tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85070011122548296852024-03-27T19:54:12.287-04:00POOK'S SUN CITY CAROLINA LAKES NEWSLIVE THE DREAM AT SUN CITY CAROLINA LAKESUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger629125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-68003655162310192022025-04-21T17:47:00.004-04:002022-08-05T21:38:50.206-04:00THANKS FOR VISITING POOK'S SUN CITY CAROLINA LAKES NEWS!<div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYNV8zgN1T1iSwetRxDa_sxWhkHy1wo94SAZ0y2hC36jGESoblSCEsw0tzcd2bLWy_YdQc1AyA6mNYGRA2ELcx_VsIVcQQxMx4x_xyLqDB6IBTgU3eglltm-9gnhULDRoWkcAiTJ2kOg/s1600/Home+Is+Where+the+Heart+Is+w%253Apooksscclnews.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="384" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYNV8zgN1T1iSwetRxDa_sxWhkHy1wo94SAZ0y2hC36jGESoblSCEsw0tzcd2bLWy_YdQc1AyA6mNYGRA2ELcx_VsIVcQQxMx4x_xyLqDB6IBTgU3eglltm-9gnhULDRoWkcAiTJ2kOg/s400/Home+Is+Where+the+Heart+Is+w%253Apooksscclnews.jpg" width="400" /></a><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Pook's Sun City Carolina Lakes News </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">is both a website and a blog. It contains up-to-date information about Sun City Carolina Lakes, a premier 55+ Active Adult Del Webb golf course community located in the panhandle of Lancaster County South Carolina, just a short distance south of the Ballantyne Area of beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina. Looking for an affordable active lifestyle? Sun City Carolina Lakes is the 55+ community for you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Want to search for homes for sale in Sun City Carolina Lakes? Begin your search for Sun City Carolina Lakes resale homes right here! Using the same property search tab, you can also search for homes for sale at two nearby 55+ Active Adult communities - TreeTops by Lennar and Carolina Orchards by Pulte. Or, better yet, contact me to create a personalized search for you</span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"> through the Carolina Multiple Listing Service (CMLS).</span> Doing so will create a portal that will allow you access to all that's out there. <span style="font-size: large;">If you would like me to create a personalized search for you with automatic updates, </span><span style="font-size: large;">please <span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="color: #660000;"><a href="mailto:azpook@gmail.com"><b>contact me</b></a></span></span></span>.</span> </span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-14163934325600734332024-03-26T11:22:00.002-04:002024-03-26T11:23:43.795-04:00What’s the Latest with Mortgage Rates?<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN-YOt06GBDCm6mHBscJdXkF_I_Blus2l-FdG5lJfqE3mWiqucEMuAjkZcFGEl8NauVfit40xIhQI49wYQgbtkgDXrvUogoGBEsue2oEVSagcgzUk2NalrqwJeIOHH_HRU9pzCmzKeTkPOhTOa5Rki0G8DkPCnKxFkqZCHWMkShoBhuiuM2YvT79lvP4/s1472/Screenshot%202024-03-26%20at%2011.19.49%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1472" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMN-YOt06GBDCm6mHBscJdXkF_I_Blus2l-FdG5lJfqE3mWiqucEMuAjkZcFGEl8NauVfit40xIhQI49wYQgbtkgDXrvUogoGBEsue2oEVSagcgzUk2NalrqwJeIOHH_HRU9pzCmzKeTkPOhTOa5Rki0G8DkPCnKxFkqZCHWMkShoBhuiuM2YvT79lvP4/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-26%20at%2011.19.49%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Recent headlines may leave you wondering what’s next for <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/23/how-changing-mortgage-rates-impact-you-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mortgage rates</a>. <span style="color: black;">Maybe you’d previously heard there were going to be cuts this year that would bring rates down. That refers to the </span><i style="color: black;">Federal Reserve</i><span style="color: black;"> (the </span><i style="color: black;">Fed</i><span style="color: black;">)
and what they do to their Fed Funds Rate. While cutting, or lowering,
the Fed Funds Rate doesn’t directly determine mortgage rates, it does
tend to impact them. But when the </span><i style="color: black;">Fed </i><span style="color: black;">met last week, a cut didn’t happen — at least, not yet. </span></span>
<p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There are a lot of factors the <i style="color: black;">Fed</i><span style="color: black;"> considered in their recent decision and most of them are complex. But you don’t need to be bogged down by those </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/30/2-of-the-factors-that-impact-mortgage-rates/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">finer details</a><span style="color: black;">. What you really want is the answer to this question: </span><i style="color: black;">does that mean </i><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/03/12/what-mortgage-rate-do-you-need-to-move/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>mortgage rates</i></a><i style="color: black;"> aren’t going to fall? </i><span style="color: black;">Here’s what you need to know.</span><b style="color: black;"> </b></span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Mortgage Rates Are Still Expected To Drop This Year</b></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">While it hasn’t happened yet, that doesn’t mean it won’t. Even Jerome Powell, the Chairman of the </span><i style="color: black;">Fed</i><span style="color: black;">, </span><a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/mediacenter/files/FOMCpresconf20240320.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a><span style="color: black;"> they still plan to make cuts this year, assuming inflation cools:</span></span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="color: black;">“We believe that our policy rate is likely at its peak for this tightening cycle and that, </i><b style="color: black;"><i>if
the economy evolves broadly as expected, it will likely be appropriate
to begin dialing back policy restraint at some point this year</i></b><i style="color: black;">.”</i></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">When this happens, history shows mortgage rates will likely follow. That means hope isn’t lost. As a recent article from </span><i style="color: black;">Business Insider</i><span style="color: black;"> </span><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-mortgage-refinance-rates-today-thursday-21-2024-3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explains</a><span style="color: black;">:</span></span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="color: black;">“As inflation comes down and the Fed is able to start lowering rates, </i><b style="color: black;"><i>mortgage rates should go down, too. . .</i>”</b></span></p></blockquote>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;">What This Means for You</span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">But you don’t necessarily want to wait
for it to happen. Mortgage rates are notoriously hard to forecast. There
are so many factors at play and any one of those can change the
projections as the economy shifts. And it’s why the experts offer this
advice. </span>As <a href="https://blog.firstam.com/reconomy-podcast/whats-the-outlook-for-the-2024-spring-home-buying-season" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark Fleming</a>, Chief Economist at <i>First American, </i><a href="https://blog.firstam.com/reconomy-podcast/whats-the-outlook-for-the-2024-spring-home-buying-season" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Well, mortgage rate projections are just that, projections, not promises and don’t forget how hard it is to forecast them. . . </i><b><i>So
my advice is to never try to time the market . . . If one is
financially prepared and buying a home aligns with your lifestyle goals,
then it could be the right time to purchase.</i></b><i> And there’s always the refinance option if mortgage rates are lower in the future.”</i></span></p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Basically, if you’re looking to move and
trying to time the market, don’t. If you’re ready, willing, and able to
move, it may still be worth it to do it now, especially if you can find
the home you’ve been searching for.</span></span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you’re looking to <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/03/18/4-tips-to-make-your-strongest-offer-on-a-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buy a home</a>, connect with a local <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/28/why-you-want-an-agents-advice-for-your-move/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">real estate agent</a> so you have someone keeping you up-to-date on mortgage rates and helping you make the <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/03/11/finding-your-perfect-home-in-a-fixer-upper/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">best decision</a> possible.</span></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-50334522614075176892024-03-25T09:56:00.006-04:002024-03-25T10:58:00.804-04:00What Every Homebuyer Should Know About Closing Costs<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrUg6Sw16UUdGF9N7wrD_KU_kbRolSUBbiRuJgJUzo6F5UcM2LB_j1ZA-3j7GmprNEDJmSKJHILZNVRrduKV-iVGXiUoy5GTDuq_LFM9N-ppaQJqrv7ci8rsnIGh82z5I3Y0WkOKzBA9_GBWzkxDnk4twdOKx1v2dNBtUKO3bx-CtWoiJQx8bvHJzCPs/s750/20240325-What-Every-Homebuyer-Should-Know-About-Closing-Costs.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="750" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrUg6Sw16UUdGF9N7wrD_KU_kbRolSUBbiRuJgJUzo6F5UcM2LB_j1ZA-3j7GmprNEDJmSKJHILZNVRrduKV-iVGXiUoy5GTDuq_LFM9N-ppaQJqrv7ci8rsnIGh82z5I3Y0WkOKzBA9_GBWzkxDnk4twdOKx1v2dNBtUKO3bx-CtWoiJQx8bvHJzCPs/s320/20240325-What-Every-Homebuyer-Should-Know-About-Closing-Costs.png" width="320" /></a></div>Before making the decision to <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/20/strategic-tips-for-buying-your-first-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buy</a> a home, it’s important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you’re busy saving for the <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/26/the-truth-about-down-payments/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">down payment</a>, don’t forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too.</span></div>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>What Are Closing Costs?</b></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A recent article from <i>Bankrate</i> <a href="https://www.bankrate.com/mortgages/understanding-the-closing-process/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explains</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“</i><b><i>Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome</i></b><i> . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .”</i></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. According to <a href="https://myhome.freddiemac.com/buying/understanding-costs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>Freddie Mac</i></a>, while they can vary by location and situation, closing costs typically include:</span></p>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Government recording costs</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Appraisal fees</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Credit report fees</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Lender origination fees</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Title services</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Tax service fees</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Survey fees</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Attorney fees</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Underwriting Fees</span></li></ul>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>How Much Are Closing Costs?</b></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">According to the same <i>Freddie Mac</i> <a href="https://myhome.freddiemac.com/buying/understanding-costs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">article</a>
mentioned above, they’re typically between 2% and 5% of the total
purchase price of your home. With that in mind, here’s how you can get
an idea of what you’ll need to budget.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Let’s say you find a home you want to purchase at today’s <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-vaulted-9-5-in-february-largest-monthly-increase-in-a-year" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">median</a> price of $384,500. Based on the 2-5% <i>Freddie Mac</i> estimate, your closing fees could be between roughly $7,690 and $19,225.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But keep in mind, if you’re in the market for a home above or below
this price range, your closing costs will be higher or lower.</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Make Sure You’re Prepared To Close</b></span></h4>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Freddie Mac</i> provides great advice for homebuyers, <a href="https://myhome.freddiemac.com/buying/understanding-costs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">saying</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote style="text-align: left;"><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“As you start your homebuying journey, </i><b><i>take the time to get a sense of all costs involved</i></b><i> – from your down payment to closing costs.”</i></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">
The best way to do that is by partnering with a team of trusted real estate professionals. That gives you a group of experts to help you understand how much
you’ll need to save and what you’ll want to be prepped for. It also
means you have go-to resources for any questions that pop up along the
way.</span>
</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Planning for the fees and payments you'll need to cover when you're closing on your <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/09/winning-plays-for-buying-a-home-in-todays-market-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home</a>
is important. Partnering with a local real estate professional can give
you the guidance and confidence you need throughout the process.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">-----------------------</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Pook Notes - Possible additional closing costs:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;"> Property Taxes: In South Carolina and many other states, property taxes are paid in arrears. That means payments are made for the year that is ending, not the coming year. So, typically, at closing the Seller will give the buyer a credit to cover the cost of property taxes for the time the Seller owned the home. The Buyer will then be responsible for paying the property taxes for the entire year when the tax bill comes out (usually in October). If the tax bill has already been paid by the Seller (after it comes out in the Fall), then the Buyer would need to reimburse the Seller for the time that the Buyer will own the home in that year.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Homeowners Association Fees and Dues (vary by community): Monthly association dues are typically prorated for the month of the closing and the Buyer may be required to pay an additional two months up front. There may also be other fees charged to the Buyer, including, but not limited to, a Working Capital Fee (may go by other names) and New Owners Set Up Fee. In Sun City Carolina Lakes the Working Capital Fee is 1/3 of 1% of the sale price. In some communities this fee may be 12 months of HOA dues.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Additional Loan Costs: Prepaid Interest, Mortgage Insurance</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Homeowners Insurance</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">There may be additional charges and fees. Talk to your agent, lender, and/or closing attorney (or other escrow agent) about charges specific to your purchase.</span> <br /></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-5192997193994927812024-03-13T09:59:00.000-04:002024-03-13T09:59:39.482-04:00Your Home Is a Powerful Investment<p> Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog<br /></p><span class="av-vertical-delimiter"></span><div class="big-preview single-big"><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240311/20240313-Your-Home-Is-a-Powerful-Investment.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Going into 2023, there was a lot of talk about a possible recession that would cause the housing market to crash."><img alt="Your Home Is a Powerful Investment" height="175" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240311/20240313-Your-Home-Is-a-Powerful-Investment.png" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;">Going into 2023, there was a lot of talk about a possible <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/03/05/why-there-wont-be-a-recession-that-tanks-the-housing-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">recession</a>
