tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84221692656749468852024-03-13T19:04:02.538-07:00Triangle Property LinesResidential real estate information for Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh and all around the Triangle, NC area.ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.comBlogger202125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-30207033350586158512023-01-26T08:45:00.000-08:002023-01-26T08:45:24.406-08:003 DIY Home Organization Upgrades<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/inu-d0Vx_Zs" frameborder="0"></iframe>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-78132753761493223912021-07-28T06:58:00.000-07:002021-07-28T06:58:38.673-07:004 REASONS WHY END OF FORBEARANCE WILL NOT LEAD TO A WAVE OF FORECLOSURES4 Reasons Why the End of Forbearance Will Not Lead to a Wave of Foreclosures
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU3lF21vlnd-nnkG4JVRl668SdT2J2g3QnVzb3lThO2oYkKiMCn1AkvDgPd5b_zzjtTabhOqtlV6GZd8xQRuxBXQmbRlJEW3TWRPTzcweKfRYWoN9ySLKo_KgSaL6-Qv46_jPwyHc5Ek/s750/20210728-KCM-Share.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU3lF21vlnd-nnkG4JVRl668SdT2J2g3QnVzb3lThO2oYkKiMCn1AkvDgPd5b_zzjtTabhOqtlV6GZd8xQRuxBXQmbRlJEW3TWRPTzcweKfRYWoN9ySLKo_KgSaL6-Qv46_jPwyHc5Ek/s200/20210728-KCM-Share.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>With forbearance plans about to come to an end, many are concerned the housing market will experience a wave of foreclosures like what happened after the housing bubble 15 years ago. Here are four reasons why that won’t happen. <div><br /></div><div><b>1. There are fewer homeowners in trouble this time</b> </div><div>After the last housing crash, about 9.3 million households lost their home to a foreclosure, short sale, or because they simply gave it back to the bank.
As stay-at-home orders were issued early last year, the overwhelming fear was the pandemic would decimate the housing industry in a similar way. Many experts projected <a href="https://blog.firstam.com/economics/this-time-its-different-why-a-wave-of-foreclosures-is-unlikely" target="_blank">30% of all mortgage holders</a> would enter the forbearance program. Only 8.5% actually did, and that number is now <a href="https://www.mba.org/2021-press-releases/july/share-of-mortgage-loans-in-forbearance-decreases-to-350-percent" target="_blank">down to 3.5%</a>.
As of last Friday, the total number of mortgages still in forbearance stood at 1,863,000. <i>That’s definitely a large number, but nowhere near 9.3 million.</i><div><br /></div><div><b>2. Most of the 1.86M in forbearance have enough equity to sell their home</b> </div><div>Of the 1.86 million homeowners currently in forbearance, <a href="https://cdn.blackknightinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/BKI_MM_Apr2021_Report.pdf" target="_blank">87% have at least 10% equity in their homes</a>. The 10% equity number is important because it enables homeowners to sell their houses and pay the related expenses instead of facing the hit on their credit that a foreclosure or short sale would create.</div><div><br /></div><div>The remaining 13% might not all have the option to sell, so if the entire 13% of the 1.86M homes went into foreclosure, that would total 241,800 mortgages. </div><div><br /></div><div>To give that number context, here are the <a href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/hhdc.html" target="_blank">annual foreclosure numbers</a> of the three years leading up to the pandemic: </div><div><b>2017: 314,220 </b></div><div><b>2018: 279,040 </b></div><div><b>2019: 277,520</b> </div><div><br /></div><div>The probable number of foreclosures coming out of the forbearance program is nowhere near the number of foreclosures coming out of the housing crash 15 years ago. The number does, however, draw a similar comparison to the three years prior to the pandemic. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>3. The current market can absorb any listings coming to the market</b> </div><div>When foreclosures hit the market in 2008, there was an excess supply of homes for sale. The situation is exactly the opposite today. In 2008, there was a 9-month supply of listings for sale. Today, that number stands at less than <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-expand-1-4-in-june" target="_blank">3 months of inventory</a> on the market.
As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), <a href="https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/11/18/yun-real-estate-could-see-best-winter-ever" target="_blank">explains</a> when addressing potential foreclosures emerging from the forbearance program:
<blockquote><i><b>“Any foreclosure increases will likely be quickly absorbed by the market. It will not lead to any price declines.”</b></i></blockquote>
<b>4. Those in power will do whatever is necessary to prevent a wave of foreclosures</b>
Just last Friday, the White House released a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/23/fact-sheet-biden-administration-announces-additional-actions-to-prevent-foreclosures/" target="_blank">fact sheet</a> explaining how homeowners with government-backed mortgages will be given further options to enable them to keep their homes when exiting forbearance. Here are two examples mentioned in the release:
<blockquote><b><i>“For homeowners who can resume their pre-pandemic monthly mortgage payment and where agencies have the authority, agencies will continue requiring mortgage servicers to offer options that <u>allow borrowers to move missed payments to the end of the mortgage at no additional cost to the borrower</u>.”</i></b></blockquote>
<blockquote><b><i>“The new steps the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are announcing will aim to <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/23/fact-sheet-biden-administration-announces-additional-actions-to-prevent-foreclosures/" target="_blank">provide homeowners with a roughly 25% reduction in borrowers’ monthly principal and interest (P&I) payments</a> to ensure they can afford to remain in their homes and build equity long-term. This brings options for homeowners with mortgages backed by HUD, USDA, and VA closer in alignment with options for homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.”</i></b></blockquote>
When evaluating the four reasons above, it’s clear there won’t be a flood of foreclosures coming to the market as the forbearance program winds down. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Bottom Line</b>
As Ivy Zelman, founder of the major housing market analytical firm Zelman & Associates, notes:
<blockquote><b>“The likelihood of us having a foreclosure crisis again is about zero percent.”<i></i></b></blockquote></div></div>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-5096295995372457072021-06-10T06:03:00.000-07:002021-06-10T06:03:14.833-07:00Are Rising Home Prices Impacting Your New Worth?<iframe width="480" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/rXjWL2WiIew" frameborder="0"></iframe>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-62192062040645066112021-05-03T06:28:00.000-07:002021-05-03T06:28:30.472-07:00The Right Home for Right Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpizPiQAenpHpxDnlgcJJo64mx_xX9Oy9Y5OFfMUv3-U_czOnRUHWQMzTdlZET9Nbmyzr6_QuNRKzwjmQA1U_567PXvM-SG3zHMGwSPYvtPfRiI0r0Uj9AP3ttXE_dwZx843fMwFm6Jk/s1200/May+2021+-+MVP+-+Blog+Image.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEpizPiQAenpHpxDnlgcJJo64mx_xX9Oy9Y5OFfMUv3-U_czOnRUHWQMzTdlZET9Nbmyzr6_QuNRKzwjmQA1U_567PXvM-SG3zHMGwSPYvtPfRiI0r0Uj9AP3ttXE_dwZx843fMwFm6Jk/s200/May+2021+-+MVP+-+Blog+Image.jpg"/></a></div>
<b>Finding a New Home for Your Next Stage of Life<i></i></b>
Imagine the first place you lived as a young adult. Now imagine trying to fit your life today into that space. Not pretty, right?
For most of us, our housing needs are cyclical.1 A newly independent adult can find freedom and flexibility in even a tiny apartment. That same space, to a growing family, would feel stifling. For empty nesters, a large home with several unused bedrooms can become impractical to heat and clean. It’s no surprise that life transitions often trigger a home purchase.
While your home-buying journey may not look like your neighbor’s or friend’s, broad trends can help you understand what to keep in mind as you house hunt. No one wants to regret their home purchase, and taking the time now to think about exactly what you need can save a lot of heartache later.
<b>The Newly Married or Partnered Couple<i></i></b>
The financial and legal commitment of marriage has provided a springboard to homeownership for centuries, though these days more couples are buying homes without exchanging rings. In the last few decades, changing demographics have shifted the median age of first marriage and buying a first home into the late 20s and early 30s, planting most newly married or partnered buyers firmly in the millennial generation.2,3 But no matter your age, there are some key factors that you should consider as you enter into your first home purchase together.
<b>Affordability is Key</b>
There’s no doubt about it—with high student loan debt and two recessions in the rearview mirror, many millennials feel that the deck is stacked against them when it comes to homeownership. And it’s not just millennials—Americans of all ages are facing both financial challenges and a tough housing market. But stepping onto the property ladder can be more doable than many realize, especially in today’s low mortgage rate environment.
While many buyers are holding out for their dream home, embracing the concept of a starter home can open a lot of doors.4 In fact, that’s the route that most first-time homebuyers take—the average home purchase for a 20-something is about 1,600 square feet. While the average size increases to around 1,900 square feet for buyers in their 30s, it’s not until buyers reach their 40s that the average size passes 2,000 square feet.5
Chosen carefully, a starter home can be a great investment as well as a launchpad for your life together. If you focus on buying a home you can afford now with strong potential for appreciation, you can build equity alongside your savings, positioning you to trade up to a larger home in the future if your needs change.6
<b>Taking Advantage of Low Mortgage Rates</b>
Mortgage rates are historically low, making now the perfect time to purchase your first home together. A lower interest rate can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan, which can significantly increase the quality of home you can get for your money.
But what if both halves of a couple don’t have good credit? You may still have options. First, boosting a credit score can be easier than you think—simply paying your credit cards down below 30% of your limit can go a long way. But if that’s not enough to boost your score, you might consider taking out the mortgage in only the better-scoring partner’s name. The downside is that applying for a mortgage with only one income will reduce your qualification amount. And if you take that route, make sure you understand the legal and financial implications for both parties should the relationship end.
<b>Commute and Lifestyle Considerations</b>
Whether you’ve lived in a rental together for years or are sharing a home for the first time, you know that living together involves some compromises. But there are certain home features that can make life easier in the future if you identify them now. The number of bathrooms, availability of closet space, and even things like kitchen layout can make a big difference in your day-to-day life and relationship.
Your home’s location will also have a significant impact on your quality of life, so consider it carefully. What will commuting look like for each of you? And if you have different interests or hobbies—say, museums vs. hiking—you’ll need to find a community that meets both your needs. Need some help identifying the ideal location that fits within your budget? We can match you with some great neighborhoods that offer the perfect mix of amenities and affordability.
<b>The Growing Family</b>
Having kids changes things—fast. With a couple of rowdy preteens and maybe some pets in the mix, that 1,600 square foot home that felt palatial to two adults suddenly becomes a lot more cramped. Whether you’ve just had your first child or are getting to the point where your kids can’t comfortably share a bedroom any longer, there’s plenty to consider when you’re ready to size up to a home that will fit your growing family.
<b>The Importance of School Districts</b>
For many parents, the desire to give their kids the best education—especially once they are in middle and high school— surpasses even their desire for more breathing room. In fact, 53% of buyers with children under 18 say that school districts are a major factor in their home buying decisions.7 Of course, better funded (and often higher ranking) schools correspond to higher home prices. However, when push comes to shove, many buyers with kids prefer to sacrifice a bit of space to find a home in their desired location.
But when you’re moving to a new community, it can be tough to figure out what the local schools are actually like—and online ratings leave a lot to be desired. That’s why talking to a local real estate agent can be a gamechanger. We don’t just work in this community; we know it inside and out. We’ll be happy to share our first-hand knowledge of the local schools and which neighborhoods are most welcoming to families.
<b>Lifestyle Considerations</b>
For many families, living space is a key priority. Once you have teenagers who want space to hang out with their friends, a finished basement or a rec room can be a huge bonus (and can help you protect some quieter living space for yourself).
A good layout can also make family life a lot easier. For example, an open plan is invaluable if you want to cook dinner while keeping an eye on your young kids playing in the living room. And if you think that you might expand your family further in the future, be sure that the home you purchase has enough bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate that comfortably.
<b>Functionality</b>
Try to think about how each room will fit into your day-to-day. Are you anticipating keeping the house stocked to feed hungry teenagers? A pantry might rise to the top of the list. Dreading the loads of laundry that come with both infants and older kids (especially if they play sports)? The task can be much more bearable in a well-designed laundry room. Imagine a typical day or week of chores in the house to identify which features will have the biggest impact.
Chances are, you won’t find every nice-to-have in one home, which is why identifying the must-haves can be such a boon to the decision-making process. We can help you assess your options and give you a sense of what is realistic within your budget.
