Keeping Current Matters | Dec 3, 2024
A lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to sell a house. And sure, buyer demand usually picks up at that time of year. But here’s the catch: so does your competition because a lot of people put their homes on the market at the same time.
So, what’s the real advantage of selling your house before spring? It’ll stand out.
Historically, the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the cooler months – and that means buyers have fewer options to choose from.
You can see how that trend played out over the past few years in this data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Each time, the supply of homes for sale dipped during these cooler months. And then, after each winter lull, inventory started to climb as more sellers jumped into the market closer to spring (see graph below):
Here’s why knowing how this trend works gives you an edge. While inventory is higher this year than it‘s been in the last few winters, if you work with an agent to list now, it’ll still be in this year’s sweet spot. So, while other sellers are taking their homes off the market, you can sell before the spring wave of new listings hits, and your house will have a better chance of standing out.
Why wait until spring when you can get ahead of the curve now?
Fewer Listings Also Means More Eyes on Your Home
Another big perk of selling in the winter? The buyers who are looking right now are serious about making a move.
During this season, the window-shopper crowd tends to stay busy with other things, like holiday celebrations, and avoids looking for homes when the weather’s cooler. So, the buyers out looking aren’t casually browsing—they’re motivated, whether it’s because of a job relocation, a lease ending, or some other time-sensitive reason. And those are the types of buyers you want to work with. Investopedia explains:
“. . . if your house is up for sale in the winter and someone is looking at it, chances are that person is serious and ready to buy.”
Bottom Line
With less competition and serious buyers on the hunt, you’ll be in a great position to sell your house this winter. Connect with CA Real Estate Group to get the process started. Call Team Lead Christine Almarines for a free consultation at (714) 476-4637.
Enjoy these helpful tips and advice in this month’s edition of “Insights on Real Estate”:
1️⃣ Updated Rules for Selling a House;
2️⃣ Enchant Buyers With Stunning Fall Curb Appeal;
3️⃣ Understanding Down Payment Assistance Programs;
4️⃣ The Difference Between a CMA and an Appraisal; and
5️⃣ Pro Tips for Market-Savvy Home Buyers
Let’s connect and plan your next steps. Find out if we’re the right real estate team for you!
CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate Group
👩🏻 Christine Almarines @christine_almarines
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637
👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @wealthwithanaid
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
AMY MANNING, @PALLET_PERFECT
1
Prioritize Natural Light
On a nice day, a wall of windows allows fresh air to circulate around a she shed. It’ll also fill the shed with natural light, so it can double as a potting shed or greenhouse. Take note from blogger Amy Manning and paint the whole structure a crisp white to keep it bright.
2
Don’t Skimp on Landscaping
Decorate your shed’s exterior with hanging plants, potted trees and an ivy-covered trellis. Not only will the greens help the shed blend seamlessly with nature, but it’ll up its charm instantly. Install sconces on each side of the door, so you can illuminate the area at night.
3
Create a Hobby Space
Organize a space that supports your hobbies, whether it be painting, woodworking, gardening or crafting. Use a tall cabinet to tuck away storage, and don’t forget to include comfortable chairs for lounging between projects.
THE HOUSE THAT LARS BUILT
4
Make It a Treehouse
This 150-square-foot house is suspended in a tree a few feet off the ground. One wall is made entirely of windows, allowing light to enter the space. On the other side is a wooden ladder that leads to a glass-paneled door.
5
Build in the Garden
If you’re planning to use your shed for potting and gardening, build the structure near the garden. This way all of your tools and supplies are within reach. Dress up the exterior by hanging wreaths on the doors and showing off landscaping on each side.
6
Blend Indoor and Outdoor Areas
Craft a charming oasis indoors and out. French doors at the back of the shed lead out to a deck decorated with string lights, a large sectional couch and potted plants.
7
Choose Nature-Inspired Colors
When creating a color palette for a she shed, draw inspiration from nature. Think calming greens, blues, grays and shades of white that blend with the backyard’s natural landscape.
PER MAGNUS PERSSON//GETTY IMAGES
8
Set Up an Entertaining Area
Instead of crafting a private oasis, design a comfortable area for entertaining friends and family. Here, a deck extends the space of the shed and promotes indoor-outdoor living.
9
Turn It Into a Tiny House
Decorate a she shed just as you would a house — shutters and all. There’s even a pebble “front yard” with a metal bistro table to elevate the charm.
10
Try a Potting Shed
This sunny potting shed makes the most of upcycled pices, including a repainted potting stand and old milk crate that acts as a stool. A thrifted card catalog serves as a multi-drawer container for seed packets, plant markers and other gardening necessities.