that would cause the housing market to crash. Some in the media were
even forecasting home prices would drop by as much as 10-20%—and that
might have made you feel a bit unsure about <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/16/achieve-your-dream-of-homeownership-with-condos-and-townhomes-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buying a home</a>.</span></div>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">But here’s what actually happened: <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/15/dont-let-the-latest-home-price-headlines-confuse-you/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home prices</a> went up more than usual. Brian D. Luke, Head of Commodities at <em>S&P Dow Jones Indices</em>, <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/documents/indexnews/announcements/20240227-1470765/1470765_cshomeprice-release-0227.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explains</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“Looking back at the year, 2023 appears to have exceeded average annual home price gains over the past 35 years.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">To put last year’s growth into context, the graph below uses <a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/indices/house-price-index" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">data</a> from <em>Freddie Mac</em> on how home prices have changed each year going back to 1980. The dotted line shows the long-term average for appreciation:</span></p>
<p><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240311/20240313-Percent-of-Annual-Home-Appreciation.png" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="display: block; overflow: hidden; position: relative;" target="_blank"><img alt="a graph showing the average of a home appreciation" height="480" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240311/20240313-Percent-of-Annual-Home-Appreciation.png" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The big takeaway?</strong> <strong>Home prices almost always go up. </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">As an article from <em>Forbes</em> <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimwang/2023/06/21/is-buying-a-home-really-a-good-investment/?sh=68dae57a4aab" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“. . . the U.S. real estate market has a long and reliable history of increasing in value over time.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In fact, since 1980, the only time home prices dropped was during the housing market crash (<em>shown in red in the graph above</em>). Fortunately, the <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/29/why-we-arent-headed-for-a-housing-crash/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">market today</a>
isn’t like it was in 2008. For starters, there aren’t enough available
homes to meet buyer demand right now. On top of that, homeowners have a
tremendous amount of <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/08/home-equity-can-be-a-game-changer-when-you-sell/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">equity</a>, so they’re on much stronger footing than they were back then. That means there won’t be a wave of <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/02/theres-no-foreclosure-wave-in-sight-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">foreclosures</a> that causes prices to fall.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The fact that home values went up every single year except those four
in red is why owning a home can be one of the smartest moves you can
make. When you’re a homeowner, you own something that typically becomes
more valuable over time. And as your home’s value appreciates, your <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/11/the-dramatic-impact-of-homeownership-on-net-worth/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">net worth grows</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, if you’re financially stable and prepared for the costs and
expenses of homeownership, buying a home might make a lot of sense for
you.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Home prices almost always go up over time. That makes <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/20/strategic-tips-for-buying-your-first-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buying a home</a> a smart move, if you’re ready and able. Connect with a local <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/28/why-you-want-an-agents-advice-for-your-move/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">real estate agent</a> to talk about your goals and what’s available in our area.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-60621447317666166862024-02-28T09:45:00.007-05:002024-03-26T11:27:36.969-04:00Why You Want an Agent's Advice for Your Move<p> Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</p><span class="av-vertical-delimiter"></span><div class="big-preview single-big"><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240220/20240228-Why-You-Want-an-Agent-s-Advice-for-Your-Move.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="No matter how you slice it, buying or selling a home is a big decision."><img alt="Why You Want an Agent’s Advice for Your Move" height="174" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240220/20240228-Why-You-Want-an-Agent-s-Advice-for-Your-Move.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">No matter how you slice it, <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/14/why-so-many-people-fall-in-love-with-homeownership/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buying</a> or <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/22/3-must-dos-when-selling-your-house-in-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">selling</a>
a home is a big decision. And when you’re going through any change in
your life and you need some guidance, what do you do? You get advice
from people who know what they’re talking about. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Moving is no exception. You need insights from the pros to help you feel confident in your decision. <em>Freddie Mac</em> <a href="https://myhome.freddiemac.com/buying/finding-your-team" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explains</a> it like this:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“As you set out to find the right home for your
family, be sure to select experienced, trusted professionals who will
help you make informed decisions and avoid pitfalls.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">And while perfect advice isn’t possible – not even from the experts, what you can get is the very best advice out there.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The Power of Expert Advice</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">For example, let’s say you need an attorney. You start off by finding
an expert in the type of law required for your case. Once you do, they
won’t immediately tell you how the case is going to end, or how the
judge or jury will rule. But what a good attorney can do is walk you
through the most effective strategies based on their experience and help
you put a plan together. They’ll even use their knowledge to adjust
that plan as new information becomes available.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The job of a real estate agent is similar. Just like you can’t find a
lawyer to give you perfect advice, you won’t find a real estate
professional who can either. That’s because it’s impossible to know
everything that’s going to happen throughout your transaction. Their
role is to give you the best advice they can.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">To do that, an agent will draw on their experience, <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/19/key-terms-every-homebuyer-should-learn-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">industry knowledge</a>, and market data. They know the latest trends, the ins and outs of the <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/02/09/winning-plays-for-buying-a-home-in-todays-market-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homebuying</a> and <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/17/2-reasons-why-todays-mortgage-rate-trend-is-good-for-sellers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">selling</a> processes, and what’s worked for other people in the same situation </span>as you.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">With that expertise, a real estate advisor can anticipate what could happen next and work with you to put together a <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/05/achieving-your-homebuying-dreams-in-2024-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">solid plan</a>.
Then, they’ll guide you through the process, helping you make decisions
along the way. That’s the very definition of getting the best – not
perfect – advice. And that’s the power of working with a real estate
advisor.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, you want
an expert on your side to help you each step of the way. Connect with a
real estate professional so you have advice you can count on. </span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-85735434229479907732024-02-14T09:18:00.000-05:002024-02-14T11:48:02.705-05:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj9VFFQeEwvzsPyyk0TxGT82MtYIGBpKkgNVXklbgyCT_UXDPYMZf8J5ycEclIJgSSDscpM8ldXkQKdeyLaJiS5XuBTrOjW8u08qnTQ1K-sSwt8IKexT3EdSYDb8a2jsR-9mt0nscN8trYXCUYTTrI8h95sQjgT7pLQggeJZtfmkJi5KJhs7_nLjkNPE/s3548/Valentine%20Cookies%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3548" data-original-width="2963" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj9VFFQeEwvzsPyyk0TxGT82MtYIGBpKkgNVXklbgyCT_UXDPYMZf8J5ycEclIJgSSDscpM8ldXkQKdeyLaJiS5XuBTrOjW8u08qnTQ1K-sSwt8IKexT3EdSYDb8a2jsR-9mt0nscN8trYXCUYTTrI8h95sQjgT7pLQggeJZtfmkJi5KJhs7_nLjkNPE/w267-h320/Valentine%20Cookies%201.jpg" width="267" />\</a><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">What makes a house a home? It's the things that reflect the uniqueness of those that live there, the things that are treasured, the things that give comfort, the things that create memories. </span><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Gingerbread cookies have always been a favorite in my house... especially around Valentine's Day. The wonderful smell when they're baking, the delightful spicy flavor with just a hint of sweetness, and the joy that comes from knowing they are treasured, bring comfort, and create memories are all a part of what makes my house a home. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">May whatever makes your house a home bring you joy each and every day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Wishing you a Valentine's Day filled with sweetness and love.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj9VFFQeEwvzsPyyk0TxGT82MtYIGBpKkgNVXklbgyCT_UXDPYMZf8J5ycEclIJgSSDscpM8ldXkQKdeyLaJiS5XuBTrOjW8u08qnTQ1K-sSwt8IKexT3EdSYDb8a2jsR-9mt0nscN8trYXCUYTTrI8h95sQjgT7pLQggeJZtfmkJi5KJhs7_nLjkNPE/s3548/Valentine%20Cookies%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMj9VFFQeEwvzsPyyk0TxGT82MtYIGBpKkgNVXklbgyCT_UXDPYMZf8J5ycEclIJgSSDscpM8ldXkQKdeyLaJiS5XuBTrOjW8u08qnTQ1K-sSwt8IKexT3EdSYDb8a2jsR-9mt0nscN8trYXCUYTTrI8h95sQjgT7pLQggeJZtfmkJi5KJhs7_nLjkNPE/s3548/Valentine%20Cookies%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-MbS3WwLd0zGwp_5lp_xeLFSMMlLSfXsOWVZxniyShq3prxgFO0JYqU7t2LTL-CO9M_3QhzYUju2Yfw4fx94fJ4AFjgN1c9qgUNh_iysq87hIh-FyybAvZxxgFM-Cpj4eAU92oZJM65tgjaTJczzyCE-V2HWlejb-7aVmN45cCBtC_ZcxBIPV0eHJlw/s327/Home%20is%20Where%20the%20Heart%20is%20copy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="88" data-original-width="327" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-MbS3WwLd0zGwp_5lp_xeLFSMMlLSfXsOWVZxniyShq3prxgFO0JYqU7t2LTL-CO9M_3QhzYUju2Yfw4fx94fJ4AFjgN1c9qgUNh_iysq87hIh-FyybAvZxxgFM-Cpj4eAU92oZJM65tgjaTJczzyCE-V2HWlejb-7aVmN45cCBtC_ZcxBIPV0eHJlw/s320/Home%20is%20Where%20the%20Heart%20is%20copy.png" width="320" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Pook</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br /></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-58613193396137431662024-02-14T09:17:00.002-05:002024-02-14T09:17:16.535-05:00Why So Many People Fall in Love with Homeownership<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters / The KCM Blog</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a class="nolightbox" href="https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&ro=true&trk=EasySocialShareButtons&title=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.keepingcurrentmatters.com%2F2024%2F02%2F14%2Fwhy-so-many-people-fall-in-love-with-homeownership%2F%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26_hsmi%3D294091375%26_hsenc%3Dp2ANqtz-9c6chqLZVQQu1ApzQw11bB1QWXYdAGo3dKw8ngDrOz6NP4dbxNGlk-dDdjaxUMaYyLA5MZ0HXgYqbIMCKc_5NezUKUYQ%26utm_content%3D294091375%26utm_source%3Dhs_email" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Share on LinkedIn"><span class="essb_network_name"></span></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvlhcDxm5u3wwk-xGUr7zjKa5v-qOyUT9QIZl5mVwgbHwstMYjgq3wAkO8gD__EJ-cJHOL_dsg6tuZ3mikOR0gZOushj9YqUvhkW3k6iBUWpjfo3Y9nkxgzuvmSR_1FqibpYeL7sTbGSR3DxPHU46YQBN2I3BdWuyi2JNIZeJa5UhdZibDw5P5n_P1FM/s750/20240214-Why-So-Many-People-Fall-in-Love-with-Homeownership.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="750" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFvlhcDxm5u3wwk-xGUr7zjKa5v-qOyUT9QIZl5mVwgbHwstMYjgq3wAkO8gD__EJ-cJHOL_dsg6tuZ3mikOR0gZOushj9YqUvhkW3k6iBUWpjfo3Y9nkxgzuvmSR_1FqibpYeL7sTbGSR3DxPHU46YQBN2I3BdWuyi2JNIZeJa5UhdZibDw5P5n_P1FM/s320/20240214-Why-So-Many-People-Fall-in-Love-with-Homeownership.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Chances are at some point in your life you’ve heard the phrase, <em>home is where the heart is</em>. There’s a reason that’s said so often. Becoming a <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/19/key-terms-every-homebuyer-should-learn-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homeowner</a> is emotional.</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to keep on renting or if you’re <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/05/achieving-your-homebuying-dreams-in-2024-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ready to buy</a> a home this year, here’s why it’s so easy to fall in love with <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/15/homeownership-is-still-at-the-heart-of-the-american-dream/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homeownership</a>.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Customizing to Your Heart’s Desire</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Your house should be a space that’s uniquely you. And, if you’re a
renter, that can be hard to achieve. When you rent, the paint colors are
usually the standard shade of white, you don’t have much control over
the upgrades, and you’ve got to be careful how many holes you put in the
walls. But when you’re a <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/28/what-you-need-to-know-about-saving-for-a-home-in-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homeowner</a>, you have a lot more freedom. As the <em>National Association of Realtors</em> (NAR) <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/tools/client-education/handouts-for-buyers/7-reasons-to-own-a-home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“The home is yours. You can decorate any way you want
and choose the types of upgrades and new amenities that appeal to your
lifestyle.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Whether you want to paint the walls a cheery bright color or go for a
dark moody tone, you can match your interior to your vibe. Imagine how
it would feel to come home at the end of the day and walk into a space
that feels like you.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Greater Stability for the Ones You Love Most</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">One of the hardest things about renting is the uncertainty of what
happens at the end of your lease. Does your payment go up so much that
you have to move? What if your landlord decides to sell the property?