<b>The Empty Nesters </b>
When we talk about empty nesters, we usually think about downsizing. With kids out of the house, extra bedrooms and living space can quickly become more trouble than they’re worth. While the average buyer under 55 trades up to a larger home, buyers over 55 are more likely to purchase a smaller or similarly sized but less expensive home. Even in the highest age groups, the majority of home purchases fall in the single-family category. According to research by the National Association of Realtors, by the time buyers reach their 70s, the median home size drops to 1,750 square feet.5 But there’s plenty for empty nesters to think about besides square footage.
<b>Maintenance and Livability</b>
What factors are driving your decision to move? Identifying those early in the process can help you narrow down your search. For example, do you want to have space for a garden, or would you prefer to avoid dealing with lawn care altogether? What about home maintenance? In many cases, a newer home will require less maintenance than an older one and a smaller one will take less time to clean. You may also want to consider townhomes, condos, or other living situations that don’t require quite as much upkeep.
<b>Lifestyle Considerations</b>
Many empty nesters have retired or are nearing retirement age. This could be your chance to finally pursue hobbies and passions that were just too hard to squeeze into a 9-5. If you’re ready to move, consider how you’d like to spend your days and seek out a home that will help make that dream a reality. For some, that might mean living near a golf course or a beach. For others, being able to walk downtown for a nice dinner out is the priority. And with more time to spend as you wish, proximity to a supportive community of friends and family is priceless.
<b>Ability to Age in Place</b>
Let’s face it—we can’t escape aging. If you’re looking for a home to retire in, accessibility should be front-of-mind.8 This may mean a single-story home or simply having adequate spaces on the first floor to rearrange as needed. While buying a home that you plan to renovate from the start is a viable option, being forced into renovations (because of the realities of aging) a few years down the road could seriously dig into your nest egg. Location matters, too—if your family will be providing support, are they close by? Can you easily reach necessities like grocery stores and healthcare? While it’s tempting to put it out of our minds, a few careful considerations now can make staying in your home long-term much more feasible.
<b>Finding the Right Home for Right Now<i></i></b>
One thing is for sure—life never stands still. And your housing needs won’t, either. In the United States, the median duration of homeownership hovers around 13 years.9 That means many of us will cycle through a few very different homes as we move through different life stages. At each milestone, a careful assessment of your housing options will ensure that you are well-positioned to embrace all the changes to come.
Whatever stage you’re embarking on next, we’re here to help. Our insight into local neighborhoods, prices, and housing stock will help you hone in on exactly where you want to live and what kind of home is right for you. We’ve worked with home buyers in every stage of life, so we know exactly what questions you need to ask. Buying a home—whether it’s your first or your fifth—is a big decision, but we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Sources:
1. Freddie Mac -
http://www.freddiemac.com/blog/homeownership/20190104_homebuying_lifecycle.page
2. PRB -
https://www.prb.org/usdata/indicator/marriage-age-women/snapshot/
3. Experian -
https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/research/average-age-to-buy-a-house/#:~:text=Buying%20a%20first%20home%20will,by%20real%20estate%20marketplace%20Zillow
4. Nerdwallet -
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/starter-home-forever-home
5. NAR 2020 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report -
https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-generational-trends-report-03-05-2020.pdf
6. Investopedia -
https://www.investopedia.com/personal-finance/what-look-starter-home/
7. NAR 2019 Moving With Kids
https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/research-reports/moving-with-kids
8. Kaiser Health News -
https://khn.org/news/baby-boomers-aging-aging-in-place-retrofit-homes/
9. National Association of Realtors -
https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/how-long-do-homeowners-stay-in-their-homes#:~:text=As%20of%202018%2C%20the%20median,varies%20from%20area%20to%20area
ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-39626968005278933462021-05-02T07:44:00.004-07:002021-05-02T07:45:33.678-07:00Let's get ready to look at homes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfyFckwFkvewlB0-5Kj7b08Jkw3P9L4DduT9RNf_IrwILKY26MewnEYi3zYOCf4DV32bbaLF0blli_pk1eTK0Rf1aPfYiI9aQfA19-BXRDWchCkU3qEIPN-8suZ6jmh7uQ2zz7397bmY/s903/BLOG.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="903" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfyFckwFkvewlB0-5Kj7b08Jkw3P9L4DduT9RNf_IrwILKY26MewnEYi3zYOCf4DV32bbaLF0blli_pk1eTK0Rf1aPfYiI9aQfA19-BXRDWchCkU3qEIPN-8suZ6jmh7uQ2zz7397bmY/s200/BLOG.JPG"/></a></div>When most people think about buying a home, they think about neighborhoods, paint colors, and wish lists, not paycheck stubs and closing costs. However, in reality you’ll probably find that mortgage application and approval is one of the more time and energy-consuming aspects of the purchase process. Do a little work upfront & save a lot of time & trouble later on.
<b>Check (and Repair) Your Credit<i><b><i></i></b>
When you first start thinking about buying a home, you’ll want to do a deep dive into your credit. Check with each of the big three reporting agencies (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax) since each may have different information. If there are errors on your reports, reach out with corrections and required information.
If your credit is just not great, there are ways to improve it. Here’s are a few suggestions:
• If you don’t have much credit, look for ways to build your credit record. Seek out a starter credit card, make regular, small charges and pay them off immediately. Look for programs that report your current rent and utility payments to the credit bureaus so that you can use your on-time payment record to build your credit score.
• If you have damaged credit, work on paying down existing debt and making on-time payments going forward. If you pay your rent and utilities on time, seek out reporting programs to allow you to use your positive payment history to rebuild your credit score.
• As you pay off credit cards and loans, don’t close out the accounts. Leave them open and at a zero balance, or use them for occasional, small purchases that you then pay off immediately. Part of your credit score comes from the length of time that you have had your accounts, so closing out an older account can have a negative impact.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XfPz19KwTb2aRdetZTY834B5rEmj-I8A_ukJ0OBUpbEIfT0cmEgrmFfvbbMYBj3oxUsSX-FKwI_VAAAi3ltRVi-HOHNecfuFCLpnFq-z3fRjPmRAtLq7YBvj6iwfW6WyLzIZ9pBIuzk/s910/Blog+1.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="910" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XfPz19KwTb2aRdetZTY834B5rEmj-I8A_ukJ0OBUpbEIfT0cmEgrmFfvbbMYBj3oxUsSX-FKwI_VAAAi3ltRVi-HOHNecfuFCLpnFq-z3fRjPmRAtLq7YBvj6iwfW6WyLzIZ9pBIuzk/s200/Blog+1.JPG"/></a></div>
<b>Organize Your Financial Records<i></i></b>
One of the biggest things you’ll have to do during the process of applying for your home loan is obtaining and providing a wide variety of financial records to submit to underwriting. Start gathering these now. When you apply, you’ll need the following:
• Tax returns (generally two-year’s worth)
• Pay stubs, 1099s, W-2s or other proof of income
• Bank statements and other asset statements
• Photo ID
If you are using gift funds from a family member to finance your down payment, closing costs, or reserves, you will need to present a letter from that donor. The lender may request additional documentation, as well. Be sure to find out what donors and uses are acceptable for your particular situation.
<b>Find a Lender<i></i></b>
You will need to find a lender to work with on your mortgage application. I have some excellent mortgage lenders who will help you with every step of the way. If you prefer to go it aloe, you may find someone at your local bank or credit union, through an online lending platform, through a referral from a friend, or through your real estate professional. Make sure that you feel comfortable working with and communicating with your chosen lender so that you will feel confident throughout the process.
<b>Consider a Variety of Loan Options<i></i></b>
Don’t feel locked into a conventional, 30-year loan with a 20 percent down payment. While that scenario works for some buyers, it doesn’t work for everyone. Work with your lender to determine what types of financing options you qualify for and what types of financing will help you fulfill your goals.
For example, if you are open to a larger monthly payment, you may find that a 15-year loan makes more sense than a 30-year loan. Just remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AD8tIQaTlshyc02gjxk8v7kBVNOxZh3lLCDHBz4CXhzOaC-Zuq6CaV6ZMHK2lsjNAZSDTsBTo_ExiGjv41WvaSJgmMPIookWhDrEBuqt1b1yHorTL1iPYUTHcu6OHrJt1f4Jlh3J3zg/s914/Blog+2.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AD8tIQaTlshyc02gjxk8v7kBVNOxZh3lLCDHBz4CXhzOaC-Zuq6CaV6ZMHK2lsjNAZSDTsBTo_ExiGjv41WvaSJgmMPIookWhDrEBuqt1b1yHorTL1iPYUTHcu6OHrJt1f4Jlh3J3zg/s200/Blog+2.JPG"/></a></div>
<b>Get Pre-Approved<i></i></b>
It will be important for you to work with your lender to obtain pre-approval before you begin looking for your home. This will allow you to better determine your budget and timeline. In addition, pre-approval helps you to make a stronger offer once you find the right home for you.
<b>Determine Your Budget<i></i></b>
Once you know how much you’ll potentially be approved for and what your interest rate will be, you can create a budget based on your down payment and your desired monthly payment amount. Remember, just because you qualify for a large amount doesn’t mean that you will want to spend that much. Let your comfort level determine your budget.
** ASK ME FOR MY EXCLUSIVE BUYER ESTIMATE SHEET TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT YOUR COSTS WILL BE**
<b>Don’t Forget the Extras<i></i></b>
Remember, you don’t just pay the monthly mortgage and required down payment. There is an earnest money deposit (EMD) that you will need to have available as well as reserve funds that you will need to show. You’ll have closing costs, insurance costs, and other expenses associated with moving and setting yourself up in your new home. Try to keep an eye on the big picture when making your decisions during this time.
<b>Avoid Major Purchases and Changes to Your Credit<i></i></b>
You may want a brand new car to park in your new driveway or a houseful of new furniture and decorative items. While it would be fun to have those things in place on moving day, you’ll probably need to hold off until after the closing. That’s because changes to your credit report or to the amount of debt you carry can have major negative consequences on your mortgage underwriting and approval process.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiQmvGh4UWDs8t6WOuBA5E04Yf8vYXHuLJbj4bLsQ8T55_V6gdpUMiXQD3x9H-f6-oVvVhMTZAzmy4zYq67VI-iuo0qPilZuhekCbzKkVC8WgZpPTwTQ-V-bdDc1v7Sw5wtE2YsgAg7I/s910/Blog+3.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="910" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiQmvGh4UWDs8t6WOuBA5E04Yf8vYXHuLJbj4bLsQ8T55_V6gdpUMiXQD3x9H-f6-oVvVhMTZAzmy4zYq67VI-iuo0qPilZuhekCbzKkVC8WgZpPTwTQ-V-bdDc1v7Sw5wtE2YsgAg7I/s200/Blog+3.JPG"/></a></div>
<b>Expect the Unexpected<i></i></b>
A lot of things can happen on the journey to homeownership. You may find that your budget is different than you thought or that you have to make some compromises along the way. You may also find that some parts of the process you dreaded turn out to be easier than those things you thought were no-brainers. Stay open and let's chat. I'll help you make the Smart Decision.
ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-24110960374013832932021-04-26T07:45:00.000-07:002021-04-26T07:45:10.094-07:0010 Tips for Navigating the New Home Construction Process<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQzLnjGN0FJTe-a_hKcgnIaAEHySGJnQTxq_nue_VCrYaIUPNBIG33zNh7Ch_LgKhkL8tJZn530R5kKLSaVIQRDaQUeoLbnOYLQfxqtuNRLf29XO7sIeGwb_1PPB1VTbEDzhOUlL29Lw/s413/Blog+Cover.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQzLnjGN0FJTe-a_hKcgnIaAEHySGJnQTxq_nue_VCrYaIUPNBIG33zNh7Ch_LgKhkL8tJZn530R5kKLSaVIQRDaQUeoLbnOYLQfxqtuNRLf29XO7sIeGwb_1PPB1VTbEDzhOUlL29Lw/s320/Blog+Cover.JPG"/></a></div>Before you jump into buying a newly constructed home, it’s important to understand the process and determine how to navigate it successfully. Here you will find the ten best tips for making sure that your new home purchase provides everything you’re hoping for while staying on time and on budget.
