by admin | Mar 23, 2022 | Uncategorized
Should You Sell to an Instant Offer Company? There’s a new term in real estate: iBuyer.
iBuyers, short for instant buyers, give sellers an almost instantaneous offer on their homes. Also called instant offer companies, iBuyers promise sellers an offer within a couple of days and closing dates within one to two weeks. Some popular iBuyers include Opendoor, Offerpad, Redfin, and Zillow Offers.
Unlike house flippers, iBuyers aren’t looking for distressed homes. iBuyers purchase moderately-priced homes, fix them up as needed, and relist them.
The obvious downside to selling to an iBuyer is that you will not get top dollar for your home. They are looking for homes where they can make a specific profit margin. Typically, the company will analyze your home online, using algorithms to come up with a value. For example, Zillow Offers will most likely offer you their Zestimate price. Sellers should expect an offer of about 10% under fair market value.
iBuyers accept a tiny percentage of the homes submitted. If the company decides to make you an offer, they may send a home inspector out to determine what costs they will have in preparing to resell the house. If you work with an iBuyer, make sure to read all the terms, as you may be required to cover some repairs.
While using an iBuyer saves you from paying real estate agent fees, watch out. You may not have to pay the 5-7% real estate commission, but iBuyers charge fees that may run anywhere from 6 to 9%. The total costs of working with an iBuyer can sometimes run as much as 12-15% of your selling price.
Working with an iBuyer benefits sellers who don’t have the time or desire to market their home traditionally. If you are in a situation where you need to sell your home quickly and are willing to take less than your home is worth, then an iBuyer may work out well for you.
Before you offer your home to an iBuyer, please allow me to discuss your options with you.
by admin | Mar 8, 2022 | Uncategorized
Though not predictable, you can always rely on the real estate market in Wake County to change. Here are some predictions for the housing market in 2022.
2022 will fall just short of record-breaking
“Zillow’s forecast calls for 11% home value growth in 2022. That’s down from a projected 19.5% in 2021, a record year-end pace of home value appreciation, but would rank among the strongest years Zillow has tracked. Existing home sales are predicted to total 6.35 million, compared to an estimated 6.12 million this year. That would be the highest number of home sales in any year since 2006.”
Zillow
Mortgage rates may rise, but inventory may rise as well
“The market is likely to cool compared to 2021, but it will still be active… It may still be a seller’s market in many areas, but there’s likely to be more opportunities and wiggle room for homebuyers. A ‘priced out’ buyer should be able to find many more options. Experts also reinforce that 2022’s housing market is not at all likely to crash — the conditions we’re seeing are nothing like those that led up to the crisis of 2008.”
Andrina Valdes
Rents are expected to outpace home price growth over the next year
“Nationwide, rent growth went from minimal to double-digit pace in 2021 as the U.S. made substantial progress against the pandemic. With the rental vacancy rate continuing near its historic lows during the pandemic, in which just 5.7% to 6.8% of rental housing units are vacant at any point in time compared to 7% or more, historically, renters are also contending with limited supply and excess demand that leads to upward pressure on rents. In 2022, we expect this trend will continue and fuel rent growth. At a national level, we forecast rent growth of 7.1% in the next 12 months, somewhat ahead of home price growth as rents continue to rebound from slower growth earlier in the pandemic.”
Realtor.com
Curious what your home would sell for in the current market? Give me a call or an email for a free home value estimate.
by admin | Dec 15, 2021 | Uncategorized
Deciding if it is time for your family to upsize or downsize is not always a clear choice. There are factors to consider that might push you to take the leap or stay put for a while longer. Whether you are thinking about upsizing so your family can spread out or purging possessions so you can downsize, here are some questions to ponder.
1.How are you using your current space?
Do your family members feel like they don’t have adequate privacy or space to do their own thing? Are you tired of working at the dining table and really need an office or workshop? Is having the kids share bedrooms just not working out? Maybe an upsize is warranted. On the other hand, do you have rooms that aren’t being used, or are you tired of paying property taxes on more house than you need? Check for the downsize column!
2. Have you considered the maintenance costs?
If upsizing is on your mind, consider the added costs for maintaining a larger home and property, whether in money or time. Will you be able to keep up with cleaning, lawn care, and general maintenance issues that come with owning a home? If you are ready to cross maintenance off your to-do list, perhaps you are ready to downsize to a more manageable property or one where the HOA handles part of the job.
