Featured

Posted by in Around Town, Helpful Information, News you can USE!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

THINGS TO DO IN BATON ROUGE THIS MONTH

Cap City Beer Fest

Nov. 7th – Downtown BR
When you sponsor the Cap City Beer Fest, you become a highly visible partner in creating one of the most anticipated events in downtown Baton Rouge while helping the more than 8,000 lost, abandoned, and abused animals who will need Companion Animal Alliance in the coming year.

1 PM VIP ENTRY

2 PM GENERAL ADMISSION

LIVE MUSIC BY THE MICHAEL FOSTER PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARTS COUNCIL OF GREATER BATON ROUGE’S SUNDAY IN THE PARK.

For more info visit HERE


Mistletoe Market 

Nov. 13th-14th – Lamar Dixon 

$6 General Admission. A portion of the proceeds will benefit children in need.

MISTLETOE MARKET HOURS

November 13, 2021, 9 am – 6 pm

November 14, 2021, 10 am – 5 pm

LOCATION

Lamar Dixon Expo Center9039 S. St. Landry Ave, Gonzales, La 70737


Louisiana Book Festival 

The Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana is proud to present the 17th edition of this free, world-class literary celebration. In lieu of our usual live and in-person festival this year, we are pleased to feature over 30 virtual programs with more than 80 authors, poets, and other participants. Check back here or follow us on Facebook for more details!


White Light Night

November 19th – Mid City BR

6:00PM – 10:00PM

White Light Night is Mid City’s largest art festival featuring Louisiana’s best artists, makers, and more. It’s free to attend and the best way to kick off your holiday shopping! Revel under the white lights adorning the streets, meet local artists, enjoy live music, and eat at Mid City’s exceptional and unique restaurants.


Check out the map for parking and a list of all of the participating shops and businesses along the route: HERE!


LSU Update


Men’s Football Schedule

Nov. 6th -@ Alabama – 6PM (ESPN)

Nov. 13th – Arkansas – 6:30PM (SEC Network)

Nov. 20rd – ULM – TBA (TBA)

Nov. 27th – Texas A&M – TBA (TBA)

Men’s Basketball Home Schedule 

Nov. 7th – ULM – 7pm 

Nov. 12th- Texas State – 7pm 

Nov. 15th- Liberty. – 6pm 

Nov. 18th – Mcneese. – 7pm

Nov. 22nd- Belmont – 7pm

Women’s Basketball Home Schedule

Nov. 9th – Nicholls  – 11am

Nov. 14th – Florida Gulf state – 12:30pm

Sun. Nov. 23rd – Tulane – 6pm

Home Appreciation

Featured

Posted by in News you can USE!, Timely Advise

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Home Price Appreciation Is Skyrocketing in 2021. What About 2022?

Home Price Appreciation Is Skyrocketing in 2021. What About 2022? | MyKCM

One of the major story lines over the last year is how well the residential real estate market performed. One key metric in the spotlight is home price appreciation. According to the latest indices, home prices are skyrocketing this year.

Here are the latest percentages showing the year-over-year increase in home price appreciation:

The dramatic increases are seen at every price point and in all regions of the country.

Increases Are Across Every Price Point

Home Price Appreciation Is Skyrocketing in 2021. What About 2022? | MyKCM

According to the latest Home Price Index from CoreLogic, each price range is seeing at least a 19% increase year-over-year:

Increases Are Across Every Region in the Country

Home Price Appreciation Is Skyrocketing in 2021. What About 2022? | MyKCM

Every region in the country is experiencing at least a 14.9% increase in home price appreciation, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA):

Increases Are Across Each of the Top 20 Metros in the Country

Home Price Appreciation Is Skyrocketing in 2021. What About 2022? | MyKCM

According to the U.S. National Home Price Index from S&P Case-Shiller, every major metro is seeing at least a 13.3% growth in prices (see graph below):

What About Price Appreciation in 2022?

Prices are the result of the balance between supply and demand. The demand for single-family homes has been strong over the last 18 months. The supply of houses available for sale was near historic lows. However, there’s some good news on the supply side. Realtor.com reports:

“432,000 new listings hit the national housing market in August, an increase of 18,000 over last year.”

There will, however, still be a shortage of supply compared to demand in 2022. CoreLogic reveals:

“Given the widespread demand and considering the number of standalone homes built during the past decade, the single-family market is estimated to be undersupplied by 4.35 million units by 2022.”

