4 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster

Since June of last year, we have seen an increase in the inventory of homes for sale month per month. Every spring and summer, the inventory increases because people want to sell their home. For those with children, they may want to be in their new home for the beginning of the school year.

If you are one of those sellers, you may find these 4 tips helpful in getting your home sold more quickly.

1. Make buyers feel at home
Declutter your home! Pack away all personal items like pictures, awards, and sentimental belongings. Make them feel like they belong in this house! According to the Profile of Home Staging by the National Association of Realtors,

“83% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home.”

Not only will your house spend less time on the market, but the same report mentioned that,

“One-quarter of buyers’ agents said that staging a home increased the dollar value offered between 1 – 5%, compared to other similar homes on the market that were not staged.”

2. Keep it organized
Since you took the time to declutter, keep it organized! Before the buyers show up, pick up toys, make the bed, and put away clean dishes. It is also a good idea to put out some cookies fresh from the oven or a scented candle. Buyers will remember the smell of your home! According to the same report, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to stage in order to attract more buyers.
3. Give buyers full access
One of the top four elements when selling your home is access! If your home is available anytime, that opens up more opportunity to find a buyer right away. Some buyers, especially those relocating, don’t have much time available. If they cannot get into the house, they will move on to the next one.
4. Price it right
As we mentioned at the beginning, more inventory coming into the market guarantees there will be some competition. You want to make sure your home is noticed. The key to selling your house in 2019 is ensuring it is Priced to Sell Immediately (PTSI). That way, your home will be seen by the greatest amount of buyers and will sell at a great price before more competition comes to market!

Bottom Line

If you want to sell your house in the least amount of time at the best price with as little hassle as possible, a local real estate professional is a useful guide. Call them today to find out what you need to do to sell your home more quickly.

5 Powerful Reasons to Own Instead of Rent

Owning a home has great financial benefits.
In a recent research paper, Homeownership and the American Dream, Laurie S. Goodman and Christopher Mayer of the Urban Land Institute explained:

“Homeownership appears to help borrowers accumulate housing and nonhousing wealth in a variety of ways, with tax advantages, greater financial flexibility due to secured borrowing, built-in ‘default’ savings with mortgage amortization and nominally fixed payments, and the potential to lower home maintenance costs through sweat equity.”

Let’s breakdown 5 major financial benefits of homeownership:
1. Housing is typically the one leveraged investment available
Homeownership allows households to amplify any appreciation on the value of their homes by a leverage factor. A 20% down payment results in a leverage factor of five, meaning every percentage point rise in the value of your home is a 5% return on your equity. If you put down 10%, your leverage factor is 10.
Example: Let’s assume you purchased a $300,000 home and put down $60,000 (20%). If the house appreciates by $30,000, that is only a 10% increase in value but a 50% increase in equity.
2. You’re paying for housing whether you own or rent
Some argue that renting eliminates the cost of property taxes and home repairs. Every potential renter must realize that all the expenses the landlord incurs (property taxes, repairs, insurance, etc.) are baked into the rent payment already – along with a profit margin!!
3. Owning is usually a form of “forced savings”
Studies have shown that homeowners have a net worth that is 44X greater than that of a renter. As a matter of fact, it was recently estimated that a family buying an average priced home this past January could build more than $42,000 in family wealth over the next five years.
4. Owning is a hedge against inflation
House values and rents tend to go up at or higher than the rate of inflation. When you own, your home’s value will protect you from that inflation.
5. There are still substantial tax benefits to owning
We know that the new tax reform bill puts limits on some deductions on certain homes. However, in the research paper referenced above, the authors explain:

“…the mortgage interest deduction is not the main source of these gains; even if it were removed, homeowners would continue to benefit from a lack of taxation of imputed rent and capital gains.”

Bottom Line

From a financial standpoint, owning a home has always been and will always be better than renting.

Now’s the Time to Move-Up and Upgrade Your Current Home!

Homes priced at the top 25% of the price range for a particular area of the country are considered “premium homes.” In today’s real estate market, there are deals to be had at the higher end! This is great news for homeowners wanting to upgrade from their current house.

Much of the demand for housing over the past couple of years has come from first-time buyers looking for their starter home. Many of the more expensive homes listed for sale have not seen as much interest.


According to ILHM’s Luxury Report, this mismatch in demand and inventory of luxury and premium homes has created a Buyer’s Market. For the purpose of the report, a luxury home was defined as one that costs $1 million or more.