It’s like you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop. Jeff
Ostrowski, a business journalist covering real estate and the economy,
explains how homeownership can give you more peace of mind in a <em>Money Geek</em> <a href="https://www.moneygeek.com/mortgage/resources/rent-vs-buy-guide/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">article</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“Homeownership means you are the boss and have the
biggest say in your lifestyle and family decisions. Suppose your kids
are in public school and you don’t want to risk having them change
schools because your landlord doesn’t renew your lease. Owning a home
would remove much of the risk of having to move.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>A Feeling of Belonging</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">You may also find you feel much more at home in the community once you own a house. That’s because, when you <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/10/avoid-these-common-mistakes-after-applying-for-a-mortgage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buy a home</a>,
you’re staking a claim and saying, I’m a part of this community. You’ll
have neighbors, block parties, and more. And that’ll give you the
feeling of being a part of something bigger. As the <em>International Housing Association </em><a href="https://www.internationalhousingassociation.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentTypeID=3&contentID=266313&subContentID=721506&channelID=38488" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explains</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“. . . homeowning households are more socially
involved in community affairs than their renting counterparts. This is
due to both the fact that homeowners expect to remain in the community
for a longer period of time and that homeowners have an ownership stake
in the neighborhood.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The Emotional High of Achieving Your Dream</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Becoming a homeowner is a <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/08/your-homebuying-adventure-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">journey</a>
– and it may have been a long road to get to the point where you’re
ready to take the plunge. If you’re seriously considering leaving behind
your rental and making this commitment, you should know the emotions
that come with this <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/26/get-ready-to-buy-a-home-by-improving-your-credit-score/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">owning a home</a> are powerful. You’ll be able to walk up to your front door every day and have that sense of accomplishment welcome you home. </span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A home is a place that reflects who you are, a
safe space for the ones you love the most, and a reflection of all
you’ve accomplished. Connect with a local real estate professional if
you’re ready to break up with your rental and buy a home.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-80364910589678492222024-01-29T14:57:00.000-05:002024-01-29T14:57:01.713-05:00Will a Silver Tsunami Change the 2024 Housing Market?<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Article courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</span><br /><div class="big-preview single-big"><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240125/20240129-Will-a-Silver-Tsunami-Change-the-2024-Housing-Market.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Have you ever heard the term “Silver Tsunami” and wondered what it's all about?"><img alt="Will a Silver Tsunami Change the 2024 Housing Market?" height="175" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240125/20240129-Will-a-Silver-Tsunami-Change-the-2024-Housing-Market.png" width="320" /></a><p>Have you ever heard the <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/19/key-terms-every-homebuyer-should-learn-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">term</a>
“Silver Tsunami” and wondered what it’s all about? If so, that might be
because there’s been lot of talk about it online recently. Let’s dive
into what it is and why it won’t drastically impact the housing market.</p>
<h4><strong>What Does Silver Tsunami Mean?</strong></h4>
<p>A recent article from<em> HousingWire </em><a href="https://www.housingwire.com/articles/silver-tsunami-could-have-a-bigger-impact-on-2024s-housing-market-analyst/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">calls it</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“. . . a colloquialism referring to </em><strong><em>aging Americans changing their housing arrangements to accommodate aging</em></strong><em> . . .”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>The thought is that as baby boomers <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/27/retiring-soon-why-moving-might-be-the-perfect-next-step/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">grow older</a>, a significant number will start <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/17/2-reasons-why-todays-mortgage-rate-trend-is-good-for-sellers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">downsizing</a>
their homes. Considering how large that generation is, if these moves
happened in a big wave, it would affect the housing market by causing a
significant uptick in the number of larger homes for sale. That influx
of homes coming onto the market would impact the balance of supply and
demand and more.</p>
<p>The concept makes sense in theory, but will it happen? And if so, when? </p>
<h4><strong>Why It Won’t Have a Huge Impact on the Housing Market in 2024</strong></h4>
<p>Experts say, so far, a silver tsunami hasn’t happened – and it probably won’t anytime soon. According to that same <a href="https://www.housingwire.com/articles/silver-tsunami-could-have-a-bigger-impact-on-2024s-housing-market-analyst/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">article</a> from <em>HousingWire</em>:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“. . . the silver tsunami’s transformative potential for the U.S. housing market </em><strong><em>has not yet materialized in any meaningful way, and few expect it to anytime soon</em></strong><em>.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Here’s just one reason why. Many baby boomers don’t want to move.<em> </em><a href="https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/surveys_statistics/liv-com/2021/2021-home-community-preferences-chartbook.doi.10.26419-2Fres.00479.001.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Data</a> from the <em>AARP</em>
shows over half of the surveyed adults ages 65 and up plan to stay put
and age in place in their current home rather than move (<em>see chart below</em>):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240125/20240129-60-percent-of-adults-aged-65-expect-to-stay-in-their-home-as-they-get-older.png" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="display: block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; position: relative;" target="_blank"><img height="368" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240125/20240129-60-percent-of-adults-aged-65-expect-to-stay-in-their-home-as-they-get-older.png" width="491" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Clearly, not every baby boomer is planning to sell or move – and even
those who do won’t do it all at once. Instead, it will be more gradual,
happening slowly over time. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at <em>First American</em>, <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tides-changed-housing-market-experts-113000181.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“</em><strong><em>Demographics are never a tsunami.</em></strong><em>
The baby boomer generation is almost two decades of births. That means
they’re going to take about two decades to work their way through.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you’re worried about a Silver Tsunami shaking
up the housing market, don’t be. Any impact from baby boomers moving
will be gradual over many years. Fleming <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tides-changed-housing-market-experts-113000181.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sums</a> it up best:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“Demographic trends, they don't tsunami. They trickle.”</em></span></p><p><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240125/20240129-60-percent-of-adults-aged-65-expect-to-stay-in-their-home-as-they-get-older.png" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="display: block; overflow: hidden; position: relative;" target="_blank"></a></p><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240125/20240129-Will-a-Silver-Tsunami-Change-the-2024-Housing-Market.png" title="Have you ever heard the term “Silver Tsunami” and wondered what it's all about?"></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-23265041243602812002024-01-22T15:53:00.005-05:002024-01-22T15:55:58.636-05:003 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House in 2024<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="big-preview single-big"><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240118/20240122-3-Must-Do-s-When-Selling-Your-House-in-2024.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="If one of the goals on your list is selling your house and making a move this year, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement about what’s ahead and feeling a little sentimental about your current home."><img alt="3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House in 2024" height="175" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240118/20240122-3-Must-Do-s-When-Selling-Your-House-in-2024.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;">If one of the goals on your list is </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/17/2-reasons-why-todays-mortgage-rate-trend-is-good-for-sellers/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">selling your house</a><span style="color: #313940;"> and </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/16/why-you-may-want-to-seriously-consider-a-newly-built-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">making a move</a><span style="color: #313940;">
this year, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement about what’s
ahead and feeling a little sentimental about your current home.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;">A great way to balance those
emotions and make sure you’re confident in your decision is to keep
these three best practices in mind when you’re </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/09/ways-your-home-equity-can-help-you-reach-your-goals/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ready to sell</a><span style="color: #313940;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;"> </span></span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #313940;">1. Price Your Home Right </b></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;">The </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/19/expert-quotes-on-the-2024-housing-market-forecast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">housing market</a><span style="color: #313940;"> shifted in 2023 as </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/20/why-mortgage-rates-could-continue-to-decline/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">mortgage rates</a><span style="color: #313940;"> rose and </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/12/home-prices-forecast-to-climb-over-the-next-5-years-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home price appreciation</a><span style="color: #313940;"> started to </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/20/home-price-growth-is-returning-to-normal-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">normalize</a><span style="color: #313940;">
once again. As a seller, you still need to recognize how important it
is to price your house appropriately based on where the market is today.
</span>Hannah Jones, Economic Research Analyst for <i>Realtor.com</i>, <a href="https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/home-seller-alert-weve-found-the-very-best-week-to-list-your-home-in-2023/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explains</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Sellers need to become familiar with their local
market and work closely with a local agent to make sure their listing is
attractive to buyers. Buyers feeling the pressure of affordability are
likely to be pickier, so </i><b><i>a well-priced, well-maintained home is the ticket to drumming up big demand</i></b><i>.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you price your house too high, you run the risk of deterring <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/18/why-now-is-still-a-great-time-to-sell-your-house/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buyers</a>. And if you go too low, you’re leaving money on the table. An experienced <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/21/sell-smarter-why-working-with-a-real-estate-agent-may-beat-going-solo/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">real estate agent</a> can help determine what your ideal asking price should be, so your house moves quickly and for top dollar.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #313940;">2. Keep Your Emotions in Check</b></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;">Today, homeowners are staying in their houses </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/27/retiring-soon-why-moving-might-be-the-perfect-next-step/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">longer</a><span style="color: #313940;"> than they used to. According to the </span><a href="https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/highlights-from-the-profile-of-home-buyers-and-sellers" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>National Association of Realtors</i></a><span style="color: #313940;"> (NAR), since 1985, the average time a homeowner has owned their home has increased from 6 to 10 years </span><i style="color: #313940;">(see graph below):</i></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i style="color: #313940;"></i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;">This is much more than what
used to be the norm. The side effect, however, is when you stay in one
place for so long, you may get even </span><i style="color: #313940;">more </i><span style="color: #313940;">emotionally
attached to your space. If it’s the first home you bought or the house
where your loved ones grew up, it very likely means something extra
special to you. Every room has memories, and it’s hard to detach from
the sentimental value.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;"> </span></span><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240118/20240122-Todays-homeowners-are-staying-in-their-houses-for-an-average-of-10-years.png" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="display: block; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; overflow: hidden; position: relative;" target="_blank"><img height="480" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20240118/20240122-Todays-homeowners-are-staying-in-their-houses-for-an-average-of-10-years.png" width="640" /> </a></div>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;">For some homeowners, that makes
it even tougher to separate the emotional value of the house from fair
market price. That’s why you need a real estate professional to help you
with the negotiations and the best pricing strategy along the way.