<b>1. Determine your priorities at the start
<i></i></b>
It’s important for you to decide why you’re looking for new construction. Are you simply trying to overcome low inventory in your chosen market? Are you more interested in the personalization opportunities available with new construction? Is your budget the most important consideration or are you flexible enough to incorporate additional features that you find appealing? Know what matters most to you and think twice before you depart from your plan. Not sure on the best route to take -- let's chat -- I'll give you the pros & cons of all home types
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<b>2. Optimize the location and lot
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When you’re able to choose your location and the style of your new construction home, it pays to think through the placement and orientation of your home on the lot. How will the front elevation relate to the street and to the neighbors? What is the view from the owner’s suite? The kitchen window? Where will the outdoor spaces be and how will they relate to the property’s best features? Think through curb appeal and livability when determining how your home will be situated.
<b>3. Do your homework
<i></i></b>
All builders are not created equal, so it pays to check out the builder you’re thinking of using. Talk to previous clients and look at online reviews. Try to determine what parts of the process have been most difficult for others, and think ahead to how you can avoid problems before they occur.
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<b>4. Explore builder-provided discounts and incentives
<i></i></b>
In some cases, your builder may provide special offers if you use their in-house lender or if you close by a certain time. They may have spec homes that have fallen through during the contract period and which they would be willing to let go in exchange for a quick sale. Determine whether these specials are cost-effective in your case and whether they make sense for your wish list. Don’t jump in just because there’s a discount available—check out other options first, and crunch the numbers for each option before you decide.
<b>5. Be careful when it comes to extras and upgrades
<i></i></b>
The biggest budget-buster for most new construction projects is the list of optional features and upgrades along with adjustments and changes during the building process. While you will no doubt want to take advantage of the opportunity to add some upgrades during the process, be smart about which ones you choose. Here are a list of times when it makes sense to choose the builder upgrade option:
- When the upgrade involves a structural change that would be easier and cheaper to implement during the building process rather than after.
- When the upgrade is something that you’ll particularly care about and enjoy using every day, like those in a kitchen or owner’s suite.
- When the upgrade will have a significant long-term impact on the home’s resale value or energy efficiency.
- When the cost through the builder is close to that charged by a contractor.
Once you’ve made a decision, try to stick to it if at all possible. Change orders can significantly raise the cost of construction and contribute to delays.
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<b>6. Don’t be afraid to negotiate
<i></i></b>
Many people falsely believe that there is no room for negotiation when working with a builder, but in fact, there are many areas open for negotiation other than overall price. You may be able to negotiate a reduced interest rate or reduced closing costs through an affiliated lender or title company, as well as a selection of upgrades and optional features. I will help you choose the best options for your budget and timeline.
<b>7. Ensure everything is in writing
<i></i></b>
When you’re talking through your options with your builder or their representative, you may talk about options and prices in an informal way. Just remember that an assurance means nothing if it’s not in writing. Keep track of everything you discuss, and have an agent ensure that they are all properly noted in your contract. And, sometimes there are clauses that allow deviation from the agreement. I will review the entire contract with you to be sure you know & understand all the details
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<b>8. Don’t forgo the home inspection
<i></i></b>
Just because it’s new construction doesn’t mean that you don’t need an inspection. Accidents happen and errors occur. And, do you when/if to have an inspection? I have a great home inspector & will guide you through this process.
<b>9. Keep track of guarantees and warranties<i></i></b>
There will be guarantees and warranties for the building itself as well as its systems, appliances, and other features. You’ll need to keep track of all of these, along with their specific terms and requirements, in order to make sure that you don’t accidentally void them or wait too long to take advantage of the repairs and benefits they provide.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykJDHZkhrUP0Qs-IDEWBQoRtcdqbd1OB-6CuwX9DvkZpqakNIxOuLLEWoQs3Kk5cfZlyJVWWwx6wmIEWbjL_BtaZVzfqd8c7UmKuyJ76r1QcdAHCtXs544Mn2A7EBjJ-iGJqd03JPH-Q/s632/Blog+5.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="200" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykJDHZkhrUP0Qs-IDEWBQoRtcdqbd1OB-6CuwX9DvkZpqakNIxOuLLEWoQs3Kk5cfZlyJVWWwx6wmIEWbjL_BtaZVzfqd8c7UmKuyJ76r1QcdAHCtXs544Mn2A7EBjJ-iGJqd03JPH-Q/s200/Blog+5.JPG"/></a></div>
<b>10. Expect the unexpected
<i></i></b>
New construction has many great benefits but it can also have its share of problems. Be prepared for delays, mistakes, and other issues to crop up, and have a plan in place to address them. If everything is smooth sailing, great! If not, you’ll feel better knowing that you and a real estate agent have already thought through a number of eventualities, helping to ensure that you’re ready for anything.
<b>WHY GO IT ALONE?<i></i></b> I have helped many happy folks with their new construction. I've seen it all. Let me help you make all the smart decisions. PS -- My service, advice & knowledge is 100% FREE!
Let's chat today.ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-15369560896458429342021-02-26T07:47:00.000-08:002021-02-26T07:47:19.519-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy_FD6U9mfgvcpfFbCW3M84IwcgFDev8vAEeuXh_X2ONFPEznzYi32xH2X8nrIQpHIrH9wLoKkZK6u7yOXKkQ8ws46DE8SddPZIgQamGl1sibMRiEHilfxrJjvx32-wNJuBb1Vqm94uw/s842/2021+Housing+Forecast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="488" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy_FD6U9mfgvcpfFbCW3M84IwcgFDev8vAEeuXh_X2ONFPEznzYi32xH2X8nrIQpHIrH9wLoKkZK6u7yOXKkQ8ws46DE8SddPZIgQamGl1sibMRiEHilfxrJjvx32-wNJuBb1Vqm94uw/w280-h347/2021+Housing+Forecast.JPG" width="280" /></a></div><br />2021 Housing Market Forecast and Predictions<p></p><p>2021 National Housing Market Forecast and Predictions: Back to Normal</p><p>To say 2020 was a year of surprises is an extreme understatement. What started off as a bright year for the housing market and the economy was soon derailed by a global pandemic and severe economic recession. As detailed by my colleague, <a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/about/team/george-ratiu/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">George Ratiu</a>, the economic rebound has been sharp, but is by no means complete and created distinct winners and losers among sectors in the economy. Read more detailed thoughts on the overall economic context and outlook, <a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/2021-economy-overview-forecast/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>One of the big winners has been the housing market, which saw home sales and prices hit decade-plus highs following decade lows in the span of just a few months. We expect housing’s winning streak to continue in 2021 as seasonal trends normalize and some of the frenzied momentum fades thanks to fresh affordability challenges. Below you’ll find our forecast and housing market predictions on key trends that will shape the year ahead.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vaPS0EX8Q9F2TMTRPhu7X7oxYXkPNQNjFwjkulOd1y9zE8LpX20pWFPEw7XVK6NPULKcAM03SudQFbEQqzcbsjeucqfZh250YdynO23J7-HpO4mH-wB8_Pz2Pk4STzvjnbfxHpxdc9o/s1081/BLOG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="1081" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4vaPS0EX8Q9F2TMTRPhu7X7oxYXkPNQNjFwjkulOd1y9zE8LpX20pWFPEw7XVK6NPULKcAM03SudQFbEQqzcbsjeucqfZh250YdynO23J7-HpO4mH-wB8_Pz2Pk4STzvjnbfxHpxdc9o/w546-h190/BLOG.JPG" width="546" /></a></div><p>Here is the link to the rest of the very detailed & interesting article on <a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/2021-national-housing-forecast/?utm_campaign=All%20Company%20News%20From%20Home%202021&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=112776021&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_w6ASsMRiqCEdZI3RcPzApOEQLVgI3HZkumPF_V7N6eVz8I61771VBmACSo1FTbNRi-G0Jo6TwBcvuVY4dWKKAVoLbBw&utm_content=112776021&utm_source=hs_email" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Realtor.com</a></p><p>To answer everyone's question, "When is the best time to buy or sell a home"? My answer is always, "When you are ready". I've been a professional Realtor for years and have seen all the ups and downs. I know how to navigate any market and will help you make the smart decision.</p><p>
</p><p>ARE YOU READY? Let's chat!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>
<p><picture> <source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39907685_m.jpg"></source> <source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39907685_f.jpg"></source></picture></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-30249500932582354592021-02-24T08:53:00.000-08:002021-02-24T08:53:07.811-08:00How Much Leverage do Today's Sellers Really Have?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9Pb5JL4EI9UwrymZWbLyY30UMkmlVJps1RZhZLW4wUMPnHM-vWzrj6Ch9JytJsdgAnQ0krycy7iqgLeNLnBmYTzSwXPcRaS4PRAMRgVPED5SwnEn64v3mzttsN8GDVnti7vXHgEdN8Y/s750/KCM+Blog+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="750" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9Pb5JL4EI9UwrymZWbLyY30UMkmlVJps1RZhZLW4wUMPnHM-vWzrj6Ch9JytJsdgAnQ0krycy7iqgLeNLnBmYTzSwXPcRaS4PRAMRgVPED5SwnEn64v3mzttsN8GDVnti7vXHgEdN8Y/s320/KCM+Blog+Pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />How Much Leverage Do Today’s House Sellers Have? And, I have unique solutions for both buyers and sellers! Check it out.<p></p>
<p>The housing market has been scorching hot over the last twelve months. Buyers and their high demand have far outnumbered sellers and a short supply of houses. According to the latest <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-tick-up-0-6-in-january" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Existing Home Sales Report </a>from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), sales are up 23.7% from the same time last year while the inventory of homes available for sale is down 25.7%. <em><strong>There are 360,000 fewer single-family homes for sale today than there were at this time last year.</strong></em> This increase in demand coupled with such limited supply is leading to more bidding wars throughout the country.</p>
<p>Rose Quint, Assistant Vice President for Survey Research with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), recently <a href="https://eyeonhousing.org/2021/02/share-of-home-buyers-getting-outbid-almost-doubles-2/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">reported</a>:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><strong>“The number one reason long-time searchers haven’t made a home purchase is not because of their inability to find an affordably-priced home, but because they continue to get outbid by other offers.”</strong></em></span></p>
<p>A survey in the NAHB report showed that <em><strong>40% of buyers have been outbid for a home they wanted to purchase</strong></em>. This is more than twice the percentage in 2019, which was 19%.</p>
<p>What does this mean for you -- home seller -- today?</p>
<p>It means sellers have tremendous leverage when negotiating with buyers.</p>
<p>In negotiations, l<em><strong>everage is the power that one side may have to influence the other side</strong></em> while moving closer to their negotiating position. A party's leverage is based on its ability to award benefits or eliminate costs on the other side.</p>
<p>In today’s market, a buyer wants three things:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">- To buy a home<br />- To buy now before prices continue to appreciate<br />- To buy now and take advantage of historically low mortgage rates while they last</p>
<p>These three buyer needs give the homeowner tremendous leverage when selling their house. Most realize this leverage enables the seller to sell at a good price. However, there may be another need the seller has that can be satisfied by using this leverage.</p>
<p>Here’s an example:<br />Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, recently <a href="https://blog.firstam.com/economics/housing-market-potential-poised-to-grow-in-2021" rel="noopener" target="_blank">identified</a> a situation in which many sellers are finding themselves today:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><strong>“As mortgage rates are expected to remain near 3%, millennials continue to form households and more existing homeowners tap their equity for the purchase of a better home…Many homeowners may want to upgrade, but do not for fear that they will be unable to find a home to buy.”</strong></em></span></p>
<p>She then offers a possible solution:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><em><strong>“While the fear of not being able to find something to buy will not disappear in a limited supply environment, new housing supply can incentivize existing homeowners to move.”</strong></em></span></p>
<p>There’s no doubt many sellers would love to build a new home to perfectly fit their changing wants and needs. However, most builders require that they sell their house first. If the seller sells their home, where would they live while their new home is being constructed?</p>
<p>Going back to the concept of leverage:</p>
<p>As mentioned, buyers have compelling reasons to purchase a home now, and many homeowners have challenges to address if they want to sell. Perhaps they can make a deal to satisfy each party’s needs. <em><strong>But how</strong></em>?</p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">The seller may decide to sell their home to the buyer at today’s price, which will enable the purchaser to take advantage of current mortgage rates. In return, the buyer might lease the house back to the seller for a pre-determined length of time while the seller’s new home is being built. A true win-win negotiation.</span></strong></p>
<p>Not every buyer will agree to such a deal – but <em><strong>you only need one</strong></em>.</p>
<p>That’s just one example of how a seller might be able to overcome a challenge because of the leverage they have in today’s market.</p>
<p><b>Another solution</b>:</p>
<p>My exclusive <span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>BUY BEFORE YOU SELL</strong></span> program. This will enable you to sell your home BEFORE you buy your next home. No hassles with showings on your current home, no contingencies when putting in an offer on a new home and you are like a cash buyer -- which will <strong>put you at the front of the buyer line.</strong> Maybe you feel a need to make certain repairs before selling. Perhaps you need time to get permits or approvals for certain upgrades you made to the house. All taken care of with my program. </p>
<p>What this Means for You:</p>
