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 Some Highlights When it comes to the current housing market , there are some myths circling around right now. Some of the more common ones are that it’s better to wait for mortgage rates to fall or prices to crash. But there are others about the supply of homes for sale and down payments. Let’s connect so you have an expert to help separate fact from fiction in today’s housing market.

Over the past year or so, a lot of people have been talking about how tough it is to buy a home . And while there’s no arguing affordability is still tight, there are signs it’s starting to get a bit better and may improve even more throughout the year. Elijah de la Campa, Senior Economist at Redfin, says : “ We’re slowly climbing our way out of an affordability hole, but we have a long way to go. Rates have come down from their peak and are expected to fall again by the end of the year, which should make homebuying a little more affordable and incentivize buyers to come off the sidelines.” Here’s a look at the latest data for the three biggest factors that affect home affordability: mortgage rates , home prices , and wages.

Some Highlights If you’re about to retire, or just did, downsizing can be a good way to try to cut down on some of your expenses. Smaller homes typically have lower energy and maintenance costs. Plus, you may have enough equity built up to fuel your move. If you're thinking about moving to a smaller home , let’s go over your goals and look at your options in our local market.

When mortgage rates spiked up over the last few years, some homeowners put their plans to move on pause. Maybe you did too because you didn’t want to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate for your next home. But is that still the right strategy for you? In today’s market , data shows more homeowners are getting used to where rates are and thinking it may be time to move . As Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics, explains : “Listings are up a bit as life events and job changes are putting increasing pressure on locked-in homeowners to sell their homes. Homeowners may also be slowly coming to the realization that mortgage rates aren’t going back anywhere near the rate on their existing mortgage. ” A recent study from Bank of America sheds light on some of the things homeowners say would make them sell , even with rates where they are right now (see visual below):

If you have student loans and want to buy a home , you might have questions about how your debt affects your plans. Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt? Here’s a look at the latest information so you have the answers you need. A Bankrate article explains : “ Roughly 60 percent of U.S. adults who have held student loan debt have put off making important financial decisions due to that debt . . . For Gen Z and millennial borrowers alone, that number rises to 70 percent.” This includes one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, buying a home . But you should know, even with student loans, waiting to buy a home may not be necessary. While everyone’s situation is unique, your goal may be more within your reach than you realize. Here’s why. Can You Qualify for a Home Loan if You Have Student Loans? According to an annual report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 38% of first-time buyers had student loan debt and the typical amount was $30,000. That means other people in a similar situation were able to qualify for and buy a home even though they also had student loans. And you may be able to do the same, especially if you have a steady source of income. As an article from Bankrate says :  “. . . you can have student loans and a mortgage at the same time. . . . If you have student loans and want a mortgage, there are multiple home loan programs you might qualify for . . . ”  The key takeaway is, for many people, homeownership is achievable even with student loans. You don’t have to figure this out on your own. The best way to make a decision about your goals and next steps is to talk to the professionals. A trusted lender can walk you through your options based on your situation, and share what’s worked for other buyers . Bottom Line Lots of other people with student loan debt are able to buy their own homes . Contact me to start the process and I happy to refer you to a lender who can help you go over your options and see how close you are to reaching your goal of home ownership.

You may have heard headlines in the news lately about agents in the real estate industry and discussions about their commissions and how they get paid. And if you’re following along, it can be pretty confusing. But here’s the thing you really need to know – I am still here to help you and we will make it happen! I offer the expert advice from a trusted real estate agent which is priceless, now more than ever. And here’s why.  A real estate agent does a lot more than you may realize. Your agent is the person who will guide you through every step when buying a home and look out for your best interests along the way. They smooth out a complex process and take away the bulk of the stress of what’s likely your largest purchase ever. And that’s exactly what you want and deserve. This is at least a part of the reason why a recent survey from Bright MLS found an overwhelming majority of people agree an agent is a key part of the homebuying process (see visual below):

Are you thinking about making a move ? If so, now may be the perfect time to start the process. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is just around the corner. A recent Realtor.com study looked at housing market trends over the past several years (with the exception of 2020, since it was an unusual year), and found the best week to put your house on the market this year is April 14-20: “Every year, one week stands out from the rest as that perfect stretch of time when it’s great to be a home seller. This year, the week of April 14–20 is the best time to sell—that is, if sellers want to see lots of interest in their homes, sell quickly, and pocket some extra cash , according to Realtor.com ® data.” Here’s why this matters for you. While the spring market is a great time to sell no matter the week, this may be the peak sweet spot . And if you’ve been putting your plans on the back burner and waiting for the right time to act, this could be the nudge you need to make your move happen. As Hannah Jones, Senior Economic Research Analyst at Realtor.com explains : “The third week of April brings the best combination of housing market factors for sellers. The best week offers higher buyer demand, lower competition [from other sellers], and fewer price reductions than the typical week of the year .” But, if you want to get in on the action, you’ll need to move quickly and lean on the pros . Your local real estate agent is the perfect go-to when it comes to figuring out a plan to prep your house and get it on the market. They’ll be able to offer advice to balance your target listing date with what you need to do from a repair and renovation standpoint. And they can walk you through exactly how to prioritize your list so you know what to tackle first. For example, if your house is already in good shape, you’ll be able to really focus in on the smaller things that are easy to do and make a big impact. As an article from Investopedia says : “You won’t have time for any major renovations, so focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers.” Here are some specific examples from that article:

