Latest Articles
2020 Homebuyer Preferences [INFOGRAPHIC]
![2020 Homebuyer Preferences [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://i2.wp.com/files.simplifyingthemarket.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/06152056/20200807-KCM-Share-549x300.jpg?w=358&ssl=1)
Some Highlights
- A recent study from HarrisX shows the current health crisis isn’t slowing down today’s homebuyers.
- Many buyers are accelerating their timelines to take advantage of low mortgage rates and staying home has enabled some to save more money to put toward a down payment.
- Let’s connect today if your needs have recently changed and you’re ready to make a move this year.
How Is Remote Work Changing Homebuyer Needs?
With more companies figuring out how to efficiently and effectively enable their employees to work remotely (and for longer than most of us initially expected), homeowners throughout the country are re-evaluating their needs. Do I still need to live close to my company’s office building? Do I need a larger home with more office space? […]
Why Homeowners Have Great Selling Power Today
We’re sitting in an optimal moment in time for homeowners who are ready to sell their houses and make a move this year. Today’s homeowners are, on average, staying in their homes longer than they used to, and this is one factor driving increased homeowner equity. When equity grows, selling a house becomes increasingly desirable. […]
Today’s Buyers Are Serious about Purchasing a Home
Today’s homebuyers are not just talking about their plans, they’re actively engaged in the buying process – and they’re serious about it. A recent report by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) indicates: “…. Of American adults considering a future home purchase in the second quarter of 2020, about half (49%) are not simply […]
Experts Weigh-In on the Remarkable Strength of the Housing Market
America has faced its share of challenges in 2020. A once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, a financial crisis leaving millions still unemployed, and an upcoming presidential election that may prove to be one of the most contentious in our nation’s history all continue to test this country in unimaginable ways. Even with all of that uncertainty, the residential […]
Where Is the Housing Market Headed for the Rest of 2020? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
The housing market is forecasted to finish the year with growing strength.
Historically low mortgage rates are creating great potential for homebuyers, and home sales are on the rise.
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home t…
Where Is the Housing Market Headed for the Rest of 2020? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
The housing market is forecasted to finish the year with growing strength.
Historically low mortgage rates are creating great potential for homebuyers, and home sales are on the rise.
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home t…
Will We See a Surge of Homebuyers Moving to the Suburbs?
As remote work continues on for many businesses and Americans weigh the risks of being in densely populated areas, will more people start to move out of bigger cities? Spending extra time at home and dreaming of more indoor and outdoor space is certainly sparking some interest among homebuyers. Early data shows an initial trend […]
Homeownership Rate Continues to Rise in 2020
So far, it’s been quite a ride this year, and our nation has truly seen its fair share of hurdles. From COVID-19 to record unemployment and then the resulting recession, just to name a few, the second quarter of 2020 has had more than a few challenges. Amidst the many roadblocks, however, the U.S. homeownership […]
Guidance and Support Are Key When Buying Your First Home
In June, the number of first-time homebuyers accounted for 35% of the existing homes sold, a trend that’s been building steadily throughout the year. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “The share of first-time buyers increased in March through June—right into the heart of the pandemic period and the surge in unemployment—and is […]
Three of the Latest Reports Show Housing Market Is Strong
The residential real estate market is remaining resilient as the country still struggles to beat the COVID-19 pandemic. Three separate reports recently revealed how the housing market is still showing growth. Here’s a look at each one. 1. Ivy Zelman’s Real Estate Broker Survey The survey explains that purchaser demand remains strong: “This month’s overall […]
A Real Estate Pro Is More Helpful Now than Ever [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
A recent study shared by NAR notes that both buyers and sellers think an agent is more helpful than ever during the current health crisis.
