Newsletter

Note: August data below is the most recent available from the National Association of Realtors® 

• August’s median existing-home price (all housing types) was $253,500, a rise of 5.6% over August 2016 ($240,000). August’s price gains mark the 66th straight month of year-over-year gains.
   
• Total U.S. housing inventory at the end of August fell 2.1% to 1.88 million existing homes available; this is 6.5% lower than a year ago (2.01 million) and has declined year-over-year for 27 consecutive months. Nationally, unsold inventory sits at a supply of 4.2-months at the current sales pace, down from 4.5 months a year ago.
   
• First-time buyers drove 31% of U.S. sales in August, a dip from 33% in July and the lowest share since August 2016 (also 31%). For all of 2016, first-time buyers were responsible for 35% of sales.
   
• Freddie Mac data indicates that the average commitment rate for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage dropped to 3.88% in August from 3.97% in July; this is the lowest rate since November 2016 (3.77%). By comparisin, 2016’s average commitment rate was 3.65%.

When purchasing a home, you will need to acquire homeowners insurance. In fact, all lenders will require a policy to be in force prior to funding the loan. Make sure you have enough coverage should anything happen. Policies refer to “replacement costs” that may not cover everything. You should ask your insurance agent a lot of “what if” questions. The deductible amount also plays a big part in setting your premium. Higher deductibles lower the number of claims, and reduce your insurance costs.

Check with your insurance agent for more information on these issues and others. If you don’t have an insurance agent, we have access to several top-notch agents to whom we can refer you with confidence.

Selling your home in today’s market requires strategy and execution. Here are some tips to help sellers reduce their time on market while getting excellent value:

• Make it shine. Buyers are attracted to attractive homes. To make your home stand out, mow the lawn, rake the leaves, wash your windows, and clean the carpets. These small things can make a big difference.
   
• Remove clutter. Not only do clean homes show better, but tidy homes offer more to the imagination. One person’s treasure is another person’s trash. Removing unnecessary clutter will help potential buyers envision their own potential for the home.
   
• Consider removing art and personal keepsakes. This one is tough for certain people emotionally, but don’t take it personally. Some savvy sellers go beyond de-cluttering and remove all (or most) of their personal artwork, family photos and personal mementos to make easier for potential buyers to imagine the home being theirs. 
   
• Pay attention to the market. Work with your agent and price your home to sell. A competitively priced home is the one that sells first, and in this market that counts for a lot. Even in fast-moving markets in many parts of the United States, overpricing your home can lead to selling it for less or incurring greater holding costs than if you had priced the house appropriately in the first place. An experienced agent will help you arrive at the most advantageous price for your home.

These simple tips can help you sell your home and take advantage of our today’s market. Please contact us if you have any questions about selling your home. We are here to help!