11
Repurpose Old Windows
This 10 x 14-foot greenhouse is constructed using old windows, most of which had been thrown away, that are arranged like a puzzle. The front deck and surrounding landscape ups the curb appeal of this budget-friendly project.
THE HOUSE THAT LARS BUILT
12
Designate a Workstation
Turn your shed into a quiet home office or craft room. Rely on neutral colors, cozy textures and a surge of natural light to help you feel calm and inspired as you work.
ANDREA RUGG//GETTY IMAGES
13
Paint it Red
Neutral isn’t the only option. When painted a crimson red, this stylish shed resembles a backyard barn. Fill it with farmhouse-style furniture and potted plants.
CAVAN IMAGES//GETTY IMAGES
14
Keep It Minimal
If you’re working with a small shed, stick to bright colors and minimal decor. A tiny window box and modest landscaping elevates this charming yellow she shed.
If you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you’re building equity much faster than you might think. Here’s how it works.
Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan.
Over the past year, there have still been more people wanting to buy than there are homes available for sale, and that’s pushed prices up. That rise in prices has translated directly into increasing equity for homeowners.
How Much Equity Have You Earned over the Past 12 Months?
According to the latest Homeowner Equity Insights from CoreLogic, the average homeowner’s equity has grown by $28,000 in the last year alone.
That’s the national average, so if you want to see what’s happening in your state, check out the map below. It uses data from CoreLogic to show how much equity has grown in each state over the past year. You’ll notice every single state with sufficient data saw annual equity gains:
What If You Bought Your House Before the Pandemic?
If you bought your house before the pandemic, the equity news is even better. According to data from Realtor.com, home prices shot up by 37.5% from May 2019 to May 2024, meaning your home’s value has likely increased significantly. Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, says:
“Homeowners have seen extraordinary gains in home equity over the past five years.”
To give context to how much equity can stack up over time, Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains the total equity the typical homeowner has today:
“With home prices continuing to reach new highs, owners are also seeing their equity approach the historic peaks of 2023, close to a total of $305,000 per owner.”
How Your Rising Home Equity Can Help You
With how prices skyrocketed a few years ago, and the ongoing price growth today, homeowners clearly have substantial equity built up – and that has some serious benefits.
You could use it to start a business, fund an education, or even to help you afford your next home. When you sell, the equity you’ve built up comes back to you, and may be enough to cover a big part – or even all – of your next home’s down payment.
Bottom Line
If you’re planning to move, the equity you’ve gained can really help. Curious about how much you have and how you can use it to help pay for your next home? Connect with CA Real Estate Group.
CA Real Estate Group | Caliber RE Group
👩🏻 Christine Almarines @carealestategroup
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637
👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @wealthwithanaid
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
Hablo español
Keeping Current Matters | Jun 21, 2024
Some Highlights
- Considering selling your house without an agent? You should know there are some serious downsides to handling it on your own.
- You’ll be missing out on marketing tools that draw in more buyers, pricing and market expertise, essential negotiation skills, in-depth knowledge of the fine print in contracts, and so much more.
- Don’t take all of this responsibility on. Instead, connect with a CA Real Estate Group agent so you have someone with the knowledge and experience you’ll need on your side.
Let’s connect and plan your next steps. Find out if we’re the right real estate team for you!
CA Real Estate Group | Caliber RE Group
👩🏻 Christine Almarines @carealestategroup
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637
👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @wealthwithanaid
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
Hablo español
Time To Sell? Signs To Know You’re Ready
Are you considering selling your house but unsure whether the time is right? Assessing a few key factors can help you decide if you’re ready for a move.
You have the wrong amount of space. Whether you’re running out of room for your growing family or you’re an empty nester and the house feels too big, one sure way to know it’s time to move is when your home no longer fits your lifestyle.
You’ve built up equity. When selling your house and purchasing a new one, it’s wise to have enough equity to cover at least a 20% down payment on your new home to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI). Make sure you also have enough to cover closing costs and moving expenses.
The market is in your favor. The timing of your house sale can significantly impact the offers you receive. Take advantage of high home values and strong demand to maximize your sale price.
Your house is ready to list. Properties in good condition and not needing any extensive repairs are more attractive to buyers. If minor touchups and fixes are required, be sure to address those before putting your house on the market.
You’ve found the right real estate agent to help you. Once you decide it’s time to sell, a real estate professional will guide you through the process, helping you move on to the next exciting chapter of your life.
Keep Curb Appeal Up When Temperatures Soar
Maintaining curb appeal throughout the long summer months can be a feverish undertaking. Consider these tips to keep your home looking refreshed, even on the hottest days.
Add potted succulents to your landscape. These heat-tolerant beauties not only reduce your watering and weeding workload but also come in a variety of muted tones and textures that give your outdoor space a trendy touch.