Expertise and professionalism are highly valued and can save buyers and sellers time and effor…
Home Sales Hit a Record-Setting Rebound
With a worldwide health crisis that drove a pause in the economy this year, the housing market was greatly impacted. Many have been eagerly awaiting some bright signs of a recovery. Based on the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), June hit a much-anticipated record-setting rebound to ignite that […]
Two Reasons We Won’t See a Rush of Foreclosures This Fall
The health crisis we face as a country has led businesses all over the nation to reduce or discontinue their services altogether. This pause in the economy has greatly impacted the workforce and as a result, many people have been laid off or furloughed. Naturally, that would lead many to believe we might see a […]
A Remarkable Recovery for the Housing Market
For months now the vast majority of Americans have been asking the same question: When will the economy turn around? Many experts have been saying the housing market will lead the way to a recovery, and today we’re seeing signs of that coming to light. With record-low mortgage rates driving high demand from potential buyers, […]
Thinking of Selling Your House? Now May be the Right Time
Inventory is arguably the biggest challenge for buyers in today’s housing market. There are simply more buyers actively looking for homes to purchase than there are sellers selling them, so the scale is tipped in favor of the sellers. According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), total […]
Mortgage Rates Fall Below 3% [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
Mortgage rates hit another all-time low, falling below 3% this week.
If you’re ready to buy a home, now is a great time to truly get more for your money at this historic moment.
Let’s connect today to determine your best next steps t…
Does Your Home Have What Buyers Are Looking For?
There’s great opportunity for today’s homeowners to sell their houses and make a move, yet due to the impact of the ongoing health crisis, some sellers are taking their time coming back to the market. According to Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research at realtor.com: “Sellers continue returning to the market at a cautious pace […]
Does Your Home Have What Buyers Are Looking For?
There’s great opportunity for today’s homeowners to sell their houses and make a move, yet due to the impact of the ongoing health crisis, some sellers are taking their time coming back to the market. According to Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research at realtor.com: “Sellers continue returning to the market at a cautious pace […]
Mortgage Rates Hit Record Lows for Three Consecutive Weeks
Over the past several weeks, Freddie Mac has reported the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping to record lows, all the way down to 3.03%. Last week’s reported rate reached the lowest point in the history of the survey, which dates back to 1971 (See graph below): What does this mean for buyers? This is […]
What Are Experts Saying about Home Prices?
Last week, a very well-respected real estate analytics firm surprised many with their home price projection for the next twelve months. CoreLogic, in their latest Home Price Index said: “The economic downturn that started in March 2020 is predicted to cause a 6.6% drop in the HPI by May 2021, which would be the first […]
Buyers: Are You Ready for a Bidding War?
With businesses reopening throughout the country and some experts indicating early signs of a much-anticipated economic recovery, more homebuyers are actively entering the housing market this summer. Today, housing is truly driving the U.S. economy forward. With so many buyers looking for homes to purchase and so few houses for sale right now, there’s a […]
Americans Rank Real Estate Best Investment for 7 Years Running [INFOGRAPHIC]
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Some Highlights
- Real estate has outranked stocks, savings accounts, and gold as the best long-term investment among Americans for the past 7 years.
- The belief in the stability of housing as a long-term investment remains strong, despite the many challenges our economy faces today.
- Of the four listed, real estate is also the only investment you can also live in. That’s a big win!
Not All Agents Are Created Equal
In today’s fast-paced world where answers are just a Google search away, there are some who may question the benefits of hiring a real estate professional when selling a house. The reality is, the addition of more information can lead to more confusion. A real estate agent can be your essential guide, but truth be […]
Best Time to Sell? When Competition Is at an All-Time Low
In a recent survey of home sellers by Qualtrics, 87% of respondents said they were concerned their home won’t sell because of the pandemic and resulting economic recession. Of the respondents, 51% said they are “seriously worried.” That concern seems reasonable considering the current condition of the economy. The data, however, is showing that home […]
Taking Advantage of Homebuying Affordability in Today’s Market
Everyone is ready to buy a home at a different time in their lives, and a health crisis or not, today is no exception. Understanding how affordability works and the main market factors that impact it may help those who are ready to buy a home narrow down their optimal window of time to make […]
Latest Unemployment Report: Great News…for the Most Part
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their latest Employment Situation Summary last Thursday, and it again beat analysts’ expectations in a big way. The consensus was for 3,074,000 jobs to be added in June. The report revealed that 4,800,000 jobs were added. The unemployment rate fell to 11.1% from 13.3% last month. Again, excellent […]
Is the Health Crisis Driving Buyers Out of Urban Areas?