Yet, most forecasts call for home price appreciation to moderate in 2022. The Home Price Expectation Survey, a survey of over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts, calls for a 5.12% appreciation level next year. Here are the 2022 home appreciation forecasts from the four other major entities:

  1. The National Association of Realtors (NAR): 4.4%
  2. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA): 8.4%
  3. Fannie Mae: 5.1%
  4. Freddie Mac: 5.3%

Price appreciation is expected to slow in 2022 when compared to the record highs of 2021. However, it is still expected to be greater than the annual average of 4.1% over the last 25 years.

Bottom Line

If you owned a home over the past year, you’ve seen your household wealth grow substantially, and you’ll see another nice boost in 2022. If you’re thinking of buying, consider buying now as prices are forecast to continue increasing through at least next year.

Newest Development off of Hoo-Shoo-Too Rd in Baton Rouge

Featured

Posted by in New Construction, News you can USE!

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

10127 Clarks Ferry

This is an E3 Homes New Construction located in Clarks Ferry subdivision. This 4 bedroom 3 bath is decked out with all the bells & whistles. Boasting a modern farmhouse style that brings elegance but simplicity. Lots of great cabinets, large island, walk-in pantry, upgraded appliances, formal dining room, ventless gas fireplace, french doors leading to a large covered patio with full outdoor kitchen. Private master suite with his and her vanities, stand-alone tub and upgraded custom shower. You will not want to miss out on this new style home in this beautiful new subdivision. Call for all the details today.

10137 Clarks Ferry

Come fall in love with this new subdivision, new floor plan and very modern design. The farmhouse style is something you will fall in love with as soon as you pull in to the subdivision.This home is very well-designed with four bedrooms, three full baths, large closet, large utility, lots of cabinets, open floor plan, formal dining room, large island upgraded stainless appliances, gas fireplace with gas logs. The private master suite with en suit bath boast an oversized master closet, double vanities and stand alone tub, with custom shower. There is still time to make this home custom for your family by selecting your flooring, granite, light fixtures.and much more. Don’t wait too long to make this home yours!

YOU CAN BUY A HOME WITH LESS THAN 20% DOWN!

Featured

Posted by in Helpful Information, News you can USE!, Timely Advise

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Many potential home buyers give up before they’ve even gotten started because they think they don’t have enough for a down payment. Often times it’s because they’ve bought into the myth that you can’t buy a home with less than a 20% down payment. Use our free infographic to show potential buyers that their dream is within reach and that now is the time to start their search.

Email it to potential clients, post it on your website, or use it in a blog post. Here are some post ideas to get you started:

  • Mortgage loan types
  • How to save for a down payment
  • Tips for first-time buyers
  • Breaking down the mortgage application process

CLICK THE LINK FOR ALL THE DETAILS

You CAN Buy a Home with Less than 20% Down

3 Reasons Your Real Estate Agent WANTS You To Bother Them

Featured

Posted by in Finding a Realtor, Helpful Information, News you can USE!, Timely Advise

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

YOU CAN BOTHER TEAM SISTERS ANYTIME….  YOUR AGENTS FOR LIFE!

Real estate agents hear this all the time…

“I wish I had called you before. But I just didn’t want to bother you. I know you’re busy…”

…after it is too late.

There are times when you might feel like you shouldn’t “bother” the real estate agent you know. (Could be your friend, a neighbor, your brother-in-law, cousin, your sister…)

Maybe you’re truly trying to be considerate.

But, maybe it’s because you’re not even aware that you should.

Or, you just don’t want to feel obligated or pushed into doing something. (Despite what many people think, most agents are not pushy. Most are the exact opposite.)

So, let’s go over a few times that you should “bother” your real estate agent. Because it really isn’t a bother.

In fact, we’ll get into why it will bother them if you don’t reach out to them for any of these things.

1. You just want to check out a house.

You see a house online. Or a For Sale sign. Maybe even just stumble across an open house.

You’re not all that serious about buying a house. Maybe you’re only just starting to think about it. Or, maybe you have no desire at all to move, and you’re just curious and want to take a peek.

So, you don’t want to “bother” the agent you know to show you the house.

Instead, you call the listing agent. Or some random agent you don’t even know. Or just walk right into the open house.

