As the real estate market remains on a boil in New York’s Hudson Valley, heated in large part by second-home buyers re-evaluating their commitment to urban living, longtime residents are experiencing both prosperity and pain.
Read MoreThere’s no denying that the real estate market is hot right now. The need for homes that cater towards consumers’ desired lifestyles in the wake of COVID-19 paired with low-interest rates has created an environment where buying a home is a top priority on everyone’s to-do-list.
Read MoreNot long ago, it seemed just about everyone was obsessed with the tiny-home trend. So cute! So teensy! People were wondering: Just how small can a home get while still being cool and remotely functional? Well, we may never find out. Because, as with many things in the past year, the coronavirus pandemic has turned the “less is more” mentality on its head.
Read MoreHeading into the spring sales season, the housing market in the suburbs of New York has already gone into overdrive, with bidding wars becoming the norm and many homes selling within days of coming on the market.
Read MoreCompetition was also fierce in New Rochelle, which attracts buyers with its parks and beaches, an ethnically mixed population of 79,000, and by being a mere 20 miles north of Times Square. The house the Rothschilds bought — which has three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms and a fireplace that is now working (after repairs), in the Beechmont neighborhood — received multiple bids before selling for $490,000, or $25,000 above the listing price.
Read MoreU.S. News & World Report says four Colorado cities are in the Top 5 best places to live in the country. Boulder and Denver came in at No. 1 and No. 2 and Colorado Springs and Fort Collins came in at No. 4 and No. 5 in the 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S. in 2020-21 list.
Read MoreAre you tired of renting? Are you considering purchasing your first home? Do you dream of owning a house that can provide both you and your family a sense of stability and community?
For many Americans, home ownership is an important part of the American dream. Being a homeowner means having a space to call your own and a place where you belong. It also means being a part of a community. Owning a home may provide other financial benefits, such as the ability to build wealth through home equity, and potentially lower housing costs and savings over the cost of renting.
Read MoreBuyers want to be closer to the family, want to relocate closer to kids and grandkids—and to create more space and comfort in the places where they spend the most time. “We’ve had more calls over the last year from clients wanting to really change their lifestyle than any time in our company’s history,” says Conrad Steller, managing broker of The Steller Group, agents specializing in senior moves.
“Usually a move is prompted by a job relocation or a need to change schools or to upsize or downsize. This year, people just want to find peace and a more practical living situation,” he adds.
Facing a slim inventory of existing homes for sale, Denver buyers are snapping up new homes at the fastest pace in the country, a rebound so strong that it has caught local builders off guard.
Read MoreIt's no secret that the coronavirus pandemic has led many New York City residents to leave the city — the New York Times has been reporting on the phenomenon for months.
And while the Hudson Valley economy has taken a hit, the real estate markets in Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, and Orange counties recovered from the spring shutdown and were thriving by the third quarter of 2020.
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via WREX.com
By CNN | Published on August 6, 2020
(CNN) — While many businesses have taken a hit during this pandemic, others have been booming. Some in real estate say the coronavirus is pushing younger home buyers out of the city and into their first homes.
For many young homebuyers, Covid-19 is making the green space of the suburbs more attractive.
"The value of the city to us was being around all the people being able to go to all the restaurants like the culture and the museums and the plays and everything so you remove all that it's difficult to justify paying the rent, being in a small confined space and having no access to being outdoors by yourself," says prospective home buyer Eileen Norton.
First-time homebuyer applications jumped 20% in June compared to that same month the year before, according to CoreLogic, a company that analyzes business statistics.
One real estate broker says shes seen sales skyrocket.
"We're based in Darien, Connecticut, so in the first six months, which is really incredible when you think about how much business was not being able to be done during the pandemic," says Connecticut based real estate broker Jessica Bauers, "Fairfield county as a whole did about $2.36 billion in sales and that's 12% over this same period last year and even better than that if we're just looking at the end of June to the end of June pending sales are up 49% it's really skyrocketed."
