A very warm thank you for joining us at our " Staching Through The Snow
" event. As always, we had a great time and it was wonderful to gather
with friends, associates, and colleagues to celebrate the season and
come together for the American Cancer Society.
We hope to see everyone again next year!
Thank you and happy holidays from all of us at the Ryan & Brain Real Estate Team!
Thanks for checking out our blog. Every year at this time, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to put their homes on the market for the first time, while others who already have their homes on the market decide to take them off until after the holidays. Today we are going to discuss seven great reasons why the holiday season is a great time to list your home and if you are in the market to sell you should not wait any longer.
Relocation Buyers Are Out There
Local companies want to start the New Year off strong and are looking to hire new employees. Many companies are still hiring throughout the holidays and need their employees in their new positions as soon as possible. If these employees are relocating to a new area, they will inevitably need housing.
There Are Serious Buyers Out There
The foot traffic of active buyers is tracked by the National Association of Realtors and inevitably it shows that traffic is slower in winter months and that less people are viewing homes. If someone is willing to look at homes during the hectic holiday season, they typically aren’t tire kickers wanting to waste anyone’s time. Although it is true that there are fewer buyers during the winter, those that are looking for homes during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy now.
You Are in Control
Although keeping your home show ready and having to show it to interested buyers during the holiday season is not always convenient, you can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. Many agents like those on our team use a showing manager that will only allow showings during your approved time frames. You inevitably will remain in control.
Decorated Home Show Well
One of the biggest benefits of showing homes during the holidays is they show better when decorated. A properly decorated home with all the inviting scents of cinnamon and Christmas trees is not only appealing, but it helps a buyer envision the memories their families can potentially have in the same setting.
There is Less Competition
Although there may be less buyers currently in the market in the winter, there are also significantly fewer homes for sale. Fewer homes for sale means less competition for you as a seller. And always remember the correlation of supply versus demand. With a small inventory of homes to choose from and serious buyers who are demanding new homes, your chances of selling increase. When the spring month approach, the supply of homes will greatly increase. Sell before more competition comes on the market.
The Desire is There
The desire to own a home doesn’t stop when the holidays come. Buyers who were unable to find their dream home during the busy spring and summer months are still searching! The holidays don’t do anything to hinder that desire. If anything, the anticipation of one day spending the holidays in their dream home will only increase that desire.
These are seven great reasons why choosing to sell now during the winter rather than deciding to wait until the spring or summer can prove beneficial. If you’re a home seller wanting to take advantage of the decreased winter inventory and looking for a serious buyer, give us a call today for a free consultation at (956) 203-0044. We look forward to hearing from you.
Tighten up on the Inspection Contingency
To make your offer more attractive some buyers choose to waive their option for an inspection. This can be risky, and our advice is to accept the property “as is” if you are happy with its current condition and choose to go the safer route to do an inspection. In the case that issues arise during your inspection, provide the seller with a list of issues and the option to address them by fixing them, making a price adjustment, or giving you a credit back.
Contingent upon Financing
This is another contingency you should never omit in your offer unless of course you are paying all cash or are extremely confident with your finances. Generally speaking, a 30- to 45-day closing usually has a 17- to 25-day period for a mortgage approval. Your preapproval letter will make this finance contingency less of an issue for your seller.
Contingent upon Appraisal
It’s very possible that the house may not appraise at your offer price. However, if you’ve done your homework and are comfortable with your offer, you might consider waiving this contingency.
The downside is that you may be on the hook for the price difference under the negotiated sales price. Waiving this contingency gives you a leg up over the competition, especially in a hot market where the seller is trying to get top dollar.
The “Please let Me Buy Your House” Letter
Writing a handwritten note may not get you the deal, but if multiple offers look close or equal on paper, a personal note to the seller can really make your offer stand out.
Selling a home is an extremely emotional process, especially for those who have lived in their home for decades or raised a family there. Sharing your eagerness to raise a family of your own in their house could pull at their heartstrings … and get you that house!
Closing
We appreciate you tuning in and hope that you found this informative. These are just a few offer strategies of the many we use here with our team. If you’re a home buyer wanting to see how we can help you negotiate you next offer give us a call today for a free consultation at 956-307-4544. We look forward to hearing from you.
Delivering a perfect offer is key to getting your dream home. As home prices continue to rise and inventory levels drop, competition for a great deal on a home can get tough. In a hot market, the inventory of affordable homes is limited, and more buyers are fighting for fewer homes. So here are four ways to make a home offer stand out.
Cash is King
If you can buy a home with a full-cash offer, you will win out over other offers with mortgage requirements. This may seem like a daunting prospect, but sellers know the benefits of an all-cash buyer. There is no issue involving mortgages, the escrow closes faster, and there is no appraisal requirement. If you don’t have the cash necessary to pay 100% of the home.