Next thing you know, you love the house. You’re making an offer. The offer is accepted. And then you regret it. Or problems come up. Or the process is miserable. Or you don’t feel like the agent you’re dealing with is giving you the best advice.

And that’s when you call the agent you know.

Too late. At that point, the agent you know can’t help. (Or at least shouldn’t…) Because now you are represented by another agent. The agent you know can get in a lot of trouble for even giving you friendly advice.

As innocent as it seems, when you just want to go see a house… you are inadvertently making a bigger decision than you think — you are deciding who will represent your interests, advise you, and help you through the process.

Even if you just go see a house with another agent, and before you even make an offer you decide to have the agent you know write up the offer and represent you… the agent who simply showed you the house could claim you as their client. It’s called “procuring cause”. I won’t get into the details here, but it can become messy.

You’re better off calling the agent you know to show you the house in the first place. You won’t be considered a bother.

What will bother him is to have to bite his tongue and not give you the help you want further into the process.

2. You want to know how much your home is worth.

Maybe you’re just curious about how much your home is worth. Or, maybe you’re actually thinking of selling. It might be because you want to get a feel for your net worth.

Nowadays, you can hop online and check out any number of sites that will give you the value of your home.

So, why “bother” the agent you know about this?

Because most of what you will find online is highly inaccurate to begin with. They are “automated” valuations. They are based upon data and algorithms. They have never even seen the inside of your home. They do not take into account your local market conditions.

And if you base your hopes, dreams, and decisions off of an inaccurate value, that can hurt you quite a bit.

Again, asking the agent you know to do an analysis and give you a true market value… not a bother.

But, it would be bothersome to hear that you’ve based important life decisions off of an inaccurate value once it’s too late.

3. You are considering a home improvement project.

The real estate agent you know probably isn’t an architect. Or a builder, a plumber, an electrician, a painter, etc. So, they probably can’t advise you about the ins and outs of a specific project or costs.

But once you have a sense of the proposed cost of a project, before you just pull the trigger and move forward, you really should “bother” your agent for their input.

Putting on an addition? That will surely increase the value.

A kitchen or bathroom remodel? Yep, your house will be worth more.

But will the value increase more than the amount you spent? Will that matter in your situation? Will the choices you make in decor, layout, or fixtures appeal to a buyer down the road? Does that even matter, given your future plans?

All questions and thoughts your agent can get into with you. Before you spend the money and go through the headaches of a huge project.

On the other hand, if you go forward with a home improvement project and spend, let’s say $60,000, and then call your agent…

You could seriously regret how much you spent, or even doing the project at all.

Your agent doesn’t want to break the news to you that your home is only worth $38,000 more after you spent $60,000. There is no joy in that. There is nothing that can be done at that point.

That’s just three examples. There are certainly more. But you get the point…

So, reach out to your agent before you do anything real estate related… and just trust that it isn’t a “bother”.

Credit: Lighter Side of Real Estate

    Want To Sell Your House?

    25 Wednesday Jan 2023

    Posted by in Helpful Information, News you can USE!

    ≈ Leave a comment

    Price It Right

    Want To Sell Your House? Price It Right. | MyKCM

    Last year, the housing market slowed down in response to higher mortgage rates, and that had an impact on home prices. If you’re thinking of selling your house soon, that means you’ll want to adjust your expectations accordingly. As realtor.com explains:

    “. . . some of the more prominent pandemic trends have changed, so sellers might wish to adjust accordingly to get the best deal possible.”

    In a more moderate market, how you price your house will make a big difference to not only your bottom line, but to how quickly your house could sell. And the reality is, homes priced right are still selling in today’s market.

    Why Pricing Your House Appropriately Matters

    Especially today, your asking price sends a message to potential buyers.

    If it’s priced too low, you may leave money on the table or discourage buyers who may see a lower-than-expected price tag and wonder if that means something is wrong with the home.

    If it’s priced too high, you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to lower the price to try to reignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag by some buyers who will wonder what that means about the home.

    To avoid either headache, price it right from the start. A real estate professional knows how to determine that ideal asking price. They balance the value of homes in your neighborhood, current market trends, buyer demand, the condition of your house, and more to find the right price. This helps lead to stronger offers and a greater likelihood your house will sell quickly.

    The visual below helps summarize the impact your asking price can have:

    Want To Sell Your House? Price It Right. | MyKCM

    Bottom Line

    Homes that are priced at current market value are still selling. To make sure you price your house appropriately, maximize your sales potential, and minimize your hassle, let’s connect.