Trust the professionals who have your best interests in mind.</span></span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><b style="color: #313940;">3. Stage Your Home Properly </b></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;">While you may love your decor
and how you’ve customized your house over the years, not all buyers will
feel the same way about your vibe. That’s why it’s so important to make
sure you focus on your home’s first impression, so it appeals to as
many buyers as possible. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #313940;"> </i><span style="color: #313940;">Buyers
want to be able to picture themselves in the home. They need to see
themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures
and decorations. As Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice
President of Research at NAR, </span><a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/nearly-half-of-sellers-agents-said-staging-a-home-reduced-its-time-on-market-nar-report-finds" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a><span style="color: #313940;">:</span></span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="color: #313940;">“Buyers want to
easily envision themselves within a new home and home staging is a way
to showcase the property in its best light.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A real estate professional can help you with expertise on getting your house <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/22/get-your-house-ready-to-sell-this-winter-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ready to sell</a>.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #313940;">If you’re
considering selling your house, reach out to a local real estate
professional to help you navigate the process while prioritizing these
must-do’s.</span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-30050817854183940512024-01-05T13:59:00.002-05:002024-01-05T14:01:27.111-05:00Achieving Your Homebuying Dreams in 2024 [INFOGRAPHIC]<p> Infographic Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters / The KCM Blog</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNl3RmJVYYAuCzKbzeR2OaMIgNzlKTz6mg3SDfdVKcnEP9SNRPEutoUU7oSV6cy8hLWSf0bLPXrh0nMwM44_gb7bFptjWufCG5R-GATrc6k0yVgp-F7ebPG9XQakIrc6bj4rzI9hPWPnZkckSGQ_HSSS8puKihLbBO_nh3c0GGzr0NrhwXNGf6kUYvrE/s2967/Achieving-Your-Homebuying-Dreams-in-2024-NM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2967" data-original-width="1300" height="1026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNl3RmJVYYAuCzKbzeR2OaMIgNzlKTz6mg3SDfdVKcnEP9SNRPEutoUU7oSV6cy8hLWSf0bLPXrh0nMwM44_gb7bFptjWufCG5R-GATrc6k0yVgp-F7ebPG9XQakIrc6bj4rzI9hPWPnZkckSGQ_HSSS8puKihLbBO_nh3c0GGzr0NrhwXNGf6kUYvrE/w448-h1026/Achieving-Your-Homebuying-Dreams-in-2024-NM.png" width="448" /></a></div><h3>Some Highlights</h3><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Planning to <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2024/01/01/3-keys-to-hitting-your-homeownership-goals-in-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buy a home</a> in <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/19/expert-quotes-on-the-2024-housing-market-forecast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">2024</a>? Here’s what to focus on.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Improve your <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/26/get-ready-to-buy-a-home-by-improving-your-credit-score/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">credit score</a>, <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/12/down-payment-assistance-programs-can-help-pave-the-way-to-homeownership/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">plan</a> for your <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/28/what-you-need-to-know-about-saving-for-a-home-in-2024/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">down payment</a>, get pre-approved, and decide what’s <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/11/the-perfect-home-could-be-the-one-you-perfect-after-buying/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">most important</a> to you.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Partner with a trusted <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/08/your-homebuying-adventure-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">real estate agent</a> so you have expert advice on how to <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/07/why-you-need-to-use-a-real-estate-agent-when-you-buy-a-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">achieve</a> your homebuying goals this year.</span></li></ul><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-73995719558002032322024-01-04T11:31:00.000-05:002024-01-04T11:31:16.832-05:00Why Pre-Approval Is Your Homebuying Game Changer<p> Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters / The KCM Blog</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDH4PTa2H6h8TYS5wHNlugT9QSsIBZGWl50T7AReT-KFNdOzOvDTi7JFOhrSOg5oQGGua83bkHUelpzkQi2ciNPI-xIga-WI4BRCIFqCGKKdKnezw1dbnCYRAFWpKzpWmwmywBx-Ws2oQdqlth5nHtOGSArYWzHkBRPMd6zyiOgHiqJ5v0GJkyipG-iE/s750/20240103-Why-Pre-Approval-Is-Your-Homebuying-Game-Changer.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="750" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGDH4PTa2H6h8TYS5wHNlugT9QSsIBZGWl50T7AReT-KFNdOzOvDTi7JFOhrSOg5oQGGua83bkHUelpzkQi2ciNPI-xIga-WI4BRCIFqCGKKdKnezw1dbnCYRAFWpKzpWmwmywBx-Ws2oQdqlth5nHtOGSArYWzHkBRPMd6zyiOgHiqJ5v0GJkyipG-iE/s320/20240103-Why-Pre-Approval-Is-Your-Homebuying-Game-Changer.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial
part of the process you definitely don’t want to skip. So, before you
start picturing yourself in your new living room or dining on your
future all-season patio, be sure you’re working with a trusted lender to
prioritize this essential step. Here’s why.
</span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">While <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/04/experts-project-home-prices-will-rise-over-the-next-5-years/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home price</a> growth is moderating and </span><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/19/expert-quotes-on-the-2024-housing-market-forecast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">mortgage rates</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"> have been coming down in recent weeks, <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/28/are-the-top-3-housing-market-questions-on-your-mind/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">affordability</a> is still tight. At the same time, there’s a <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/13/the-surprising-trend-in-the-number-of-homes-coming-onto-the-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">limited number of homes</a> for
sale right now, and that means ongoing competition among hopeful
buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there are ways to navigate these
waters – and pre-approval is the game changer.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>What Pre-Approval Does for You</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to know more
about pre-approval. As part of the homebuying process, a lender looks at
your finances to determine what they’re willing to loan you. From
there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you
understand how much money you can borrow. <em>Freddie Mac</em> <a href="https://myhome.freddiemac.com/blog/homebuying/how-do-i-get-pre-approved-mortgage" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explains</a> it like this:</span></div><p>
</p><blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“</em><strong><em>A pre-approval is an indication
from your lender that they are willing to lend you a certain amount of
money to buy your future home</em></strong><em>. . . . Keep in mind that
the loan amount in the pre-approval letter is the lender’s maximum
offer. Ultimately, you should only borrow an amount you are comfortable
repaying.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Getting pre-approved starts to put you in the mindset of seeing the
bigger financial picture, one step at a time. And the key is actually
more than just getting a pre-approval letter from your lender. The
combination of pre-approval <em>and</em> strategic budgeting is your
golden ticket to understanding what you can actually afford. It saves
you from painful heartaches down the road so you don’t fall in love with
a house that might be out of reach.</span></p>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Pre-Approval Helps Show Sellers You’re a Serious Buyer </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But that’s just the beginning. Let’s face it, there are more people looking to buy than there are homes available for <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/12/11/the-perfect-home-could-be-the-one-you-perfect-after-buying/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sale</a>,
and that creates competition among homebuyers. That means you could see
yourself in a multiple-offer scenario when you get ready to make your
move. But getting pre-approved for a mortgage can help you stand out
from other buyers.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In today’s fast-moving housing market, having that pre-approval in
your back pocket can be your secret weapon. When sellers see you’re
pre-approved, it tells them you’re a strategic and serious buyer. In a
world of multiple offers, that’s a big deal. As an article from the <em>Wall Street Journal </em>(WSJ) <a href="https://www.wsj.com/buyside/personal-finance/mortgage-pre-approval-25dd076c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;">“<strong><em>If you plan to use a mortgage for your home purchase, preapproval should be among the first steps in your search process</em></strong><em>. Not only can getting preapproved help you zero in on the right price range, but it can give you a leg up on other buyers, too</em>.”</span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Pre-approval shows sellers you’re more than just a window shopper.