“A Buyer’s Market indicates that buyers have greater control over the price point. This market type is demonstrated by a substantial number of homes on the market and few sales, suggesting demand for residential properties is slow for that market and/or price point.”

The authors of the report were quick to point out that current conditions at the higher end of the market are no cause for concern.

“While luxury homes may take longer to sell than in previous years, the slower pace, increased inventory levels and larger differences between list and sold prices, represent a normalization of the market, not a downturn.”

Luxury can mean different things to different people. To one person, luxury is a secluded home with plenty of property and privacy. To another, it could be a penthouse at the center of a bustling city. Knowing what characteristics mean luxury to you will help your agent find you the home of your dreams.

Bottom Line

If you are debating upgrading your current house to a premium or luxury home, now is the time!

Is This Your Situation: Curious About the Advantages of Investing in Real Estate?

Many serious investors are looking for ways to diversify their investments. Once you have maxed out your IRA or 401(k), you might look into investment strategies that do not involve more stocks and bonds. One popular way to diversify an investment portfolio is to purchase real estate. Investment properties can help increase your net worth over the long term, but they also have the added benefit of increasing your monthly cash flow.
Parents may also be considering buying a home for their young adult children, who can pay rent to their parents, perhaps splitting it with a roommate. Read on to learn about some of the reasons that investing in real estate is a great idea.
1. Real estate is an appreciating investment
While some markets can become stagnant or temporarily decrease in value, the long-term real estate market trend usually follows an upward trajectory. Over time, your property is likely to increase in value, allowing you to make more money if or when you eventually sell the property. As with most investments, there are no guarantees, but real estate can be an important part of a long-term investing plan.
2. Real estate can boost your monthly cash flow
A real estate investment can increase your monthly cash flow in the form of rent. This is a major selling point for many investors since they may not reap the benefits of traditional investments until much later in life.
That being said, do not underestimate the cost of owning and managing a property. In addition to your mortgage payment, you will be responsible for property taxes as well as ongoing maintenance on the property. Some years, this might be a very small amount, but you should make sure that you are prepared for the inevitable expensive repair from time to time. A good rule of thumb is to save between 10 and 20 percent of your rental income for future maintenance issues. In the long term, you will want to ensure that the rent payments you collect are enough for you to cover all these costs and have a little extra left over as profit.
3. The longer you own an investment property, the more profitable it becomes
Every investor's goal is to increase their monthly cash flow, and in the long term, increase their net worth. Achieving this through investment properties becomes easier the longer you own a property. This is because rent prices and home values typically rise over the long term, but a fixed-rate mortgage remains the same.
4. Investing in real estate can provide immediate gratification
Some people prefer to own something concrete rather than relying on the volatility of the stock market. As long as you have a well-planned strategy for how you will pay the costs associated with your investment property, real estate is a relatively safe and stable investment.
If you're in a good financial place to invest in property, give us a call to discuss how you can improve your long-term investing prospects and immediate cash flow.

Is Mortgage Debt out of Control?

The housing crisis of the last decade was partially caused by unhealthy levels of mortgage debt. Homeowners were using their homes as ATMs by refinancing and swapping their equity for cash.

When prices started to fall, many homeowners found themselves in a negative equity situation (where their mortgage was higher than the value of their home). As a result, they walked away. This caused prices to fall even further.


Headlines are again talking about record levels of mortgage debt, making the comparison to the challenges that preceded the housing crash. However, cumulative debt is not an important data point. If we look at the debt as a percentage of disposable personal income, we are at an all-time low.



Here’s a visual representation of mortgage debt as a percent of income:Furthermore, according to a new report from ATTOM Data Solutions, more than 1-in-4 homes with a mortgage have at least 50% equity. The report explains:

“[O]ver 14.5 million U.S. properties were equity rich — where the combined estimated amount of loans secured by the property was 50 percent or less of the property’s estimated market value — up by more than 834,000 from a year ago to a new high as far back as data is available, Q4 2013.”

Bottom Line

Unlike 2008, homeowners have a comfortable level of mortgage debt and are sitting on massive amounts of home equity. They will not be walking away from their homes if the housing market begins to soften.

5 Actionable Ways to Attract Millennial Home Buyers

Millennials are getting the brunt of the blame for killing many industries that were supported by previous generations but, as it turns out, the real estate industry is alive and well. Understanding what Millennials are looking for in a potential home is imperative if you want to succeed as a real estate professional, as more Millennials are starting to search for their first home. Taking certain actions can give you an edge in attracting the Millennial market.