    Want To Sell Your House? Price It Right.

    25 Wednesday Jan 2023

    Posted by in News you can USE!

    ≈ Leave a comment

    Want To Sell Your House? Price It Right. | MyKCM

    Last year, the housing market slowed down in response to higher mortgage rates, and that had an impact on home prices. If you’re thinking of selling your house soon, that means you’ll want to adjust your expectations accordingly. As realtor.com explains:

    “. . . some of the more prominent pandemic trends have changed, so sellers might wish to adjust accordingly to get the best deal possible.”

    In a more moderate market, how you price your house will make a big difference to not only your bottom line, but to how quickly your house could sell. And the reality is, homes priced right are still selling in today’s market.

    Why Pricing Your House Appropriately Matters

    Especially today, your asking price sends a message to potential buyers.

    If it’s priced too low, you may leave money on the table or discourage buyers who may see a lower-than-expected price tag and wonder if that means something is wrong with the home.

    If it’s priced too high, you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to lower the price to try to reignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag by some buyers who will wonder what that means about the home.

    To avoid either headache, price it right from the start. A real estate professional knows how to determine that ideal asking price. They balance the value of homes in your neighborhood, current market trends, buyer demand, the condition of your house, and more to find the right price. This helps lead to stronger offers and a greater likelihood your house will sell quickly.

    The visual below helps summarize the impact your asking price can have:

    Want To Sell Your House? Price It Right. | MyKCM

    Bottom Line

    Homes that are priced at current market value are still selling. To make sure you price your house appropriately, maximize your sales potential, and minimize your hassle, let’s connect.

    The Truth About Negative Home Equity Headlines

    10 Tuesday Jan 2023

    Posted by in News you can USE!

    ≈ Leave a comment

    Tags

    , , ,

    Hot Topic

    The Truth About Negative Home Equity Headlines | MyKCM

    Home equity has been a hot topic in real estate news lately. And if you’ve been following along, you may have heard there’s a growing number of homeowners with negative equity. But don’t let those headlines scare you.

    In truth, the headlines don’t give you all the information you really need to understand what’s happening and at what scale. Let’s break down one of the big equity stories you may be seeing in the news, and what’s actually taking place. That way, you’ll have the context you need to understand the big picture.

    Headlines Focus on Short-Term Equity Numbers and Fail To Convey the Long-Term View

    One piece of news circulating focuses on the percentage of homes purchased in 2022 that are currently underwater. The term underwater refers to a scenario where the homeowner owes more on the loan than the house is worth. This was a huge issue when the housing market crashed in 2008, but it much less significant today.

    Media coverage right now is based loosely on a report from Black Knight, Inc. The actual report from that source says this:

    “Of all homes purchased with a mortgage in 2022, 8% are now at least marginally underwater and nearly 40% have less than 10% equity stakes in their home, . . .”

    Let’s unpack that for a moment and provide the bigger picture. The data-bound report from Black Knight is talking specifically about homes purchased in 2022, but media headlines don’t always mention that timeframe or provide the surrounding context about how unusual of a year 2022 was for the housing market. In 2022, home price appreciation soared, and it reached its max around March-April. Since then, the rate of appreciation has been slowing down.

    Homeowners who bought their house last year right at the peak or those who paid more than market value in the months that followed are more likely to fall into the category of being marginally underwater. The qualifier marginally is another key piece of the puzzle the media isn’t necessarily including in their coverage.

    So, what does that mean for those who purchased a home in 2022? It’s important to remember, owning a home is a long-term investment, not a short-term play. When headlines focus on the short-term view, they’re not necessarily providing the full context.

    Typically speaking, the longer you stay in your home, the more equity you gain as you pay down your loan and as home prices appreciate. With recent market conditions, you may not have gained significant equity right away if you owned the home for just a few months. But it’s also true that many homeowners who recently bought their house are unlikely to be looking to sell quite yet.

    Bottom Line

    As with everything, knowing the context is important. If you have questions about real estate headlines or about how much equity you have in your home, let’s connect.

    What Are Your Goals in the Housing Market This Year?

    04 Wednesday Jan 2023

    Posted by in Around Town, Finding a Realtor, Timely Advise, Who New?