Look for indications of wear and tear on your home’s exterior. Heat from the sun can cause paint to fade, blister, peel, and crack. If you see any of these signs, it may be time to have your house repainted.
Mow your lawn on a regular basis and use an edger or trimmer for a clean, crisp perimeter. Pressure wash your concrete driveway and walkways to complete the manicured look.
Wash away dirt and pollen left behind by seasonal winds and storms. Clean your windows inside and out so the bright summer sun can help your home shine.
What’s Going on With the Housing Market?
Last year, economists predicted falling mortgage rates in 2024 would increase the number of potential buyers, with sellers eager to list their homes. When rates fall and more properties are on the market, home prices tend to level off. More sellers will naturally allow for more sales.
Even though mortgage rates have been rising for the past two years, data shows that inventory has been increasing, and home prices have remained steady. Unless there is a significant drop or increase in mortgage rates, home prices will likely remain consistent with last year.
You can rely on a knowledgeable real estate agent to help sell your home quickly for the best price.
How To Stand Out as a Buyer
A competitive housing market moves quickly, so buyers often need ways to capture the seller’s attention. With the right strategies in place, your dream home is just one good offer away.
Get Preapproved
Loan preapproval gives a seller confidence in your funding ability, and knowing your purchase limit can help you make a competitive offer when other bids are on the table.
Present Your Best Offer
In a seller’s market, you may only get one shot at making an offer, so make it your best.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Asking for a lot of extras during negotiations may deter a seller. Stay focused on the most critical items, such as the roof, foundation and plumbing.
Act Fast
Competitive markets move swiftly. To reduce deliberation time, make a list of nonnegotiable features you want in a home.
Work With a Real Estate Professional
Buying a house is a complex process, so having someone you trust to help you navigate the details is important.
Advantages of Putting a House in a Trust
Placing a house in a trust can help ensure a smooth transfer of the property to your beneficiary upon your passing. It establishes a fiduciary relationship, which prioritizes the protection of another individual’s interests. Here are some of the benefits of creating a trust.
Avoid probate. Probate can be an expensive, lengthy process for those who inherit property and other assets. A trust allows for direct transfer without going through the court.
Reduce taxes. Depending on the type of trust you establish, you may be able to minimize estate taxes or other taxes that could be imposed on your property.
Maintain privacy. Placing your house in a trust ensures sensitive financial information isn’t included in public records.
 ©2024 The Personal Marketing Company. All rights reserved. Reproductions in any form, in part or in whole, are prohibited without written permission. If your property is currently listed for sale or lease, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing. The material in this publication is for your information only and not intended to be used in lieu of seeking additional consumer or professional advice. All trademarked names or quotations are registered trademarks of their respective owners.
The Personal Marketing Company
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Lenexa, KS 66214 |
This report specifically benefits our Single Women Home Buyers to provide insight into the demographics, financial profiles, home buying motivations & lending experiences of women who purchase homes on their own.
We’d be happy to walk through this report with you.
Let’s connect and plan your next steps and find out if we’re the right real estate team for you!
CA Real Estate Group | Caliber Real Estate Group
👩🏻 Christine Almarines @carealestategroup
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637
Tagalog speaking
👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @wealthwithanaid
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
Spanish speaking
Keeping Current Matters | Feb 26, 2024
If you’re planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment. That might be because you’ve heard you need to save 20% of the home’s price to put down. Well, that isn’t necessarily the case.
Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. That means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize.
As The Mortgage Reports says:
“Although putting down 20% to avoid mortgage insurance is wise if affordable, it’s a myth that this is always necessary. In fact, most people opt for a much lower down payment.”
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. In fact, for all homebuyers today it’s only 15%. And it’s even lower for first-time homebuyers at just 8% (see graph below):
The big takeaway? You may not need to save as much as you originally thought.
Learn About Resources That Can Help You Toward Your Goal
According to Down Payment Resource, there are also over 2,000 homebuyer assistance programs in the U.S., and many of them are intended to help with down payments.
Plus, there are loan options that can help too. For example, FHA loans offer down payments as low as 3.5%, while VA and USDA loans have no down payment requirements for qualified applicants.
With so many resources available to help with your down payment, the best way to find what you qualify for is by consulting with your loan officer or broker. They know about local grants and loan programs that may help you out.
Don’t let the misconception that you have to have 20% saved up hold you back. If you’re ready to become a homeowner, lean on the professionals to find resources that can help you make your dreams a reality. If you put your plans on hold until you’ve saved up 20%, it may actually cost you in the long run. According to U.S. Bank:
“. . . there are plenty of reasons why it might not be possible. For some, waiting to save up 20% for a down payment may “cost” too much time. While you’re saving for your down payment and paying rent, the price of your future home may go up.”
