Home Selling • Real Estate • April 30, 2023

An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your House

by Feng Rong

Selling your house can be a daunting task. One of the most important decisions you will make is whether to work with a real estate agent or try to sell the house on your own. Selling your house with a real estate agent, we will explore why working with an expert can make all the difference in getting the most out of your sale.

#1: Experience and Knowledge

Real estate agents have experience and knowledge that the average homeowner does not possess. They have a deep understanding of the local real estate market and can provide invaluable insights into pricing, marketing, and negotiating. Agents know what buyers are looking for and can advise on how to make your house more appealing to potential buyers. Additionally, agents have access to resources and tools that can help sellers sell their homes faster and for more money.

#2: Paperwork and Legalities

Selling a house involves a lot of paperwork, from the initial listing agreement to the final closing documents. Real estate agents are well-versed in the legalities of selling a home and can ensure that all the necessary paperwork is completed accurately and on time. This can help prevent costly mistakes or legal issues down the line.

#3: Marketing Services

Real estate agents can provide valuable marketing services to help get your home in front of the right buyers. They can use a variety of marketing tactics, such as listing your home on multiple listing services, creating professional-quality photos and videos, and hosting open houses and showings. By creating a strong marketing plan, real estate agents can help generate interest in your home and attract potential buyers.

#4: Network of Professionals

Real estate agents have access to a network of professionals who can assist in the sale of your home. This includes appraisers, inspectors, contractors, and attorneys. These professionals can provide expert advice and services to ensure that your home is in good condition and that the sale goes smoothly. For example, an appraiser can help determine the value of your home, while an inspector can identify any potential issues that may need to be addressed before the sale.

#5: Time and Stress

Selling a home can be a time-consuming and stressful process, especially if you are trying to do it on your own. Real estate agents can handle much of the legwork involved in selling a home, from scheduling showings to negotiating with buyers. This frees up sellers to focus on other important aspects of their lives, such as their job or family.

#6: Pricing Strategy

Real estate agents can help determine the fair market value of your home and provide advice on pricing strategies. They can also negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you get the best possible price for your home.

#7: Final Thoughts

In conclusion, working with a professional can make all the difference when selling your house. Real estate agents have the experience, knowledge, and resources to help sellers get the most out of their sales. They can handle the paperwork and legalities involved in the sale, provide valuable marketing services, and save sellers time and stress. By working with a professional, sellers can ensure that they get the best possible price for their home and have a smooth and successful sale.

Home Selling • Real Estate • January 31, 2023

Reason to sell your house this season

by Feng Rong

If you’re planning to make a move but aren’t sure if now’s the right time, here are a few reasons why you shouldn’t wait to sell your house.
The supply of homes for sale, while growing, is still low today. Plus, serious buyers are out looking right now, and many are hoping to avoid falling into the rental trap for another year.
Let’s connect to determine if selling your house in 2023 is the right move for you.

Home Buying • Real Estate • December 27, 2022

Key Advantages of Buying a Home Today (3)

by Feng Rong

Here is the third reason potential homebuyers should consider buying a home today.

Mortgage Rates Have Risen, but They Will Come Down
While mortgage rates have risen dramatically this year, the rapid increases we’ve seen have moderated in recent weeks as early signs hint that inflation may be easing slightly. Where they’ll go from here largely depends on what happens next with inflation. If inflation does truly begin to cool, mortgage rates may come down as a result.

When that happens, expect more buyers to jump back into the market. For you, that means you’ll once again face more competition. Buying your house now before more buyers reenter the market could help you get one step ahead. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for NAR, says:

“The upcoming months should see a return of buyers, as mortgage rates appear to have already peaked and have been coming down since mid-November.”

When mortgage rates come down, those waiting on the sidelines will jump back in. Your advantage is getting in before they do.

Bottom Line
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should seriously consider the advantages today’s market offers. Let’s connect so you can make the dream of homeownership a reality.

Home Buying • Real Estate • December 25, 2022

Key Advantages of Buying a Home Today (2)

by Feng Rong

2022-12-25

Buying a home in any market is a personal decision, and the best way to make that decision is to educate yourself on the facts, not following sensationalized headlines in the news today. The reality is, headlines do more to terrify people thinking about buying a home than they do to clarify what’s actually going on with real estate.

Here is the second reason potential homebuyers should consider buying a home today.

Home Prices Are Not Projected To Crash
Experts don’t believe home prices will crash as they did in 2008. Instead, home prices will moderate at various levels depending on the local market and the factors, like supply and demand, at play in that area. That’s why some experts are calling for slight appreciation and others are calling for slight depreciation (see graph below):

If you consider the big picture and average the expert forecasts for 2023 together, the expectation is for relatively flat or neutral price appreciation next year. So, if you’re worried about buying a home because you’re afraid home prices will crash as they did in 2008, rest assured that’s not what expert projections tell us.

Home Buying • Real Estate • December 24, 2022

Key Advantages of Buying a Home Today (1)

by Feng Rong

2022-12-24

There’s no doubt buying a home today is different than it was over the past couple of years, and the shift in the market has led to advantages for buyers today. Right now, there are specific reasons that make this housing market attractive for those who’ve thought about buying but have sidelined their search due to rising mortgage rates.

Here is the first reason potential homebuyers should consider buying a home today.

More Homes Are for Sale Right Now

According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), this year, the supply of homes for sale has grown significantly compared to where we started the year (see graph below):

This growth has happened for two reasons: homeowners listing their homes for sale and homes staying on the market a bit longer as buyer demand has moderated in response to higher mortgage rates.
The good news for you is that more inventory means more homes to choose from. And when there are more homes on the market, you could also see less competition from other buyers because the peak frenzy of competing over the same home has eased too.

Home Selling • Real Estate • December 11, 2022

Your House Could Be the #1 Item on a Homebuyer’s Wish List During the Holidays

by Feng Rong

Each year, homeowners planning to make a move are faced with a decision: sell their house during the holidays or wait. And others who have already listed their homes may think about removing their listings and waiting until the new year to go back on the market.

The truth is many buyers want to purchase a home for the holidays, and your house might be just what they’re looking for. Here are five great reasons you shouldn’t wait to sell your house.

1. While the supply of homes for sale has increased this year, there still aren’t enough homes on the market to keep up with buyer demand. As Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist & Director of Forecasting at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

“There’s still this gap between demand and supply because we were underbuilding for many years. . . . So now we see demand is slowing, but it still outpaces supply.”

2. Serious homebuyers are out looking right now. Millennials are driving homebuying demand today, and many are eager to make a purchase. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains:

“While not the frenzy of 2021, the largest living generation, the Millennials, will continue to age into their prime home-buying years, creating a demographic tailwind for the housing market.”

3. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. In fact, homes decorated for the holidays appeal to many buyers. Plus, purchasers who look for homes during the holidays are ready to buy.

4. You can restrict the showings in your house to days and times that are most convenient for you. That can help you minimize disruptions, which is especially important this time of year.

5. Rents have skyrocketed in recent years. And, many buyers are looking to escape rising rents and avoid falling into the rental trap for another year. As an article from Zillow says:

“Over the next 12 months, rents are expected to grow more than inflation, the stock market and home values.”

Your home could be their ticket to leaving renting behind for good.

Bottom Line

There are still many reasons it makes sense to list your house during the holiday season. Let’s connect to determine if selling now is your best move.