You’re a buyer who’s already undergone a credit and financial check,
making it more likely that the sale will move forward without unexpected
delays or issues. Sellers love that because they see your offer as a
reliable one. A win-win, right?</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, before you start mentally arranging furniture
in your dream home, let’s connect to get your pre-approval set. It’ll
save you time, stress, and a lot of headaches that could come up along
the way without it. The reality is, the more prepared you are, the more
likely you are to land the home you’re longing for.</span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong> </strong></span></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-83115585213541082282023-12-25T12:40:00.010-05:002023-12-26T10:35:49.877-05:00JUST LISTED - BEAUTIFUL MUIRFIELD VILLA<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This beautiful villa went ACTIVE on MLS on Friday, December 22 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">and went UNDER CONTRACT the same day. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Click <a href="https://pookbellini.helenadamsrealty.com/condo-townhouse/clm/car4094532/9013-smokey-hill-lane-indian-land-sc-29707" target="_blank">HERE</a> for photos.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In case you missed it... Be sure to check out this recent blog posting:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name"><a href="https://pooksscclnews.blogspot.com/2023/11/reasons-to-sell-your-house-before-new.html">Reasons To Sell Your House Before the New Year</a></h3></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkwRAiCHjnhRWb2rmOfbAoGreWT53-joj9RXE6zAF_Ev9DzxkiUiCwjqtIUzYM_pl2bsaA9DfwkW_Q8l19u9r8CRFdsed8rPRvk-7itG8juIovXGg_vMK9BeXgP7ilvbNGiUG-aNcIw8bSVQdxxQbj4dQJvNmRhVw6fw7VnhDwVRN5e8dNzTGson9NVw/s792/Just%20Listed%20flyer%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkwRAiCHjnhRWb2rmOfbAoGreWT53-joj9RXE6zAF_Ev9DzxkiUiCwjqtIUzYM_pl2bsaA9DfwkW_Q8l19u9r8CRFdsed8rPRvk-7itG8juIovXGg_vMK9BeXgP7ilvbNGiUG-aNcIw8bSVQdxxQbj4dQJvNmRhVw6fw7VnhDwVRN5e8dNzTGson9NVw/s16000/Just%20Listed%20flyer%202.jpg" /></a></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-83497051476275723612023-12-25T08:42:00.004-05:002023-12-26T10:37:00.767-05:00MERRY CHRISTMAS!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">However you are celebrating this holiday season, </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">may it be a meaningful time filled with love, joy and hope.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;">Best wishes from my family to yours. <br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tO59QofKJyk_xUDhbGS3_BWXHBQ1HDu35AsVeJ4kWY7WDEmNtDRPgeXSXp51LWl-BDeIO4_P_Pup10hEKH9WTmiScwtVSo0iUxtACiWevOvquELnugfLlzTtSZH89dSoTbItSmG7OGDcqgt12FCWsMjeTm2wGaYTUKNnqNglu0f6pUIvTrcCnyFu3Ds/s2368/0%20Holiday%20card.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2368" data-original-width="1180" height="979" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tO59QofKJyk_xUDhbGS3_BWXHBQ1HDu35AsVeJ4kWY7WDEmNtDRPgeXSXp51LWl-BDeIO4_P_Pup10hEKH9WTmiScwtVSo0iUxtACiWevOvquELnugfLlzTtSZH89dSoTbItSmG7OGDcqgt12FCWsMjeTm2wGaYTUKNnqNglu0f6pUIvTrcCnyFu3Ds/w488-h979/0%20Holiday%20card.jpg" width="488" /></a></div></span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Dancing Script;"> <br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-4601775952443103422023-12-04T09:21:00.002-05:002023-12-04T09:21:18.389-05:00Experts Project Home Prices Will Rise over the Next 5 Years<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8c-XnmjmgKnXkahpknTFFZUAOznZ_uI5Sw8UucDw9KqneHyq8RUmEVkYokAMMP0YJ6fywXwWm1o9DXxifQeUn4A3_CuZexl9ie7USqcJCta_tOdSorPHfUp9xFi2pyzLp5dCSigeSAkSDBvbqRjbZn5m8LH08LkoR20weQrQILTc_eTzFnqYpY5v5HY/s1494/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1494" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8c-XnmjmgKnXkahpknTFFZUAOznZ_uI5Sw8UucDw9KqneHyq8RUmEVkYokAMMP0YJ6fywXwWm1o9DXxifQeUn4A3_CuZexl9ie7USqcJCta_tOdSorPHfUp9xFi2pyzLp5dCSigeSAkSDBvbqRjbZn5m8LH08LkoR20weQrQILTc_eTzFnqYpY5v5HY/s320/1.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Even with so much data showing <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/23/why-home-prices-keep-going-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home prices</a> are actually rising in <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/14/home-prices-keep-climbing-in-most-markets/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">most of the country</a>, there are still a lot of people who worry there will be another price crash in the immediate future. In fact, a <a href="https://www.fanniemae.com/research-and-insights/surveys-indices/national-housing-survey" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">recent survey</a> from <em>Fannie Mae</em>
shows that 23% of consumers think prices will fall over the next 12
months. That’s nearly one in four people who are dealing with that fear –
maybe you’re one of them.</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">To help ease that concern, here’s what the <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/09/05/expert-home-price-forecasts-revised-up-for-2023/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">experts</a> say will happen with <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/02/dont-believe-everything-you-read-about-home-prices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home prices</a> not just <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/15/the-latest-2024-housing-market-forecast/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">next year</a>, but over the next five years.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Experts Project Ongoing Appreciation</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">While seeing a small handful of <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/09/08/home-price-forecasts-revised-for-2023-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">expert</a>
opinions may not be enough to change your mind, hopefully, a larger
group of experts will reassure you. Here’s that larger group.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">The <a href="https://pulsenomics.com/surveys/#home-price-expectations" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Home Price Expectation Survey</em></a> (HPES) from <em>Pulsenomics</em> is
a great resource to show what experts <br />forecast for home prices over a
five-year period. It includes projections from over 100 economists,
investment strategists, and housing market analysts. And the results
from the latest quarterly release show home prices are expected to go up
every year through 2027 (<em>see graph below</em>):</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzASDyuxIbYN8KCccGrsKEJ9k3w9XYksCZjNtypobN7MewvoRU9xt2nwMNWTLO0zyuMPYmug4zT8k21QPO1njDHEEACLlac-ojBWK-G3UqIF63PqXKyvd40nYPRnSJT_hrOxOl-C5Nht5r39rf1gvPxJ0l4cMk9ulDsAVv_r10cEt58gho8g55U9qC_1s/s1740/2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1740" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzASDyuxIbYN8KCccGrsKEJ9k3w9XYksCZjNtypobN7MewvoRU9xt2nwMNWTLO0zyuMPYmug4zT8k21QPO1njDHEEACLlac-ojBWK-G3UqIF63PqXKyvd40nYPRnSJT_hrOxOl-C5Nht5r39rf1gvPxJ0l4cMk9ulDsAVv_r10cEt58gho8g55U9qC_1s/w640-h480/2.png" width="640" /></a> </p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And while the projected increase in 2024 isn’t as large as 2023, remember <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/11/the-latest-expert-forecasts-for-home-prices-in-2023/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home price</a>
appreciation is cumulative. In other words, if these experts are
correct after your home’s value rises by 3.32% this year, it should go
up by another 2.17% next year.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you’re worried home prices are going to fall, here’s the big takeaway. Even though <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/20/home-price-growth-is-returning-to-normal-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">prices</a> vary by local area, experts project they’ll continue to rise across the country for years to come at a pace that’s <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/22/home-prices-still-growing-just-at-a-more-normal-pace/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">more normal</a> for the market.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>What Does This Mean for You?</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you’re not convinced yet, maybe these numbers will get your
attention. They show how a typical home’s value could change over the
next few years using the expert projections from the HPES. Check out the
graph below:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xofxfqXCmeWzwBD0wR1jsQddk3Xp_btLKfXNhfyPTR6ViO3voRLQ9oeADCgaoX-Ql0jCq9n0LmVS2C89gJcZY57IW2Pts7T1wRJSHfSMN-__wUht4ICe6aIslN3erFZS7o-F9wtngcwAumfVmx-qvuyU0EFQiLY7JlxzDE3s8bDzNFSzEQIDJEYXJmk/s1744/3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1306" data-original-width="1744" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xofxfqXCmeWzwBD0wR1jsQddk3Xp_btLKfXNhfyPTR6ViO3voRLQ9oeADCgaoX-Ql0jCq9n0LmVS2C89gJcZY57IW2Pts7T1wRJSHfSMN-__wUht4ICe6aIslN3erFZS7o-F9wtngcwAumfVmx-qvuyU0EFQiLY7JlxzDE3s8bDzNFSzEQIDJEYXJmk/w640-h480/3.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">In this example, let’s say you bought a $400,000 home at the beginning
of this year. If you factor in the forecast from the HPES, you could
potentially accumulate more than $71,000 in <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/25/invest-in-yourself-by-owning-a-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">household wealth</a> over the next five years.
</span><p></p><h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you’re someone who’s worried home prices are
going to fall, rest assured a lot of experts say it’s just the opposite –
nationally, home prices will continue to climb not just next year, but
for years to come. If you have any questions or concerns about what’s
next for home prices in your local area, connect with a real estate
agent.</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-9340537015174269252023-12-01T11:48:00.009-05:002023-12-01T12:15:57.951-05:00Preventing Frozen Pipes<div><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Information Courtesy of Christa McMillan, CISR<br />Personal Risk Consultant at Main Street Insurance </span></b></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Prevent Frozen Pipes</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Frozen
pipes can present an invisible threat – one that you might not
recognize until the weather starts to warm. By then, the water damage
can be significant and costly. Fortunately, keeping your home warmer, at
a consistent temperature, and better insulated can help protect your
pipes from freezing this winter.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">What Do You Do if You Have a Frozen Pipe?</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>If you suspect pipes in your home have been exposed to freezing temperatures, or</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>water is not flowing through a faucet normally, follow these steps to help reduce the</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>potential for water damage:</span></span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Locate and close the main water shutoff valve as soon as possible and before temperatures rise above freezing.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Open all faucets including those outside to drain remaining water from pipes.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Have buckets, towels and fans available to contain, clean-up and dry water leaks.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Slowly turn water back on and inspect for leaks. If there are leaks, be prepared to turn the water off immediately.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Also inspect pipes for damage in areas like attics and crawl spaces, where it is safe to do so.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Never use torches or heat guns to facilitate thawing as these can create fire hazards.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>As temperatures increase above freezing, watch and listen for signs of water leaks.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>If there is pipe damage, call a licensed plumber for repairs.</span></span></li></ul><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why is a Frozen Pipe a Concern?</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>When
water begins to freeze, it expands. This can cause both plastic and
metal pipes to burst, possibly leading to significant water damage to
your home.</span></span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Since water expands when it freezes, it puts unwanted pressure on pipes.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>As water freezes, the force exerted from the expansion can cause a pipe to burst, regardless of the strength of the material.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>You
may not know you have a burst pipe as the water has turned to ice. Once
the temperature starts to warm and thawing begins, leaking and flooding
can occur.</span></span></li></ul><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Which Pipes Are Most at Risk?</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Pipes that are most exposed to the elements, including those outdoors and along the</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>exterior walls of your home, may need extra protection during winter months. These</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>include the following:</span></span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Outdoor hose hookups and faucets.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Swimming pool supply lines.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Lawn sprinkler lines.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Water pipes in unheated, interior locations such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages and kitchen and bathroom cabinets.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Pipes running against exterior walls with little or no insulation.</span></span></li></ul><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to Help Prevent Frozen Pipes</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">Before winter:</span></span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Check
your home for areas where water pipes are located in unheated or poorly
insulated areas. Be sure to check your basement, attic, crawl space,
garage and within cabinets containing plumbing. Hot and cold water pipes
should both be insulated.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Products such as pipe sleeves or UL-listed heat tape or heat cable can help insulate or heat exposed water pipes.</span></span></li></ul><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-style: italic; text-decoration: underline;">During winter:</span></span></p><ul style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Close inside valves supplying water to outdoor faucets and hookups.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Open
outdoor faucets to allow residual water to drain; be sure to keep them
open during the cold weather months, while the water supply is turned
off.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Keep garage doors closed to help protect water pipes located in the garage.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Open the doors on cabinets where plumbing is located. This can help allow warmer air to circulate around the pipes.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>For pipes that are at risk of freezing (both hot and cold water pipes), let water drip from faucets.</span></span></li><li style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Keep the heat in your home set at a minimum of 55 degrees.</span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Christa B. McMillan, CISR</b></span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Personal Risk Consultant</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Main Street Insurance<br /><a href="http://www.mainstreetins.com/">www.mainstreetins.com</a><br /><a href="http://cmcmillan@mainstreetins.com/">cmcmillan@mainstreetins.com</a></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-42209112902105174312023-11-23T10:00:00.001-05:002023-11-23T10:19:05.530-05:00HAPPY THANKSGIVING!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR2BOkP7JLXWy4sN9JhydKwmA57JxMq3k3FAmelhngZvAqxcJQTOdvsLnWIe3Rhcu-C4YGZIj0u_LDw5ReGxgC2WFf-ZlZGf9VYuN6NNYyL7nEWqjW9A2m--7VNVgdeXmdgywzmEZHsmNDE5S_7LyyH3QNfpfQfjI-8dH9orQDORLtzVR3XwNMClb/s640/Thanksgiving%20card%202021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidR2BOkP7JLXWy4sN9JhydKwmA57JxMq3k3FAmelhngZvAqxcJQTOdvsLnWIe3Rhcu-C4YGZIj0u_LDw5ReGxgC2WFf-ZlZGf9VYuN6NNYyL7nEWqjW9A2m--7VNVgdeXmdgywzmEZHsmNDE5S_7LyyH3QNfpfQfjI-8dH9orQDORLtzVR3XwNMClb/w582-h640/Thanksgiving%20card%202021.jpg" width="582" /> <br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Although we said goodbye to our Rudy this past August,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I continue to include him in my Thanksgiving message with grateful</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">appreciation for the almost seven years he was a part of our family.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am especially grateful for the past three years, which were a gift, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">following the removal of his kidney due to kidney cancer. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Our Rudy boy is forever in our hearts.</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-89140175028184755462023-11-22T21:00:00.075-05:002023-11-23T10:29:05.740-05:00Home Prices Still Growing – Just at a More Normal Pace<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Please remember that the information in the following article is based on national data. Be sure to check out my notes </span><span style="font-size: medium;">on why "seasonality" is different in our area, which can be found </span><span style="font-size: medium;">in a recent posting, <a href="https://pooksscclnews.blogspot.com/2023/11/is-your-house-top-thing-on-buyers-wish.html">Is Your House the Top Thing on a Buyer’s Wish List this Holiday Season?</a>.</span><br /></div><p>Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters / The KCM Blog</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR2YLvkv9CRSRijpa8pI9TlO1HJjeGY1VkoBTykDrtDZxUw_epKsmvxM0PYlw57CTGyniOfbpOrhBdtzj22bpxlj-9UJUr5hfnVaz9HlZf-BUpHiXc7s-JWewx51L68uZKOuOi5eTbrqBG5fyheZYnvybQF9OVFyAKbuhWSX9M7lJyNAxa19b7Vuda3g/s1292/Screenshot%202023-11-23%20at%2010.07.04%20AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1292" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBR2YLvkv9CRSRijpa8pI9TlO1HJjeGY1VkoBTykDrtDZxUw_epKsmvxM0PYlw57CTGyniOfbpOrhBdtzj22bpxlj-9UJUr5hfnVaz9HlZf-BUpHiXc7s-JWewx51L68uZKOuOi5eTbrqBG5fyheZYnvybQF9OVFyAKbuhWSX9M7lJyNAxa19b7Vuda3g/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-23%20at%2010.07.04%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">If you’re feeling a bit muddy on what’s happening with <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/02/dont-believe-everything-you-read-about-home-prices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home prices</a>, that’s no surprise. Some people are still saying prices are falling, even though data proves otherwise. Part of that <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/27/unmasking-scary-myths-about-todays-housing-market-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">misconception</a>
is because people are getting their information from unreliable
sources. But it’s also coming from some media coverage misrepresenting
what the data really shows.