<p>If you’re considering selling your house now but worry a huge obstacle stands in your way, let's connect. You have options and I will help you make the smart decision. </p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-91746366767601462322021-02-04T08:55:00.002-08:002021-02-04T08:55:52.071-08:005 Inspiring Home Design & Remodeling Trends for 2021<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXc2YtmzP3iLRNqGv79KPudDDdDZ_E8pYTHtS2KfpFqgRCmk6rYtzWay8hSkuyQwAykQPP76QXN4qnKEhqSNY70jBDI_WRcmb-KCnGLunn-OmJwcaZXJZoPt3hmI4pvypcaDikn68lig/s700/LI+Imaga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggXc2YtmzP3iLRNqGv79KPudDDdDZ_E8pYTHtS2KfpFqgRCmk6rYtzWay8hSkuyQwAykQPP76QXN4qnKEhqSNY70jBDI_WRcmb-KCnGLunn-OmJwcaZXJZoPt3hmI4pvypcaDikn68lig/s320/LI+Imaga.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">5 Inspiring Home Design and Remodeling Trends for 2021</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">We’ve all spent a lot more time at home over the past year. And for many of us, our homes have become our office, our classroom, our gym—and most importantly, our safe haven during times of uncertainty. So it’s no surprise to see that design trends for 2021 revolve around soothing color palettes, cozy character, and quiet retreats.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Even if you don’t have immediate plans to buy or sell your home, we advise our clients to be mindful of modern design preferences when planning a remodel or even redecorating. Over-personalized or unpopular renovations could lower your property’s value. And selecting out-of-style fixtures and finishes could cause your home to feel dated quickly.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">To help inspire your design projects this year, we’ve rounded up five of the hottest trends. Keep in mind, not all of these will work well in every house. If you plan to buy, list, or renovate your property, give me a call. I can help you realize your vision and maximize the impact of your investment.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color: red;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">1. Uplifting Colors</span></strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Colors are gravitating toward warm and happy shades that convey a sense of coziness, comfort, and wellbeing. This year’s palettes draw from earthy hues, warm neutrals, and soothing blues and greens. <1></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">While white and gray are still safe options, expect to see alternative neutrals become increasingly popular choices for walls, cabinets, and furnishings in 2021. For a fresh and sophisticated look, try one of these 2021 paint colors of the year:</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">● Aegean Teal (coastal blue) by Benjamin Moore</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">● Urbane Bronze (brownish-gray) by Sherwin-Williams</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">● Soft Candlelight (muted yellow) by Valspar</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">On the opposite end of the spectrum, indigo, ruby, sapphire and plum are showing up on everything from fireplace mantels and floating shelves to fabrics and home accessories. These classic, rich hues can help bring warmth, depth, and a touch of luxury to your living space.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">To incorporate these colors, designers recommend using the “60-30-10 Rule.” Basically, choose a dominant color to cover 60% of your room. For example, your walls, rugs, and sofa might all be varying shades of beige or gray. Then layer in a secondary color for 30% of the room. This might include draperies and accent furniture. Finally, select an accent color for 10% of your room, which can be showcased through artwork and accessories. <2></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> <picture> <source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886857_m.jpg"></source> <source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886857_f.jpg"></source> <img alt="" class="img-fluid-wysiwyg" src="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886857_f.jpg" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%;" /> </picture></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: red;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">2. Curated Collections</span></strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">After a decade of minimalism, there’s been a shift towards highly-decorative and personalized interiors that incorporate more color, texture, and character. Clearly-defined styles (e.g., mid-century modern, industrial, modern farmhouse) are being replaced by a curated look, with furnishings, fixtures, and accessories that appear to have been collected over time. <3></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This trend has extended to the kitchen, where atmosphere has become as important as functionality. The ubiquitous all-white kitchen is fading in popularity as homeowners opt for unique touches that help individualize their space. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel, consider mixing in other neutrals—like gray, black, and light wood—for a more custom, pieced-together look. And instead of a subway tile backsplash, check out zellige tile (i.e., handmade, square Moroccan tiles) for a modern alternative with old-world flair.<4></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> <picture> <source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886860_m.jpg"></source> <source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886860_f.jpg"></source> <img alt="" class="img-fluid-wysiwyg" src="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886860_f.jpg" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%;" /> </picture></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: red;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">3. Reimagined Living Spaces</span></strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">The pandemic forced many of us to rethink our home design. From multipurpose rooms to converted closets to backyard cottages, we’ve had to find creative ways to manage virtual meetings and school. And designers expect these changes to impact the way we live and work for years to come.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">For example, some home builders are predicting the end of open-concept floor plans as we know them. <5> Instead, buyers are searching for cozier spaces with more separation and privacy. Cue the addition of alcoves, pocket doors, and sliding partitions that enable homeowners to section off rooms as needed. <4></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">The necessity of a home office space is also here to stay. But what if you don’t have a dedicated room? Alternative workspaces have become increasingly popular. In fact, one of the biggest trends on Pinterest this year is the “cloffice”—essentially a spare closet turned home office. Searches for “home library design” and “bookshelf room divider” are on the rise, as well.<6></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> <picture> <source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886864_m.jpg"></source> <source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886864_f.jpg"></source> <img alt="" class="img-fluid-wysiwyg" src="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886864_f.jpg" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%;" /> </picture></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: red;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">4. Staycation-Worthy Retreats</span></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">With travel options limited right now, more homeowners are turning their vacation budgets into staycation budgets. Essentially, recreate the resort experience at home—and enjoy it 365 days a year!</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Bedrooms should provide a soothing sanctuary for rest and relaxation. But this year, minimalist decor and muted colors are giving way to bolder statement pieces. To create a “boutique hotel” look in your own bedroom, start with a large, upholstered headboard in a rich color or pattern. Layer on organic linen bedding and a chunky wool throw, then complete the look with a pair of matching bedside wall lights. <7></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Carry those vacation-vibes into your bathroom with some of the top luxury upgrades for 2021. Curbless showers and freestanding tubs continue to be popular choices that offer a modern and spacious feel, and large-format shower tiles with minimal grout lines make clean up a breeze. Add a floating vanity and aromatherapy shower head for the ultimate spa-like experience. <4></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> <picture> <source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886869_m.jpg"></source> <source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886869_f.jpg"></source> <img alt="" class="img-fluid-wysiwyg" src="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886869_f.jpg" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%;" /> </picture></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: red;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">5. Outdoor Upgrades</span></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">From exercise to gardening to safer options for entertaining, the pandemic has led homeowners to utilize their outdoor spaces more than ever. In fact, backyard swimming pool sales skyrocketed in 2020, with many installers reporting unprecedented demand. <8> But a new pool isn’t the only way homeowners can elevate their outdoor areas this year.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">The home design website Houzz recently named 2021 “the year of the pergola.” They’re a relatively quick and affordable option to add shade and ambiance to your backyard.4 Another hot trend? Decked-out, custom playgrounds for exercising (and occupying) the youngest family members who may be missing out on school and extracurricular activities. <9></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">But don’t limit your budget to the backyard. Landscapers are reporting an increase in front yard enhancements, including porch additions and expanded seating options. These “social front yards” enable neighbors to stay connected while observing social-distancing guidelines. <10></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> <picture> <source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886877_m.jpg"></source> <source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886877_f.jpg"></source> <img alt="" class="img-fluid-wysiwyg" src="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39886877_f.jpg" style="height: auto; max-width: 100%;" /> </picture></span></p>
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<p><span style="color: red;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">DESIGNED TO SELL</span></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Are you contemplating a remodel? Want to find out how upgrades could impact the value of your home? Buyer preferences vary greatly by neighborhood and price range. We can share our insights and offer tips on how to maximize the return on your investment. And if you’re in the market to sell, we can run a Comparative Market Analysis on your home to find out how it compares to others in the area. Contact us to schedule a free consultation!</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Sources:</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">1. Good Housekeeping -</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/decorating-ideas/g34762178/home-decor-trends-2021/</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">2. The Spruce –</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">https://www.thespruce.com/timeless-color-rule-797859</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">3. Homes & Gardens –</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">https://www.homesandgardens.com/news/interior-design-trends-2021</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">4. Houzz –</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">https://www.houzz.com/magazine/36-home-design-trends-ready-for-takeoff-in-2021-stsetivw-vs~142229851</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">5. Zillow -</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-end-of-open-floor-plans-how-homes-will-look-different-after-coronavirus-301080662.html</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">6. Pinterest -</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> https://business.pinterest.com/content/pinterest-predicts/more-door/</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">7. Homes & Gardens – </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> https://www.homesandgardens.com/spaces/decorating/bedroom-trends-224944</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">8. Reuters -</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pools/pool-sales-skyrocket-as-consumers-splash-out-on-coronavirus-cocoons-idUSKCN2520HW</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">9. Realtor.com -</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> https://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/2021-design-trends/</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">10. Realtor Magazine -</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/12/09/4-outdoor-home-trends-that-may-gain-steam-in-2021</span></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-24029797499745202812021-02-02T06:58:00.001-08:002021-02-02T06:58:43.184-08:00Everyone Needs a Place to Call Home<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wtWDcVrBHv_6cjmUFHIc_iXv1yZpCYAAM1hoSO3kDPQ95rQ2eOzmp3IQucIyGnHjZjsQP1gvj7oZeGe543LKbW_-pP0rQTUmyF1RPzRQTg62qT6DVXzV5WWOZ-SDff3Olk8cbJwZipg/s626/Groundhog+Home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="378" data-original-width="626" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wtWDcVrBHv_6cjmUFHIc_iXv1yZpCYAAM1hoSO3kDPQ95rQ2eOzmp3IQucIyGnHjZjsQP1gvj7oZeGe543LKbW_-pP0rQTUmyF1RPzRQTg62qT6DVXzV5WWOZ-SDff3Olk8cbJwZipg/w400-h241/Groundhog+Home.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">All creatures need a nice warm home. Here's a sumptuous groundhog home layout. I make real estate easy -- how may I help you?</span></p> <p></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-39795575383665786962021-01-21T11:27:00.000-08:002021-01-21T11:27:14.582-08:00Buying? Selling? Staying Put? Here are 10 Resolutions + FREE Reports<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbhvaoztpcITJHvPI3qwfcLGuqC8yxzEtL3goJg9jCOtb36lSJdTe0gY6fddcQdrwdMzgJfXv3AgSy_g7h50Zodz9hLpvZNjDnZNn2h-tzwpUABWGkWVfQHnboXlQnG2I2WQiE132IiA/s1197/Blog+Pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbhvaoztpcITJHvPI3qwfcLGuqC8yxzEtL3goJg9jCOtb36lSJdTe0gY6fddcQdrwdMzgJfXv3AgSy_g7h50Zodz9hLpvZNjDnZNn2h-tzwpUABWGkWVfQHnboXlQnG2I2WQiE132IiA/s320/Blog+Pic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">New Year, New Home? Set Homeownership Goals Whether You’re Buying, Selling, or Staying Put. Read on for free reports!</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">The start of a new year always compels people to take a fresh look at their goals, from health and career to relationships and finance. But with historically low mortgage rates, increased home sales and price growth, and a tight housing inventory, the time is right to also make some homeownership resolutions for 2021.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Home buyers, is this the year you work to improve your credit score, pay down some debt, or save for a down payment?</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Home sellers, we’ve laid out plans for you to get top dollar for your property, including timing your home sale, making your property stand out from the crowd, and investing in your extra living space.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">And even if you’re staying put for awhile, homeowners, you can resolve to improve your status quo by evaluating your home budget, finalizing your home maintenance schedule, or maybe investing in a second property.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">So no matter your homeownership status, we’ve got some ideas and advice for you to make this year your best one yet. Read on to learn more.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: cyan;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">HOME BUYERS</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><strong>⇒ </strong> <em><strong>Resolution #1</strong></em>: <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Qualify for a better mortgage with a higher credit score.</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Your credit report highlights your current debt, bill-paying history, and other key financial information. Importantly for your home-buying journey, it is also used by lenders and companies to calculate your credit score, which partly determines if you are qualified to obtain a mortgage. Therefore, before you start house-hunting, make sure your finances are in the best possible shape by checking your credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion (via AnnualCreditReport.com). You can also obtain your credit score for free from some banks and credit card companies.