Folks have been asking whether they should be concerned about a housing bubble bursting like it did in 2008. Rest assured–there is no housing bubble. Market indicators are very different than they were in 2008. Let me take you through it step by step. Recent interest rate hikes have caused housing prices to drop a … Read more
Oftentimes, I share real estate information from the perspective of either the buyer or the seller, but what if you’re both? Unless you’re a first-time homebuyer, chances are you’ll need to sell your current home to fund the purchase of your next one, and that complicates things. My first piece of advice is to forget … Read more
Many people want simple answers to their simple questions, but sometimes that is not possible. In real estate, as in so many things in life, seemingly simple questions can open the door to complex issues. Here are a few common questions regarding home buying that require a nuanced response. What’s the best amount for a … Read more
If your Realtor seems cagey about advising you on certain aspects of your purchase agreement, they may be navigating that tricky line between supporting you and inadvertently practicing law without a license. I recently attended a class taught by a real estate attorney and he made it clear in no uncertain terms that Realtors need … Read more
To qualify for a home loan, you’ve got to convince a lender that you’re worth the risk. Lenders look at the size of the loan you want, how much money you have, how much income you earn, how much debt you carry, and whether you’ve repaid loans in the past to make their determination. To … Read more
Recently, an experienced Realtor shared a story that is all too familiar. A community member, let’s call him Joe, approached her asking for advice about his real estate transaction, even though he had hired someone else (a personal friend) to be his Realtor. He was upset when she told him she couldn’t help him, because … Read more
This is one of my favorite quotes from my all-time favorite president: “Inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber, and as deadly as a hit man.” ~Ronald Reagan Ain’t it the truth?! As the Federal Reserve tries to limit inflation by raising interest rates for banks, homebuyers are feeling … Read more
Although most folks think spring is the best time to sell a house, there are some distinct advantages to selling in winter—the biggest of which is the lack of competition. Fewer homes on the market makes it easier for your house to stand out. Don’t worry about the fact that spring flowers aren’t blooming. You … Read more
Last week, I shared information about how to avoid nasty surprises from Uncle Sam when you sell your house, specifically regarding capital gains tax. Since then, it’s come to my attention that some folks don’t really understand the difference between proceeds and profit, which is key to understanding how you’ll be taxed. The proceeds are … Read more