</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">So, to keep things simple, here’s what you really need to know using real data you can trust.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Normal Home Price Seasonality Explained </b></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In the housing market, there are predictable ebbs and flows that
happen each year. It’s called seasonality. Spring is the peak homebuying
season when the market is most active. That activity is typically still
strong in the summer but begins to wane as the cooler months approach.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/23/why-home-prices-keep-going-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Home prices</a>
follow along with seasonality because prices appreciate most when
something is in high demand. That’s why there’s a reliable long-term
home price trend. The graph below uses data from <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/indicators/sp-corelogic-case-shiller-us-national-home-price-nsa-index/#overview" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>Case-Shiller</i></a> to show the typical percent change for monthly home price movement from 1973 through 2022 (not <a href="https://www.census.gov/construction/nrs/faqs/faqs_seas.html#quest2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">adjusted</a>, so you can see the seasonality):</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="480" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/content/branded/images/20231114/20231122-49-Year-Average-Monthly-Price-Movement.png" width="640" /></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;">As the data shows, at the beginning of the year, home prices grow,
but not as much as they do when entering the spring and summer markets.
That’s because the market is less active in January and February since
fewer people move in the cooler months. As the market transitions into
the peak homebuying season in the spring, activity ramps up, and home
prices go up a lot more in response. Then, as fall and winter approach,
prices still grow, just at a slower pace as activity eases again.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This Year, Seasonality Has Returned</b></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Now, let’s look at how this year compares to that long-term trend (<i>see graph below</i>):</span></p><h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFj9Hk5HtBfRQslXhyphenhyphenSFrJTwkSmgq-M-ebHExNIJvLpmglRrpWKRqTfzTDuMeuLvPyFfnSiGU0TG6KC3ui3aiUR00JmKzOzfkyaRIlq-PbqJcjoW4EIZdTNxXqQJ1pvUVHYG4MhIP6okrihzc1zLSSv9FHVlsw4abLKUb5t0_ALHsI5ApEgDUUex1DNA/s1686/Screenshot%202023-11-23%20at%2010.09.58%20AM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1222" data-original-width="1686" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMFj9Hk5HtBfRQslXhyphenhyphenSFrJTwkSmgq-M-ebHExNIJvLpmglRrpWKRqTfzTDuMeuLvPyFfnSiGU0TG6KC3ui3aiUR00JmKzOzfkyaRIlq-PbqJcjoW4EIZdTNxXqQJ1pvUVHYG4MhIP6okrihzc1zLSSv9FHVlsw4abLKUb5t0_ALHsI5ApEgDUUex1DNA/w640-h464/Screenshot%202023-11-23%20at%2010.09.58%20AM.png" width="640" /></a></div></span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here’s the latest data for this year from that same source. Just like
before, the dark bars are the long-standing trend. The green bars
represent what’s happened this year. As you can see, the green bars are
beginning to fall in line with what’s normal for the market. That’s a
good thing because it’s more sustainable price growth than we’ve seen in
recent years.</span></div>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">In a nutshell, nationally prices aren’t falling, it’s just that price growth is <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/20/home-price-growth-is-returning-to-normal-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">beginning to normalize</a>.
Moving forward, there’s a chance the media will misrepresent this
slowing of home price growth as prices falling. So don’t believe
everything you see in the headlines. The data included here gives you
the context you need to really understand what’s happening. So, if you
see something in the headlines that’s confusing, don’t just take it at
face value. Ask a trusted real estate professional for more information.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Remember, it’s normal to see home price growth slow down as
the year goes on. And that definitely doesn’t mean home prices are
falling. They’re just rising at a more moderate pace.</b></span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">Home price
appreciation is returning to normal seasonality and that’s a good thing.
If you have questions about what’s happening with prices in your local
area, connect with a real estate professional.</span></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-36143974122331190992023-11-20T22:30:00.006-05:002023-11-27T10:27:18.350-05:00Is Your House the Top Thing on a Buyer’s Wish List this Holiday Season?<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>This is an important article for people thinking of selling their homes at this time of year.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I always tell prospective sellers that this can be a great time of year to sell in our area. See my thoughts below and then continue on to the great article from Keeping Current Matters.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-size: medium;">As noted in #1 below, people who are looking at homes right now are typically serious buyers, as there's too much else going on for folks to check out homes if they're not considering a move.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">At this time of year, many folks who live in colder areas of the country are visiting friends or family here. The thought of moving can be pretty appealing when it's snowing and really cold back home. </span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Many homeowners who consider moving to active adult communities have lived in their current homes for a long time and have built up a large amount of equity. This could allow them to put down a large down payment if applying for a loan or to pay cash for a home. In a posting I made last month, <a href="https://pooksscclnews.blogspot.com/2023/10/are-there-more-cash-or-loan-sales-in.html" target="_blank">ARE THERE MORE CASH OR LOAN SALES IN SCCL AND TREE TOPS?</a>, I noted that, at that time, just over half of the last 100 homes sold in SCCL were cash sales. At that same time, cash sales at TreeTops accounted for just under half of the last 100 sales. Higher interest rates may not be as much of concern to folks with equity in their current home. </span></li></ol></div><div style="text-align: left;">_______________<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters / The KCM Blog</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="big-preview single-big"><a class="lightbox-added" href="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20231114/20231120-Is-Your-House-the-Top-Thing-on-a-Buyers-wish-list-this-holiday-season.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="This time every year, homeowners who are planning to move have a decision to make: sell now or wait until after the holidays?"><img alt="Is Your House the Top Thing on a Buyer’s Wish List this Holiday Season?" height="175" src="https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/KeepingCurrentMatters/content/images/20231114/20231120-Is-Your-House-the-Top-Thing-on-a-Buyers-wish-list-this-holiday-season.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;">This
time every year, homeowners who are planning to move have a decision to
make: sell now or wait until after the holidays? Some sellers with
homes already on the market may even remove their listing until the new
year.</span></div>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">But the truth is, <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/06/reasons-to-sell-your-house-before-the-new-year/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">many buyers</a> want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. As an article from <i>Fortune Builders</i> <a href="https://www.fortunebuilders.com/selling-a-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explains</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“ . . . while a majority of people take a step back
from the real estate market during the holiday months, you may find when
the temperature drops</i><b><i>, your potential for a great real estate deal starts to rise.”</i></b></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>To help prove that point, here are four reasons you shouldn’t wait to sell your house.</b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">1. <b>The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. </b>While a few buyers might opt to delay their moving plans until January, others may <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/18/what-are-the-real-reasons-you-want-to-move-right-now/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">need to move</a>
now because something in their life has changed. The buyers who look
for homes at this time of year are usually motivated to make their move
happen and are eager to buy. A recent article from <i>Investopedia </i><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/102615/why-holidays-are-good-time-sell-your-house.asp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer. </i><b><i>Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale</i></b><i>.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">2. <b>While the supply of </b><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/24/the-perks-of-selling-your-house-when-inventory-is-low/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><b>homes for sale</b></a><b> has increased a little bit lately, overall inventory is still lower than it was before the pandemic.</b> What does that mean for you? If you work with <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/30/a-real-estate-agent-helps-take-the-fear-out-of-the-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">an agent</a>
to price your house at market value, it could still sell quickly
because today’s buyers are craving more options – and your home may be
exactly what they’re searching for.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">3. <b>You can determine the days and times that are most convenient for you for home showings.</b>
That can help you minimize disruptions to your own schedule, which can
be especially important during this busy time of year. Plus, you may
find buyers are more flexible on when they’ll tour a house this time of
year because they have more time off from work around the holidays.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">4. <b>And finally, homes decorated for the holidays appeal to many buyers.</b> For those buyers, it’s easy to picture gathering with their loved ones in the home and making memories of their own. An <a href="https://www.ramseysolutions.com/real-estate/selling-your-home-in-winter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">article</a> on selling at this time of year offers this advice:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“If you’re selling around a holiday and have decorations up, make sure they accent—not overpower—a room. </i><b><i>Less is more.</i></b><i>”</i></span></p></blockquote><h3>Bottom Line</h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There are plenty of good reasons to put your
house on the market during the holiday season. Connect with a real
estate agent and see if it's the right time for you to sell.</span></div><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-92220768635026423462023-11-17T10:30:00.008-05:002023-11-23T10:40:28.767-05:002024 Housing Market Forecast [INFOGRAPHIC]<p> Infographic Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nScQZFPV2LmYOEe5CJG0PC3KaJBcbTS-ULZl75khfp6Btd0GAGEvQFw6VLdAvJp6VjAdYG7r4cB90crrjoFQL9aesPJdUxSnkZ3MV44wYvWJ9YfZwpsWlDF7eJv34s_6U7XEqQ5GFDPj_L0x7vEQWpfMZ-EhzAue9ozFAEwb3y9_f9okIKgW_GRFhII/s2744/2024-Housing-Market-Forecast-NM.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="800" height="1649" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nScQZFPV2LmYOEe5CJG0PC3KaJBcbTS-ULZl75khfp6Btd0GAGEvQFw6VLdAvJp6VjAdYG7r4cB90crrjoFQL9aesPJdUxSnkZ3MV44wYvWJ9YfZwpsWlDF7eJv34s_6U7XEqQ5GFDPj_L0x7vEQWpfMZ-EhzAue9ozFAEwb3y9_f9okIKgW_GRFhII/w480-h1649/2024-Housing-Market-Forecast-NM.webp" width="480" /></a></div><h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Some Highlights</span></h3><ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Thinking of <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/07/homeowner-net-worth-has-skyrocketed/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buying</a> or <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/24/the-perks-of-selling-your-house-when-inventory-is-low/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">selling a house</a> and wondering what the new year holds for the housing market? <a href="https://www.fanniemae.com/media/49326/display" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Experts forecast</a> home <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/02/dont-believe-everything-you-read-about-home-prices/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">prices</a> to end this year up 2.8% and to rise another 1.5% in 2024. And climbing <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/23/why-home-prices-keep-going-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">prices</a> help make <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/18/what-are-the-real-reasons-you-want-to-move-right-now/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homeownership</a> a <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/26/affordable-homeownership-strategies-for-gen-z/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">good investment</a>.