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Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter | MyKCM

There’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season, and that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house. Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that helps answer them – so you can make a confident decision.

1. Should I Wait To Sell?

Even though the supply of homes for sale has increased in 2022, inventory is still low overall. That means it’s still a sellers’ market. The graph below helps put the inventory growth into perspective. Using data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), it shows just how far off we are from flipping to a buyers’ market:

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter | MyKCM

While buyers have regained some negotiation power as inventory has grown, you haven’t missed your window to sell. Your house could still stand out since inventory is low, especially if you list now while other sellers hold off until after the holiday rush and the start of the new year.

2. Are Buyers Still Out There?

If you’re thinking of selling your house but are hesitant because you’re worried buyer demand has disappeared in the face of higher mortgage rates, know that isn’t the case for everyone. While demand has eased this year, millennials are still looking for homes. As an article in Forbes explains:

At about 80 million strong, millennials currently make up the largest share of homebuyers (43%) in the U.S., according to a recent National Association of Realtors (NAR) report. Simply due to their numbers and eagerness to become homeowners, this cohort is quite literally shaping the next frontier of the homebuying process. Once known as the ‘rent generation,’ millennials have proven to be savvy buyers who are quite nimble in their quest to own real estate. In fact, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say they are the key to the overall health and stability of the current housing industry.”

While the millennial generation has been dubbed the renter generation, that namesake may not be appropriate anymore. Millennials, the largest generation, are actually a significant driving force for buyer demand in the housing market today. If you’re wondering if buyers are still out there, know that there are still people who are searching for a home to buy today. And your house may be exactly what they’re looking for.

3. Can I Afford To Buy My Next Home?

If current market conditions have you worried about how you’ll afford your next move, consider this: you may have more equity in your current home than you realize.

Homeowners have gained significant equity over the past few years and that equity can make a big difference in the affordability equation, especially with mortgage rates higher now than they were last year. According to Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

“. . . homeowners, in aggregate, have historically high levels of home equity. For some of those equity-rich homeowners, that means moving and taking on a higher mortgage rate isn’t a huge deal—especially if they are moving to a more affordable city.” 

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking about selling your house this season, let’s connect so you have the expert insights you need to make the best possible move today.

Source: https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2022/11/16/top-questions-about-selling-your-home-this-winter/?a=5256-fd674d1a840c47baa4da566e9ff662ab

Should I Buy a Home Right Now?

Should I Buy a Home Right Now?

Should I Buy a Home Right Now? | MyKCM

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, you likely have one question on the top of your mind: should I buy right now, or should I wait? While no one can answer that question for you, here’s some information that could help you make your decision.

The Future of Home Price Appreciation

Each quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a national panel of over 100 economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists to compile projections for the future of home price appreciation. The output is the Home Price Expectation Survey. In the latest release, it forecasts home prices will continue appreciating over the next five years (see graph below):

Should I Buy a Home Right Now? | MyKCM

As the graph shows, the rate of appreciation will moderate over the next few years as the market shifts away from the unsustainable pace it saw during the pandemic. After this year, experts project home price appreciation will continue, but at levels that are more typical for the market. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“People should not anticipate another double-digit price appreciation. Those days are over. . . .We may return to more normal price appreciation of 4%, 5% a year.”

For you, that ongoing appreciation should give you peace of mind your investment in homeownership is worthwhile because you’re buying an asset that’s projected to grow in value in the years ahead.

What Does That Mean for You?

To give you an idea of how this could impact your net worth, here’s how a typical home could grow in value over the next few years using the expert price appreciation projections from the Pulsenomics survey mentioned above (see graph below):

Should I Buy a Home Right Now? | MyKCM

As the graph conveys, even at a more typical pace of appreciation, you still stand to make significant equity gains as your home grows in value. That’s what’s at stake if you delay your plans.

Bottom Line

If you’re ready to become a homeowner, know that buying today can set you up for long-term success as your asset’s value (and your own net worth) is projected to grow with the ongoing home price appreciation. Let’s connect to begin your homebuying process today.