If you’re trying to sell your house in Roseville, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Sacramento, or any city for that matter, you may be looking at this spring season as the sweet spot – and you’re not wrong. We’re still in a seller’s market because there are so few homes for sale right now. And historically, this is the time of year when more buyers move, and competition ticks up. That makes this an exciting time to put up that for sale sign. But while conditions are great for sellers like you, you’ll still want to be strategic when it comes time to set your asking price. That’s because pricing your house too high may actually cost you in the long run. The Downside of Overpricing Your House The asking price for your house sends a message to potential buyers. From the moment they see your listing, the price and the photos are what’s going to make the biggest first impression. As you know, there is never a second chance for a first impression. If it’s priced too high, or the pictures don't look good, you may turn people away. As an article from U.S. News Real Estate says : “ Even in a hot market where there are more buyers than houses available for sale, buyers aren't going to pay attention to a home with an inflated asking price .”  That’s because no homebuyer wants to pay more than they have to, especially not today. Many are already feeling the pinch on their budget due to ongoing home price appreciation and today’s mortgage rates being higher that what they want. If the buyers think your house is overpriced, they may write it off without even stepping foot in the front door, or simply won’t make an offer if they think it’s priced too high. If that happens, it’s going to take longer to sell. And ideally you don’t want to have to think about doing a price drop to try to re-ignite interest in your house. Why? Some buyers will see the price cut as a red flag and wonder why the price was reduced, or they’ll think something is wrong with the house the longer it sits. As an article from Forbes explains : “It’s not only the price of an overpriced home that turns buyers off. There’s also another negative component that kicks in. . . . if your listing just sits there and accumulates days on the market, it will not be a good look. . . . buyers won’t necessarily ask anyone what’s wrong with the home. They’ll just assume that something is indeed wrong, and will skip over the property and view more recent listings.” Your Agent’s Role in Setting the Right Price Instead, pricing it at or just below current market value from the start is a much better strategy . So how do you find that ideal asking price? You lean on me, your Professional Real Estate agent. Only an active and educated agent has the expertise and experience needed to research and figure out the current market value for your home.  I will factor in the condition of your house, any upgrades you’ve made, and what other houses like yours are selling for in your area. I will use all of that information to find that target number. The right price will bring in more buyers and make it more likely you’ll see multiple offers too. Plus, when homes are priced right, they still tend to sell quickly . Bottom Line Even though you want to bring in top dollar when you sell, setting the asking price too high may deter buyers and slow down the sales process. Let’s connect to find the right price for your house, so we can maximize your profit and still draw in eager buyers willing to make competitive offers.

Before making the decision to buy a home, it's important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you're busy saving for the down payment , don't forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too. Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them. What Are Closing Costs? A recent article from Bankrate explains : “ Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . .Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed. .” Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. According to Freddie Mac , while they can vary by location and situation, closing costs typically include: Government recording costs Appraisal fees Credit report fees Lender origination fees Title services Tax service fees Survey fees Attorney fees Underwriting Fees How Much Are Closing Costs? According to the same Freddie Mac article mentioned above, they’re typically between 2% and 5% of the total purchase price of your home. With that in mind, here’s how you can get an idea of what you’ll need to budget. Let’s say you find a home you want to purchase at today’s median price of $384,500. Based on the 2-5% Freddie Mac estimate, your closing fees could be between roughly $7,690 and $19,225. But keep in mind, if you’re in the market for a home above or below this price range, your closing costs will be higher or lower. Make Sure You’re Prepared To Close Freddie Mac provides great advice for homebuyers, saying : “As you start your homebuying journey, take the time to get a sense of all costs involved – from your down payment to closing costs.” The best way to do that is by partnering with a team of trusted real estate professionals. That gives you a group of experts to help you understand how much you’ll need to save and what you’ll want to be prepped for. It also means you have go-to resources for any questions that pop up along the way. Bottom Line Planning for the fees and payments you'll need to cover when you're closing on your home is important. Partnering with a local real estate professional can give you the guidance and confidence you need thr