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Your credit score will be a number ranging from 300-850. <1> Generally speaking, a credit score of 740 or higher is considered very good to excellent. <2> If your FICO score drops below 740, you might need to work at boosting your score for a few months before you begin house-hunting. Ways to do this are to pay your bills on time every month, keep your credit card balances low, and avoid applying for new credit.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>⇒ Resolution #2</strong></em>: <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Improve your credit health by paying down debt.</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Do you have student loans, credit card debt, or car payments tying up your income each month? That debt is hurting your “buying power,” or the amount of home you can afford. Not only is it money that you can't spend on your new home, but your debt-to-income ratio also affects your credit score, which we discussed above. The less debt you have, the higher your FICO score and the better mortgage you can obtain. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">If you can, pay off some debt in its entirety—like a low balance on a credit card. Then apply that "extra" money you previously paid on that credit card to pay off bigger debt, like a car loan. Even if you can’t pay off all (or any) of your debt in full, reducing the balances of each account will help you qualify for the best possible mortgage terms.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>⇒ Resolution #3:</strong></em> <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Create a financial safety net before applying for a mortgage.</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Don’t forget that buying a home requires some cash as well. A down payment is typically 7% of a home’s purchase price, and closing costs currently average $3,700. <3,4> You’ll also need money for moving expenses and any initial maintenance tasks that might pop up. And as the pandemic taught us, you never know when an unforeseen event might cause a job loss, drop in income, or health scare, so having some liquid savings will ensure that you can still pay your mortgage if a crisis occurs.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Dedicate some effort to building up your reserves. Cut down on unnecessary expenses, and consider having a portion of each paycheck automatically deposited into your savings account to avoid the temptation to spend it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: cyan;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">HOME SELLERS</span></strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>⇒ Resolution #4:</strong></em> <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Decide on the right time to sell your home.</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">If you’re looking to <strong>maximize profit</strong> on the sale of your home, <strong>selling earlier in the year</strong> makes sense. Listing prices historically increase early in the year, peak in May, plateau through June, and decrease for the remainder of the year.5 And, according to the National Association of Realtors, “[w]ith both mortgage rates and the number of homes available for sale expected to remain relatively low, home prices are likely to continue to increase. [In] mid-January, home prices typically begin a quick ramp-up in a normal year.” <5></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">But sales price isn’t the only thing to consider. You might not be ready to sell your home yet because you don't want to uproot your kids during the school year or because you need to tackle some minor upgrades before placing your home on the market.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">This means that there is no one month or season that is the perfect time to sell your home. Instead, the right timeline for you takes into account factors such as when you’ll earn the highest profit, personal convenience, and whether your home is even ready to put on the market. A trusted real estate professional can talk you through your specific needs to clarify when to sell your home.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>⇒ Resolution #5</strong></em>: <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Boost your home’s resale value by making your property shine.</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Housing inventory is at historic lows across the country, and that means the market is fiercely competitive.<6> Selling your home in 2021 has the potential to net you a huge return right now, and you can maximize that amount with some simple fixes to make sure your property outshines your neighbors' for sale down the street.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">In your home, you might need to tackle a minor remodeling project, such as upgrading the flooring or adding a fresh coat of paint. According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2019 Remodeling Impact Report, simply refinishing existing hardwood floors recoups 100% of the cost at resale, and completely replacing it with new wood flooring recovers 106% of costs.<7></span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> Outside, you might consider improving your curb appeal by removing a dead bush, trimming a tree that blocks the front window, or power-washing your moldy driveway and sidewalks. In fact, real estate agents say cleaning the exterior of your house can add $10,000 to $15,000 to a home’s sale price.<8> And according to a Virginia Tech study, improving a home’s landscaping may increase its value by 10 to 12%.<9></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">I will provide you with all the services you need to seel quickly at best price. Don't want to be bothered with all of this? Ask me about my <strong><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 18px;">BUY BEFORE YOU SELL</span></strong> program. You can buy your new home & move in while we take care of all repairs, inspections, staging & showings. The easiest and most relaxing way to sell your home. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>⇒ Resolution #6:</strong></em> <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Invest in your “extra” living space to meet current buyers’ needs</span>.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Due to COVID-19, more people are staying at home to work, go to school, exercise, and stay entertained. And these lifestyle changes are showing up in home buyer preferences. For example, according to one study, buyers are looking more and more for homes with formal, outfitted home offices, private outdoor spaces, and updated kitchen appliances.<1>0 </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">So if you’ve got an underutilized room, consider turning it into an office, home gym, schoolroom, or multi-purpose room to meet current home buyer needs and attract better offers on your home. Got some underwhelming space outside? You could turn it into an outdoor entertainment area by adding a firepit, upgrading the patio furniture, or installing a grilling area. Be sure to consult with a local real estate professional before investing in a renovation, however, as each market’s buyers have different tastes.</span></p>
<p><em><strong><span style="background-color: cyan; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">HOMEOWNERS</span></strong></em></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>⇒ Resolution #</strong></em>7: <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Evaluate your household budget to reflect financial changes.</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">After this past year, in particular, your financial picture may have changed. Maybe you were furloughed, had your hours reduced, or got a new job further from home. Perhaps you’ve kept the same job, but you’re now working remotely. A work-from-home arrangement could mean less money spent on gas, tolls, a professional wardrobe, and dining out for lunch.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">But this could also mean new (or increased) expenses now that you’re working at home, such as new tech-related purchases, faster Wi-Fi, and higher energy bills. January marks the perfect opportunity to update your income and expenses and review last year’s spending habits, tweaking as needed for 2021.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">For more specific ideas, contact us for our <strong><span style="font-size: 16px;">free report</span> <span style="font-size: 18px;">"20 Ways to Save Money and Stretch Your Household Budget."</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>⇒ Resolution #8:</strong></em> <strong><span style="background-color: yellow;">Save money now (and earn more later) with a home maintenance plan.</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Having a schedule of regular home maintenance projects to tackle will save you money now and in the long-term. You’ll avoid some surprise “emergency fixes,” and when you’re ready to eventually sell your home, you’ll get higher offers from buyers who aren’t put off by overdue repairs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Even if nothing necessarily needs fixing right now, you can lower your energy costs by maintaining and upgrading your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, simple fixes add up: replace five most frequently used bulbs with ENERGY STAR ones to save $75/year; repair leaky faucets to save $35/year; replace older toilets with low-flow models to save $100/year; and seal air leaks to save $83-$166/year.<11></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">For a breakdown of home maintenance projects to tackle throughout the year, contact us for our <strong>free report <span style="font-size: 18px;">“House Care Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Maintaining Your Home.”</span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><em><strong>⇒ Resolution #9:</strong> </em><span style="background-color: yellow;"><strong>Invest in real estate for a better standard of living.</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Even if you don’t plan on leaving your current residence, real estate is a great way to improve your quality of life in 2021.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Have cabin fever from the long quarantine? A vacation home in a getaway location you love lets you safely spread your wings. And if you have been looking for a second stream of income, an investment property might be your answer. Just be sure to consult with a real estate professional to get a realistic sense of a property’s true income potential. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Want more information on how a second property fits into your 2021 plans? Request our <strong>free report</strong>, <span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>"Move Up vs Second Home: Which One Is Right For You?" </strong><span style="font-size: 14px;">With 1400 experienced agents worldwide, we can help you!</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="background-color: cyan;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">LET US HELP YOU WITH YOUR 2021 GOALS</span></strong></em></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Without a plan and a support system, 55% of Americans will break their new year’s resolutions.<12> Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or stay put in your home, it helps to connect with a trusted real estate agent to keep you motivated and on track.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">As local market experts, we have the knowledge, experience, and networks to help you achieve your homeownership goals, whatever they may be. Reach out to us today for a free consultation and commit to a happy and prosperous new year.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p> Sources:</p>
<p>1. USA.gov - <br /> https://www.usa.gov/credit-report</p>
<p>2. Equifax - <br /> https://www.equifax.com/personal/education/credit/score/what-is-a-good-credit-score/</p>
<p>3. NerdWallet - <br /> https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/the-20-mortgage-down-payment-is-dead</p>
<p>4. Zillow - <br /> https://www.zillow.com/mortgage-learning/closing-costs/</p>
<p>5. Realtor.com - <br /> https://www.realtor.com/research/we-should-be-in-a-buyers-market-right-now-but-covid-turned-everything-upside-down-best-time-to-buy-a-home</p>
<p>6. Business Insider - <br /> https://www.businessinsider.com/how-2020-broke-the-housing-market-inventory-could-run-out-2020-9</p>
<p>7. National Association of Realtors - <br /> https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2019-remodeling-impact-10-03-2019.pdf</p>
<p>8. House Logic - <br /> https://www.houselogic.com/save-money-add-value/add-value-to-your-home/adding-curb-appeal-value-to-home/</p>
<p>9. Virginia Cooperative Extension - <br /> https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/426/426-087/426-087.pdf</p>
<p>10. HomeLight - <br /> https://www.homelight.com/blog/top-agent-insights-for-q2-2020/</p>
<p>11. U.S. Department of Energy - <br /> https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/articles/how-much-can-you-really-save-energy-efficient-improvements</p>
<p>12. Ipsos - <br /> https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/urban-plates-ipsos-NY-Resolutions</p>
<p> </p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-85690586786850098442021-01-18T08:44:00.000-08:002021-01-18T08:44:39.877-08:00Lovely Home Ready for You<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGp3JFfkQpp5DywUH_J63RuB9fV2Vfgl4o8u9_0YXpr18S7I_wTG1MD-DbSE_OaNuP3hwzqCymC6dVc30WwbUMaZ7CsHSzkDrT0UXHjpng1y4d_0aXnzDfxlcjgCoRvrnU3UNfkVceawU/s682/Jon+House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGp3JFfkQpp5DywUH_J63RuB9fV2Vfgl4o8u9_0YXpr18S7I_wTG1MD-DbSE_OaNuP3hwzqCymC6dVc30WwbUMaZ7CsHSzkDrT0UXHjpng1y4d_0aXnzDfxlcjgCoRvrnU3UNfkVceawU/s320/Jon+House.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Check out this lovely home in the sweet town of Hillsborough. Thinking of selling -- contact me to learn all about my FREE seller services and BUY BEFORE YOU SELL program.<p></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-18961043334997583192021-01-10T07:19:00.000-08:002021-01-10T07:19:07.096-08:00Recycling Christmas Trees and GOATS!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZKQdQEVB3k3nfbBpXrX4_oFi4MsLjpaG8z39wvXif6ZznhMksY71VmPSYVVbZmYdtv-nEExCsDRw8tlwLGjf6RHALotf6_HCcpRKHxaAUn69TRwFKAX7MVVu_5-HcC2UpmKctik4FJg/s712/Xmas+Trees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="712" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZKQdQEVB3k3nfbBpXrX4_oFi4MsLjpaG8z39wvXif6ZznhMksY71VmPSYVVbZmYdtv-nEExCsDRw8tlwLGjf6RHALotf6_HCcpRKHxaAUn69TRwFKAX7MVVu_5-HcC2UpmKctik4FJg/w254-h168/Xmas+Trees.JPG" width="254" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I'm not rushing you, but when you’re ready to say goodbye to the 2020 Christmas season, here’s some information about what to do with your Christmas tree.</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Well... Dried out Christmas trees become increasingly flammable as days go by, so maybe I am rushing you just a little bit.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Most towns and cities recycle Christmas trees for mulch, so recycling your tree is a way of “paying it forward.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Here are some great links & info for information on how to recycle Christmas trees in various towns and cities around the Triangle. There are options for curbside pickup and drop-off at recycling centers. There's even a farm that would love Christmas tree donations for their goats to eat!