What You Can Do to Get Your House Ready to Sell [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Believe it or not, there are lots of things you can do to prep your house for a sale without even going to the store.
- Your real estate plans don’t have to be completely on hold even while we’ve hit the pause button on other parts of daily life.
- Tackling small projects from cleaning the corners you may normally skip to tidying up your yard are easy and necessary wins if you’re thinking of listing your house and making a move.
The Housing Market Is Positioned to Help the Economy Recover [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Expert insights are painting a bright future for housing when the economy bounces back – and it will.
- We may be facing challenging economic times today, but the housing market is poised to help the economy recover, not drag it down.
- Let’s connect to make sure you’re informed and ready when it’s time to make your move.
What You Can Do to Keep Your Dream of Homeownership Moving Forward [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Don’t put your homeownership plans on hold just because you’re stuck inside.
- There are several things you can do right now to keep your home search moving forward.
- Connect with an agent, learn about resource programs for things like down payments, and get pre-approved today.
A Recession Does Not Equal a Housing Crisis [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- The COVID-19 pandemic is causing an economic slowdown.
- The good news is, home values actually increased in 3 of the last 5 U.S. recessions and decreased by less than 2% in the 4th.
- All things considered, an economic slowdown does not equal a housing crisis, and this will not be a repeat of 2008.
Buying a Home: Do You Know the Lingo? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Buying a home can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the terms used throughout the process.
- To point you in the right direction, here’s a list of some of the most common language you’ll hear along the way.
- The best way to ensure your homebuying process is a positive one is to find a real estate professional who will guide you through every aspect of the transaction with ‘the heart of a teacher.’
The Difference an Hour Makes [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Don’t forget to set your clocks forward this Sunday, March 8 at 2:00 AM EST in observance of Daylight Saving Time, unless you’re a resident of Arizona or Hawaii!
- Every hour in the United States, 568 homes are sold and median home values rise by $1.92.
- As we “spring forward” this year, let’s get together to see how you can take advantage of every hour in the housing market.
10 Steps to Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
- If you’re thinking of buying a home and you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone.
- Here’s a guide with 10 simple steps to follow in the homebuying process.
- Be sure to work with a trusted real estate professional to find out the specifics of what to do in your local area.
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Interest Rates Over Time [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- With interest rates hovering at near historic lows, now is a great time to look back at where they’ve been, and how much they’ve changed over time.
- According to Freddie Mac, mortgage interest rates are currently hovering near a five-decade low.
- The impact your interest rate has on your monthly mortgage payment is significant. An increase of just $20 dollars in your monthly payment can add up to $240 per year or $7,200 over the life of your loan. Maybe it’s time to lock in now while rates are still low.
Reasons to Fall in Love with Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
- There are many benefits to love about homeownership, and they’re not all financial.
- Being a part of a neighborhood, driving academic achievement, and improving mental health are just a few of these advantages.
- Let’s get together today to determine if you’re ready to embrace the rewards of owning your own home.
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The Top States Americans Moved to Last Year [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Americans are on the move, and the most recent Atlas Van Lines Migration Patterns Survey tracked the 2019 traffic flow from state-to-state.
- Idaho held on to the top spot of ‘high inbound’ states for the second time since 2017, followed by Washington State.
- New York was the country’s outbound move leader in 2019, a designation it most recently held in 2014.
5 Reasons Homeowners Throw Better Parties During the Big Game [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
- There’s more room to entertain a large crowd.
- The kitchen is big enough to whip up endless appetizers – yum!
- You don’t have to worry about complaints to your landlord when the cheering kicks in!
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2020 Homebuying Checklist
Some Highlights
- If you’re thinking of buying a home, plan ahead and stay on the right track, starting with pre-approval.
- Being proactive about the homebuying process will help set you up for success in each step.
- Make sure to work with a trusted real estate professional along the way, to help guide you through the homebuying steps specific to your area.
Where Homebuyers Are Heading By Generation [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Whether capitalizing on job opportunities, affordability, or warm-weather places to retire, Americans are making moves to these top cities to take advantage of the strength in the current housing market.
- A strong economy and lower mortgage rates have made it easier for many would-be buyers to get into the market. According to realtor.com, it just depends on which market.