By Nicole Brady | Published September 3, 2020
Denver has gone from a seller’s market to an "extreme" seller’s market, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors' latest trends report.
The September report released Thursday shows that August 2020 saw the most home sales of any August on record, yet there were 40% fewer homes on the market than August 2019. Low inventory sent the average single-family home price to a new record high of $606,330.
When the average price is that high, that means there's not a lot of houses below that price left, said Jill Schafer a realtor with the Denver Metro Association of Realtors.
Schafer said she has struggled to find her clients something they like at the price they want to pay.
"There are no good deals left out there," Schafer said.
Schafer said buyers are paying above asking price and making concessions like waiving inspections and allowing sellers to stay in their homes longer if they need more time to move.
"(Buyers) have to be patient, have to trust their agent when the agent says, 'Go in at this price,' 'Give up these things,' if you really want this house," she said.
Mike Hills, a broker with Atlas Real Estate and Property Management in Denver, said it's not all bad news for buyers. Interest rates are low, and people are still moving to Denver, so those who can afford to get into the market will likely see home values continue to rise.
"Are you going to pay a little more than you want to? Yes, but buy for the long term and you will be OK," Hills said.
Hills said the pandemic has also changed what people are looking for in a home, leading some people to leave urban environments.
"If you live in a high rise apartment, but you're not allowed to use the gym, you’re not allowed to use the pool, the bar, and the social events aren’t happening because of COVID-19, then why do you live in these big high rises?" Hills said.
According to the report, those who can afford to buy a home are looking for features like a home office, space for kids to do remote learning, and a yard.
Over the past several weeks, Freddie Mac has reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping to record lows, all the way down to 3.03%. Last week’s reported rate reached the lowest point in the history of the survey, which dates back to 1971 (See graph below):
This is huge for homebuyers. Those currently taking advantage of the increasing affordability that comes with historically low-interest rates are winning big. According to Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac:
“The summer is heating up as record low mortgage rates continue to spur homebuyer demand.”
In addition, move.com notes:
“Summer home buying season is off to a roaring start. As buyers flooded into the market, realtor.com® monthly traffic hit an all-time high of 86 million unique users in June 2020, breaking May’s record of 85 million unique users. Realtor.com® daily traffic also hit its highest level ever of 7 million unique users on June 25, signaling that despite the global pandemic buyers are ready to make a purchase.”
Clearly, buyers are capitalizing on today’s low rates. As shown in the chart below, the average monthly mortgage payment decreases significantly when rates are as low as they are today.
A lower monthly payment means savings that can add up significantly over the life of a home loan. It also means that qualified buyers may be able to purchase more home for their money. Maybe that’s a bigger home than what they’d be able to afford at a higher rate, an increasingly desirable option considering the amount of time families are now spending at home given today’s health crisis.
If you’re in a position to buy a home this year, let’s connect to initiate the process while mortgage rates are historically low.
According to the latest FreddieMac Quarterly Forecast, mortgage interest rates have fallen to historically low levels this spring and they’re projected to remain low. This means there’s a huge incentive for buyers who are ready to purchase. And homeowners looking for eager buyers can take advantage of this opportune time to sell as well.
There’s a very positive outlook on interest rates going forward, as the projections from the FreddieMac report indicate continued lows into 2021:
“Going forward, we forecast the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to remain low, falling to a yearly average of 3.4% in 2020 and 3.2% in 2021.”
With mortgage rates hovering at such compelling places, ongoing buyer interest is bound to keep driving the housing market forward. Rates also reached another record low last week, so homebuyers are in what FreddieMac is identifying as the buying mood:
“While the rebound in the economy is uneven, one segment that is exhibiting strength is the housing market. Purchase demand activity is up over twenty percent from a year ago, the highest since January 2009. Mortgage rates have hit another record low due to declining inflationary pressures, putting many homebuyers in the buying mood. However, it will be difficult to sustain the momentum in demand as unsold inventory was at near record lows coming into the pandemic and it has only dropped since then.”