    ≈ Leave a comment

    What Are Your Goals in the Housing Market This Year? | MyKCM

    If buying or selling a home is part of your dreams for 2023, it’s essential for you to understand today’s housing market, define your goals, and work with industry experts to bring your homeownership vision for the new year into focus.

    In the last year, high inflation had a big impact on the economy, the housing market, and likely on your wallet too. That’s why it’s critical to have a clear understanding of not just the market today, but also what you want out of it when you buy or sell a home. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, explains:

    “The key to making a good decision in this challenging housing market is to be laser focused on what you need now and in the years ahead, so that you can stay in your home long enough that buying is a sound financial decision.”

    Here are a few questions you can start thinking through as you fine tune your goals for 2023.

    1. What’s Motivating You?

    You’re dreaming about making a move for a reason – what is it? No matter what’s happening in the market, there are still many compelling reasons to buy a home today. Your needs may have changed in a way your current house can’t address, or you could be ready to step into homeownership for the first time and have a space that’s truly your own. Use what’s motivating you as a guidepost in partnership with an expert advisor to help make sure your move will give you a lasting sense of accomplishment.

    2. What Does Your Next Home Look Like?

    You know you want to move, but how would you describe your dream home? The available supply of homes for sale has grown, and that could mean more options to choose from when you buy. Just be sure to keep your budget in mind and work with a trusted real estate professional to balance your wants and needs. The better you understand what’s essential and where you can be flexible, the easier it can be to find the home that’s right for you.

    3. How Ready Are You To Buy?

    Getting clear on your budget and savings is essential before you get too far into the process. Working with a local agent and a lender early is the best way to make sure you’re in a good position to buy. This could include planning how much to save for a down payment, getting pre-approved for a home loan, and assessing your current home equity if your move involves selling your existing house.

    A Professional Will Guide You Through Every Step of the Process

    Buying or selling a home is a big process that takes expertise to navigate. If that feels a bit overwhelming, you aren’t alone. According to a recent Harris Poll survey, one in five respondents see a lack of information or knowledge about the homebuying process as a barrier from owning a home. Don’t let uncertainty hold you back from your goals this year. A trusted expert can bridge that gap and give you the best advice and information about today’s market.

    Bottom Line

    Let’s connect to plan how your dreams for 2023 can become a reality.

    Confused About What’s Going on in the Housing Market? Lean on a Professional

    28 Wednesday Dec 2022

    Posted by in Finding a Realtor, Housing Forecast 2020, News you can USE!

    ≈ Leave a comment

    Confused About What’s Going on in the Housing Market? Lean on a Professional.

    Confused About What’s Going on in the Housing Market? Lean on a Professional. | MyKCM

    If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you probably want to know what’s really happening with home prices, mortgage rates, housing supply, and more. That’s not an easy task considering how sensationalized headlines are today. Jay Thompson, Real Estate Industry Consultant, explains:

    “Housing market headlines are everywhere. Many are quite sensational, ending with exclamation points or predicting impending doom for the industry. Clickbait, the sensationalizing of headlines and content, has been an issue since the dawn of the internet, and housing news is not immune to it.”

    Unfortunately, when information in the media isn’t clear, it can generate a lot of fear and uncertainty in the market. As Jason Lewris, Cofounder and Chief Data Officer at Parcl, says:

    “In the absence of trustworthy, up-to-date information, real estate decisions are increasingly being driven by fear, uncertainty, and doubt.”

    But it doesn’t have to be that way. Buying or selling a home is a big decision, and it should be one you feel confident making. To help you separate fact from fiction and get the answers you need, lean on a local real estate advisor.

    A trusted expert is your best resource to understand what’s happening at the national and local levels. They’ll be able to debunk the headlines using data you can trust. And using their in-depth knowledge of the industry, they’ll provide context so you know how current trends compare to the normal ebbs and flows in the industry, historical data and more.

    Then, to make sure you have the full picture, they’ll tell you if your local area is following the national trend or if they’re seeing something different in your market. Together, you’ll use all of that information to make the best possible decision for you.

    After all, making a move is a potentially life-changing milestone. It should be something you feel ready for and excited about. And that’s where an agent comes in.

    Bottom Line

    If you have questions about the headlines or what’s happening in the housing market today, let’s connect so you have expert insights and advice on your side.