Home prices are expected to keep appreciating over the next 5 years – meaning your future home will likely go up in price the longer you wait. If you’re able to use these resources to buy now, that future price growth will help you build equity, rather than cost you more.
Bottom Line
Keep in mind that you don’t always need a 20% down payment to buy a home. If you’re looking to make a move this year, reach out to a trusted real estate professional to start the conversation about your homebuying goals.
Keeping Current Matters | Feb 8, 2024
Are you on the fence about selling your house? While affordability is improving this year, it’s still tight. And that may be on your mind. But understanding your home equity could be the key to making your decision easier. An article from Bankrate explains:
“Home equity is the difference between your home’s value and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. It represents the paid-off portion of your home.
You’ll start off with a certain level of equity when you make your down payment to buy the home, then continue to build equity as you pay down your mortgage. You’ll also build equity over time as your home’s value increases.”
Think of equity as a simple math equation. It’s the value of your home now minus what you owe on your mortgage. And guess what? Recently, your equity has probably grown more than you think.
In the past few years, home prices skyrocketed, which means your home’s value – and your equity – likely shot up, too. So, you may have more equity than you realize.
How To Make the Most of Your Home Equity Right Now
If you’re thinking about moving, the equity you have in your home could be a big help. According to CoreLogic:
“. . . the average U.S. homeowner with a mortgage still has more than $300,000 in equity . . .”
Clearly, homeowners have a lot of equity right now. And the latest data from the Census and ATTOM shows over two-thirds of homeowners have either completely paid off their mortgages (shown in green in the chart below) or have at least 50% equity (shown in blue in the chart below):
That means roughly 70% have a tremendous amount of equity right now.
After you sell your house, you can use your equity to help you buy your next home. Here’s how:
- Be an all-cash buyer: If you’ve been living in your current home for a long time, you might have enough equity to buy your next home without having to take out a loan. If that’s the case, you won’t need to borrow any money or worry about mortgage rates. Investopedia states:
“You may want to pay cash for your home if you’re shopping in a competitive housing market, or if you’d like to save money on mortgage interest. It could help you close a deal and beat out other buyers.”
- Make a larger down payment: Your equity could also be used toward your next down payment. It might even be enough to let you put a larger amount down, so you won’t have to borrow as much money. The Mortgage Reports explains:
“Borrowers who put down more money typically receive better interest rates from lenders. This is due to the fact that a larger down payment lowers the lender’s risk because the borrower has more equity in the home from the beginning.”
The Easy Way To Find Out How Much Equity You Have
To find out how much equity you have in your home, ask a real estate agent you trust for a Professional Equity Assessment Report (PEAR).
Bottom Line
Planning a move? Your home equity can really help you out. Let’s connect to see how much equity you have and how it can help with your next home.
👩🏻 Christine Almarines @carealestategroup
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637
Tagalog speaking
👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @singlemomrealtor
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
Spanish speaking
Keeping Current Matters | Jan 8, 2024
If you want to buy a home, it’s important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. Fortunately, rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have come down significantly since the end of October and are currently under 7%, according to Freddie Mac (see graph below):
This recent trend is great news for buyers. As a recent article from Bankrate says:
“The rate cool-off somewhat eases the housing affordability squeeze.”
And according to Edward Seiler, AVP of Housing Economics and Executive Director of the Research Institute for Housing America at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA):
“MBA expects that affordability conditions will continue to improve as mortgage rates decline . . .”
Here’s a bit more context on how this could help with your plans to buy a home.
How Mortgage Rates Affect Your Search for a Home
Understanding the connection between mortgage rates and your monthly home payment is crucial for your plans to become a homeowner. The chart below illustrates how your ability to afford a home changes when mortgage rates shift. Imagine your budget allows for a monthly payment between $2,400 and $2,500. The green part in the chart shows payments in that range or lower (see chart below):
As you can see, even small changes in rates can affect your budget and the loan amount you can afford.
Get Help from Reliable Experts To Understand Your Budget and Plan Ahead
When you’re looking to buy a home, it’s important to get guidance from a local real estate agent and a trusted lender. They can help you explore different mortgage options, understand what makes mortgage rates go up or down, and how those changes impact you.
By looking at the numbers and the latest data together, then adjusting your strategy based on today’s rates, you’ll be better prepared and ready to buy a home.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking to buy a home, you should know the recent downward trend in mortgage rates is good news for your move. Let’s connect and plan your next steps.
👩🏻 Christine Almarines @christine_almarines
Realtor DRE# 01412944 | 714-476-4637
Tagalog speaking
👩🏻 Michelle Kim @michellejeankim_homes
Realtor DRE# 01885912 | 714-253-7531
Korean speaking
👩🏻 Anaid Bautista @singlemomrealtor
Realtor DRE# 02179675 | 949-391-8266
Spanish speaking
