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If you’ve been keeping an eye on mortgage rates lately, you might feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride. One day rates are up; the next they dip down a bit. So, what’s driving this constant change? Let’s dive into just a few of the major reasons why we’re seeing so much volatility, and what it means for you. The Market’s Reaction to the Election A significant factor causing fluctuations in mortgage rates is the general reaction to the political landscape. Election seasons often bring uncertainty to financial markets, and this one is no different. Markets tend to respond not only […]
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Are You Looking to Purchase a Fixer Upper, Let’s Talk About How to Be Prepared to Be Successful Buying a Property that Needs Some Work. Looking to buy a home but feeling like almost everything is out of reach? Here’s the thing. There’s still a way to become a homeowner, even when affordability seems like a huge roadblock – and it might be with a fixer upper. Let’s dive into why buying a fixer upper could be your ticket to homeownership and how you can make it work. What Is a Fixer Upper? A fixer upper is a home that’s in livable condition but needs some […]
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No one likes making mistakes, especially when they happen in what’s likely the biggest transaction of your life – buying a home. That’s why partnering with a trusted agent is so important. Here’s a sneak peek at the most common missteps buyers are making in today’s market and how a great agent will help you steer clear of each one. Trying To Time the Market Many buyers are trying to time the market by waiting for home prices or mortgage rates to drop. This can be a really risky strategy because there’s so much at play that can have an impact on those things. As Elijah […]
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By Keeping Current Matters When you make a move, you want to sell your house for the highest price possible. That might be why many homeowners are eager to list in today’s sellers’ market. After all, with record-low inventory and high buyer demand, many homes are selling for more than asking price. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 46% of homes are selling above list price today. But even in a market like we have now, working with an agent to set the right asking price is critical, as pricing it too high or too low could have a negative impact on your final sale. Here’s […]
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By Keeping Current Matters The year 2020 will certainly be one to remember, with new realities and norms that changed the way we live. This year’s real estate market is certainly no exception to that shift, with historic highlights continuing to break records and challenge what many thought possible in the housing market. Here’s a look at four key areas that are fundamentally defining the market this year. Housing Market Recovery The economy was intentionally put on pause this spring in response to the COVID-19 health crisis. Many aspects of the common real estate transaction were placed on hold at […]
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By Erin, Christina & Sarah The Pacific Northwest is one of the most amazing places in the world! One of the ways we like to enjoy our neck of the woods is by visiting local parks. We curated a list of our favorites and hope that you take the time to discover or rediscover a park you love. Fairgrounds Park: I put Fairgrounds Park on my list because it is pretty close to my house but also usually not very busy. My kids love the play structure, there is a nice big area for walking and the bathrooms are usually […]
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By: Keeping Current Matters 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 pace of a typically busy spring real estate season. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American notes: “As more homeowners are reluctant to list their homes for sale amid the pandemic, the supply of homes available to potential home buyers continues to dwindle.” With many […]
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By Erin Wright & Christina Waterhouse Questions to Ask and Information to Gather Before You Refinance Low interest rates are attracting more and more people to the market, especially those who are looking to refinance their mortgages. Clients have been reaching out to us to ask if they should be refinancing their homes. Our general response is, “it depends”. There are a few questions and pieces of key information you should gather before deciding whether to refinance. 1. What is the difference between your interest rate and current interest rate? A good rule of thumb is for the […]
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By: Keeping Current Matters 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 a very positive outlook on interest rates going forward, as the projections from the FreddieMac report indicate continued lows into 2021: “Going forward, we forecast the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to remain low, falling to a yearly average of 3.4% in 2020 and 3.2% in 2021.” With […]
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By Erin Wright and Christina Waterhouse The weather is heating up and Clark County is starting to open up. Vancouver has a robust food scene and with many of the restaurants re-opening, it can be hard to know where to start. We wanted to take a moment to highlight a few of our favorite places to go and eat or get a sweet treat. All have excellent options for those with dietary restrictions! Sushi Mo – Fresh sushi is a perfect meal on a hot day! Sushi Mo is our favorite sushi spot and it is located right in […]
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