Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Your Top Fears Debunked

Home buyers may get a little anxious when facing the biggest transaction of their lives. Doubt starts entering and they may start second-guessing whether or not they are making a good move.

“I’m afraid I can’t afford a home.”

Some buyers believe they’ll have to empty out their savings account completely in order to buy a home. “There are many loan programs out there that can help first-time home buyers with down payment assistance or that don’t require a severed arm and leg in order to get a mortgage,” Encourage them to talk with a loan officer about options.

“What if I buy a money pit?”

In reality, most homes aren’t money pits, and there’s a lot buyers can do to protect themselves against buying one too. Before buying, they can use a home inspector to help soothe some of their fears about getting a lemon. The home inspector should be trained to spot signs of water damage or electrical or plumbing problems. They also will advise on any possible repair costs.

“It’s just safer to rent.”

“Rent money disappears without allowing you to build any equity over time. That’s truly scary,” says Scott Forman, divisional vice president of Cross Country Mortgage. For many renters who are willing to pay about $100 a month more, they could own a home, he says -- and receive tax deductions.

If you're ready to see some homes in person (that's when the real fun begins!), I can easily start setting up visits for you - just let me know what days/times work best for you, and I'll get started scheduling things right away. Or, if you're still in search mode, no problem. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have about particular homes or neighborhoods. I'm looking forward to visiting homes with you!

Source: “Terrified to Buy a Home? Your Top Fears Debunked,”  (Oct. 25, 2016)

Friday, October 14, 2016

Why Fall May be a Good Time to Sell Your Home

The Utah housing market has been strong this year with steady price increases in a number of communities and relatively low inventory to meet the buyer demand. Now that fall has arrived, some homeowners may believe that they have missed their window of opportunity to sell and that they should wait until next spring. Contrary to what some people believe, fall may actually be a very good time to list your home. If you have been thinking about selling your home, there are several reasons to consider doing so this fall:
 
1.More time to focus on home shopping. Buyers have returned from their summer vacation, children are back in school, and the holiday season isn’t upon us yet.
2.Continued demand from buyers. As anyone who’s followed the news this year knows, there have been more buyers than sellers for homes in much of Utah. That trend has kept sale prices climbing in most areas and brought lots of potential buyers to open houses.
3."Serious buyers" in the market now. During the fall months, there tend to be fewer people who are "just looking" than in the spring and summer and more serious buyers.
4.A lack of available inventory. The number of listings has been relatively low all year compared to historical averages, in many cases half of a normal market. In the fall, there typically are even fewer homes for sale than other times of year, meaning less competition and more potential buyer attention for your listing now.
 
While fall is not always considered the typical home-buying season, there are a lot of advantages to listing your home now – especially at a time when others might shy away from selling. But like any other time of year, it’s important to price your home properly, make it look its best, and have a strong marketing plan in place to reach potential buyers.
With a few simple steps and the help of a professional REALTOR®, you just may find that selling your home this fall may be the best move you’ll ever make.

Why Fall May be a Good Time to Sell Your Home

The Utah housing market has been strong this year with steady price increases in a number of communities and relatively low inventory to meet the buyer demand. Now that fall has arrived, some homeowners may believe that they have missed their window of opportunity to sell and that they should wait until next spring. Contrary to what some people believe, fall may actually be a very good time to list your home. If you have been thinking about selling your home, there are several reasons to consider doing so this fall:
 
1.More time to focus on home shopping. Buyers have returned from their summer vacation, children are back in school, and the holiday season isn’t upon us yet.
2.Continued demand from buyers. As anyone who’s followed the news this year knows, there have been more buyers than sellers for homes in much of Utah. That trend has kept sale prices climbing in most areas and brought lots of potential buyers to open houses.
3."Serious buyers" in the market now. During the fall months, there tend to be fewer people who are "just looking" than in the spring and summer and more serious buyers.
4.A lack of available inventory. The number of listings has been relatively low all year compared to historical averages, in many cases half of a normal market. In the fall, there typically are even fewer homes for sale than other times of year, meaning less competition and more potential buyer attention for your listing now.
 
While fall is not always considered the typical home-buying season, there are a lot of advantages to listing your home now – especially at a time when others might shy away from selling. But like any other time of year, it’s important to price your home properly, make it look its best, and have a strong marketing plan in place to reach potential buyers.
With a few simple steps and the help of a professional REALTOR®, you just may find that selling your home this fall may be the best move you’ll ever make.

Saturday, October 8, 2016

Sales of U.S. existing-homes eased up

Sales of U.S. existing-homes eased up
 "However, there's no question that after peaking in June,
sales in a majority of the country have inched backwards because inventory isn't picking up to tame price growth and replace what's being quickly sold."

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