by Shawn Boday | Jan 6, 2021 | Business, Home Buying Process, Housing Market, Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Real Estate Tips, Seattle, Shawn Boday
In 2020, the housing market experienced record sales due to extremely low mortgage rates and the new flexibility that comes with working from home. In addition, home prices have remained competitive as demand continues to increase. But what will the housing market look like in 2021? Take a look at what experts predict the trends will be this year.
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Low Inventory
The number of homes on the market has been pretty low. It has been relatively easy for sellers to sell their homes but not as easy for buyers to purchase. Supply and demand will likely continue and increase home prices by quite a bit during the first half of 2021. But during the second half of the year, economic headwinds may start to cause prices to decrease slightly and the number of homes on the market to increase.
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Rising Home Prices
Given the pressure to buy quickly because of low inventory, home prices should continue to increase, and there won’t be much room or time for negotiation. While this is great for sellers who stand to make a substantial profit on their home, it’s not the best news for buyers. If you’re looking to purchase a home in 2021, you must go into the process knowing what your max budget is. You need to be ready to walk away from home despite pressure to act quickly and spend more than you can afford.
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Incredibly Low Interest Rates
Mortgage interest rates dropped to an all-time low in 2020, and this trend is expected to continue into 2021. Many economists expect interest rates to hover around 3 percent in 2021, increasing compared to 2020 rates but still incredibly low. Low interest rates are good news for both buyers and sellers because they help reduce overall mortgage costs and make buyers more motivated.
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More Online Services
More virtual tools, such as online selling and buying, virtual real estate agents, online closings, and more have become quite favorable during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the virus continues to surge, these are expected to continue to be prominent in 2021 as well.
Buying and selling a home can be a stressful task. While the real estate market has faced many unprecedented challenges recently, there are some significant benefits to buying and selling homes right now. These positive trends are expected to continue into 2021, so be sure to consult with a real estate agent as soon as possible if you’re considering listing or purchasing a home this year.
by Shawn Boday | Jun 1, 2018 | Real Estate, Real Estate Investing, Shawn Boday
House hunting can be a fun, yet frustrating experience. While it’s exciting to look for a home of your own, you also have to recognize that sellers are trying to put their homes in the best possible light. By recognizing common phrases, you’ll be better equipped to know which homes should be avoided altogether.
“Pride of Ownership Shows”
At first glance, this phrase implies that the owners have taken good care of the property. However, in most cases, it also means little, if anything, has been updated. You can look forward to decades-old tiling, antique appliances, and more than a few rooms that need a remodel.
“In One of the Hottest Neighborhoods”
If you see a descriptive phrase that uses words like “hot” or “up and coming,” be aware that you’re expectations may fall short of the reality. Often, sellers will use these terms to describe neighborhoods that are expected to take a good turn and attract developers. Typically, these neighborhoods will lack nearby amenities and may only show the promise of improvement.
“Attention: Investors”
Even if you are an investor, you might want to stay away from properties with this as a headline. It indicates a property in distress most of the time and suggests you will need to make several updates just to make the property welcoming. If you’re looking for a home, this may not be the best choice for you.
“Offered as Is”
This is another one that would be best avoided. Often, “as is” suggests the owner knows there’s a great deal wrong with the property and he’s hoping to pass his problems onto an ambitious buyer. By the time the needed repairs are complete, you may have spent more money than the home is actually worth.
“Condo Alternative”
Think condo, but smaller. If you’re on the market for a single-family home, you’re probably looking for something roomy and something with potential for expansion. You’ll find neither in homes that are marketed with this phrase. These are typically very small homes that won’t suit your needs.
“Natural Landscaping”
This is a deceptive phrase indicating you’ll probably spending a few weeks just getting the yard presentable. The current owner probably hasn’t put much effort into maintaining the “curb appeal” of the home. Of course, if you love the rest of the home and want to spend the money, you can always hire professional landscapers to do the dirty work for you.
These are some common phrases used in real estate marketing. While you should be wary of them, not every one of them is the kiss of death. Be aware that you may be getting more than you expect, but also keep an open mind. You may end up getting that diamond in the ruff.
by Shawn Boday | May 15, 2017 | Home Buying Process, Real Estate, Real Estate Tips, Real Estate Value
Know Your Home
Potential homebuyers will be looking carefully at your home. Make sure you aren’t caught by surprise. Get your home inspected. Find out how much potential repairs will cost. Even if you don’t plan to make those repairs, it will keep you from being blindsided by the costs, and you will be ready to negotiate with homebuyers who are pushing for deductions.
Get information accessible and organized. Have all your papers: everything from insurance to paint colors. Know if your house has suffered any losses, and have records of any repairs. You don’t want to find yourself in the uncomfortable position of negotiating with a homebuyer who knows your house better than you do.