The pandemic has caused consumers to re-examine the components that make up the “perfect home.” Many families are no longer comfortable with the locations and layouts of their existing homes. The allure of city life (more congested) seems to be giving way to either suburban or rural life (less congested). The fascination with an open […]
A Historic Rebound for the Housing Market
Pending Home Sales increased by 44.3% in May, registering the highest month-over-month gain in the index since the National Association of Realtors (NAR) started tracking this metric in January 2001. So, what exactly are pending home sales, and why is this rebound so important? According to NAR, the Pending Home Sales Index (PHS) is: “A […]
Are New Homes Going to Be Available to Buy This Year?
In today’s economy, everyone seems to be searching for signs that a recovery is coming soon. Many experts agree that it may actually already be in motion or will be starting by the 3rd quarter of this year. With the housing market positioned to lead the way out of this recession, builder confidence might be […]
What Are Experts Saying About the Rest of 2020?
One of the biggest questions on everyone’s minds these days is: What’s going to happen to the housing market in the second half of the year? Based on recent data on the economy, unemployment, real estate, and more, many economists are revising their forecasts for the remainder of 2020 – and the outlook is extremely encouraging. […]
Think You Should For Sale By Owner? Think Again [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the process of selling real estate without the representation of a real estate broker or real estate agent.
According to the National Association of Realtors’ Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, 35% of…
New Index Reveals Impact of COVID-19 on Real Estate
Earlier this month, realtor.com announced the release of their initial Housing Recovery Index, a weekly guide showing how the pandemic has impacted the residential real estate market. The index leverages a weighted average of four key components of the housing industry, tracking each of the following: Housing Demand – Growth in online search activity Home […]
Should We Be Looking at Unemployment Numbers Differently?
The New York Times recently ran an article regarding unemployment titled: Don’t Cheer Too Soon. Keep an Eye on the Core Jobless Rate. The piece suggests we should look at unemployment numbers somewhat differently. The author of the article, Jed Kolko, is a well-respected economist who is currently the Chief Economist at Indeed, the world’s […]
What Are the Experts Saying About Future Home Prices?
A worldwide pandemic and an economic recession have had a tremendous effect on the nation. The uncertainty brought about by both has made predicting consumer behavior nearly impossible. For that reason, forecasting home prices has become extremely difficult. Normally, there’s a simple formula to determine the future price of any item: calculate the supply of […]
Homebuyers Are in the Mood to Buy Today
According to the latest FreddieMac Quarterly Forecast, mortgage interest rates have fallen to historically low levels this spring and they’re projected to remain low. This means there’s a huge incentive for buyers who are ready to purchase. And homeowners looking for eager buyers can take advantage of this opportune time to sell as well. There’s […]
7 Strategies for a 2020 Open House [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
Buyer interest is high right now, so this summer is a great time to sell your house.
Here are 7 strategies to help make your house showing a safe and effective one.
Let’s connect today to get your house on the market while buying is …
Want to Make a Move? Homeowner Equity is Growing Year-Over-Year
One of the bright spots of the 2020 real estate market is the growth in equity homeowners are experiencing across the country. According to the recently released Homeowner Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, in nearly every state there was a year-over-year first-quarter equity increase, averaging out to a 6.5% overall gain. The report notes: “CoreLogic […]
Is the Economic Recovery Already Underway?
The Wall Street Journal just released their latest monthly Survey of Economists. In an article on the findings, they reported: “The U.S. economy will be in recovery by the third quarter of this year, economists said in a survey that also concluded the labor market will fare better than previously expected following the effects of […]
Three Reasons Homebuyers Are Ready to Purchase This Year
A recent survey by Lending Tree tapped into behaviors of over 1,000 prospective buyers. The results indicated 53% of all homebuyers are more likely to buy a home in the next year, even amid the current health crisis. The survey further revealed why, naming several reasons buyers are more likely to move this year (see […]
Real Estate Tops Best Investment Poll for 7th Year Running
Every year, Gallup conducts a survey of Americans to determine their choice for the best long-term investment. Respondents are asked to select real estate, stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs, or bonds. For the seventh year in a row, real estate has come out on top as the best long-term investment. Gallup explained: “Real estate remains […]
Summer is the New Spring for Real Estate [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
The health crisis slowed the market this spring, so buyers are jumping back into the market to make their moves this summer.
Check these 10 items off your to-do list so your house is ready to sell while buying is hot!
Let’s connect t…
Are You Ready for the Summer Housing Market?