There’s no doubt that even though buyers are ready to purchase, it’s hard for many of them to find a home to buy today. Mortgage rates aren’t the only thing hovering near all-time lows; homes available for sale are too. With housing inventory as scarce as it is today – a nearly 20% year-over-year decline in available homes to purchase – keeping buyers in the purchasing mood may be tough if they can’t find a home to buy (See graph below):
Competition is hot with so few homes available for purchase and low mortgage rates are helping to drive affordability as well. Getting pre-approved now will help you gain a competitive advantage and accelerate the homebuying process, so you’re ready to go when you find that perfect home you’d like to buy. Working quickly and efficiently with a trusted real estate professional will help put you in a position to act fast when you’re ready to make your move.
If you’re thinking of selling your house, know that the motivation for buyers to purchase right now is as high as ever with rates where they are today. Selling now before other sellers come to market in your neighborhood this summer might put your house high on the list for many buyers. Homebuyers are clearly in the mood to buy, and with today’s safety guidelines and precautions in place to show your house, confidence is also on your side.
Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, there’s great motivation to be in the housing market, especially with mortgage rates hovering at this historic all-time low. Let’s connect today to make sure you’re ready to make your move.
There are many clear financial benefits to owning a home and we covered some of them in last week’s blog post. Additionally, we can add increasing equity, building net worth, and growing appreciation to the list. If you’re a renter, it’s never too early to make a plan for how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here are three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for them now can steer you in the direction of greater stability, savings, and predictability.
According to a recent article by the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“If you’ve been a lifelong renter, this may sound like a foreign concept, but believe it or not, one day you won’t have a monthly housing payment. Unlike renting, you will eventually pay off your mortgage and your monthly payments will be funding other (possibly more fun) things.”
As a homeowner, someday you can eliminate the monthly payment you make on your house. That’s a huge win and a big factor in how homeownership can drive stability and savings in your life. As soon as you buy a home, your monthly housing costs will begin to work for you as forced savings, coming in the form of equity. As you build equity and grow your net worth, you can continue to reinvest those savings into your future, maybe even by buying that next dream home. The possibilities are truly endless.
One thing people who have never owned a home don’t always think about are the tax advantages of homeownership. The same piece states:
“Both the interest and property tax portion of your mortgage is a tax deduction. As long as the balance of your mortgage is less than the total price of your home, the interest is 100% deductible on your tax return.”
Whether you’re living in your first home or your fifth, it’s a huge financial advantage to have some tax relief tied to the interest you pay each year. It’s one thing you definitely don’t get when you’re renting. Be sure to work with a tax professional to get the best possible benefits on your annual return.
A third item noted in the article is how monthly costs become more predictable with homeownership:
“As a homeowner, your monthly costs are most likely based on a fixed-rate mortgage, which allows you to budget your finances over a long period of time, unlike the unpredictability of renting.”
With a mortgage, you can keep your monthly housing costs steady and predictable. Rental prices have been skyrocketing since 2012, and with today’s low mortgage rates, it’s a great time to get more for your money when purchasing a home. If you want to lock-in your monthly payment at a low rate and have a solid understanding of what you’re going to spend in your mortgage payment each month, buying a home may be your best bet.
If you’re ready to start feeling the benefits of stability, savings, and predictability that come with owning a home, let’s get together to determine if buying a home sooner rather than later is right for you.
We are with you every step of the way with a personalized and streamlined approach to our process – from our first connection to the day of closing, we don’t rest until you are smiling from ear to ear in your new home!
More than ever, our homes have become an integral part of our lives. Today they are much more than the houses we live in. They’re evolving into our workplaces, schools for our children, and safe havens that provide shelter, stability, and protection for our families through the evolving health crisis. Today, 65.3% of Americans are able to call their homes their own, a rate that has risen to its highest point in 8 years.