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;">Plus, home sales are <a href="https://www.mba.org/docs/default-source/research-and-forecasts/forecasts/2023/mortgage-finance-forecast-oct-2023.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">projected to increase</a> in 2024. That’s good news because it means experts are forecasting more activity as people <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/13/life-changing-events-that-move-the-housing-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">continue to move</a>.</span></li></ul></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-31329089386673816342023-11-10T23:39:00.004-05:002023-11-11T00:09:36.042-05:00VA Loans Help Heroes Achieve Homeownership<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Infographic Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDjNoVV4XqxMO0edv-jdjB2CyWcXpzXhEhbfx4YxZto4pKz0g9ea7NWB5VkzzO51qVsyp0EPRmKjog3CytXtXl5vNY2iOLJOoRgwmVE6hNNiKA3yfxpFOVxQ6vcxZ9nIstPA17lCbX3Rq_FuBzPngqN9axCQIWAQ6QU2ylltVYsBFJaaRGUggtrPcNjk/s1680/VA-Loans-Help-Heroes-Achieve-Homeownership-NM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1680" data-original-width="800" height="1154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDjNoVV4XqxMO0edv-jdjB2CyWcXpzXhEhbfx4YxZto4pKz0g9ea7NWB5VkzzO51qVsyp0EPRmKjog3CytXtXl5vNY2iOLJOoRgwmVE6hNNiKA3yfxpFOVxQ6vcxZ9nIstPA17lCbX3Rq_FuBzPngqN9axCQIWAQ6QU2ylltVYsBFJaaRGUggtrPcNjk/w550-h1154/VA-Loans-Help-Heroes-Achieve-Homeownership-NM.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><h3>Some Highlights</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/eligibility/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VA home loans</a> can help people who served our country become <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/va-home-improvement-loan-options" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homeowners</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.homesforheroes.com/blog/first-time-va-home-buyer-what-to-know/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">These loans</a> can help qualified individuals <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/25/invest-in-yourself-by-owning-a-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">purchase</a> a VA-approved <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/13/the-difference-between-renting-and-buying-a-home-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home or condo</a>, build a new <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/12/growing-your-net-worth-with-homeownership/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">home</a>, or enhance their current one.</li><li><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/11/07/homeowner-net-worth-has-skyrocketed/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Owning a home</a> is the American Dream, and one way to show our appreciation to <a href="https://www.military.com/money/va-loans/what-can-you-buy-with-a-va-loan.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">veterans</a> is by providing them with <a href="https://www.veteransunited.com/va-loans/va-home-loan-advantages/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">important information</a> about the advantages of VA home loans.</li></ul><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MORE VA LOAN INFORMATION </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="headline" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>How VA Loans Can Help Make Homeownership Dreams Come True</b></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIqCOCJImkZ33TunYFt8gkLSzsvN-PseftEqL0HMLE4mhVz8R23R2FAiCmmFqVbkNTlKZadx7TzinyCqJ_XNhh_2OjuhK4yHCsvJDwDatNlfMMA0OSV_GMip6mNDQQ4bP1GOhS6NM8oAuJOCg55hTkEwxVD612TbLMi5YU-CNseTXz3P_OxyTuhZgors/s1462/Screenshot%202023-11-10%20at%2011.51.24%20PM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1462" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIqCOCJImkZ33TunYFt8gkLSzsvN-PseftEqL0HMLE4mhVz8R23R2FAiCmmFqVbkNTlKZadx7TzinyCqJ_XNhh_2OjuhK4yHCsvJDwDatNlfMMA0OSV_GMip6mNDQQ4bP1GOhS6NM8oAuJOCg55hTkEwxVD612TbLMi5YU-CNseTXz3P_OxyTuhZgors/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-10%20at%2011.51.24%20PM.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">For more than 79 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/25/invest-in-yourself-by-owning-a-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buy</a>
their own homes. If you or someone you care about has served in the
military, it’s essential to learn about this program and its advantages.</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are some important things to know about VA loans before you <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/13/the-difference-between-renting-and-buying-a-home-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">buy a home</a>.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The Many Advantages of VA Home Loans</b></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">VA home loans provide a pathway to homeownership for those who have
served our nation, and they’re a great benefit for buyers who qualify.
According to the <a href="https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/loan-types/purchase-loan/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>Department of Veteran Affairs</i></a>:</span></p>
<ul><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Options for No Down Payment:</b> Qualified borrowers
can often purchase a home with no down payment. That’s a huge weight
lifted when you’re trying to save for a home.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Limited Closing Costs:</b> There are limits on the
types of closing costs you pay when you qualify for a VA home loan. So,
more money stays in your pocket when it’s time to seal the deal.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Don’t Require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): </b>Many
other loans with down payments under 20% require PMI. VA loans do not,
which means veterans can save on their monthly housing costs.</span></li></ul>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">A recent article from <a href="https://www.veteransunited.com/valoans/10-things-many-borrowers-dont-know-about-va-loans/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><i>Veterans United</i></a> sums up just how impactful this loan option can be:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“For the vast majority of military borrowers, </i><b><i>VA loans represent the most powerful lending program on the market</i></b><i>. These flexible, $0-down payment mortgages have helped more than 24 million service members become homeowners since 1944.”</i></span></p></blockquote>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/06/how-homeowner-net-worth-grows-with-time-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Owning a home</a>
is the American Dream. Veterans sacrifice a lot to protect our country,
and one way we can show our appreciation is by making sure they know
all the benefits of VA home loans. <b><i>Thank you for your service.</i></b></span></p><hr /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-37790315339549965942023-11-10T22:16:00.006-05:002023-11-10T22:52:28.359-05:00Veterans Day 2023 - We Honor Those Who Served
<div class="post-header">
<div class="post-header-line-1"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With grateful appreciation to all who have served our country. </span><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE3-j4LJr9VvWsI513mjU_cZU1gWZLjrlZaS6MCVcvTEh8rXIVGLT2MDVRgzgnqN5k8CZeuwwCaOKiaFcd37zdzF1uh2hFDnxx21Nx7wGOBk5tZfugPLE4n3zqF39UhIfbXtLEeup15h6GWclLXnzGr48mBu1h4_iOpvRdOabeHxozxbSR6XNVMCc/s600/veterans-day_0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="600" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiE3-j4LJr9VvWsI513mjU_cZU1gWZLjrlZaS6MCVcvTEh8rXIVGLT2MDVRgzgnqN5k8CZeuwwCaOKiaFcd37zdzF1uh2hFDnxx21Nx7wGOBk5tZfugPLE4n3zqF39UhIfbXtLEeup15h6GWclLXnzGr48mBu1h4_iOpvRdOabeHxozxbSR6XNVMCc/w400-h294/veterans-day_0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsnCHSoFOos" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="625" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhs76khLSwv-LfZ1kiyNsgfHAx955akzayC2GgVL7is7qFAGoCEUcQEWmIUYEcWtD-FQ5hqf1c2eLEtCRcgtetGLlLLXa2AvozEaM5miB0PqScYFfuCMTd3zdT583EnQeLd45KKBhlXY/s320/Screen+Shot+2017-11-07+at+4.07.37+PM.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Beautiful tribute to our Veterans </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: medium;">by Richard Kerry Thompson. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsnCHSoFOos" target="_blank">YOU RAISE ME UP</a></span> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6s6KIZzxb4&sns=em" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img alt="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6s6KIZzxb4&sns=em" border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="488" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W68ozgI3eGWD-4SFtU7bbkWs9dJgDNKZGWCRba7KLqMy-BTxzhIOcoL6q8HmYFJtzwT2JY0lwfv_o0F2U0uVqyxfNuJs6SfXBOqeZ01SfotuqVD5-0Dj05BZhBWHB9w1FkmJnhBU_H8/w400-h215/Screen+Shot+2017-11-07+at+3.52.56+PM.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>A lovely rendition </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6s6KIZzxb4&sns=em">HALLELUJAH</a> by Sailor Jerri to honor our veterans.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>MY ARTICLE IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><b>LIVING @ SCCL MAGAZINE</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">CLICK TO ENLARGE.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span><span><b> </b></span></span><span><span><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cgqJD8rpqfEnz14sieOX8gLisXnCSfaaVq4tcVOfgCNtBHQLG_cqE-icfGq4_QLLUGAqMf9IcygUbXuYjlcj0Dm6DpKq8NRfyciXzWweQW4OHaZZrR4l4C756JDOpHgpnmU_buYgfZkxK5sr1LP4yxF3aEZ5Ar9POzYKE8qZsa5i8pF12MARoBsldxc/s2417/VETERANS%20DAY%20ARTICLE%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="2417" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cgqJD8rpqfEnz14sieOX8gLisXnCSfaaVq4tcVOfgCNtBHQLG_cqE-icfGq4_QLLUGAqMf9IcygUbXuYjlcj0Dm6DpKq8NRfyciXzWweQW4OHaZZrR4l4C756JDOpHgpnmU_buYgfZkxK5sr1LP4yxF3aEZ5Ar9POzYKE8qZsa5i8pF12MARoBsldxc/w640-h529/VETERANS%20DAY%20ARTICLE%202023.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-46714371713501609502023-11-10T22:12:00.001-05:002023-11-10T22:12:35.634-05:00HAPPY 248TH BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SEMPER FI </b></span><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5Kj3SYmrViPZ8WecXoN5EzgnlIB2-avEPq5bs2YhTqpkLuXt1Y_76TdagH3T0C6UV9XsaNiS7QcJdC3xVdZOU343BcVWo9Ay12lalVSnj7LwzMMA6IQrbuy47gBy3XKnnuaZ1u2cHordoRfBTfKdjj808Kzc2erKUP1dhKZ6LO1CeAZhLk4ACP4e/s2048/USMC%20Reunion.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="2048" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj5Kj3SYmrViPZ8WecXoN5EzgnlIB2-avEPq5bs2YhTqpkLuXt1Y_76TdagH3T0C6UV9XsaNiS7QcJdC3xVdZOU343BcVWo9Ay12lalVSnj7LwzMMA6IQrbuy47gBy3XKnnuaZ1u2cHordoRfBTfKdjj808Kzc2erKUP1dhKZ6LO1CeAZhLk4ACP4e/w640-h160/USMC%20Reunion.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband and his Basic School brothers gathered at the Vietnam Wall.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>Each year it is my
honor and privilege to offer birthday greetings and a heartfelt thank
you to my husband and his special Marine Corps brothers and to all who
wear or have worn the globe and anchor. Once a Marine, always a
Marine. The Few. The Proud. Semper Fi.</span></span></span></p><div class="post-header">
</div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>
</span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslxv_fqITBuXd4vSwqZlwCC5kwibE1CnJrECw5idpQcCUvyGudSK3_bYKA71g4EAlGNc0nLmpZkpsr-w9pmJrSNpPxx5MvwN8nNINB1JyDAFVPe6ie2QOx6f_-BnE1L5P9mVLcxQIywo/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-11-10+at+7.59.58+AM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslxv_fqITBuXd4vSwqZlwCC5kwibE1CnJrECw5idpQcCUvyGudSK3_bYKA71g4EAlGNc0nLmpZkpsr-w9pmJrSNpPxx5MvwN8nNINB1JyDAFVPe6ie2QOx6f_-BnE1L5P9mVLcxQIywo/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-11-10+at+7.59.58+AM.png" width="320" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>
</span></span></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>"On
November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress commissioned Samuel
Nicholas to raise two Battalions of Marines. That very day, Nicholas set
up shop in Tun Tavern (in Philadelphia). He appointed Robert Mullan,
then the proprietor of the tavern, to the job of chief Marine Recruiter
-- serving, of course, from his place of business at Tun Tavern.
Prospective recruits flocked to the tavern, lured by (1) cold beer and
(2) the opportunity to serve in the new Corps of Marines." </i><br /> </span></span><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Source:</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> <span><a href="http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/usmc_heritage.htm">http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/usmc_heritage.htm</a></span></span></span></span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /><br />
Since those earliest days when the "Continental Marines" fought for our
country's independence at sea and on shore, the United States Marine
Corps has responded to conflicts around the world, participating in
combat operations and humanitarian relief efforts by air, land, and sea.