As the health crisis started making its way throughout our country earlier this spring, sellers have been cautious about putting their homes on the market. This hesitation stemmed primarily from fear of the spread of the coronavirus, and understandably so. This abundant caution has greatly impacted the number of homes for sale and slowed the […]
Is a Recession Here? Yes. Does that Mean a Housing Crash? No.
On Monday, the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) announced that the U.S. economy is officially in a recession. This did not come as a surprise to many, as the Bureau defines a recession this way: “A recession is a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, normally visible in production, employment, and […]
Real Estate Will Lead the Economic Recovery
With more U.S. states reopening for business this summer, and as people start to return to work, we can expect the economy to begin improving. Most expert forecasts indicate this economic recovery will start to happen in the second half of this year. As we get back to work and the financial landscape of the […]
The Shocking News in the Unemployment Report
Last Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released their May Employment Situation Summary. Leading up to the release, most experts predicted the unemployment rate would jump up to approximately 20% from the 14.7% rate announced last month. The experts were shocked. The Wall Street Journal put it this way: “The May U.S. jobless rate […]
Why Keep Track of Home Improvements
Homeowners receive a generous exclusion on the gain of their principal residence up to $250,000 for single taxpayers and $500,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly. Most people probably consider the gain or profit in a home to be the difference between the purchase price and the sales price. IRS allows a taxpayer to lower the […]
National Homeownership Month [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
National Homeownership Month is a great time to reflect on how we can each promote stronger community growth.
Homeownership helps families build financial freedom, find greater happiness and satisfaction, and make a positive impact o…
Three Things to Understand About Unemployment Statistics
Tomorrow morning the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the latest Employment Situation Summary, which will include the most current unemployment rate. It will be a horrific number. Many analysts believe unemployment could be greater than 20%. These numbers represent families across the nation that are not sure when (or if) they will return to […]
Is it Time to Sell Your Vacation Home?
The travel industry is one of the major sectors that’s been hit extremely hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, it’s hard to know how long it will take for summer travelers to be back in action and for the industry to fully recover. Homeowners who rent their secondary properties on their own or through programs […]
Home Prices: It’s All About Supply and Demand
As we enter the summer months and work through the challenges associated with the current health crisis, many are wondering what impact the economic slowdown will have on home prices. Looking at the big picture, supply and demand will give us the clearest idea of what’s to come. Making our way through the month of […]
The Benefits of Homeownership May Reach Further Than You Think
More than ever, our homes have become an integral part of our lives. Today they are much more than the houses we live in. They’re evolving into our workplaces, schools for our children, and safe havens that provide shelter, stability, and protection for our families through the evolving health crisis. Today, 65.3% of Americans are […]
Top Reasons to Own Your Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
June is National Homeownership Month, and it’s a great time to consider the benefits of owning your own home.
If you’re in a position to buy, homeownership might help you find the stability, community, and comfort you’ve been search…
Economists Forecast Recovery to Begin in the Second Half of 2020
With the U.S. economy on everyone’s minds right now, questions about the country’s financial outlook continue to come up daily. The one that seems to keep rising to the top is: when will the economy begin to recover? While no one knows exactly how a rebound will play out, expert economists around the country are […]
Why This Summer Is the 2020 Real Estate Season
With stay-at-home orders starting to gradually lift throughout parts of the country, data indicates homebuyers are jumping back into the market. After many families put their plans on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, what we once called the busy spring real estate season is shifting into the summer. In 2020, summer is the new […]
Buying or Selling a Home? You Need an Expert Kind of Guide
In a normal housing market, whether you’re buying or selling a home, you need an experienced guide to help you navigate through the process. You need someone you can turn to who will tell you how to price your home correctly right from the start. You need someone who can help you determine what to […]
Buying or Selling a Home? You Need an Expert Kind of Guide
In a normal housing market, whether you’re buying or selling a home, you need an experienced guide to help you navigate through the process. You need someone you can turn to who will tell you how to price your home correctly right from the start. You need someone who can help you determine what to […]
We Remember & Honor Those Who Gave All
We remember, today and always.
Interest Rates Hover Near Historic All-Time Lows [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
Mortgage interest rates have dropped considerably this spring and are hovering at a historically low level.
Locking in at a low rate today could save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your home loan.
Let’s connect to dete…