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!

If you’re following what’s happening in the housing market right now, you know that many people believe the winter months aren’t a good time to sell a home.

Which month do you think most people who are considering buying a home actually start their search? If you’re like most of us, you probably think the surge happens in the spring, likely in April. Not anymore. According to new research, January 2019 was only 1% behind February for the most monthly views per listing on realtor.com.

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!

This will be an interesting year for residential real estate. With a presidential election taking place this fall and talk of a possible recession occurring before the end of the year, predicting what will happen in the 2020 U.S. housing market can be challenging. As a result, taking a look at the combined projections from the most trusted entities in the industry when it comes to mortgage rates, home sales, and home prices is incredibly valuable – and they may surprise you.

When closing out another year, it’s normal to wonder what’s ahead for the housing market. Though there will be future inventory issues, we expect interest rates to stay low and appreciation to continue.  

Rising home prices coupled with the current inventory in today's market may cause some homeowners to consider selling their homes on their own (known in the industry as a For Sale By Owner). However, a FSBO might be hard to execute well for the vast majority of sellers.

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.

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.

Studies have shown that, in many cases, the largest asset a family owns is the house they live in. Over the last twelve months, that asset has gained substantial value.

This coming year the housing market will be defined by 3 things- inventory, interest rates, and appreciation.  But the biggest issue the housing market will face in 2020 is an inventory shortage.  There aren’t enough homes on the market for buyers, especially on the lower end of the market. This is a topic that has come up frequently within the past several months.

It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces, but we can have deep sentimental attachments to the homes we’re leaving behind, too. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale, depending on how we manage them.

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.

 

It may seem hard to imagine that the home you’re in today – whether it’s your starter home or just one you’ve fallen in love with along the way – might not be your forever home.

Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen more than a full percentage point. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them:

At this time of year, many families come together to celebrate the season. It’s also the time when many realize their homes are just not quite big enough to host all of their guests and loved ones. Are you one of those homeowners dreaming for a larger space to call home?

Did you know that each year in the United States, we celebrate “National Roof Over Your Head Day” on December 3rd?

Below are five compelling reasons to list your house this winter.

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!

When selling your house, there are a few key things you can prioritize to have the greatest impact for a faster sale:

Around this time each year, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to list their houses. Similarly, others who already have their homes on the market remove their listings until the spring. Let’s unpack the top reasons why listing your house now or keeping it on the market this winter may be the best choice you can make.

Inventory on the market today is low, especially among existing homes in the entry and middle-level tiers of the market. It is hovering well below the 6-month supply typically found in a more normal market, as shown in the graph below:

Some are afraid the real estate market may be looking a lot like it did prior to the housing crash in 2008. One of the factors they’re pointing at is the availability of mortgage money.

Buyers are out in full force this fall, increasing the demand for homebuying in all four regions of the country.

In the third quarter of 2019, the U.S. homeownership rate rose again, signaling another strong indicator of the current housing market.