3. What are your outdoor space needs?
Are you ready to give up having a yard or garden to downsize to a maintenance-free space? Do you have pets that need outdoor space? Do you need more outdoor space for your children to play or your dog to run around in? The size of the house is one thing, but the property is important also.
4. Have you looked to the future?
What do you expect your needs to be in the next five, ten, or twenty years? Do you want a large home where your children and grandchildren will come for vacations and holidays, or will you be spending those times at their homes? Will you want to entertain groups of friends, or do you foresee going out for your entertainment? What will happen if your spouse passes; will you want to stay in the home on your own?
5. Do the financial implications add up in your favor?
Can you handle the higher costs involved with a larger home, or are you ready to cut costs with a downsize? Consider where you stand on your current mortgage. Are you alright with starting a new mortgage at this point in your life, or are you in a position to purchase in cash? What are the tax implications for your move?
6. Is it the right market to upsize or downsize?
A seller’s market is hot for those looking to sell a larger home and downsize. Upsizing may be riskier in a big seller’s market, but if your family would be happier in a larger home, it might be worth the leap.
Whatever questions you have about purchasing your next home, I’d be honored to assist you. So let’s work together to make sure your next move is the right one. Send me a message.
by admin | Nov 24, 2021 | Uncategorized
As exciting as it is to move into a new home, not many people look forward to the actual moving day. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, moving is stressful. Here are some helpful hints from expert movers to make the big day a little more bearable.
1. Schedule your move well ahead of time. Moving companies get booked up weeks in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to schedule your move. Make sure they know ahead of time if you have any very large or heavy items to move. The last thing you want is for the movers to show up with a truck that isn’t big enough or without enough people to move your belongings safely.
2. Consider letting the moving company pack your items. If it’s within your budget to hire packers, it may be money well spent. Packers are usually very efficient and take time to wrap fragile items securely. Packers will usually pack you the day before your move, so you don’t have to pack items away that you may need up until the day of your move.
3. Schedule services. Don’t forget to have services transferred or started at your new home.
These may include:
- Power
- Water
- Trash service
- Internet/TV/Phone
- Gas
- Lawn service
- Pool service
- Security system monitoring
4. Have your new home professionally cleaned. If your seller is not arranging for cleaning to be done prior to closing, arrange to have it done before you move in so that you won’t arrive to a dirty house.
5. Pack a moving supply box. Your moving supply box should contain items you may need while you are unpacking and getting settled in your new home, such as:
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Sponge
- All-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner
- Shelf liner paper
- Scissors
- Furniture moving pads
- Tape measure
- Cordless screwdriver
- Hammer
- Picture hanging kit
- Bottled water, snacks, pet food
- Paper plates, cups, and disposable utensils
- Dish Soap and Hand Soap
6. Make Your Bed. As soon as your bed frames and mattresses come off the truck, put them together or have the movers put them together, and make them up. Pack your sheets, blankets, and pillows together in well-marked boxes so you can find them easily. When you are ready to collapse at the end of moving day, you’ll be thankful the beds are made up and ready to fall into.
7. Ditto for your towels and bath soap. Pack bath towels and soap with your bed sheets so you can jump in the shower before retiring without having to search for towels.
8. Make Plans for Your pets. The last thing you need on moving day is a stressed-out pup or kitty, or worse, one that escapes in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Make plans for your pets to spend the day with family or friends, a pet sitter, or boarding facility until you are ready to introduce them to their new home.
9. Say Yes to Helpers. Sometimes it’s hard to accept extra help from family or friends if you aren’t sure what they can help with. Here are some tasks you can delegate:
- Lay shelf liner in the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers
- Unpack and put away your kitchen items (you can rearrange later!)
- Babysit or keep your children occupied
- Make up your beds, place towels in the bathrooms
- Wipe down cabinets and counters
- Break down packing boxes
- Hang clothes in closets
- Organize tools and equipment in the garage
- Pick up lunch or dinner
10. Hire a Sitter. If you have little ones, they will be very excited about their new home, new rooms, and yard. They will want to be with you, but they will not be interested in unpacking boxes! Make plans for someone to be available just for them, so you can concentrate. A family member, friend or hired sitter can help them explore their new surroundings, build a box fort, or organize their toys in their new rooms without you worrying about where they are.
