9 Reasons You Need an Agent to Help You Buy or Sell a Home

Save Money on Home Energy This Winter

Advice for Today's Home Seller

How to Achieve Financial Freedom

5 Reasons Why You Should Sell Your House This Fall

1. Demand Is Strong

The latest Realtors’ Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains very strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase… and are in the market right now! Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.

2. There Is Less Competition Now

According to NAR’s latest Existing Home Sales Report, the supply of homes for sale is still under the 6-month supply that is needed for a normal housing market at 4.7-months.

This means, in most areas, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in that market. This is good news for home prices. However, additional inventory is about to come to market.

There is a pent-up desire for many homeowners to move, as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. Homeowners are now seeing a return to positive equity as real estate values have increased over the last two years. Many of these homes will be coming to the market this fall.

Also, as builders regain confidence in the market, new construction of single-family homes is projected to continue to increase over the next two years, reaching historic levels by 2017. Last month’s new home sales numbers show that many buyers who have not been able to find their dream home within the existing inventory have turned to new construction to fulfill their needs.

The choices buyers have will continue to increase. Don’t wait until all this other inventory of homes comes to market before you sell.

3. The Process Will Be Quicker

Fannie Mae announced that they anticipate an acceleration in home sales that will surpass 2007's pace. As the market heats up, banks will be inundated with loan inquiries causing closing-time lines to lengthen. Selling now will make the process quicker & simpler. 

4. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move Up

If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by 5.3% over the next year, according to CoreLogic. If you are moving to a higher-priced home, it will wind up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait.

According to Freddie Mac’s latest report, you can also lock-in your 30-year housing expense with an interest rate around 3.46% right now. Interest rates are projected to increase moderately over the next 12 months. Even a small increase in rate will have a big impact on your housing cost.

5. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life

Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?

Only you know the answers to the questions above. You have the power to take control of the situation by putting your home on the market. Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.

Source

Protect Your Information from Thieves

7 Tips to Help You Navigate the Buying Process

10 Reasons You Need a Real Estate Pro to Sell Your Home

Do you own a home or commercial property in the D-FW area?

Do you own a home or commercial property in the D-FW area? Get ready for sticker shock when you receive your 2016 property tax appraisal notice – and learn how you can fight back.

Property Taxes Are Skyrocketing
Property values have soared in the past year, driving up tax appraisals with staggering increases and causing gasps across the Metroplex as homeowners open their mail. The combination of high demand and low inventory is creating a hot real estate market in many parts of Texas, which appraisal districts are using as justification to significantly raise tax appraisals.

14 Percent Increase in Tarrant County
Record-breaking property tax increases may be in store for 2016. One of the first counties to release property tax appraisal notices this year was the Tarrant Appraisal District. According to TAD, residential property values have increased a whopping 14 percent in the past 12 months.
Owners of multifamily properties could expect an even larger increase due to high rental rates and low vacancy. Apartment owners may see their property taxes rise by 20 percent or more!

How to Fight Back: Your Right to Appeal
As a property owner, you have the right to challenge your taxes to keep them low and manageable. You can file an appeal, compile evidence, and present your case to the appraisal district in order to change their valuation of your property.

Many counties in Texas are sending out property tax appraisal notices right now. Under state law, you have until May 31st to file a tax protest. You can prepare the case yourself, or hire a professional to fight on your behalf. If you need help with market sales for your home to take to your protest, contact me and let me know. I will be happy to send them over. 

Source: Candy’s Dirt

How to Prepare for an Emergency