Top 5 things Home Sellers Must Do Before Listing
Are you planning on selling your home? If so, there are a few things you should do before listing it on the market to ensure that you get the best possible deal. In this blog post, we will discuss the top 5 things home sellers must do before listing.1. Make Your Home a Smart HomeSmart homes are becoming increasingly popular among buyers. Making your home a smart home can make it more attractive to potential buyers and can also increase its value. Installing a smart thermostat, smart lighting, and a smart security system can make your home more energy-efficient, safe, and convenient.2. Boost Your Home's Curb AppealThe first impression that buyers have of your home is based on its curb appeal. It is essential to make sure your home looks its best from the outside. Clean the front porch, power wash the exterior of the home, and add some fresh plants or flowers to the front yard. These simple changes can make a big difference.3. Paint the Interior of Your HomeA fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the interior of your home. Choose a neutral color that will appeal to a wide range of buyers. Painting the interior can help brighten up the space and make it look more modern. It's an affordable investment that can increase the value of your home.4. LandscapingThe importance of landscaping cannot be overstated. Proper landscaping can make your home look more attractive and add value to your property. Trim bushes, mow the lawn, and add some flowers and plants to the backyard. A well-maintained yard can make your home more appealing to potential buyers.5. Hire an Experienced Real Estate AgentFinally, hiring an experienced real estate agent is essential when selling your home. They can provide valuable insight into the local real estate market and help you price your home appropriately. They will also have access to the latest real estate news and market updates, which can help you make informed decisions about your sale.In conclusion, there are several things that home sellers must do before listing their home on the market. Making your home a smart home, boosting curb appeal, painting the interior, landscaping, and hiring an experienced real estate agent can make a big difference in the success of your sale. Taking these steps can help you get the best possible deal for your home.
Is Wall Street Really Buying All the Homes?
Let’s be real – buying a home right now is tough. You’re scrolling through listings, rushing to open houses, and maybe even losing out to more competitive offers. Somewhere along the way, you might’ve heard the reason it’s so hard to find a home is because big Wall Street investors are swooping in and snatching up everything in sight.But here’s the thing: that’s mostly a myth. While investors are part of the market, according to Redfin, they’re a relatively small part:Here’s what that means. Five out of every six homes are being purchased by everyday homebuyers like you – not big investors.So, before you get discouraged, let’s take a look at what’s really going on. You might be surprised to learn that Wall Street isn’t the competition you may think it is.Most Investors Are Small Mom-and-PopsMost investors aren’t the mega corporations you’ve probably heard about. In fact, many are your neighbors. A recent report from CoreLogic shows most investors are small, mom-and-pop types who own fewer than 10 properties. They aren’t massive companies with endless resources. Picture your neighbor who has another home they’re renting out or a vacation getaway.Only about 1% of the market is owned by large, mega investors with thousands of properties. The majority are still owned by individuals and smaller investors – not the Wall Street giants.Investor Purchases Are DecliningNot only are most investors small, but overall investor purchases have been on the decline. As the same report from CoreLogic says: “Investors made 80,000 purchases in June 2024, compared with 112,000 in June 2023, and a nearly 50% percent drop from the high of 149,000 purchases in June 2021 . . .”And what does this mean going forward? CoreLogic goes on to point out this downward trend is expected to continue into 2025.So, if it seems like competition with investors is pushing you out of the market, it might help to know that investor activity is actually slowing down.Bottom LineThe idea that Wall Street is buying up all the homes is largely a myth. Most investors are small ones, and the share of homes purchased by investors is declining – so you can take this one off your worry list.If you have questions about the housing market, talk to a local real estate agent. They can explain what’s really happening.
Don’t Let These Two Concerns Hold You Back from Selling Your House
If you’re debating whether or not you want to sell right now, it might be because you’ve got some unanswered questions, like if moving really makes sense in today’s market. Maybe you’re wondering if it’s even a good idea to move right now. Or you’re stressed because you think you won't find a house you like.To put your mind at ease, here’s how to tackle these two concerns head-on.Is It Even a Good Idea To Move Right Now?If you own a home already, you may have been holding off because you don’t want to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on your next house. But your move may be a lot more feasible than you think, and that’s because of your equity.Equity is the current market value of your home minus what you still owe on your loan. And thanks to the rapid appreciation we saw over the past few years, your equity has gotten a big boost. Just how much are we talking about? See for yourself. As Dr. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains:“Persistent home price growth has continued to fuel home equity gains for existing homeowners who now average about $315,000 in equity and almost $129,000 more than at the onset of the pandemic.”Here’s why this can be such a game-changer when you sell. You can use that equity to put down a larger amount on your next home, which means financing less at today’s mortgage rate. And in some cases, you may even be able to buy your next home in cash, avoiding mortgage rates altogether.The bottom line? Your equity could be the key to making your next move possible.Will I Be Able To Find a Home I Like?If this is on your mind, it’s probably because you remember just how low the supply of homes for sale got over the past few years. It felt nearly impossible to find a home to buy because there were so few available.But finding a home in today’s market isn’t as challenging. That’s because the number of homes for sale is growing, giving you more options to choose from. Data from Realtor.com shows just how much inventory has increased – it's up almost 30% year-over-year (see graph below):And even though inventory is still below pre-pandemic levels, this is the highest it’s been in quite a while. That means you have more options for your move, but your house should still stand out to buyers at the same time. That’s a sweet spot for you.It’s important to note, though, that this balance varies by local market. Some places may have more homes for sale than others, so working with a local real estate agent is the best way to see what inventory trends look like in your area. Bottom LineIf you’re thinking about selling, hopefully these concerns haven’t kept you up at night. With this information, you should realize you don’t have to let the what-if’s delay your move anymore.Connect with a local agent so you have the data and the local perspective you need to move forward.
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