Posts in category 'Ycar'

Well, you know my answer to this question.

But asking a Realtor if you should sell your house is like asking a wedding planner if you should get married. Today's market is one of the hottest "seller's markets" we've ever seen. Just last month, the average days on market for a home were at 10 days, with the average sale price ballooning over 30 percent from the start of the year, surpassing $160,000.

But as the market continues to heat up like the summer temperatures, just because the market is prime for the picking, doesn't mean it is right for you. I'm going to go against the grain and give you some advice as to how you can decide whether now or at some point in the future is the right time to sell your home.

IF YOU'VE OUTGROWN YOUR HOME, SELL NOW.

Just like that tuxedo from your wedding day 20 years ago, there comes a time to upgrade your home as well. We outgrow things, and our house is no different. Whether your family or collection of unicorns is growing, or you are looking to downsize as empty nesters, the house you have made your home has served its purpose and it might be time to find another house to continue to make your memories with the proper amount of space that fits your life today.

IF YOU NEED TO MOVE, SELL NOW.

Sometimes, life throws you a curveball. A new job, a new relationship, a new school, or maybe just a fresh start. In any case, if any of these scenarios are happening and it is causing you concerns about the home you are in, then it may be time to put that sign up in your yard and watch the masses flock to your house hoping to make it their own.

YOU JUST REFINANCED. DO NOT SELL NOW.

Like many homeowners, the low-interest rates have caused many to refinance their homes, sometimes more than once. The all-time low rates have put homeowners in a position to achieve a low payment and lock it in for 15, or even 30, years. If you are one of those lucky rate winners who have refinanced your home, you're probably better off staying where you are and continue to enjoy the comfort the rates have provided to your mortgage payment. If you haven't refinanced, well, then you should be looking into that immediately after you finish reading my column…but not before!

YOU DON'T HAVE A HOME TO MOVE TO. DO NOT SELL NOW.

We don't have an inventory problem right now; we have a days on market problem. Does this sound familiar? Just as fast as your home is going to sell is equally as fast as the home you found online is going to be off the market. If you don't have a home lined up or are at least in negotiations on making an offer on another house or in the process of building your dream home, you may want to be careful about listing your home at this point.

The market is prime for the picking, but that doesn't mean it is the right time for you. Carefully consider all the factors when it comes to selling your house in this market. Selling your house for a profit may be wishful thinking, but there are some instances where you should be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.

The Fourth of July is upon us and if you're anything like me, you have company coming over after you watch the parade and have yet to put together a party that will light up your backyard like…well, today!  But while you have the propane tank filled, the food ready to grill, and fireworks ready for the evening, there are a few things you can quickly do to make sure you're throwing all that tea overboard worth it more than 245 years ago.

RAISE YOUR GLASS TO FREEDOM

What party would be complete without a cold beverage?  Just like our flag has the three colors of red, white, and blue, make sure you have a minimum of three drink choices.  One of those has to be water, either bottled or maybe having a pitcher on every table to make sure everyone stays hydrated.  Maybe even put some strawberries and blueberries in the water for that patriotic theme.Â...

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I've been doing this a long time, and even I have to say the housing market is crazy, even for me. Regardless of who you talk to, people will tell you that the biggest challenge we are facing is that "There is no inventory". Au contraire mon frère. Yes, we are just about measuring time on the market in nanoseconds, but therein lies the true challenge rather than the perceived challenge. Hear me out…

Let's talk stats. For the period June 2019 to June 2020, the MLS reported 5,746 residential sales in the Tri-county area, lasting, on average, 78 days on the market. From June 2020 to June 2021, there have been 6,324 residential sales. How could there be an inventory problem if sales are up 10% year over a year?! Do homes have to be listed in order to be sold?! Am I right or am I right? Here's the difference. For that same period, the average days on market dropped from 78 to 57! 

If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?  Yes.  Yes, it does.  And as of late, the sound it has been making has been "cha-ching."  

Lumber prices have been soaring higher than home prices this year.  The inflation in lumber prices has not only caused obstacles for new construction but has also produced some of the funniest memes of the year on social media.  But before you go and cash in your cryptocurrency for 2x4's as a viable retirement plan, you may want to reconsider as the prices are starting to fall, causing a sigh of relief from builders everywhere.

No one has been immune to the fallout of the pandemic, including home builders, whose sentiment sank to the lowest levels since August of 2020 as lumber prices reached record highs over the last 5 months, according to a newly released report from the National Associatio...

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I'm talking about selling houses, people.  Where are your minds?

Being in a "seller's market" does not make everyone a licensed REALTOR®.  More and more people are rolling the dice at trying to sell their home on their own, otherwise known as FOR SALE BY OWNER or FSBO.  Instead of working with a REALTOR®, sellers think their house will be sold as soon as it goes onto the market given the current conditions, avoiding the commission fees associated with the value and peace of mind a REALTOR® brings to the selling experience.  However, like most things you think you can do on your own, selling your house is better for you when you choose to list with a REALTOR®, especially financially.  

Look, I get it.  Everyone is trying to either find ways to save money or make more.  From cryptocurrency to side jobs from your current careers, I'...

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