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The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was released today as part of the scheduled monthly release. This report has been known to have a significant impact on the bond market and mortgage rates for the past year.
October’s CPI (reported November 10th) was the biggest revelation as it was viewed by many as a sign of a shift away from the hyperinflation of 2022. November’s report offered no objection and now December’s report (today) paints a similar, calmer picture.
Home prices have been falling since June, and that’s finally making consumers feel better about what had been an overheated, highly competitive housing market.
A monthly housing sentiment index from Fannie Mae showed sentiment improving from November to December.
Thank you to my clients for a successful 2022 year! I am so thankful to be able to do what I love for wonderful people in the community. Bring on 2023 💪🏼
Decluttering Challenge 2023!
Time to declutter your home, one step at a time. Use this list to declutter one thing a day till you complete the list! Make sure to SAVE this post to refer back to it!
1. Your keyring
2. Broken Christmas lights
3. Christmas decorations you haven’t put up for at least 3 years
4. Old Calendars
5. Old bedding
6. Out of date food in the cupboards
7. Receipts from items you have kept and used
8. Clothes you haven’t worn for a year
9. Your jewelry
10. Everything but the essentials off the kitchen work surfaces
11. Books
12. Junk mail
13. Shoes you haven’t worn in 12 months
14. Excess tupperware
15. Old rags and towels
16. Socks without their partner
17. Half finished craft projects
18. Organize your desk
19. Clean out your medicine cabinets
20. Organize your junk drawer
21. Clean out your fridge and freezer
22. Organize and purge your night stands
23. Refresh and organize your makeup
24. Clean out your car
25. Clean, organize and donate kid’s toys
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Are you ready to buy a new home? Here are a few questions you should ask yourself.
➡️ Are you REALLY ready to buy a new home?
➡️ Do you have a stable source of income?
➡️ Have you looked at home prices in the area?
➡️ Do you have money set aside for a down payment?
Now that Christmas is over, you are on your way to redecorating and packing up Christmas lights. But don’t worry, you can still incorporate those cozy vibes you love in your living space to keep you going the rest of the winter. Here are my favorite tips to keep that cozy vibe alive.
✅ Add items using a dark color palette
✅ Incorporate textures
✅ Rearrange furniture around the fireplace
✅ Add extra pillows and throws
While there is no conclusive clarity regarding the housing market forecast for 2023, most experts in the housing industry predict less buyer demand, lower prices, and higher borrowing rates. Rate increases, along with a shortage of availability, have pushed many purchasers to the sidelines. Home prices may fall slightly, but not drastically as they did in 2008.
While you may be tempted to skip the home inspection and it’s $200 – $500 invoice, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t.
➡️ It Provides an “Out”
A quality home inspection can reveal critical information about the condition of a home and its systems. This makes you aware of what costs, repairs and maintenance the home may require immediately, and over time. If you aren’t comfortable with the findings of the home inspection, it usually presents one last opportunity to back out of the offer to buy.
➡️ Safety
A home inspection can detect safety issues like radon, carbon monoxide, and mold, which all homes should be tested for. Make sure that your home-buying contract states that should such hazards be detected, you have the option to cancel the offer to buy.
➡️ Reveal Illegal Additions or Installations
A home inspection can reveal whether rooms, altered garages or basements were completed without a proper permit, or did not follow code.
➡️ Forecast Future Costs
A home inspector can approximate the installation age of major systems in the home like plumbing, heating and cooling, and critical equipment like water heaters. They can diagnose the current condition of the structure itself, and tell you how long finishes have been in the home.
This or that?
Which would you rather have, a master bath or a master shower? Drop your answer below! ⬇️
If you’re shopping for home insurance, here are five questions you should ask about every policy you consider.
➡️ Will this policy pay the full cost to repair my roof?
➡️ How much is my deductible?
➡️ Does this policy cover water damage?
➡️ Do I need more coverage?
➡️ How much does the policy pay if I can’t live in my house?
A good credit score isn’t the only factor that goes into securing a loan. Things such as credit history, debt-to-income ratio and free cash flow also play a part.
To keep calm during your home search, you should know that most buyers search for 10 weeks and view nine homes before they find the one they purchase. In the middle of all that, it can be easy to lose focus and forget what kind of house fits your budget and lifestyle. But these house hunting tips will show you exactly how to buy a home that’s right for you!
Getting a handle on your finances can seem like an overwhelming New Year’s resolution, but once you get started, you’ll find saving money is easier than you think! Check out these creative and practical money saving tips to get you on your way toward your financial goals in the new year!
Is this neighborhood right for you and your family? Not only that, will it be right for the next 5 years?
✅ Safety of the Neighborhood
➡️ Check the crime stats
➡️ Is there a neighborhood watch group established in the area?