Source: https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2022/07/13/should-i-buy-a-home-right-now/?a=5256-fd674d1a840c47baa4da566e9ff662ab

Benefits of Recuded Debt

Benefits of Reduced Debt

If you’ve set a goal to pay down your debt this year, you’re not alone. Strategically reducing or paying off debt benefits your finances tremendously, but can positively impact other areas of your life as well.

Reduce stress.

According to a recent study, more than 85% of Americans intermittently feel stressed by their finances and 30% feel stressed constanly.*  By making a commitment to pay off your debt, you’re also making a commitment to your overall health and well-being by minimizing a large cause of your stress.

Improve your credit score.

Although credit cards and lines of credit may help establish your score, maintaining low balances positively impacts it overall. Additionally, if you plan to finance large purchases, such as a car or home, keeping your outstanding balances low may classify you as a lower credit risk and qualify you for reduced rates.

Easily pay an unexpected bill.

If your debts are low, you’ll be able to save more in an emergency fund to handle financial surprises, such as an unexpected home repair bill.

Increase your disposable income.

Many Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck; their hard-earned money is already earmarked to pay off debts and bills before it’s even deposited in a bank account. However, the less debt you are in, the more disposable income you will have available to enjoy now or save for later.

Boost your retirement income.

If you want to maintain your lifestyle long after retirement, the time to save is now. Unfortunately, one of the biggest impediments to building a retirement nest egg is existing debt. The good news is, when you pay down or pay off your debt, you can choose to contribute additional funds to existing retirement accounts for enjoyment of your golden years.

Model good financial habits for others.

If you want others to cultivate good financial habits, be the example they can follow. People, especially children, mimic the behaviors they see. Explain how to cultivate good financial habits and why it is important to do so. Additionally, provide reasons why it is best to avoid unnecessary debt.

Become more generous. 

The less debt we have, the more generous we may feel with our money. Whether it’s tithing more, donating to a local school or sports programs or giving money to a cause dear to us, we may feel like we can give more.

 

Harness the benefits of compound interest

Whether you’re paying down debt or are debt-free, transfer a percentage of your earnings each paycheck to an interest-bearing account. The intent is to make a portion of your earnings work for you.

“Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it…he who doesn’t…pays it.”                                                                                                              -Albert Einstein

 

 

3 Ways to earn extra money

Looking for ways to earn more money? Whether you want to pay down debt, build emergency savings or invest, consider these options.

  1. Get side hustle. Do you have a hobby or skill that could net more money on the side? Whether it’s photography, web design or crafting, consider sharing your skills to earn extra cash.
  2. If you have extra room in your home or an in-law apartment, consider renting it through Airbnb. Be sure to check the regulations in your area to ensure you’re in compliance with municipal codes or homeowner’s association rules.
  3. Clear the clutter. Sort through your stuff and set aside items that you don’t use, are in good condition and others would enjoy. Consider selling them online, at a consignment shop or in a garage sale.

 

Sources: *CNBC, March 20, 2018; Buffini & Company

Closing Simplified?

January 18th, 2016

Blog 5 photoIt just became a lot easier to navigate the complicated mortgage process. New disclosures being utilized in the mortgage world requires lenders to provide home buyers with two new forms that clearly detail their home-loan terms. For many buyers these changes are an improvement in what is a rather intimidating process. For the average consumer, home-loans are the biggest investment in their lives. Luckily, today we have the TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure rule which in two pages accomplishes what the four pages of the Loan Estimate and Closing Disclosure used to do.

Additionally, lenders have to provide folks looking to buy a home a loan estimate form within 3 days of a submitted application, minimizing the nerve racking wait time of previous years. This estimate consists of three pages detailing amount, interest rate, and where the figures can change post-closing. Having the estimates more easily available makes comparing loans a whole lot easier. However, one should still look out for the type of interest rate; whether it’s fixed or adjustable and if there is potential for any future penalties. The forms additionally estimate closing costs of your transaction.

Having these figures clearly stated should make it a lot easier to compare loans from different providers; allowing you to shop around to find the best rates and terms. Finally, the forms help the closing process, for lenders now must provide the closing disclosure 3 days prior to closing.  Buyers can approach a closing with more confidence knowing that the figures previously agreed to will be what is seen at the closing. These new forms are a step in the right direction to get closing simplified.