June is National Homeownership Month, and it’s a great time to reflect on the benefits of owning your own home. Below are some highlights and quotes recently shared by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). From non-financial to financial, and even including how owning a home benefits your local economy, these items may give you reason to think homeownership stretches well beyond a sound dollars and cents investment alone.
Owning a home brings families a sense of happiness, satisfaction, and pride.
Pride of Ownership: It feels good to have a place that’s truly your own, especially since you can customize it to your liking. “The personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment achieved through homeownership can enhance psychological health, happiness and well-being for homeowners and those around them.”
Property Maintenance and Improvement: Your home is your stake in the community, and a way to give back by driving value into your neighborhood.
Civic Participation: Homeownership creates stability, a sense of community, and increases civic engagement. It’s a way to add to the strength of your local area.
Buying a home is also an investment in your family’s financial future.
Net Worth: Homeownership builds your family’s net worth. “The median family net worth for all homeowners ($231,400) increased by nearly 15% since 2013, while net worth ($5,000) actually declined by approximately 9% since 2013 for renter families.”
Financial Security: Equity, appreciation, and predictable monthly housing expenses are huge financial benefits of homeownership. Homeownership is truly the best way to improve your long-term net worth.
Homeownership is even a local economic driver.
Housing-Related Spending: An economic force throughout our nation, housing-related expenses accounted for more than one-sixth of the country’s economic activity over the past three decades.
GDP Growth: Homeownership also helps drive GDP growth as the country aims to make an economic rebound. “Every 10% increase in total housing market wealth would translate to approximately $147 billion in additional consumer spending, or 0.8% of GDP, as well as billions of dollars in new federal tax revenue.”
Entrepreneurship: Homeownership is even a form of forced savings that provides entrepreneurial opportunities as well. “Owning a home enables new entrepreneurs to obtain access to credit to start or expand a business and generate new jobs by using their home as collateral for small business loans.”
The benefits of homeownership are vast and go well beyond the surface level. Homeownership is truly a way to build financial freedom, find greater satisfaction and happiness, and make a substantial impact on your local economy. If owning a home is part of your dream, let’s connect today so you can begin the homebuying process.
Learn about our in-depth buying process here.
Today, many people are asking themselves if they should buy or sell a home in 2020. Some have shifted their plans or put them on hold over the past couple of months, and understandably so. Everyone seems to be wondering if the market is going to change and when the economy will turn around. If you’re trying to figure out what’s going to happen and how to play your cards this year, you’re not alone. This spring in the 2020 NAR Flash Survey: Economic Pulse, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has been tracking the behavior changes of homebuyers and sellers. In a reaction to their most recent survey, Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, noted the beginnings of a turn in the market:
“After a pause, home sellers are gearing up to list their properties with the reopening of the economy…Plenty of buyers also appear ready to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates and the stability that comes with these locked-in monthly payments into future years.”
Sellers are positioning themselves to make moves this year. More than 3 in 4 potential sellers are preparing to sell their homes once stay-at-home orders are lifted and they feel more confident, which means more homes will start to be available for interested buyers.
Just this week, Zillow also reported an uptick in listings, which is great news for the health of the market:
“The number of new for-sale listings overall has shown improvement, up 5.9% last week from the previous week. New listings of the most-expensive homes…are now seeing the biggest resurgence, up 8%. The uptick is likely a sign sellers are feeling more confident because of improving buyer demand, as newly pending sales have also jumped up during the same period.”
The recent pandemic has clearly impacted buyer preferences, showing:
5% of the respondents said buyers are shifting their focus from urban to suburban areas.
1 in 8 Realtors report changes in desired home features, with home offices, bigger yards, and more space for their families becoming increasingly important.
Only 17% said buyers stopped looking due to concerns about their employment or loss of a job.
As we’ve mentioned before, buyer demand is strong right now, and many are simply waiting for more inventory to become available so they can make a move, especially as the country begins to reopen.
If you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, let’s connect today. There’s a good chance an eager buyer is looking for a home just like yours.