Highlight the Flexibility of Open Spaces
If Millennials are one thing, it’s indecisive. They’ve grown up with the idea that they can go anywhere and do anything. The trouble is that they want it all and can be fickle about where to settle. They may enter the home buying market several times before they seal the deal. What if there’s a career change? Are kids in the future or not? Maybe the contract job (and the regular income) will dry up. To close the deal with a Millennial buyer you have to show off, for example, how the spare room can be used either as an office or as a nursery. It can even be used to generate income by renting it out on space-sharing apps or to a regular renter.

Sell the Potential of Genuine Fixer-uppers
Saddled with debt and settled in lower-paying jobs, most Millennials can’t afford much more than a small, basic house. They understand that there is a potential value in a bigger home in questionable condition, though. Armed with confidence and education (and home-flipping reruns on TV), they are often open to investing in fixer-uppers. In a market where another agent is a text message away from a skeptical Millennial, don’t lose the trust of a potential buyer by trying to sell a lemon.

Balance Eco-friendly Features With Home Automation
If you want to catch the attention of the growing Millennial market, showcase how eco-friendly and smart the property is (or can be)! Be sure that a high-speed internet connection is available, and if not, research an alternative. Exchange appliances that are not energy efficient for ones with smart features. Being green is just as important, so consider advising the seller to invest in solar panels. Also, be ready to show off the outdoor living and gardening space.

Voice-recognized smart home devices from major tech companies are taking over home features. Demonstrate ways that the home can be fully automated with the right products and efforts. Consider featuring safety devices like security cameras or doorbell cameras that are tied into a smartphone app. Smart thermostats are becoming the norm as well, even in rented spaces.

Focus on the Convenience of the Location
The character of the home and neighborhood matters to Millennials, so point them to quaint communities, local small businesses, and art districts. They tend to work outside of the formerly typical nine-to-five, so routine meals go by the wayside. Proximity to restaurants and delivery options is important. Also, many Millennials enjoy non-motor transportation, as well, so distance from work hubs matters.

Since they also need to be able to afford it, a home in the suburbs may be necessary. If a home is located where a commute would be a necessity, be ready to provide travel times, fastest routes, and multitasking ideas like listening to podcasts or staying current on the latest news on NPR.

Assure the Simplicity of It All
Millennials pride themselves in not wanting to “adult.” Growing up, they weren’t involved in home projects outside of routine chores and many are often not concerned with home skills that were once considered common. Draw Millennials in with properties that come with amenities such as lawn maintenance or consolidated billing, but do avoid demanding Homeowners Associations. Update exterior features that require regular maintenance (a shingle roof to a metal roof, for example).

Prepare your buyers with the knowledge that will give them the confidence to close. Have a website or print-out of information that will let them know what to expect in terms of processes and costs of services related to purchasing a home. Millennials will close much more readily when they understand the system.

What The Seller Should Expect from a Home Inspection

Home inspectors should be a welcome part of the home buying process for the seller the agent and the buyer. Not only will the inspector provide a list of items that need attention, but they also, by the process of elimination, indicate all the areas of the home that are in working order. If you're the seller or agent, the home inspection process can be a seamless one if you follow some basic steps.

Make Repairs

Home inspectors are understandably meticulous when they look over the house. After all, that is what they are being paid for. It is the inspector's job to find any existing issues or potential concerns, but that doesn't mean they are going to tear the house apart and write up everything they see.

One area that they will pay special attention to are leaks. Be sure that anything that could be leaking is in good working order before inviting the inspector and the buyers into your home. Some things to look out for include:

• Basement or crawl space water seepage
• Appliances
• Supply and waste plumbing
• Crawlspaces and attics
• HVAC units

A Clean House is a Happy House

You want to make a good impression on the prospective buyers as well as the inspector. It never hurts to clean the home before anyone arrives. Sweep, mop, vacuum, and dust to leave a fresh scent in your wake. Make sure any clutter or personal effects are put away and out of sight.To Stay or To Go

Whether you decide to stay or go during the home inspection is ultimately your decision. It never hurts to ask the agents involved if the buyers have a preference. They may want you there to show them the trick to getting into the attic or where you've hidden the shed key. This can also be helpful for the inspector.

Knowing that your home is ready for another family’s memories is a little bittersweet, but it’s worth it. The home inspection process will go more smoothly if you prepare for it ahead of time.