially as rents continue to increase year after year. In contrast, homeowners with a fixed-rate mortgage can lock in a monthly mortgage payment for the duration of their loan (typically 15-30 years). And, as home values typically rise over time and you pay off your mortgage, you build equity. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a home or continue renting, let’s connect to explore your options.
Infographic:
Three reasons to buy a home in today’s shifting market
The housing market is moving away from the frenzy of the past year and it’s opening doors for you if you’re thinking about buying a home. Housing inventory is increasing, which means more options for your search. Plus, the intensity of bidding wars may ease as buyer demand moderates, leading to fewer homes selling above asking price.
If you’re ready to buy a home, now may be the moment you’ve been waiting for. Let’s connect to start the home buying process today.
Selling your house this Summer? Hiring a pro is critical
It can be tempting, especially with how hot the housing market has been over the past two years, to consider selling your home on your own. But today’s market is at a turning point, making it more essential than ever to work with a real estate professional.
Not only will a trusted real estate advisor keep you updated and help you make the best decisions based on current market trends, but they’re also experts in managing the many aspects of selling your house. Here are five key reasons why working with a real estate professional makes sense today.
1. A professional follows the latest market trends
With higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and a growing number of homes for sale, today’s housing market is showing signs of a shift back toward more pre-pandemic levels. When conditions change, following the trends and staying on top of new information is crucial when you sell.
That makes working with an expert real estate advisor critical today. They know your local area and follow national trends too. More importantly, they’ll know what this data means for you, and as the market shifts, they’ll be able to help you navigate it and make your best decision.
2. A professional helps maximize your pool of buyers
Your agent’s role in bringing in buyers is important. Real estate professionals have a large variety of tools at their disposal, such as social media followers, agency resources, and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to ensure your house is viewed by the most buyers. Investopedia explains why it’s risky to sell on your own without the network an agent provides:
“You don’t have relationships with clients, other agents, or a real estate agency to bring the largest pool of potential buyers to your home. A smaller pool of potential buyers means less demand for your property, which can translate into waiting longer to sell your home and possibly not getting as much money as your house is worth.”
Infographic:
Why an agent is essential when pricing your home
When it comes to pricing your home, there’s a lot to consider. The only way to ensure you price it right is by partnering with a local real estate professional. To find the best price, your agent balances current market demand, the values of homes in your neighborhood, where prices are headed, and your home’s condition.
Don’t pick just any price for your house. If you’re ready to sell, let’s connect to find the perfect price for your house.