Try putting down more than the minimum required by your lender. An offer provided by a buyer that can put 20% down as suppose to only 5% down shows further financial stability.
The Next Best Thing to Cash: a Preapproval Letter
A preapproval letter is confirmation from your mortgage broker or bank that you’re able to borrow the money necessary to finance the home. Preapproval for a specific dollar amount indicates you are able to obtain the loan. While not the same as a cash offer, the loan has essentially turned you into a virtual cash buyer, as mortgages can be difficult to secure.
It shows a seller that you’re not only qualified but also prepared and serious about purchasing their home. Another buyer may offer to pay more, but if they aren’t preapproved, you’ll have the leg up. Prequalification Opens the Door Too
Being prequalified by your lender is not as powerful as being preapproved for a mortgage, but it’s still useful in the offer-making process. It’s an informal assessment indicating you’re qualified financially — but it is nonbinding. Always try to get a preapproval letter, but settle for a prequalifying letter if you have to.
Timeline flexibility
Closing generally takes place within 30, 45, 60, or 90 days. Customizing the length of the closing to suit the seller’s needs can often seal the deal over a higher-priced offer. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, a seller will want a fast closing, usually 30 days. But if their new house won’t be ready for 60 days, determine their needs and try to accommodate them. I’ve seen many deals sealed over this concession.
These are four ways help your offer stand out amongst the others. Next month tune in to hear four more ways to set your offer apart. If you’re a home buyer wanting to see how we can help you negotiate you next offer give us a call today for a free consultation at 956-307-4544. We look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks for checking out our blog. Last month we discussed two upcoming near future housing trends to expect nationwide in 2018. Today we are going to discuss two more trends to expect according to most market experts.
Mortgage Rates are Headed
Up
Mortgage rates are expected to rise in 2018. Interest rates hovered around 4% for the majority of 2017, which gave many buyers relief from rising home prices and helped with affordability. In the first quarter rates have increased from 3.95% up to 4.45% and experts predict that rates will increase even more by the end of the year. CoreLogic, a data provider for the real-estate industry, averaged six forecasts of mortgage rates, arriving at a consensus view that the 30-year fixed will average 4.7% in December 2018.
The rate you secure greatly impacts your monthly mortgage payment and the amount you will ultimately pay for your home. Don’t let the prediction that rates will increase stoop you from purchasing your dream home this year. Let’s take a look at historical view of interest rates over the last 45 years. Bottom Line – Be Thankful that you can still get a better interest rate than your older brother or sister did ten year ago, a lower rate than your parents did twenty years ago, and a better rate than your grandparents did forty years ago.
More Equity for
Homeowners
As home values rise, homeowners gain equity. Over the next five years home prices are expected to appreciate on average by 3.35% per year and to grow by 24.34% cumulatively , according to Pulseconic’s most rest Home Price Expectation Survey.
So what does this mean for homeowners and their equity position?
As an example, let’s assume a young couple purchases and closed on a $250,000 home in January of 2018. If we only look at the projected increase in the price of that home, how much equity will they earn over the next 5 years? $44,905 over the next five years!!
These are two more housing trends expected in 2018 according to most market experts. If you’re a home buyer wanting sound advice on your next investment or a Seller wanting to get the biggest return on your current investment give us a call today for a free consultation at 956-307-4544. We look forward to hearing from you.
Today we are going to look forward to the upcoming near future and discuss what national housing trends to expect in 2018 according to most market experts.
Home Price
Appreciation Decelerates
Good news for first-time home buyers: Home-price appreciation is expected to cool down in 2018 after a rapid increase over the last couple of years. Home prices rose over 6% in 2016 and 2017, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
But for next year, the median forecast among six industry and lender groups is for a 4.1% increase in existing home prices nationwide.
Why the slowdown? One factor is new home construction. Economists expect the construction of single-family houses to rise sharply in 2018, based on building permit applications. The median estimate has single-family housing starts rising about 8% in 2018.
More Homes for Sale
Coming Soon
Home buyers are struggling to find houses for sale. The shortages are especially acute for the kinds of homes that first-time buyers tend to purchase. Among the reasons for the tight supply:
Many baby boomers are content to age in their homes instead of downsizing
Investors bought millions of homes after the housing bubble burst, and they’re making too much money as landlords to sell
Home builders make more profit from expensive houses than entry-level houses, so that’s what they’re constructing
But there’s some hope for 2018, many expert economists predict that the housing supply pinch will begin to ease late in the year. It looks like we could get to a point where we’re seeing growth in inventory sometime later this Fall.
These are two housing trends expected across the nation in 2018 according to most market experts. Next month tune in to hear two more housing trends expected. If you’re a home buyer wanting to take advantage of the increased Spring inventory or a Seller wanting to take advantage of the past recent years home price appreciation give us a call today for a free consultation at 956-307-4544. We look forward to hearing from you.