Think About Curb Appeal
If a buyer drives past your house, what will they think? Will they see an attractive facade or a well-maintained garden? Or will their eye be drawn to an ugly tree, a lopsided mailbox, or a badly-paved driveway? Your house’s outward appearance is the first thing that homeowners will see, and that first impression can make a huge difference. If you have the money to hire a landscaper or other specialist, do it. But if not, many of the changes you can make are simply a matter of getting outside, rolling up your sleeves, and taking care of them. Weed the garden, rake the yard, and prune the trees.
Clean Thoroughly
Don’t just vacuum. Repaint the walls. Have your carpets professionally cleaned. Move the furniture. Pull out the stove and scrub the floor beneath. Clean under the fridge. Dust the blinds. Clean places you’ve never cleaned before. Be ready to get messy: dirt can really build up when left unattended.
Stow Your Stuff
Not only does a cluttered home look messy, it also looks small. Remove at least 30 percent of your belongings from sight. The brunt of your focus should be on countertops, the pantry, and the master bedroom closets, which should be as empty as possible.
Empty shelves and a clear floor scream: Look, there’s so much room, we don’t have enough stuff to fill it all. So hide everything you can afford not to have in the attic or crawlspace, stow it away in a friend’s house, or even rent out a storage facility. And take down any especially eclectic decorations: Homebuyers do not want to see your ceramic chicken collection; they want to see your home.
Hide Your Kids, Hide Your Pets
If someone is coming to visit your house, send your kids off to a friend’s or relative’s, and have them take the cat with them. Children and animals are notoriously messy, and you don’t want your guests wondering about how you got the all dog hair out of the carpet (hint: you didn’t) or how you can guarantee that there’s not a hole in the wall somewhere stuffed with legos (hint: you can’t). Besides, kids and pets are also notoriously distracting, and you want your visitors to focus on your home.
by Shawn Boday | Apr 24, 2017 | Business, Home Buying Process, Real Estate, Real Estate Tips, Real Estate Value, Seattle
There is no doubt that having a successful real estate photo shoot for a new apartment or home you are trying to sell can be a really tricky situation. Too often photos are dark, from a strange angle, or simply fails to capture the beauty or attractiveness of the home in general.
With newer, more centralized real estate platforms such as Trulia and Zillow becoming increasingly common for agents across the country, better images are now the norm for home buyers in the digital world. Below are some ways to maximize appeal for any company on the market.
- Make the beds with linens that complement the colors of the room and overall interior.
- Clean the house: get the carpet shampooed, vacuum and mop all hardwood floors to make everything as clean as possible/visually appealing to any homebuyer’s eye.
- Don’t forget to clean the bathrooms!
- Make sure there is maximum natural and in house lighting before anyone comes to view the house or apartment.
- Remove all traces of personalized paraphernalia throughout the home so visitors can envision it as their own.
- Take the time to put away all cleaning supplies in the kitchen.
- Double check the house to see if everything has been put away in an orderly fashion.
The trickier part is definitely getting in touch and figuring out which real estate photographer is the best fit for you. Do bear in mind that photography fees vary according to experience, location and how large the property is. Connecting and meeting with various photographers is the best way to discern which professional you’d like to work with.
After the photos are taken, Chris Palmer the president of PhotoUp takes pride in the editing work his team is crafting. He has recently told the Huffington Post that “We’re the only ones out there doing this transparently, and real estate happens to be our niche. We have a team in the Philippines that work in a Google-like office. It’s a very creative environment. We find great ways to impact the photographers and the communities in which we work.”
by Shawn Boday | Aug 18, 2016 | Business, Real Estate, Real Estate Tips, Seattle
With the entire process of buying and selling a new home can be quite stressful in general, today’s fast-moving real estate market only adds an additional layer of pressure to both you and your family. Regardless of the state, county, or town you are looking into, there are useful ways to avoid pressure that may cause emotional or mental stress.
Millions of families across the country who are buying or selling their homes are experiencing the same sentiments and frustrations as you are. Below are some methods to alleviate stress and maximize efficiency during this huge life stage.
If you are a buyer in this market, you need to move fast after the home is sold and the new homeowner moves in. Working with a realtor will not only help you figure out what you want, but also how you can access information on a regular basis. Real estate agents are also great with regard to filtering through info related to property history, tax records, and other resources you may not of previously.
In the seller position, you need to have everything prepared before you actually move to your new home. Removing all unnecessary items, decluttering, and consolidating all your possessions in different areas. If you’re family lives in neighboring towns, it may be a good idea to stay with them if there is a time gap between moving out of your home and settling in the new one.
A challenging aspect of navigating the residential real estate market is undergoing inspections, the resolution process, and most of all, competing in offer situations across the board. Sellers should understand that hiring a realtor can help manage the buyer’s expectations, while also saving you money, time and energy during a process that can be fairly complicated without the right professional by your side.
Preparing in all the best ways possible will both ease your mind and wallet as you move from different stages of the homebuying process. It is also important to be completely upfront with your real estate agent through every stage so they can most effectively manage your price expectations, concerns, or other specificities you are looking for.
