Americans’ confidence in their ability to buy and sell a home climbed sharply in May, likely due to reports of strong home price gains, according to results from Fannie Mae’s May 2013 National Housing Survey. The share of respondents who say now is a good time to sell a home reached a record high.
Category Archives: Buyers
Farewell 3% Mortgage Rates
Mortgage interest rates have come up off their bottoms and more increases are bound to come.
Those who didn’t take advantage of record-low rates have missed the boat – at least for now.
—
If you or someone you know is considering buying real estate in the Seattle area, call or email me! I’m happy to meet with buyers and provide complimentary consultations for successfully purchasing real estate in this market.
– Jennifer Gilbert-Smith
5 Insider Secret Stats Every House Hunter Should Know
Everyone knows that numbers matter, so it’s no surprise that today’s home buyers are smart about basic market data and often take the lead in running their own personal finance spreadsheets. However, recent market trends present some unique challenges to buyers: multiple offers, super-short days on market (DOM), way-over-asking sales prices. Those challenges, in turn, give rise to the need for a unique set of “statistics.” Here are some of the insider stats that savvy house hunters need to know.
Home Appraisals No Longer Derailing Sales
Consider this one more sign that the housing market is heating up: Appraisers are putting higher values on homes again, allowing for more deals to go through. During the housing bust, sales were often derailed by low-ball appraisals that fell far shy of a home’s selling price.
A Home Inspection Now Could Avoid Headaches Later
Despite the downturn in the housing market, millions of homes will still be bought and sold. At a time when price negotiations have become more vigorous, many buyers and sellers neglect one important element that could cost them thousands of dollars: the home inspection.
Buy or Rent: Which Makes More Sense Financially?
Every potential home buyer has to stop for at least a moment and consider this question. Today, we want to look at one of the many financial reasons to buy instead of rent: the housing expense moving forward.
—
With over 11 years of success, Jennifer Gilbert-Smith has the knowledge and experience to assist buyers. She especially enjoys helping first-time home buyers!
Managing The Real Estate Details 