➡️ Is there adequate street lighting?
➡️ Have you talked with neighbors?
✅ Proximity to Necessities
➡️ How far is the closest grocery store?
➡️ How far is the closest pharmacy?
➡️ Department stores? Movie theaters?
✅ School District
➡️ How are the state test scores?
➡️ What kind of extracurricular activities are available?
➡️ How are the sports programs?
Rent vs. Own ‼️
They each have their pros and cons, but what it boils down to is where you are at in your life.
Do you currently rent or own? ⬇️
Term of the day: VA loan
A VA loan is a loan guaranteed by the government (Department of Veteran Affairs) and available to the military, active and retired, and even for some eligible spouses, at low-to-no-down payment scenarios with competitive rates and fees.
Given the ongoing fluctuations and uncertainties in the housing market, it’s important to use these tips when shopping for a mortgage.
✅ Understand your credit score. See if there are ways to improve your credit score. If you can raise your score, it will help you get a lower mortgage rate which means lower mortgage payments.
✅ Meet with lenders. Getting to know lenders and what loans you potentially qualify for will put you in a stronger position once you are prepared to purchase a home. Shop around online, by phone or in-person at a branch location to find the best mortgage lender for you.
✅ Review your financial situation. Review your monthly debt payments against your usual income to determine a comfortable monthly payment amount so you know how much home you can afford. You may discover you have to expand your search to locations with lower home prices.
✅ Use a mortgage calculator. Once you have a sense of the types of loans you qualify for, calculate your estimated monthly payments, punch in your numbers into calculators such as a 30-year fixed mortgage calculator, 15-year fixed mortgage calculator, FHA loan calculator or mortgage amortization calculator.
✅ Manage your money. Use this time to save money toward your down payment. The more you can put down on a home, the smaller the loan you will need and the less you will pay overall for a mortgage.
It’s officially 2023, and while some tried and true methods still work to sell your home, it’s time to get creative in selling your home. Here are a few different ideas to help sell your home quick and for top dollar.
➡️ Stage and photograph a home office EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE ONE. Why? It’s 2023, and nearly 60% of people are working from home.
➡️ Highlight outdoor features. Research shows that features such as pools, outdoor structures like decks and outdoor kitchens, and features such as fire pits have all increased in demand and value.
➡️ Sell your location. Include information about the nearest gas stations, grocery stores, shopping and even parks and trails.
➡️ Add a virtual tour or 3-D walkthrough. If you’re selling in a college town, major city or other market with a large number of relocation buyers, providing a virtual experience can seal the deal.
So, you’re ready to buy your dream home? Here the is the breakdown of the consultation we will have prior to finding you your dream home. Are you ready to set up a buyer’s consultation? (Insert best way to contact you here)
Here are the five most common appraisal required repairs:
➡️ Roof Repair
One of the most common appraisal issues is also one of the most expensive: Roof repairs. The average cost to replace a roof runs between $4,700 and $10,400, or about $405 per square foot.
➡️ Paint Problems
Peeling paint may be unattractive, but that’s not the only reason an appraiser may cite it. Did you know that paint can also be a health hazard? Homes built before 1978 may contain lead paint, which has been linked to a number of human health issues. Many mortgage lenders won’t issue a loan until paint issues are repaired.
➡️ Hazardous Handrails
If your home has missing or broken handrails, be prepared for the appraiser to cite them.
➡️ Wonky Wiring
Of course, electrical system problems send up red flags. But what are appraisers looking for when they inspect a home’s electrical system? One common issue lies in a home’s amperage. If the house has a 60 amp electrical system, many lenders won’t issue a mortgage. Most bank appraisals will require a system upgrade before approving a loan.
➡️ Haywire HVAC
Before rubber-stamping a loan, a traditional mortgage lender needs to know that a home has a functioning heating and cooling system. The appraiser will check to see that the home’s HVAC system is working properly, including the furnace, air conditioning unit, venting, and duct ways.
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Where does the other 8-10% go?
➡️ Real Estate Agent Commission Fees: 5% – 6%
➡️ Seller Concessions: 1.5% – 2%
➡️ Closing Costs: 1% – 3%
➡️ Capital Gains Tax: Varies
The capital gains tax is a tax on the profit you make from selling an asset, including real estate. If you sell the home less than a year after moving in, you’ll pay this tax on the home sale.
➡️ Home Repairs: Varies
Most home buyers order a home inspection to check the property’s condition before signing on the dotted line. They may ask you to cover repairs if the report comes back unsatisfactory.
➡️ Moving Costs: Varies
Moving costs depend on how far you’re moving, how much stuff you’re taking with you and whether you’re hiring professional movers.
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