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Monthly Archives: February 2020

    Thinking of Selling? Now May Be the Time.

    By Taylor Swanson | February 29, 2020

    The housing market has started off much stronger this year than it did last year. Lower mortgage interest rates have been a driving factor in that change. The average 30-year rate in 2019, according to Freddie Mac, was 3.94%. Today that rate is closer to 3.5%. The Census Bureau also just reported the highest homeownership... Read More

    Entry-Level Homeowners Are in the Driver’s Seat

    By Taylor Swanson | February 28, 2020

    One thing helping homeowners right now is price appreciation, especially in the entry-level market. In the latest Home Price Insights report, CoreLogic reveals how home prices increased by 4% year-over-year and projects prices will rise 5.2% by December 2020. Why is this good news for the homeowners? When prices appreciate, homeowners gain equity. In addition,... Read More

    Opportunity in the Luxury Market This Year

    By Taylor Swanson | February 25, 2020

    Homes priced in the top 25% of a price range for a particular area of the country are considered “premium homes.” At the start of last year, many of the more expensive homes listed for sale hadn’t seen as much interest, since much of the demand for housing over the past few years has come from... Read More

    The #1 Misconception in the Homebuying Process

    By Taylor Swanson | February 25, 2020

    After over a year of moderating home prices, it appears home value appreciation is about to reaccelerate. Skylar Olsen, Director of Economic Researchat Zillow, explained in a recent article:  “A year ago, a combination of a government shutdown, stock market slump and mortgage rate spike caused a long-anticipated inventory rise. That supposed boom turned out... Read More

    The Many Benefits of Aging in a Community

    By Taylor Swanson | February 22, 2020

    There’s comfort in being around people who share common interests, goals, and challenges. That comfort in a community doesn’t wane with age – it actually deepens. Whether it’s proudly talking about grandchildren or lamenting the fact that our eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, it helps to be around people who not... Read More

    The Overlooked Financial Advantages of Homeownership

    By Taylor Swanson | February 21, 2020

    There are many clear financial benefits to owning a home: increasing equity, building net worth, growing appreciation, and more. 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’s a dive into three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for... Read More

    The #1 Reason to List Your House Right Now

    By Taylor Swanson | February 19, 2020

    The success of the U.S. residential real estate market, like any other market, is determined by supply and demand. This means we need to look at how many potential purchasers are in the market versus the number of houses that are available to buy. With early 2020 housing data now rolling in, it’s quite evident... Read More

    Homeownership Rate on the Rise to a 6-Year High

    By Taylor Swanson | February 16, 2020

    Regardless of the lack of inventory on the market, the U.S. homeownership rate has climbed to a 6-year high. The United States Census Bureau reported that it increased to 65.1% in the fourth quarter of 2019, representing the highest level in the past six years. See the graph below:This increase does not come as a... Read More

    How Pricing Your Home Right Makes a Big Difference

    By Taylor Swanson | February 15, 2020

    Even though there’s a big buyer demand for homes in today’s low inventorymarket, it doesn’t mean you should price your home as high as the sky when you’re ready to sell. Here’s why making sure you price it right is key to driving the best price for the sale. If you’ve ever watched the show “The... Read More

    Three Reasons Why Pre-Approval Is the First Step in the 2020 Homebuying Journey

    By Taylor Swanson | February 11, 2020

    When the number of buyers in the housing market outnumbers the number of homes for sale, it’s called a “seller’s market.” The advantage tips toward the seller as low inventory heats up the competition among those searching for a place to call their own. This can create multiple offer scenarios and bidding wars, making it tough... Read More