</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Cary</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Remove artificial decorations, including wire, tinsel, lights, etc. Place the item at your curb y 7 a.m. on your scheduled yard waste collection day. <a href="https://www.townofcary.org/services-publications/garbage-recycling-yard-waste/recycling" rel="noopener" target="_blank">MORE INFO</a></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Raleigh</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The City of Raleigh has offered some recycling tips for the holiday season. <a href="Raleigh%20The City of Raleigh has offered some recycling tips for the holiday season." rel="noopener" target="_blank">MORE INFO</a></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Apex</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Town of Apex is collecting real Christmas trees as part of regular yard waste collection services. Remove all decorations from trees, including any nails from the stand, and place at the curb for pickup on your scheduled day. <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.apexnc.org/277/Garbage-Recycling-Yard-Waste" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">MORE INFO</a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>Wake County</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You can drop off your tree at several Wake County convenience centers and parks.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">All facilities are closed January 1st, but starting January 2nd, here’s the schedule:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Wake County Convenience Centers</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Hours: 7 days a week, 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Site 1: 10505 Old Stage Road, Garner</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Site 2: 6120 Old Smithfield Road, Apex</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Site 4: 3600 Yates Mill Pond Road, Raleigh</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Site 11: 5051 Wendell Blvd., Wendell</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.wakegov.com/recycling/division/Pages/happytrails.aspx" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">MORE INFO</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><b>WHAT ABOUT GOATS??</b></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2dnzItCzJ1IcjnQNU_1d3LlC_iQ6ZFah-7R9J62nruj1w9MJ2RL3vtwt4cBzN_JDpsKdKORLvI2r8Q2ZaEMfiKIfW8H1a8Kc_xnox221KVO1OmKDb_EMOhtwJXYBfRWvY5RfVBXb978/s705/Goats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="705" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2dnzItCzJ1IcjnQNU_1d3LlC_iQ6ZFah-7R9J62nruj1w9MJ2RL3vtwt4cBzN_JDpsKdKORLvI2r8Q2ZaEMfiKIfW8H1a8Kc_xnox221KVO1OmKDb_EMOhtwJXYBfRWvY5RfVBXb978/w209-h144/Goats.JPG" width="209" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Awww.... Goats love eating Christmas trees! Some farms happily collect old Christmas trees for their very appreciative goats.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.huxfamilyfarm.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Hux Family Farm</span></a>, at 1923 Shaw Road, Durham, has put out a call for Christmas trees! They’re looking for pine trees with as few chemicals as possible on them. Text 9196667258 or email huxfamilyfarm@gmail.com about drop-off. They promise lots of pictures and videos of their goats chomping on the trees!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A second area farm that has expressed an interest in Christmas trees for their goats is <span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://www.thedeanfarm.com/" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">The Dean Farm</a></span>, 2690 Wendell Blvd, Wendell. They say to just pull into the driveway and throw them out! But you might want to contact them to make sure that they’re still looking for trees. 919-624-0685 or thedeansfarm@gmail.com.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://www.hillridgefarms.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Hill Ridge Farms</span></a>, 703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville, has also said they’d love some Christmas trees for their goats. Check their Facebook page before you go to see if they have any updates. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Consult your municipality’s solid waste services website for information.</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A Note of Caution</span></strong><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">When you put curbside might give potential burglars an idea of what new items are in your house, like televisions and game consoles. So, you might want to consider dropping those boxes off at drop-off centers instead.</span></p><p>
</p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Need a new home for your Christmas tree in 2021? Contact me & let's get started!</span></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-69689953971896969272021-01-03T10:59:00.001-08:002021-01-03T11:04:02.116-08:00It's Property Tax Time! Here's All the Info You Need<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_RLh2f55lU2gE3H1WyoIY3rdUJ9XwacSJ7UEavbsQhXzbIFnHQ1hyphenhyphenWQUZEVWCkx4aj1JR-bcmxXKG7VXqaHHVIAbT6lJhE0Qo1e_hfQN7vJPGX6QiGZvXHVPs6zBO6j01x8IfAGZQjU/s939/Property+Tax.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="939" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_RLh2f55lU2gE3H1WyoIY3rdUJ9XwacSJ7UEavbsQhXzbIFnHQ1hyphenhyphenWQUZEVWCkx4aj1JR-bcmxXKG7VXqaHHVIAbT6lJhE0Qo1e_hfQN7vJPGX6QiGZvXHVPs6zBO6j01x8IfAGZQjU/s320/Property+Tax.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Like all inevitable things in life, taxes are unavoidable. So let’s get this convo going as the deadline for paying property taxes is coming up on January 5!</span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">**NOTE</span>: for the purpose of this conversation, I will be talking about HOME property taxes only.</span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">What is NC property tax as it pertains to homes?</span> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Property tax rates are applied using a calendar approach. This means that your current tax bill utilizes the time you owned the home from Jan-Dec of the current year. So, they are paid in arrears. </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 30px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">**I will be happy to explain how this works if you buy or sell property during the year. <a href="https://www.thesmartrealestateagent.com/contact/" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">CONTACT ME NOW</a></span></span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Residents of Wake County have an average effective property tax rate of 0.88% and the median annual property tax payment is $2,327. This means if you have a home that is tax valued (not the same as a real estate appraisal) at $400K, you will pay 0.88% tax on it or $3520. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Here are some tax values for counties near Wake:</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0hyphenhyphen7oHRpcXAU3bQM_MdojxtNeDk-CUbcgegILqgy5KaeYV-1_nl5tBIYSc44aJ9xESZdi-Xqr7vV9ak_-Qn7DOZQTOvhQqjLYT1TgrxnPO9rDAaHTZHm1kXreQ6jfqG2lFa_9cGUaZQ/s327/Blog+Pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0hyphenhyphen7oHRpcXAU3bQM_MdojxtNeDk-CUbcgegILqgy5KaeYV-1_nl5tBIYSc44aJ9xESZdi-Xqr7vV9ak_-Qn7DOZQTOvhQqjLYT1TgrxnPO9rDAaHTZHm1kXreQ6jfqG2lFa_9cGUaZQ/s320/Blog+Pic.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Source: <a href="https://smartasset.com/taxes/north-carolina-property-tax-calculator#GkKgUOrMEZ" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">NC County Tax Rates</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Tax bills are typically mailed in July and are due September 1st. There is an extended deadline of January 5 of the next year, so you can pay at either time. Keep in mind that this may affect your taxes for the year. If you pay in the next year, you cannot claim them for the current year. Check with your tax advisor. </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 30px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">**Tax bills are not mailed to mortgage companies</span></em>. The majority of lenders electronically access and retrieve tax data directly from our system, eliminating the need for a paper copy of the bill. If you pay through your mortgage company, the final responsibility is still yours. Check with them to make sure they are being paid and that you are not double paying. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">North Carolina’s property tax is “ad valorem,” (translation, “to value) which means that it is based on the value of property. A county assessor determines the value of a property and is required to revalue a property at least once every eight years. In Wake County, it is every four years. The goal of the reappraisal is to determine the current market value of the property. The last county home tax assessment was done in January, 2020. The next one will be in January, 2024.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 30px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">NOTE:</span> A tax appraisal from a county assessor is not the same as a real estate appraisal. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">**</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://www.thesmartrealestateagent.com/sell/" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">CONTACT ME FOR YOUR HOME'S VALUE</a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> and learn your accurate, personal, home value. It's</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #993300; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">FREE</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Definition of Terms:</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">Tax appraisa</span></em>l provides an estimate based on general algorithms from several public sources. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 30px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">Real Estate Appraisal</span></em> is typically conducted by a licensed, accredited NC Appraiser. It is an appraisal is an unbiased professional opinion of the value of a home and is used whenever a mortgage is involved in the buying, refinancing, or selling of that property. It determines the value the bank is willing to mortgage.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">Home Value Report</span></em> is provided by an experienced, knowledgeable Realtor and will give you an accurate price point of your specific home based on extensive research, personal evaluation & recent, nearby comparable homes. This is the most accurate current value of your home.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did you find this article helpful? Questions? <a href="https://www.thesmartrealestateagent.com/contact/" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Let me know</a>! </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 30px; text-align: left;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p></div><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-12098184139804009142020-12-26T09:09:00.000-08:002020-12-26T09:09:10.282-08:00When do You Take Down Your Christmas Tree?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Pq48g9pvOu6wO7HvfDKWeNehJRX77IgNkXsna29LaGQ0YIOla1Ss2tX7WQlgVw1AB6W5bOm8pAY9GF4E2M2Ptt6mkY1EnlA1mk2aR5d8MFjHn50t6bV7Vu_yB7n5absRc5spvZ-bcJ0/s610/Tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Pq48g9pvOu6wO7HvfDKWeNehJRX77IgNkXsna29LaGQ0YIOla1Ss2tX7WQlgVw1AB6W5bOm8pAY9GF4E2M2Ptt6mkY1EnlA1mk2aR5d8MFjHn50t6bV7Vu_yB7n5absRc5spvZ-bcJ0/s320/Tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">When it comes to holiday decorations, there are two kinds of people: Those who take down their Christmas trees on December 26, and those who aren’t quite ready for the season to be over. And while taking down the tree is usually less fun than putting it up, there’s actually another good reason many people wait to do it. If you’ve been looking for an excuse to keep listening to Christmas music and admiring your festive decor, you’re in luck:</span><p></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><em><strong>Tradition says you should be celebrating Christmas (and leaving your decorated tree up) through January 6</strong></em>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">You’re probably familiar with the song about the 12 days of Christmas—but you may not have known that the 12 days don’t actually start until Christmas Day, meaning there are almost two full weeks of celebrating to do after Santa arrives. According to Christian tradition, January 6 marks the day the three kings actually arrived in Bethlehem and signals the end of the Christmas celebrations. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This day is called The Feast of Epiphany, The Twelfth Night, or Three Kings Day, and in some parts of the world, it signifies a celebration that’s just as big as the one on Christmas Day. And while I’ll welcome any excuse to leave up the red and gold ornaments, tradition says <strong><em>it’s actually unlucky to take your tree down before this date</em></strong>. When you finally take down the tree, don’t just leave it on the curb; you can actually recycle live Christmas trees by finding a recycling program or having them chipped into mulch for your garden. I'll be posting on where/how to recycle soon.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">While the Christmas festivities technically end on Epiphany, the holidays aren’t over just yet. The day also marks the official start of the Mardi Gras season, so it’s tradition to serve King Cake on January 6. The tradition of Three Kings Day is actually where the name “king cake” comes from—and why there’s a tiny plastic baby hidden inside. I'll be posting on that, too.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I'm definitely in the "leave it up longer" group. I love how it looks & want to keep it as long as possible. How about you? When do you take your tree down?</span></p>
<p> </p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-78661061410790245782020-12-23T08:07:00.003-08:002020-12-23T08:07:55.868-08:00Did You Outgrow Your Home in 2020?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCsGsD4by0lNmYnyFHCxNC8swAHkUoPAdFrZUip0c95MWTwRuzVYeSd2ot3pCcVG2rA1gIKNlh6JEaNBlPWAX83Ub0B4_BbKx82uTbeh1ZbFGK6JyHYdaiBz1T6x1vwbLv0bUqy_2al0/s1006/Blog+Pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="1006" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUCsGsD4by0lNmYnyFHCxNC8swAHkUoPAdFrZUip0c95MWTwRuzVYeSd2ot3pCcVG2rA1gIKNlh6JEaNBlPWAX83Ub0B4_BbKx82uTbeh1ZbFGK6JyHYdaiBz1T6x1vwbLv0bUqy_2al0/s320/Blog+Pic.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Did You Outgrow Your Home in 2020?</span><p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">It may seem hard to imagine that the home you’re in today – whether it’s your starter home or just one you’ve fallen in love with along the way – might not be your forever home.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Many needs have changed in 2020, and it’s okay to admit if your house no longer fits your lifestyle. If you’re now working remotely, facilitating virtual school, trying to exercise at home, or simply just spending more time in your own four walls, you may be bursting at the seams in your current house.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">According to the latest <a href="https://www.corelogic.com/insights/home-price-index.aspx" rel="noopener" target="_blank">HOME PRICE INSIGHTS</a> from CoreLogic, prices have appreciated 7.3% year-over-year. At the same time, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) <a href="https://www.nar.realtor/newsroom/existing-home-sales-decrease-2-5-in-november" rel="noopener" target="_blank">REPORTS</a> that inventory has dropped 22% from one year ago.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIixBSQeNdblYb5m2H8VqqtDZZaswhch0AotME_2ZGgE0M-BJT0DZ1kqGFQ2SVUB8mSOzn7YMKN5PXqYAGUSp9BX4mgLxTBU1UboLnbb_N-0PVQUhILrYRL1UOAkTmjW20Knq_zr1LU0/s1000/kcm-infographic-1608734309.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIixBSQeNdblYb5m2H8VqqtDZZaswhch0AotME_2ZGgE0M-BJT0DZ1kqGFQ2SVUB8mSOzn7YMKN5PXqYAGUSp9BX4mgLxTBU1UboLnbb_N-0PVQUhILrYRL1UOAkTmjW20Knq_zr1LU0/s320/kcm-infographic-1608734309.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">These two statistics are directly related to one another. As inventory has <strong>decreased</strong> and demand has <strong>increased</strong>, prices have been driven up.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This is great news if you own a home and you’re thinking about selling. The equity in your house has likely risen as prices have increased. Even better is the fact that there’s a large pool of buyers out there searching for the American dream, and your home may be high on their wish list.