Sound Real Estate

Buying a Home This Year?

A buyers' market—when there is a large selection of homes for sale and few other buyers in the market—is a great time to purchase a home. Unlike a sellers' market, prices aren't rapidly escalating and you won't be competing against a slew of other buyers. These markets are more relaxed so homebuyers can take their time deciding.

The Economy

The current economy is a key factor affecting the real estate market. “Broadly speaking, when the economy is sluggish, so is real estate,” claims Joseph Nguyen at Investopedia. Rather than look at the glass half-full, however, we choose to take the opposite tack—when the economy is humming along, the housing market is at its most attractive.

When job growth is robust, consumer confidence rises and we're more apt to spend money on high-ticket items, such as cars, appliances, vacations and, yes, homes.

Pay Attention to Interest Rates

It certainly is no secret that obtaining a lower interest rate for a mortgage typically allows for a lower payment. Naturally then, low interest rates make home-buying an attractive venture—and, even whispers of a rate hike can spur folks to get out into the market.

For instance, by the end of 2015, the U.S. saw 5.26 million home sales, which was the most robust housing market since 2006. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), attributed the robust market, in part, to the mere “prospect of higher mortgage rates in coming months.”

And, rise they did, throughout the following year. In fact, late in 2016, mortgage interest rates rose eight times in nine weeks, according to bankrate.com. Sounds rather gloomy until one recognizes that, post-hike, rates were still at historic lows.

The bottom line is that if you're in the market for a home and interest rates decrease or remain attractively low, it's time to get excited about the housing market.

When to Get Excited About the Housing Market --

Real estate professionals get that consumers, by and large, ignore housing statistics and the market until they become involved in the purchase or sale of a home. It's only natural then that what impacts the market is a bit of a mystery to many. What determines a buyers' or sellers' market? What factors influence home prices?

Of course the answers to these questions and more may be multi-faceted, but it's important to pay attention to them if you hope to keep more of your money when it's time to buy or sell real estate.

Believe it or not, even in what seems like the gloomiest of real estate markets, there will be a glimmer of light for some.

Off-market listings now available. Commercial properties or residential - let us know what you need! We got you!