    What You Want To Know If You’re Pursuing Your Dream of Homeownership

    07 Wednesday Dec 2022

    Posted by in Timely Advise

    ≈ 1 Comment

    Tags

    , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    What You Want To Know If You’re Pursuing Your Dream of Homeownership | MyKCM

    If you’re a young adult, you may be thinking about your goals and priorities for the months and years ahead. And if homeownership ranks high on your goal sheet, you’re in good company. Many of your peers are also pursuing their dream of owning a home. The 2022 Millennial & Gen Z Borrower Sentiment Report from Maxwell says:

    “Many young adults have demonstrated their resolve to embark on the journey toward homeownership soon. More than half of millennials and Gen Zs plan to apply for a mortgage sometime within the next year.”

    Let’s take a look at why homeownership makes the top of so many young buyers’ to-do list and what you need to consider to achieve your goals if you’re one of them.

    Top Motivators To Buy a Home

    Before you start the homebuying process, it’s helpful to know why homeownership is so important to you. The survey mentioned above sheds light on some of the top reasons why younger generations are looking to buy a home. It finds:

    No matter which of these resonates the most with you, know there are many financial and non-financial reasons why you may want to buy a home. While your top motivator may be different than that of your friends, they’re all equally valid and worthwhile.

    Key Obstacles and How To Overcome Them

    Whether your homeownership goals come from the heart or are driven by financial aspirations (or both), it can still be hard to know where to start when you’re looking to buy a home. From understanding the homebuying process, to getting pre-approved, and exploring down payment options, it’s a lot to wrap your head around.

    The same Maxwell survey also reveals key challenges for potential buyers. Thankfully, the knowledge and guidance of a trusted real estate professional can help you overcome both. Here’s a look at two of the hurdles potential homebuyers say they face:

    1. The Mortgage Process Can Be Intimidating

    In the Maxwell study, 33.37% said one of their obstacles was that the mortgage process is confusing or difficult to understand.

    An article by OwnUp helps explain why the mortgage process is so challenging for buyers:

    “There is a general lack of knowledge about home financing. Mortgages are a complicated topic with no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s difficult to understand the space, let alone determine what the right course of action is based on your unique financial picture.”

    While you may be tempted to do a quick search online to find instant answers to your questions, it may not get you the information you need to understand the full picture. Especially when it comes to financial advice, you want to lean on a true expert. Having trusted professionals on your side can help you to learn what it takes to achieve your dream of homeownership. Not to mention, an expert can give you advice specific to your situation, not generic advice like you’ll find online.

    2. It’s Hard To Know How Much You Need To Save

    In the Maxwell study, 45.75% believe they don’t have enough saved to cover their down payment or closing cost expenses.

    What you may not realize is that, today, there’s a growing number of down payment assistance programs available nationwide to help relieve this pressure. A report from Down Payment Resource says:

    “Our Q3 2022 HPI report revealed a 1.6% uptick in the number of homebuyer assistance programs available to help people finance homes, raising the number of programs to 2,309, a net increase of 36 over the previous quarter.”

    Additionally, as the housing market cools, buyers are regaining some negotiation power and more sellers are willing to work with buyers to help with closing costs.  Understanding what’s out there and the options available may help you achieve your dream of homeownership faster than you thought possible.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re serious about becoming a homeowner, know it may be more in reach than you think. Lean on trusted professionals to help you overcome challenges and prioritize your next steps.

    What Buyers Need To Know About the Inventory of Homes Available for Sale

    30 Wednesday Nov 2022

    Posted by in Timely Advise

    ≈ Leave a comment

    Tags

    , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    What Buyers Need To Know About the Inventory of Homes Available for Sale | MyKCM

    If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’re likely trying to juggle your needs, current mortgage rates, home prices, your schedule, and more to try to decide if you want to jump into the market.

    If this sounds like you, here’s one key factor that could help you with your decision: there are more homes for sale today than there were at this time last year. According to Calculated Risk, for the week ending in November 18th, there were 47.7% more homes available for sale than there were at the same time in 2021. And having more options for your home search may be exactly what you need to feel confident about making a move.

    Here’s a look at where the increased housing supply is coming from so you can get a better sense of what’s happening in the market today and what it means for you.

    What Caused the Growth in Housing Inventory This Year?

    The increase we’ve seen in housing supply this year isn’t from the source you think it is. Rather than an influx of recent homeowners listing their houses for sale (known as new listings), the primary reason the supply has grown is because homes are staying on the market a bit longer (known as active listings).