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Bottom Line</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If you think you’ve outgrown your current home, let’s connect to discuss local market conditions and determine if now is the best time for you to sell.</span></p></div><p><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-57558533507359735122020-12-07T11:36:00.001-08:002020-12-07T11:36:15.958-08:00Whatever your Lifestyle...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck77fktIdb2nRDNotmc33AERjIMAwgLHZB6H9ZNfCUKkiLf3VIC3IzvEC4eLOBnjx4ArVStYbnXbI9Epa5gvMKmnww2rpczx4uO_qlLO5jqNJeLqJyULIIzB7qMFi8x6sZEblo92ntm4/s940/Whatever+groovy+lifestyle+you+enjoy....png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhck77fktIdb2nRDNotmc33AERjIMAwgLHZB6H9ZNfCUKkiLf3VIC3IzvEC4eLOBnjx4ArVStYbnXbI9Epa5gvMKmnww2rpczx4uO_qlLO5jqNJeLqJyULIIzB7qMFi8x6sZEblo92ntm4/s320/Whatever+groovy+lifestyle+you+enjoy....png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-89095225538829561362020-12-06T10:42:00.003-08:002020-12-06T10:42:38.332-08:00How to Recognize the Very Best Real Estate Agent.<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn7FJh7kGu2CQSIl4ea4BoxG3-0TMBYR2d6LzWSEsFksFASJ-scPywpo_IuL162zvyRLdLIAupSRT9SuEfwzfGfgXXyk4q3Lt7IgkRJGqjhe1jDjQd55WUtr50GPpn5HvPgrsCxANrf0/s175/Logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="51" data-original-width="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn7FJh7kGu2CQSIl4ea4BoxG3-0TMBYR2d6LzWSEsFksFASJ-scPywpo_IuL162zvyRLdLIAupSRT9SuEfwzfGfgXXyk4q3Lt7IgkRJGqjhe1jDjQd55WUtr50GPpn5HvPgrsCxANrf0/s0/Logo.JPG" /></a></div><br />Exciting news! I have just completed a very rigorous learning course in my quest to continually provide the very best service to my clients. <p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This course is only available to Realtors and is a 7-layer learning program covering: Trust & Integrity: Technology: Data Safety: Continuing Knowledge & Skill: Client Service: Communications Skills: Commitment to Customer Service Excellence. Each section has a test you must pass & it ends with a Pledge. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am now endorsed by the National Assn of Realtors. It was challenging and so is today's real estate market. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Get the very best service and information you need in today's market -- call me.</span></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-44419274029726127112020-11-23T09:33:00.000-08:002020-11-23T09:33:32.307-08:00Competition Keeping You from Buying a Home?<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Don’t Let Buyer Competition Keep You from Purchasing a Home!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This year’s record-low mortgage rates sparked high demand among homebuyers. Current homeowners, however, haven’t put their houses on the market so quickly. This makes finding a home to buy today challenging for many potential buyers. With an obstacle like this, those searching for their dream homes may be pressing pause on their searches as we approach the end of the year, but that could be a big mistake for many hopeful house hunters. Here’s why. </span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">According to the most recent <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><a href="http://eyeonhousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/HOUSING-TRENDS-REPORT-Q320.pdf" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;">Housing Trends Report</a></span></em> from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB):</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“The length of time spent searching for a home continues to grow.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The report indicates that <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">62% of buyers now spend 3 months or more</span></em> looking for a home, an increase from 58% one year ago. A primary cause for the delay is the heavy competition today’s buyers face when making an offer on a home. Based on recent <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><a href="https://cdn.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2020-09-realtors-confidence-index-10-22-2020.pdf" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #337ab7; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">data</a></span></em> from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average house in today’s market receives <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;">3.4 offers</span></em> before it’s sold. This means for every buyer who purchases a home, there are on average two or three buyers who have to begin their search all over again.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Compared to this time last year, the NAHB report shows that buyers are having more success finding homes in their price range. However, it also notes the percentage of buyers saying they’re getting outbid when they make an offer has jumped from 15% to 27%. Buyers are indicating that bidding wars are a major obstacle to finding their dream home (See graph below):</span> </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39826279_m.png" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39826279_f.png" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></source><img alt="" class="img-fluid-wysiwyg" src="https://images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39826279_f.png" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">If this is a challenge you’re up against in your home search, you’re not alone. Feeling stuck in the process can be frustrating, but if there’s ever been a year to power through, this is the one. NAHB noted:</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 30px;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Difficulties finding a home to buy will likely lead 20% of active buyers to give up until next year or later. That share is up from 15% a year earlier.”</span></span></em></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Experts anticipate home prices will continue to rise into 2021, and the incredibly low interest rates we’ve seen this year are also forecasted to increase as the economy strengthens. Hopeful homebuyers who decide to hold off on their search until there’s less competition run the risk of finding a more expensive housing market when they start looking again. If affordability is a key motivator behind your decision to buy a home, this winter is still the best time to make it happen.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #212529; font-family: "open sans", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 30px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: blue;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Bidding wars may be one of the greatest challenges buyers face in today’s housing market, but they shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. </span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: blue;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Having the right expert on your side throughout the buying process will give you the advantage you need when it comes to finding the right home and making a competitive offer. If you’re ready to buy this winter, let’s connect to discuss how to position yourself for success.</span></span></span></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-46030010565023462642020-11-17T08:43:00.001-08:002020-11-17T08:43:32.068-08:00Homes are Disappearing!<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqdi635cJCJbOwvKjDsNWRQWm4EvMzJxZW4bXMGZ7Qsyr4yllP6ZxKB6P-EtKGYC65AXR-a8eDUBuXHtTu2P_b4tRJXGD16Choyc0kUhC8kGW3DwjXVbfHzAhqPKnxbTlWSgVSsCTj48/s450/Blog+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqdi635cJCJbOwvKjDsNWRQWm4EvMzJxZW4bXMGZ7Qsyr4yllP6ZxKB6P-EtKGYC65AXR-a8eDUBuXHtTu2P_b4tRJXGD16Choyc0kUhC8kGW3DwjXVbfHzAhqPKnxbTlWSgVSsCTj48/s320/Blog+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Homes for Sale, that is. <p></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Through all the challenges of 2020, the real estate market has done very well, and purchasers are continuing to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Realtor Magazine just </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2020/11/03/hot-housing-market-likely-won-t-cool-in-winter" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">EXPLAINED</a></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">:</span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #993366;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“While winter may be typically a slow season in real estate, economists predict it isn’t likely to happen this year…Low inventories combined with high demand due to record-low mortgage rates is sending buyers to the market in a flurry.”</span></strong></em></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">However, one challenge for the housing industry heading into this winter is the dwindling number of homes available for sale. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), recently <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/existing-home-sales" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">SAID</a></span>:</span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #993366;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">"There is no shortage of hopeful, potential buyers, but inventory is historically low.”</span></strong></em></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In addition, Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/weekly-housing-trends-view-data-week-nov-7-2020/" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">NOTES</a></span>:</span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #993366;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Fewer new sellers coming to market while a greater than usual number of buyers continue to search for a home causes inventory to continue to evaporate.”</span></strong></em></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">One major indicator the industry uses to measure housing supply is the months’ supply of inventory. According to <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/economists-outlook/inventory-and-months-supply" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank" title="NAR">NAR</a></span>:</span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color: #993366;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Months’ supply refers to the number of months it would take for the current inventory of homes on the market to sell given the current sales pace.”</span></strong></em></span></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Historically, six months of supply is considered a normal real estate market. Going into the pandemic, inventory was already well below this mark. As the year progressed, the supply reduced even further. Here is a graph showing this measurement over the last year:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <picture> <source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39819601_m.png"></source> <source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39819601_f.png"></source> <img alt="" class="img-fluid-wysiwyg" src="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39819601_f.png" style="height: 629px; max-width: 100%;" width="730" /> </picture></span></p><p> </p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What does this mean if you’re a buyer?</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Be patient during your home search. It may take time to find a home you love. Once you do, be ready to move forward quickly. Get pre-approved for a mortgage, be prepared to make a competitive offer from the start, and understand how the shortage in inventory has led to more bidding wars. Calculate just how far you’re willing to go to secure a home if you truly love it.</span></p><p><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">What does this mean if you’re a seller?</span></strong></p><p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Realize that, in some ways, you’re in the driver’s seat. When there’s a shortage of an item at the same time there’s a strong demand for it, the seller is in a good position to negotiate. Whether it’s the price, moving date, possible repairs, or anything else, you’ll be able to ask for more from a potential purchaser at a time like this – especially if you have multiple interested buyers. Do not be unreasonable, but understand you probably have the upper hand.</span></p><p>
</p><p><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The housing market will remain strong throughout the winter and heading into the spring. Know what that means for you, whether you’re buying, selling, or doing both. Contact me for a FREE accurate market evaluation of your home so you can make the Smart Decision.</span></p>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-3237787210142211982020-06-17T08:36:00.001-07:002020-06-17T08:36:59.827-07:00Is Economy Recovery Already Underway?<h3 class="kcm-post-minimal-title" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; letter-spacing: -0.035em; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 0.2em; outline: none !important; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
Is the Economic Recovery Already Underway?</h3>
<img alt="Is the Economic Recovery Already Underway? | MyKCM" class="attachment-entry size-entry wp-post-image" height="410" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" src="https://files.mykcm.com/2020/06/15123235/20200617-KCM-Share.jpg" srcset="https://files.mykcm.com/2020/06/15123235/20200617-KCM-Share.jpg 750w, https://files.mykcm.com/2020/06/15123235/20200617-KCM-Share-600x328.jpg 600w, https://files.mykcm.com/2020/06/15123235/20200617-KCM-Share-100x55.jpg 100w" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; height: auto; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important; vertical-align: middle;" width="750" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; outline: none !important;" /><br />
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The <em style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none !important;">Wall Street Journal</em> just released their latest monthly <em style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none !important;">Survey of Economists</em>. In an <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/wsj-survey-u-s-recovery-from-pandemic-shock-to-begin-by-third-quarter-11591884001" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #00aeff; outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="article">article</a> on the findings, they reported:</div>
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<em style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none !important;"><b>“The U.S. economy will be in recovery by the third quarter of this year, economists said in a survey that also concluded the labor market will fare better than previously expected following the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.”</b></em></div>
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Clearly, the latest <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #00aeff; outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="jobs report">jobs report</a> from the <em style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none !important;">U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics </em>confirmed the labor market is outperforming expectations, as it revealed that 2.5 million jobs were added. Directly before the release, experts forecasted that we would <em style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none !important;">lose over 8 million jobs</em>.</div>
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A second revelation indicating the economy is already about to turn around was also somewhat unexpected. More than 9 out of 10 economists surveyed believe the recovery has already begun this quarter or will begin in the third quarter. Here are the results of the survey question asking when the recovery will begin:<a href="https://files.simplifyingthemarket.com/2020/06/15123137/20200617-MEM-ENG-1.jpg?a=565814-315103e0ee25c1d3cab8694816a3fead" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #00aeff; outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Is the Economic Recovery Already Underway? | MyKCM" class="aligncenter wp-image-94251" height="450" src="https://files.mykcm.com/2020/06/15123137/20200617-MEM-ENG-1.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.5em; max-width: 700px; outline: none !important; vertical-align: middle; width: 699.994px;" width="600" /></a>The survey also asked what type of recovery the economists expect.</div>