Mandated by Congress to be our county's rapid response force, the
United State Marine Corps has proudly served our country for 248 years.
From the shores of Tripoli to Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, Korea, the
jungles of Vietnam, the mountains of Afghanistan, the Iraqi desert, and
all the operations in-between, Marines from all walks of life have
defended our nation. </span></span><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">On November 10th, Marines around
the world live up to the motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful) as
they celebrate the birth of the Corps. Whether attending a formal Marine
Corps Ball or a small informal gathering, or even with just a phone
call or a handshake, those who share the bond of being one of "The Few.
The Proud." proudly honor the values, traditions, and history of the
Corps on this day by wishing each other a Happy Birthday. </span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span></span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGQadpW4MDo" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1444" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDr94vbxsOTAj09IJl6Vya2oA_kZrc-bb_fe7XM1gzzQ9a08h4TUPJmxZoPiwNHqbBzRTHtxWa2N3OeBk2O3dXfJW82AqC8jAG4SjLxBQc4PHXKPwqwfkY_P-HmWP41kDH2GhwdoP0szm5kZAH1ourVqECaIkTU4JV3oB1ouo-kK6uaJmIQQn_yt3kiUg/w400-h216/1.png" width="400" /></a></div><span>Each year Bob Parsons, founder of Go-Daddy, shares his love for
"Mother Green" by presenting a birthday video to honor the United States
Marine Corps. <b><a href="https://www.pxg.com/the-range/news/pxg-founder-bob-parsons-celebrates-the-247th-u-s-marine-corps-birthday-veterans-day/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"></span></a><span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WOrGsJW3xo" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></span></b> for a link to this year's video. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>In
this year's video, Bob speaks from his heart to the needs of those who
suffer from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Please share his
message with all who may need help in dealing with the silent wounds of
war.<br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span> </span></span></span></div> </div><span style="font-size: medium;"><span>Additionally,
each year the Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation partners with the
Semper Fi fund to raise funds to provide financial support for wounded,
critically ill, and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed
Forces. Last year, they raised more than $20 million dollars. Again
this year, the Foundation will match donations dollar-for-dollar up to
$10 million dollars. <br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"></span></span></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
</span></span></div><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span id="p_lt_ctl00_pageplaceholder_p_lt_ctl00_YouTubeVideoDetail_lblDescription">To donate, please visit: <span style="color: #990000;"><a href="https://semperfifund.org/match/" target="_blank">SemperFiFund.org/match</a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-53237142529836809802023-11-06T23:00:00.011-05:002023-11-11T00:09:19.001-05:00Reasons To Sell Your House Before the New Year<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Article Courtesy of Keeping Current Matters/The KCM Blog</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNpUjCIejqmNZIdJwuBc2eqSZ79p3-VPhCd4-HMXAy0HTAqaAAauqHjA9KuMAdFU5nYJL7qbmqOC_ERtzYz0RpELkOnWeAGe-xu-Mnzhv6FUplR_pdf0sw9T4706GD6P4-fRuUZV6X3jsiEE-Kzoc2CKRJ9tOtvFciQKQQa3iJzjRzxsbZdJJ4j9EKt8/s1482/Screenshot%202023-11-11%20at%2012.05.29%20AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1482" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNpUjCIejqmNZIdJwuBc2eqSZ79p3-VPhCd4-HMXAy0HTAqaAAauqHjA9KuMAdFU5nYJL7qbmqOC_ERtzYz0RpELkOnWeAGe-xu-Mnzhv6FUplR_pdf0sw9T4706GD6P4-fRuUZV6X3jsiEE-Kzoc2CKRJ9tOtvFciQKQQa3iJzjRzxsbZdJJ4j9EKt8/s320/Screenshot%202023-11-11%20at%2012.05.29%20AM.png" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;">As the year winds down, you may have decided it’s time to make a move
and put your house on the market. But should you sell now or wait until
January? While it may be tempting to hold off until after the holidays,
here are three reasons to make your move before the new year.</span></div>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong> </strong></span></h4><h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Get One Step Ahead of Other Sellers</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Typically, in the residential real estate market, homeowners are less
likely to list their houses toward the end of the year. That’s because
people get busy around the holidays and sometimes deprioritize selling
their house until the start of the new year when their schedules and
social calendars calm down. But that gives you an opportunity to get one
step ahead.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Selling now, while other homeowners may hold off until after the
holidays, can help you get a leg up on your competition. Start the
process with a <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/08/23/why-you-need-a-true-expert-in-todays-housing-market/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">real estate agent</a> today so you can get your house on the market before your neighbors do.</span></p>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Get Your House in Front of Eager Buyers </strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Even though the supply of <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/09/29/explaining-todays-low-housing-supply-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">homes for sale</a>
did grow compared to last year, it’s still low. That means there aren’t
enough homes on the market today. While some buyers may also delay
their plans to move until January, others will still need to move for <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/10/18/what-are-the-real-reasons-you-want-to-move-right-now/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">personal reasons</a> or because something in their life has changed.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Those buyers are still going to be active later this year and will be
seriously motivated to make their move happen because they need to.
Unfortunately, the challenge they’ll face is a shortage of available
inventory to meet their needs. A recent article from <em>Investopedia</em> <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/102615/why-holidays-are-good-time-sell-your-house.asp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">says</a>:</span></p>
<blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><em>“. . . if your house is up for sale in the winter and
someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready
to buy. Anyone shopping for a new home between Thanksgiving and New
Year’s is likely going to be a serious buyer. </em><strong><em>Putting your home on the market at this time of year and attracting a serious buyer can often result in a quicker sale</em></strong><em>.”</em></span></p></blockquote>
<h4><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Use Your Equity To Fuel Your Move</strong></span></h4>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Keep in mind that homeowners today have record amounts of <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/09/01/homeowners-have-a-lot-of-equity-right-now-infographic/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">equity</a>. According to <a href="https://www.corelogic.com/press-releases/home-equity-increases-winter-spring-reducing-underwater-properties-q2/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>CoreLogic</em></a>, the average amount of equity per mortgage holder has climbed to almost $290,000. That means the <a href="https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2023/09/19/your-home-equity-can-offset-affordability-challenges/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">equity</a> you have in your house right now could cover some, if not all, of a down payment on the home of your dreams.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">And as you weigh the reasons to sell before year-end, it’s important
to remember the reasons that sparked your desire to move in the first
place. Maybe it’s time for a new home in a location that suits you
better, one that offers the perfect space for you and your loved ones,
or maybe your needs have evolved over time. A local real estate agent
can help you determine how much home equity you have and how you can use
it to achieve your goal of making a move.</span></p>
<h3><span style="font-size: medium;">Bottom Line</span></h3><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Listing your home before the new year can offer
unique benefits. Less competition, motivated buyers, and your equity
gains can all play to your advantage. Reach out to a local real estate
agent to achieve your goals before winter sets in.</span></p><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-56279737929811081902023-10-13T14:42:00.010-04:002023-10-26T00:28:21.363-04:00The Importance of Pricing a Home Right - Data Updated 10/25/23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0k8RQ9xyovVHi5SIvE3_3nckGTxiiNUawCuGJIJYW6NHv9hU590FKHUBl-T3rvF4y28WBi7x9371OJcoVeg8RJrLBI-BQDhfAmUasxVzsUUtstvH_IqMByHhB72gK3CF92aa4hqvAl2EzlrGfVrSXzBNp1NBy-RowTTG2FIizlC87sdAcmVVEiejZnA/s516/RECENT%20PRICE%20ADJUSMENTS.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="442" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0k8RQ9xyovVHi5SIvE3_3nckGTxiiNUawCuGJIJYW6NHv9hU590FKHUBl-T3rvF4y28WBi7x9371OJcoVeg8RJrLBI-BQDhfAmUasxVzsUUtstvH_IqMByHhB72gK3CF92aa4hqvAl2EzlrGfVrSXzBNp1NBy-RowTTG2FIizlC87sdAcmVVEiejZnA/w154-h180/RECENT%20PRICE%20ADJUSMENTS.png" width="154" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">In my October 12 posting, <a href="https://pooksscclnews.blogspot.com/2023/10/first-home-sells-for-over-1000000-in.html">FIRST HOME SELLS FOR OVER $1,000,000 IN SCCL</a>, I said that <span style="color: #990000;">"</span><span><span style="color: #990000;">some (folks) are
now listing higher than current comps would suggest is appropriate, and
are having to reduce their asking price."</span> As a follow-up to that, I want to share some data on recent price reductions. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>The information below was updated on 10/25/23.</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="color: #990000;"><b>SCCL Single Family Residences (SFRs)</b></span></span></span></p><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="color: #990000;">Coming Soon/Active: </span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Of the 23 current listings, 13 have had price reductions ranging from $10,000 to $50,900. Ten of those have been reduced $15,000 or more, including 4 that have been reduced $30,000 or more.<br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="color: #990000;">Currently Under Contract:</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Of the 14 listings that are currently Under Contract, 6 had price reductions, ranging from $5,000 to $20,100. Three of those were reduced $19,900 or more.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="color: #990000;">Closed since September 1st:</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Of the 16 properties that have closed since the beginning of September, 4 had price reductions ranging from $15,100 to $25,000. The final sales price for those 4 ranged from $25,000 to $39,000 below the original list price.<br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>See below for the stats regarding final close price in relation to original list price. </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>1 closed above the original list price<br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>5 closed at the original list price<br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>3 closed at 99% of the original list price</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>7 closed at 90-98% of the original list price<br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span style="color: #990000;">Carriage Homes and Villas (CHVs)</span></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><b><span style="color: #990000;"> </span></b></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="color: #990000;">Coming Soon/Active: </span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Of the 4 current listings, all 4 have had price reductions ranging from $5,000 to $40,000.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="color: #990000;">Currently Under Contract:</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Of
the 3 listings that are now Under Contract, none had price reductions.<br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="color: #990000;">Closed since September 1st:</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Of the 2 properties that have closed since the beginning of September, the final sale price for those 2 ranged from $10,000 to $14,900 below the original list price.</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>See below for the stats regarding final close price in relation to original list price. </span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>1 closed at 97% of the original list price</span></span></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>1 closed at 96% of the original list price<br /></span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8507001112254829685.post-74017284966576263902023-10-12T20:30:00.005-04:002023-10-12T22:11:21.146-04:00ARE THERE MORE CASH OR LOAN SALES IN SCCL AND TREE TOPS?<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">SCCL Single Family Residences (SFR)</span></b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of the last 100 SFR homes that sold, <b>58 sold for cash and 42 sold with a loan</b>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This goes back to 10/26/22.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">SCCL Carriage Homes and Villas (CHV)</span></b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Of the last 50 CHV, <b>26 sold for cash and 24 sold with a loan</b>.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This goes back to11/15/20.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Tree Tops</span></b><span style="color: #990000;"></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Of the last 100 homes that sold in Tree Tops, <b>46 sold for cash and 54 sold with a loan</b>.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black;">This goes back to 4/9/21.<br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Please note that this information is based on sales posted on MLS. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: medium;">It does not include homes sold by owners (FSBOs) or homes that were sold as exclusive listings, not posted on MLS. Exclusive listings include homes that a brokerage lists and sells without offering them to other brokerages and may limit the exposure (and possibly the sale price) that a listing gets. Sometimes a brokerage with an exclusive listing will post it on MLS after it goes under contract or after it closes. When this happens, the MLS listing may show zero (or just a couple) of Days on Market.</span><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0