    That’s happening because higher mortgage rates and home prices have helped moderate the peak frenzy of buyer demand, which has slowed down the pace of sales. And, as the pace of sales has eased, inventory has grown as a result.

    The graph below uses data from realtor.com to show that it’s active listings, not new listings, that have driven the growth we’ve seen over the past few months:

    What Buyers Need To Know About the Inventory of Homes Available for Sale | MyKCM

    And while overall inventory gains may slow down this winter due to typical housing market seasonality, you still have a chance to capitalize on the current supply.

    What This Means for Your Home Search

    Regardless of the source, the increase in available housing supply is good for buyers. More homes available for sale means you have more options to choose from as you search for your next home, and you may even have more time to consider them.

    So, if you tried to buy a home last year and lost out in a bidding war or just couldn’t find something you liked, this may be the news you’ve been waiting for. If you start your search today, those additional options should make it less difficult to find a home you love, especially as some other buyers pause their search this holiday season.

    Just remember, housing supply is still low overall, so it won’t suddenly be easy – it’ll just be less challenging than it was at this time last year. As a recent article from realtor.com says:

    “Despite this improvement in the number of homes actively for sale, active listings still lag their pre-pandemic levels.”

    The increase in housing supply helps put you in a great position to kick off the new year in your dream home. And who better to help you find it than a trusted, local real estate professional?

    Bottom Line

    If you’re ready to jump into the housing market and see what’s available in our local area, let’s connect.

    Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today

    23 Wednesday Nov 2022

    Posted by in Timely Advise

    ≈ Leave a comment

    Tags

    , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today | MyKCM

    Experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like we saw back in 2008, and that’s good news for the housing market. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says:

    “. . . don’t expect a housing bust like the mid-2000s, as lending standards in this housing cycle have been much tighter and homeowners have historically high levels of home equity, so there likely won’t be a surge in foreclosures.”

    Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) helps tell this story. It shows the overall percentage of homeowners at risk is decreasing significantly with time (see graph below):

    Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today | MyKCM

    But even though the volume of homeowners at risk is very low, there is still a small percentage of homeowners who may be coming face to face with foreclosure as a possibility today. If you’re facing difficulties yourself, it can help to understand your options. It starts with knowing what foreclosure is. Investopedia defines it like this:

    “Typically, default is triggered when a borrower misses a specific number of monthly payments . . . Foreclosure is the legal process by which a lender attempts to recover the amount owed on a defaulted loan by taking ownership of and selling the mortgaged property.”

    The good news is there are alternatives available to help you avoid going through the foreclosure process, including:

    • Reinstatement
    • Loan modification
    • Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure
    • Short sale

    But before you go down any of those paths, it’s worth seeing if you have enough equity in your home to sell it and protect your investment.

    You May Be Able To Use Your Equity To Sell Your House

    Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation.

    In today’s real estate market, many homeowners have far more equity in their homes than they realize due to the home price appreciation we’ve seen over the past few years. According to CoreLogic:

    “The total average equity per borrower has now reached almost $300,000, the highest in the data series.”

    So, what does that mean for you? If you’ve lived in your house for at least a few years or more, chances are your home’s value, and your equity, has risen dramatically. In addition, the mortgage payments you’ve made during that time chipped away at the balance of your loan. If your home’s current value is higher than what you still owe on your loan, you may be able to use that increase to your advantage.

    Rick Sharga, Executive VP of Market Intelligence at ATTOM Data, explains how equity can help:

    “Very few of the properties entering the foreclosure process have reverted to the lender at the end of the foreclosure. . . We believe that this may be an indication that borrowers are leveraging their equity and selling their homes rather than risking the loss of their equity in a foreclosure auction.”

    Lean on Experts To Explore Your Options

    To find out how much equity you have, work with a local real estate professional. They can give you an estimate of what your house could sell for based on recent sales of similar homes in your area. You may be able to sell your house to avoid foreclosure.

    If you find out you have to pursue other options, your agent can help with that too. They’ll be able to connect you with other professionals in the industry, like housing counselors, who can look into your unique situation and offer advice on next steps if selling isn’t your best alternative.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re a homeowner facing hardship, let’s connect so you have an expert on your side to explore your options and see if you can sell your house to avoid foreclosure.

    What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices?