Today we are going to discuss the pros and cons of buying or selling a home in the Spring.
First, let’s not forget that if you are looking to buy a home, click on the search all properties link. Or, if you are looking sell your home click on the value link and we will send you a free home valuation. Now on to our topic.
If you ask around, people will give you pros and cons for selling your home in any season, but the fact remains that market activity is invariably highest in spring and early summer. First let’s discuss some of the pros of buying during this time frame.
One of the biggest pros for buying in the Spring is there is more inventory. It really is like clockwork: When March rolls around, property listings multiply abundantly. Sellers feel more motivated once the warmer weather rolls around. One reason is that homes simply show better in the spring with the great RGV weather. The great weather helps the curb appeal when the front yards are looking their best with plants and flowers in bloom and it provides Buyers the opportunity to view homes before the extreme heat comes during the Summer.
The second reason is it is the perfect time for families to shop. Choosing to move your family is stressful no matter the time of year, but at least in the summer you won’t have to balance packing up your house with your kids busy school schedule.
To execute the ideal summer move, you must start house hunting NOW.
Many families that are purchasing homes would like to be settled in their new residences prior to the start of the school year. With a standard transaction taking 30 to 45 days to close, they must be in contract by late Spring or early Summer which means they should really get serious about looking and making decisions prior to July.
The third reason is you might have some extra equity in your pocket. Christmas bills are hopefully in the rearview mirror, school expenses are dwindling, and there just might be a fat tax return burning a hole in your pocket. Sure, having a little extra cash might not determine how much of a home you might purchase, but it does let you pay for things like inspections, closing costs, moving expenses and the home furnishings you will need once the house closes.
For you home sellers, the biggest reason for you to put your house on the market is buyers are in abundance. As just mentioned many future home buyers are looking for a home prior to next school year and many of them do have a little cash in their pocket to make that dream a reality. Simply put, if you want more views and opportunities to sell your home, put it on the market when the most buyers are available. Plus take advantage of this great weather to show your house at its best.
If you are a Buyer ready to take the next step and want help finding your dream home or if you are a Seller and take advantage of the market call us today at 956-203-0044. We have expert advisors ready to assist you with your home buying and selling needs. We look forward to hearing from you.
Today we are going to be discussing a couple simple tactics on how you can pay that 30-year mortgage in just 22 years.
So today we are going to discuss 2 strategies on how to knock 8 years off of that 30-year mortgage.So maybe it is tax time or maybe it is Christmas time and you ran into a little extra money.
Did you know that if you make 13 mortgage payments in a year, you will actually knock off 8 years off of the life of the mortgage?
One other strategy that we recommend is that some people get paid bi-monthly.So instead of making monthly mortgage payments, it may make sense to talk to your mortgage company and sign up for a bi-weekly payment method.This will allow you to make 26 half payments (equivalent to 13 whole payments) over the course of a year which will also allow you to pay off your mortgage in just 22 years.
It’s that easy, simply apply that extra cash towards your mortgage principal and you will have your home paid off much sooner.If you are looking to buy a home in the future click on the search all homes for sale tab and have the opportunity to search every home listed in the Greater McAllen area.
If you are looking to know what your home is currently worth click on the Get a Free Home Value Report link and get an instant home value of what your home can sell for in today’s current market.If you want immediate assistance and want to talk to a home buying or selling expert today you can call us at 956-203-0044.Thanks for listening and we look forward to hearing from you.
Today we are going to discuss how waiting to buy at the end of 2018 rather than now can cost you thousands.
First, let’s not forget that if you are looking to buy a home, click on the search all properties link. Or, if you are looking sell your home click on the value link and we will send you a free home valuation. Now on to our topic.
Over the course of the last 12 months, home prices have appreciated by 7.0% around the nation.In the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission MSA the median price has gone up about 5.9% over the last year and even higher in neighboring towns.During that same period, interest rates have remained historically low which has allowed many buyers to enter the market.
As a seller, you will likely be most concerned about ‘short-term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As a buyer, however, you must not be concerned about price, but instead about the ‘long-term cost’ of the home.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae all project that mortgage interest rates will increase by this time next year. According to CoreLogic’s most recent Home Price Index Report, home prices will appreciate by 4.7% over the next 12 months.
What Does This Mean as a Buyer?If home prices appreciate by 4.7% over the next twelve months, here is a simple demonstration of the impact that an increase in interest rate would have on the mortgage payment of a home selling for approximately $250,000 today:
By waiting, someone at this price point would be paying an roughly an additional $162 per month, $1,952 per year and $58,564 over 30 years.So bottom line, if you buying a home is in your plan for 2018, doing it sooner rather than later could save you thousands over the term of the loan. If you are ready to take the next step and want help finding your dream home call us today at 956-203-0044.We have an expert advisor ready to assist you with your home buying needs.We look forward to hearing from you.