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More than 8 out of 10 believe it will be a form of a ‘V’ recovery:</div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none !important;">A true ‘V’ with a sharp drop and a sharp rebound</li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; outline: none !important;">A ‘Nike Swoosh’ with a sharp drop and a more gradual recovery, coined after the company’s logo</li>
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Some experts, possibly concerned about a second wave of COVID-19, call for a ‘W’ recovery – a double dip recession.</div>
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Others call for a ‘U’ with a prolonged bottom.</div>
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A very small percentage project the dreaded ‘L’ recovery, which is no recovery at all for the foreseeable future (think of the Great Recession).</div>
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Here’s the breakdown:<a href="https://files.simplifyingthemarket.com/2020/06/15123208/20200617-MEM-ENG-2.jpg?a=565814-315103e0ee25c1d3cab8694816a3fead" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #00aeff; outline: none !important; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Is the Economic Recovery Already Underway? | MyKCM" class="aligncenter wp-image-94252" height="450" src="https://files.mykcm.com/2020/06/15123208/20200617-MEM-ENG-2.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto 1.5em; max-width: 700px; outline: none !important; vertical-align: middle; width: 699.994px;" width="600" /></a></div>
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<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: 1em; outline: none !important;">Bottom Line</strong></h3>
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The housing market is still HOT here in the Triangle NC area. I placed two offers this weekend and both were multiple offer (5+!) situations. Ready? Contact me and let's get started!</div>
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ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-5755621092933642992020-06-08T10:16:00.003-07:002020-06-08T10:16:41.900-07:00Shocking News in Unemployment!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJr4Ak4pIjuuTRQaH-4-97xT3Uyrz7JmdczPr8sGCOQbXzZA3uU5quSYjnVpv5Jh3EdBYeTYm24pP30hxHhEKVJtJM_K-wi5sVnhpm04zR2yBfBZ9vIbM9sqJPSIZ2oHNn0D2-H3q6J0/s1600/Shocking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="748" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJr4Ak4pIjuuTRQaH-4-97xT3Uyrz7JmdczPr8sGCOQbXzZA3uU5quSYjnVpv5Jh3EdBYeTYm24pP30hxHhEKVJtJM_K-wi5sVnhpm04zR2yBfBZ9vIbM9sqJPSIZ2oHNn0D2-H3q6J0/s320/Shocking.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Last Friday, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released their May <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">Employment Situation Summary</a></span>. Leading up to the release, most experts predicted the unemployment rate would jump up to approximately 20% from the 14.7% rate announced last month.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The experts were shocked.</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Wall Street Journal put it this <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://economics.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/d/6A743EE61457733D2540EF23F30FEDED/5323CD85A2087AFD22947492D9797BBC" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">way</a></span>:</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“The May U.S. jobless rate fell to 13.3% and employers added 2.5 million jobs, blowing Wall Street expectations out of the water: Economists had forecast a loss of 8.3 million jobs </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">and a 19.5% unemployment rate"</span></em></strong></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In addition, CNBC <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/05/jobs-report-may-2020.html" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">revealed</a></span>:</span></div>
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<em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“The May gain was by far the biggest one-month jobs surge in U.S. history since at least 1939.”</span></strong></em></blockquote>
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<strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Here are some of the job gains by sec</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">tor:</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Food Service and Bartenders – 1,400,000</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Construction – 464,000</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Education and Health Services – 424,000</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Retail – 368,000</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Other Services – 272,000</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Manufacturing – 225,000</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Professional Services – 127,000</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">There’s still a long way to go before the economy fully recovers, as 21 million Americans remain unemployed. That number is down, however, from 23 million just last month. And, of the 21 million in the current report, 73% feel their layoff is temporary. This aligns with a recent Federal Reserve Bank <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.frbatlanta.org/blogs/macroblog/2020/05/01/covid-19-caused-3-new-hires-for-every-10-layoffs?mod=article_inline" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">report</a></span> that showed employers felt 75% of the job losses are temporary layoffs and furloughs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The Employment Situation Summary was definitely a pleasant surprise, and evidence that the country’s economic turnaround is underway. The data also offers a labor-market snapshot from mid-May, when the government conducted its monthly survey of households and businesses. Many states did not open for business until the second half of May. This bodes well for next month’s jobs report.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">We cannot rejoice over a report that reveals millions of American families are still without work. We can, however, feel relieved that we are headed in the right direction, and much more quickly than most anticipated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This points to a very robust home market, particularly in our area where we haven't been hit as hard as other areas. Are you thinking of selling? Finally taking that leap to buying? Contact me, I'll give you all the facts to make the smart decision.</span><br />
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ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-82684995433081043802020-05-18T13:20:00.001-07:002020-05-18T13:20:50.033-07:00Home Sellers - How are Home Buyers Wish Lists Changing<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Here we are, weeks into the coronavirus situation & halfway into the second quarter. How has tall of this affected home buyers' Wish Lists? Let's see what the experts say:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvb3bHcsAf25_B3cYZ7WBBmUgQ7Z-DOuJfXwFEc_kYeoxL2BwDjn9pzyNNvfY8sEbsOEe1wcLkpBbWT1CLLGv9g5480LfAuFrkleN-8FYc4UdIuJhvQJjOtVQX3TyzUS7ce462QJJLi3g/s1600/kcm-infographic-1589827443.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1046" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvb3bHcsAf25_B3cYZ7WBBmUgQ7Z-DOuJfXwFEc_kYeoxL2BwDjn9pzyNNvfY8sEbsOEe1wcLkpBbWT1CLLGv9g5480LfAuFrkleN-8FYc4UdIuJhvQJjOtVQX3TyzUS7ce462QJJLi3g/s640/kcm-infographic-1589827443.png" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In a recent study by <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.realtor.com/research/top-consumer-home-features-coronavirus/" rel="noopener" style="color: blue;" target="_blank">realtor.com</a></span>, homeowners noted some of the main things they would change about their homes to make them more livable.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Not surprisingly, more space, an updated kitchen, and a home gym rose to the top of the list. Here are a few other things high on the list:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">- Quiet neighborhoods, outdoor spaces and proximity to grocery stores </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">- Bigger houses, updated kitchens</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">- Some are predicting seeing a wave of folks moving from urban/suburban areas to more rural ones as more folks continue to work from home & prices remain high.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I was surprised that "home office" didn't make that list. I'm guesing that the desire for a bigger home includes more bedrooms & one of them would be the office.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">While at home, 32 percent of consumers are cleaning closets and garages, gardening, and painting walls</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <picture> <source class="lg-img" media="(max-width: 749px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39606112_m.jpg"></source> <source class="sm-img" media="(min-width: 750px)" srcset="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39606112_f.jpg"></source> <img alt="" class="img-fluid-wysiwyg" src="//images.marketleader.com/assets/44/1776144_39606112_f.jpg" style="height: 30px; max-width: 100%;" width="37" /> </picture><span style="color: #993366;">INTERESTIG STATISTIC: while at home, 32 percent of consumers are cleaning closets and garages, gardening, and painting walls</span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I'm being contacted by lots of buyers who are thinking of purchasing this year. Now is a GREAT time to put your home on the market with The Smart Realtor! I am OPEN FOR BUSINESS & ready to help you achieve your goals.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-64427690451277980932020-05-04T13:09:00.002-07:002020-05-04T13:09:37.725-07:00HOW TO TEST DRIVE A NEIGHBORHOOD WHILE SHELTERING IN PLACE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Staying at home doesn't mean your home search needs to come to a standstill. You can do many of these searches right from my website: </span><a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="async" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesmartrealestateagent.com%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3zcQ95I0vXCU-lP4gT5AG83E5iRDKeoUdQ5MEkHYNxJnpfwuabUBpyF1g&h=AT2mpoGEUtKBzrLjiOrAr68CvhLxh9rdBknb9u3M0IFoHN8YQ7YXVPXEoX1Wlal_oD2AkC-yOBxQR0x2dhaHOFHmyJMnPXKlfKqtCpzLQOg9RlLdaWCq4iokab28cE1U5_5en92T0cIDaUopKTUzstHIda3qnxg6_zNOknrofSiUQx3AN57z-73k2Gk65N-qdOpifB-VsQ7lduSiIQ9FDoO6D2Z48mtL5eSHnJ85G3S4pviJtEPS9RK4NKMNooBXMEXgD_WU022tOGm1QmA6eK8iJZGtmOh17oL3g9iWi_h_2o_mIlMshmhd8qulYFrd1uTtnPNxqSNzmaukABt-UqB3nelxaGTdPv3na1nXO0Uq0p2BCXA9W1mAmCxaDKLVYReYqbtFaKAxi5oruPWsrG4FFg6fDT7TL5WXfkl4TbjqYPqNmSvbLf42sFN8mgV7pQqNYg22lwIzLeAIXBGl8DIthPGKjEenhRM6ES7wa8mTThCZ8P1YuxApOcHUrieBcX3FwWcHJb-sbgwxbgx91kL1YjVv6jAwFmMr8phMtZDCRwTbGfjbUOpD1qNqvo5h2CcGeWWzOGW4RZyxMnYlWLvnxOgC-Hpy4MKJ3DIT2uAp5jR2ayqQwPOaoD0ovrcPOiX6" rel="noopener nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" target="_blank">https://www.thesmartrealestateagent.com</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Let’s connect today so I can help you with all of the additional steps along the way, and get ready to make your next move.</span>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8422169265674946885.post-44640129927645998582020-04-27T12:41:00.000-07:002020-04-27T12:41:20.008-07:00COVID 19 - IMPACT ON HOME VALUES BY THE EXPERTS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">These are uncharted waters - it's a challenge to predict what impact the current shutdown may have on home values. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Some buyers are hoping for major price reductions because the health crisis is straining the economy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The price of any item, however, is determined by supply and demand, which is how many items are available in relation to how many consumers want to buy that item. You knew that, thank you for indulging me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In residential real estate, the measurement used to decipher that ratio is called <strong><em>months supply of inventory</em></strong>. You may recall that I talked about this in the great recession we just survived. This terms refers to the number of months it would take to sell all the available homes if no new homes came on the market. A normal market would have 6-7 months of inventory. Anything over seven months would be considered a buyers’ market, with downward pressure on prices. Anything under six months would indicate a sellers’ market, which would put upward pressure on prices.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Going into March of this year, the supply stood at three months – a strong seller’s market. While buyer demand has decreased in the past month, the number of homes on the market has also decreased. The recently released <span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.nar.realtor/research-and-statistics/housing-statistics/existing-home-sales" target="_blank">Existing Home Sales Report</a> </span>from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed we currently have 3.4 months of inventory. This means homes should maintain their value.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This information is consistent with the research completed by John Burns Real Estate Consulting, which recently reported:</span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Historical analysis showed us that pandemics are usually V-shaped (sharp recessions that recover quickly enough to provide little damage to home prices).”</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So, what are the experts saying?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Here’s a look at what some experts recently reported on the matter:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Ivy Zelman, President, Zelman & Associates</span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Supported by our analysis of home price dynamics through cycles and other periods of economic and housing disruption, we expect home price appreciation to decelerate from current levels in 2020, though easily remain in positive territory year over year given the beneficial factors of record-low inventories & a historically-low interest rate environment.”</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Freddie Mac</span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“The fiscal stimulus provided by the CARES Act will mute the impact that the economic shock has on house prices. Additionally, forbearance and foreclosure mitigation programs will limit the fire sale contagion effect on house prices. We forecast house prices to fall 0.5 percentage points over the next four quarters. Two forces prevent a collapse in house prices. First, as we indicated in our earlier research report, U.S. housing markets face a large supply deficit. Second, population growth and pent up household formations provide a tailwind to housing demand. Price growth accelerates back towards a long-run trend of between 2 and 3% per year.”</span></em></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First American</span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #993366; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“The housing supply remains at historically low levels, so house price growth is likely to slow, but it’s unlikely to go negative.”</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><strong>Houses are selling</strong> & all signs indicate that the market is steady and will remain so. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Contact me & I will help you navigate this new virtual buying & selling world. I've been using these virtual tools for yearsto help my folks achieve their goals, and I will use them to help you, too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: green;"><em><strong><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">BE SAFE...BE SAVVY...CALL THE SMART REALTOR</span></strong></em></span>ELIZABETH SCOTT - THE SMART REALTORhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04621372326329039728noreply@blogger.com1