    16 Wednesday Nov 2022

    Posted by in Timely Advise

    ≈ Leave a comment

    Tags

    , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices? | MyKCM

    Now that the end of 2022 is within sight, you may be wondering what’s going to happen in the housing market next year and what that may mean if you’re thinking about buying a home. Here’s a look at the latest expert insights on both mortgage rates and home prices so you can make your best move possible.

    Mortgage Rates Will Continue To Respond to Inflation

    There’s no doubt mortgage rates have skyrocketed this year as the market responded to high inflation. The increases we’ve seen were fast and dramatic, and the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate even surpassed 7% at the end of last month. In fact, it’s the first time they’ve risen this high in over 20 years (see graph below):

    What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices? | MyKCM

    In their latest quarterly report, Freddie Mac explains just how fast the climb in rates has been:

    “Just one year ago, rates were under 3%. This means that while mortgage rates are not as high as they were in the 80’s, they have more than doubled in the past year. Mortgage rates have never doubled in a year before.”

    Because we’re in unprecedented territory, it’s hard to say with certainty where mortgage rates will go from here. Projecting the future of mortgage rates is far from an exact science, but experts do agree that, moving forward, mortgage rates will continue to respond to inflation. If inflation stays high, mortgage rates likely will too.

    Home Price Changes Will Vary by Market

    As buyer demand has eased this year in response to those higher mortgage rates, home prices have moderated in many markets too. In terms of the forecast for next year, expert projections are mixed. The general consensus is home price appreciation will vary by local market, with more significant changes happening in overheated areas. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says:

    “House price appreciation has slowed in all 50 markets we track, but the deceleration is generally more dramatic in areas that experienced the strongest peak appreciation rates.”

    Basically, some areas may still see slight price growth while others may see slight price declines. It all depends on other factors at play in that local market, like the balance between supply and demand. This may be why experts are divided on their latest national forecasts (see graph below):

    What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices? | MyKCM

    Bottom Line

    If you want to know what’s happening with home prices or mortgage rates, let’s connect so you have the latest on what experts are saying and what that means for our area.

    3 Trends That Are Good News for Today’s Homebuyers

    09 Wednesday Nov 2022

    Posted by in Timely Advise

    ≈ Leave a comment

    Tags

    , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    3 Trends That Are Good News for Today’s Homebuyers | MyKCM

    While higher mortgage rates are creating affordability challenges for homebuyers this year, there is some good news for those people still looking to buy a home.

    As the market has cooled this year, some of the intensity buyers faced during the peak frenzy of the pandemic has cooled too. Here are just a few trends that may benefit you when you go to buy a home today.

    1. More Homes To Choose from

    During the pandemic, housing supply hit a record low at the same time buyer demand skyrocketed. This combination made it difficult to find a home because there just weren’t enough to meet buyer demand. According to Calculated Risk, the supply of homes for sale increased by 39.5% for the week ending October 28 compared to the same week last year.

    Even though it’s still a sellers’ market and supply is still lower than more normal levels, you have more to choose from in your home search. That makes finding your dream home a bit less difficult.

    2. Bidding Wars Have Eased

    One of the top stories in real estate over the past two years was the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But today, things are different. With more options, you’ll likely see less competition from other buyers looking for homes. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average number of offers on recently sold homes has declined. This September, the average was 2.5 offers per sale. In contrast, last September, the average was 3.7 offers per sale.

    If you tried to buy a house over the past two years, you probably experienced the bidding war frenzy firsthand and may have been outbid on several homes along the way. Now you have a chance to jump back into the market and enjoy searching for a home with less competition.

    3. More Negotiation Power

    And when you have less competition, you also have more negotiating power as a buyer. Over the last two years, more buyers were willing to skip important steps in the homebuying process, like the appraisal or inspection, to try to win a bidding war. But the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the percentage of buyers waiving those contingencies is going down.

    As a buyer, this is good news. The appraisal and the inspection give you important information about the value and condition of the home you’re buying. And if something turns up in the inspection, you have more power today to renegotiate with the seller.

    A survey from realtor.com confirms more sellers are accepting offers that include contingencies today. According to that report, 95% of sellers said buyers requested a home inspection, and 67% negotiated with buyers on repairs as a result of the inspection findings.

    Bottom Line

    While buyers still face challenges today, they’re not necessarily the same ones you may have been up against just a year or so ago. If you were outbid or had trouble finding a home in the past, now may be the moment you’ve been waiting for. Let’s connect to start the homebuying process today.