The last few weeks and months have caused a major health crisis throughout the world, leading to a pause in the U.S. economy as businesses and consumers work to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The rapid spread of the virus has been compared to prior pandemics and outbreaks not seen in many years. It also has consumers remembering the economic slowdown of 2008 that was caused by a housing crash. This economic slowdown, however, is very different from 2008.
One thing the experts are saying is that while we’ll see a swift decline in economic activity in the second quarter, we’ll begin a sharp rebound in the second half of this year. According to John Burns Consulting:
“Historical analysis showed us that pandemics are usually V-shaped (sharp recessions that recover quickly enough to provide little damage to home prices), and some very cutting-edge search engine analysis by our Information Management team showed the current slowdown is playing out similarly thus far.”
Given this situation, if you’re thinking about buying a home this year, the best thing you can do right now is use this time to get pre-approved for a mortgage, which you can do from the comfort of your home. We will walk you through the whole process of the loan process. Pre-approval will help you better understand how much you can afford so that you can confidently do the following two things when you’re ready to buy:
Today’s low inventory, like we’ve seen recently and will continue to see, means homebuyers need every advantage they can get to make a strong offer and close the deal. Being pre-approved shows the sellers you’re serious about buying a home, which is always a plus in your corner.
Pre-approval can also speed-up the homebuying process so you can move faster when you’re ready to make an offer. Being ready to put your best foot forward when the time comes may be the leg-up you need to cross the finish line first and land the home of your dreams.
To start shopping the real estate market in the Denver, CO area click here or if you are interested in Fairfield County, CT or Westchester counties click here
Have any other questions, please feel free to contact us directly. Our team is always available to help!
Pre-approval is the best thing you can do right now to be in a stronger position to buy a home when you’re ready. Let’s connect today to get the process started.
The residential real estate market has come roaring out of the gates in 2020. Compared to this time last year, the number of buyers looking for a home is up 20%, and the number of home sales is up almost 10%. The increase in purchasing activity has caused home price appreciation to begin reaccelerating. Many analysts have boosted their projections for price appreciation this year.
Whenever home prices begin to increase, there’s an immediate concern about how that will impact the ability Americans have to purchase a home. That thinking is understandable. We must, however, realize that price is not the only element to the affordability equation. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, recently explained:
“When demand increases for a scarce (limited or low supply) good, prices will rise faster. The difference between houses and other goods is that we buy them with a mortgage. So, it’s not the actual price that matters, but the price relative to purchasing power.”
While home prices have risen recently, mortgage interest rates have fallen rather dramatically. At the beginning of last year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 4.46%. Today, that number stands over a full percentage point lower.
Michael Hyman, a research data specialist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explained in a recent report that, even though home values have increased over the last year, the monthly cost of owning a home has decreased:
“With lower mortgage rates compared to one year ago, the payment as a percentage of income fell to 15.5%…from 17.1% a year ago.”
When purchasing a home, the price is not as important as its cost. Today, the monthly expense (cost) of purchasing the same house you could have purchased last year would be less. Or, you could purchase a more expensive home for the same monthly expense.
Fleming, looking at all aspects of the affordability equation (prices, wages, and mortgage rates), calculated the actual numbers in a recent blog post:
“Low mortgage rates and income growth triggered a 13.5% increase in house-buying power compared with a year ago.”
Since wages have increased and mortgage rates have dropped to historically low levels, this is a great time to buy your first home or move up to the home of your dreams. As Tendayi Kapfidze, Chief Economist at LendingTree, recently advised:
“If you are in a point in your life where you’re considering buying a home today, it’s a better time to buy than 10 years ago. If you can get a mortgage, you’re getting much lower interest rates, and it enables you to afford more.”
Whether you’ve considered becoming a homeowner for the first time or have decided to sell your home and buy one that better suits your current lifestyle, now is a great time to get together and discuss your options.
Home buying activity (demand) is up, and the number of available listings (supply) is down. When demand outpaces supply, prices appreciate. That’s why firms are beginning to increase their projections for home price appreciation…
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