5 Reasons To Sell This Winter!

Here are five reasons listing your home for sale this winter makes sense.

1. Demand Is Strong

The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase… and are in the market right now! More often than not, multiple buyers are competing with each other to buy a home.

Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.

2. There Is Less Competition Now

Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply that is needed for a normal housing market. This means that, in the majority of the country, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in the market. This is good news for homeowners who have gained equity as their home values have increased. However, additional inventory could be coming to the market soon.

Historically, the average number of years a homeowner stayed in their home was six but has hovered between nine and ten years since 2011. There is a pent-up desire for many homeowners to move, as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. As home values continue to appreciate, more and more homeowners will be given the freedom to move.

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

3. The Process Will Be Quicker

Today’s competitive environment has forced buyers to do all they can to stand out from the crowd, including getting pre-approved for their mortgage financing. This makes the entire selling process much faster and much simpler as buyers know exactly what they can afford before home shopping. According to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Insights Report, the time to close a loan has dropped to 46 days.

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

If your next move will be into a premium or luxury home, now is the time to move up! The inventory of homes for sale at these higher price ranges has forced these markets into a buyer’s market. This means that if you are planning on selling a starter or trade-up home, your home will sell quickly, AND you’ll be able to find a premium home to call your own!

Prices are projected to appreciate by 4.8% over the next year according to CoreLogic. If you are moving to a higher-priced home, it will wind up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait.

5. It’s Time to Move on With Your Life

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

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

That is what is truly important.

Story taken from "Keeping Current Matters".

Where Are Interest Rates Headed In 2019?

The interest rate you pay on your home mortgage has a direct impact on your monthly payment. The higher the rate, the greater the payment will be. That is why it is important to know where rates are headed when deciding to start your home search.

Below is a chart created using Freddie Mac’s U.S. Economic & Housing Marketing Outlook. As you can see, interest rates are projected to increase steadily throughout 2019.

How Will This Impact Your Mortgage Payment?

Depending on the amount of the loan that you secure, a half of a percent (.5%) increase in interest rate can increase your monthly mortgage payment significantly. But don’t let the prediction that rates will increase stop you from purchasing your dream home this year!

Let’s take a look at a historical view of interest rates over the last 45 years.

Bottom Line

Be thankful that you can still get a better interest rate than your older brother or sister did ten years ago, a lower rate than your parents did twenty years ago, and a better rate than your grandparents did forty years ago.

Story taken from "Keeping Current Matters".

*Simulated Pictures*NEW BUILT single level home with open floor plan on just over 1 acre.  Located at 8082 Stella Ct. in Nampa. Home has a gas stone fireplace, Laminate flooring, Recessed lighting in Kitchen and great room. Kitchen has upscale cabinets, granite counters with a granite island and SS appliances that include Cook top, Refrig, D/W and Double Ovens. MB has a granite counter, walk in tile shower, tile floors and back splash. 10 ft ceilings, plus office/4th bedroom. Huge covered patio. 3 car garage and RV garage or work shop is 20X42.

See photos below, then click here for more information.

You can also learn more about us at lowesflatfee.com.

1960's Home

House built in 1960, 5 bedrooms, 1 3/4 Bathrooms. Located at 1922 Shoup Dr. in Twin Falls. Garage with workshop and 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment built in 1970. Large Lot.

See photos below, then click here for more photos and information.

You can also learn more about us at lowesflatfee.com.

Open Floor Plan

Spacious 1,600 sf. house, located at 557 E. Willow Ridge Ct. in Kuna, offers an open floor plan with BRAND NEW paint & flooring, 3 large bedrooms, 2.5 baths, & extended 3 car garage. Master bath has a large soaking tub, shower, private toilet, & large walk in closet. You’ll love the spacious kitchen, ample counter space, stainless steel appliances, & large walk in pantry. Yard is fully fenced & landscaped- full sprinkler system. Enjoy a quiet, low-traffic neighborhood. Adjacent to main roads allows quick travel to Boise/Meridian/Nampa/other areas.

See photos below, then click here for more information.

You can also learn more about us at lowesflatfee.com.

Rare! Newly renovated home in Plantation Creek

Rare! Newly renovated home in Plantation Creek. Located at 3551 N Rock Creek Lane in Garden City. Desirable location that is close to downtown, and has access to the Greenbelt and Plantation Golf Club. New flooring, quartz, tile, lighting, plumbing fixtures and paint. 10 ft ceilings throughout most of the home. Large, versatile great room with floor-to-ceiling built-ins for lots of display and storage space. Newer HVAC system and lifetime tile roof. Don't miss the opportunity to own an updated home in this special neighborhood!

See photos below, then click here for more information.

You can also learn more about us at lowesflatfee.com.

4 Reasons To Buy A Home This Winter!

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Insight report revealed that home prices have appreciated by 5.6% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 4.7% over the next year.

The bottom in home prices has come and gone. Home values will continue to appreciate for years. Waiting no longer makes sense.

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase 

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have hovered around 4.8%. Most experts predict that rates will rise over the next 12 months. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison, projecting that rates will increase in 2019.

An increase in rates will impact YOUR monthly mortgage payment. A year from now, your housing expense will increase if a mortgage is necessary to buy your next home.

3. Either Way, You are Paying a Mortgage

There are some renters who have not yet purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

As an owner, your mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to build equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person building that equity.

Are you ready to put your housing cost to work for you?

4. It’s Time to Move on With Your Life

The ‘cost’ of a home is determined by two major components: the price of the home and the current mortgage rate. It appears that both are on the rise.

But what if they weren’t? Would you wait?

Look at the actual reason you are buying and decide if it is worth waiting. Whether you want to have a great place for your children to grow up, you want your family to be safer, or you just want to have control over renovations, maybe now is the time to buy.

If the right thing for you and your family is to purchase a home this year, buying sooner rather than later could lead to substantial savings.

Story taken from "Keeping Current Matters".