- To find the top market in our area, let’s get together.
National Cut Your Energy Costs Day [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- On January 10th of each year, “National Cut Your Energy Costs Day” encourages consumers to reduce their overall energy costs by improving home efficiency.
- According to Freddie Mac, a typical U.S. family spends $2,200 per year on energy bills. By making energy efficient upgrades, you could reduce your energy bills by up to 30%.
- To assess the energy efficiency of your home and see how it measures up, take a moment to check out Home Energy Yardstick to calculate your estimated opportunity. Don’t forget to have your energy bills nearby!
Top Renovations for Maximum ROI [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- If you’re planning on selling your house in 2020, these are the top renovations that will give you the highest Return on your Investment.
- Regardless of how long you’re planning on staying in your current home, it’s smart to be aware of which home renovations add the most value.
- The exterior of a house is the first thing buyers see when searching for a home. Upgrading your roof or siding will ensure your home leaves a great first impression!
Working with a Local Real Estate Professional Makes All the Difference [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Choosing the right real estate professional is one of the most impactful decisions you can make in your home buying or selling process.
- A real estate professional can explain current market conditions and break down what they will mean to you and your family.
- If you’re considering buying or selling a home in 2020, make sure to work with someone who has the experience to answer all of your questions about pricing, contracts, and negotiations.
Where is the Housing Market Headed in 2020? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Interest rates will be lower than they have been since before 1980 at 3.8% and are projected to remain steady throughout 2020!
- According to CoreLogic, home prices will appreciate at a rate of 5.4% over the course of the year.
- Experts predict that the number of homes sold next year will be equal to or outpace 2019.
Get Your House Ready To Sell This Winter [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Winter is a great time to list a house, since inventory is traditionally low, and most sellers are holding off until spring to put their homes on the market.
- Waiting for warmer weather when more competition is on the market will only put your house up against many more choices for buyers.
- Get your house ready to sell now with quick and easy fixes that make a big impact.
Millennials Are on the Move as First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the median age of all first-time homebuyers is 32.
- With more millennials entering a homebuying phase of life, they are driving a large portion of the buyer appetite in the market, keeping buyer activity strong.
- More and more “old millennials” (ages 25-36) are realizing that homeownership is now within their grasp, and they’re actively dominating the first-time homebuyer market!
Buyers Are Looking For Your Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Existing Home Sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.46 million.
- The inventory of existing homes for sale remains below the 6 months needed for a normal market and is now at a 3.9-month supply.
- Inventory remains low due to high demand from buyers who are still looking for a house to buy!
The Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- With interest rates around 3.66%, now is a great time to look back at where they’ve been over the past few decades. Comparatively, they’re pretty low!
- According to Freddie Mac, rates are projected to increase to 3.9% by this time next year.
- The impact your interest rate has on your monthly mortgage payment is significant. An increase of just $20 dollars in your monthly payment can add up to $240 per year and $7,200 over the life of your loan.
- Maybe it’s time to lock in now, while rates are still historically low.
The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- Historically, the choice between renting and buying a home has been a tough decision.
- Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (27.7%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (17.5%), the choice is clear.
- Every market is different. Before you renew your lease, find out if you can put your housing costs to work by buying a home this year.
VA Home Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
- The Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan is a benefit that is available to more than 22 million veterans and 2 million active duty service members to help them achieve the dream of homeownership.
- In 2018, $161 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program.
- In the same year, the average loan amount was $264,197 and 610,513 loans were guaranteed.
The Difference an Hour Will Make This Fall [INFOGRAPHIC]
Every Hour in the U.S. Housing Market:
- 614 Homes Are Sold
- 95 Homes Regain Positive Equity
- Median Home Values Go Up $1.38
Some Highlights
Buying a home can be SCARY…Until you know the FACTS [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
Many potential homebuyers believe they need a 20% down payment and a 780 FICO® score to qualify to buy a home. This stops many people from even trying to jump into homeownership! Here are some facts to help take the fear out of the process:- 71% of buyers who purchased homes have put down less than 20%.
- 78.1% of loan applications were approved last month.
- In September, the average credit score for approved loans was 737.