11.Hire someone to hang your art. Unless you love to hang things yourself, you might consider having a handyman scheduled to come in and hand your wall art and window treatments for you. This can save you a great deal of time getting settled. If you need help deciding where to hang art or portraits, a decorator may be a better choice than a handyman. They can help you decide on placement and hang items themselves or direct a handyman where to hang items.
12. Check out of the old house. Prior to closing, you should have submitted a change of address form with the post office. You’ll also need to remember to leave all keys and garage door or gate openers, and make sure the movers don’t pack up things like ceiling fan remote controls or other loose items that stay with the house. Don’t forget to clean out spaces like the attic, backyard sheds, crawl spaces, or any other hideaway spaces you might have stored items. It’s always nice to have the home professionally cleaned for the new owners, and, if you feel inclined, leave a list of recommended local vendors for household services.
by admin | Nov 3, 2021 | Uncategorized
Should You Sell to an Instant Offer Company?
There’s a new term in real estate: iBuyer.
iBuyers, short for instant buyers, give sellers an almost instantaneous offer on their homes. Also called instant offer companies, iBuyers promise sellers an offer within a couple of days and closing dates within one to two weeks. Some popular iBuyers include Opendoor, Offerpad, Redfin, and Zillow Offers.
Unlike house flippers, iBuyers aren’t looking for distressed homes. iBuyers purchase moderately-priced homes, fix them up as needed, and relist them.
The obvious downside to selling to an iBuyer is that you will not get top dollar for your home. They are looking for homes where they can make a specific profit margin. Typically, the company will analyze your home online, using algorithms to come up with a value. For example, Zillow Offers will most likely offer you their Zestimate price. Sellers should expect an offer of about 10% under fair market value.
iBuyers accept a tiny percentage of the homes submitted. If the company decides to make you an offer, they may send a home inspector out to determine what costs they will have in preparing to resell the house. If you work with an iBuyer, make sure to read all the terms, as you may be required to cover some repairs.
While using an iBuyer saves you from paying real estate agent fees, watch out. You may not have to pay the 5-7% real estate commission, but iBuyers charge fees that may run anywhere from 6 to 9%. The total costs of working with an iBuyer can sometimes run as much as 12-15% of your selling price.
Working with an iBuyer benefits sellers who don’t have the time or desire to market their home traditionally. If you are in a situation where you need to sell your home quickly and are willing to take less than your home is worth, then an iBuyer may work out well for you.
Before you offer your home to an iBuyer, please allow me to discuss your options with you. Send me a message.
by admin | Oct 13, 2021 | Uncategorized
Low-interest rates have many homeowners wondering if it’s a good time to refinance. Refinancing can save you a lot of money in the long term when done correctly. It’s important to consider the drawbacks as well. Here are some reasons why you might want to refinance, and a few things to be cautious of.
Reasons you may want to refinance:
- To lower your monthly payment.
If today’s interest rates are lower than when you purchased your home, refinancing to a lower rate will reduce your monthly payment down, freeing up cash to help with other bills, your children’s education, or to save towards retirement.
2.To pay off your mortgage earlier.
A great way to use the money you save with a lower mortgage payment is to apply it right to your principle, which will help you pay your loan off earlier.
3.To take advantage of a better credit score.
If your credit score has increased significantly since you bought your home, you may get a better loan if you refinance.
4.To save on total interest.
For some, the desire to pay less interest overall makes refinancing an attractive option. Reducing the interest rate and/or the loan term will save you money long term.
5.To change loan types.
If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage that has been increasing or is nearing the end of the fixed period, you may want to switch to a fixed-rate mortgage.
If you have extra cash on hand to make larger monthly payments, it may make sense to change to a 15-year mortgage so you can pay it off earlier.
6.To consolidate debt or take cash out.
If you have built up equity in your home, you may be able to borrow against your home to obtain cash to pay off higher-interest debt, to make improvements on your home, or for things like your children’s education or medical expenses.
Be careful when borrowing against your home. If the cash you take out goes to increasing your debt rather than resolving it, then you could end up putting your home in jeopardy.
Don’t forget about the closing costs involved in refinancing. You will have fees associated with your new loan just like you did when you purchased your home, so remember to figure the closing costs when you do the math.
Also, be cautious about extending your loan term. If you refinance with a 30-year mortgage when you are 10-15 years or more into your current mortgage, you’ll end up paying way more in interest overall, and have extended your payments for many more years.
Of course, a mortgage lender is the best resource for answering your financing questions. If you need someone to talk to further, I’m happy to give you a referral.
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