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Mortgage Rates Tumble In 2019 - Its Time To Buy

One of the biggest factors for buyers in determining the right time to buy a home? Mortgage rates. Securing a low interest rate on your mortgage can save you tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your loan while buying when rates are high can cost you tens of thousands of dollars in interest.

So where, exactly, are mortgage rates in 2019—and what does that mean for buyers?

According to a recent article in REALTOR Magazine, mortgage rates have been steadily falling in 2019. Currently, the average rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 4.28 percent—down .17 percent from this time last year (when the rates averaged 4.45 percent). Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages have fallen even more; currently, the average rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage is 3.71 percent—down a full .2 percent from March 2018 (when the rates averaged 3.91 percent).

If you’ve been thinking about buying a home, securing a mortgage when interest rates are low can save you a huge amount of money over the course of your loan—so now would be a great time to make a move.

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Sell Your Home Faster

Without lowering your asking price, what can you do to sell your home faster? The following are strategies that will help your property sell quickly without your wallet taking a heavy hit.

1. Declutter

Few things detract from the beauty of a home quite like clutter. Though straightening and organizing is rarely the way most homeowners want to spend their days, it makes a huge difference. We’re not just talking about scrapping the junk mail either. Rid your entryways and mud rooms of extra coats, bags, and boots. Keep those countertops clear, and don’t forget to straighten up inside the kitchen and bathroom cabinets!

2. Rent a storage unit

Try removing one third of your items — especially from closets — before putting your home on the market, as this will make your home appear more spacious. Consider renting a storage unit rather than stuffing your basement or attic — because buyers look there as well!

3. Clean like you’ve never cleaned before

Whether you’ve lived in a home for a few months or a few decades, some stains become invisible to you. While not every visitor will perform the old white glove test, they will notice things like dirty windowsills and dusty shelves. (And that crusty stuff on the bottom of your oven needs to go too.)

4. Up your curb appeal

If a property looks well-cared for from the outside, chances are it’s been well-maintained on the inside too. Plus, prospective owners look at a lush lawn as one less thing they have to deal with after they move in.

5. Remove personal items

As hard as it might be to imagine that no one wants to see your Beanie Baby collection, it’s true. Not only will quirky displays distract would-be buyers, they can turn them off to the property completely. Don’t take that chance.

6. Be your own marketing machine

While having a great agent in your corner is half the battle, don’t be shy when it comes to spreading the word on your own. You never know who has friends or family looking for new digs!

7. Make sure your photos are perfect & plentiful

Most buyers will form a first impression of your home based on online listing photos. So you definitely don’t want to leave picture-taking to an amateur. An experienced photographer knows how to show off each room to its full advantage.

8. Make minor upgrades (that make a major difference)

Fresh coats of paint brighten up rooms and make them appear fresh again. If you don’t have the money to splurge on a major kitchen renovation, consider inexpensive updates like switching out the hardware or light fixtures. If you’re willing to invest a bit more, replace an outdated appliance or two.

Something as simple as cleaning the grout in your bathroom will go a long way toward making the place shine.

9. Keep the pets (and their odor) out

While you might think of your pet as a furry family member, not everyone is going to be as fond of Fido — or his funk. You may be immune to the scent of your cat or dog, so ask someone you trust to tell you if your home has an odor as that proves a major turnoff to buyers.

Once you’ve got the smell under control, make sure your pet is not on the premises for any showings. People with allergies or those who fear an unfamiliar pooch not only feel more comfortable but take the time to explore rather than run back to their car.

10. Adding a closet, adds a bedroom

If you have a den or home office and believe your place would sell faster if it had another bedroom, adding a closet is easier than you think. If you’re handy, instructions abound, making this a DIY project for any weekend warrior. Rather leave it to the pros? Homeadvisor.com estimates the average cost to build a 6.5 feet wide walk-in closet is around $1,500, which is a small investment compared to how much value another bedroom adds to your home — and its asking price.

If this takes your three-bedroom home to a four-bedroom and that’s what sells fastest in your neighborhood, it’s time to start planning.

11. Take care of anything that will pop up during inspection

You know that loose handrail you’ve been ignoring? Fix it. Now. If you’re aware of problems that will undoubtedly appear on a home inspector’s report, deal with them as soon as you can so you don’t waste time or lose a potential buyer.

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No Down Payment? No Problem

Most potential homeowners believe that in order to purchase a home they’ll need to come up with at least 20% for the down payment. And with the median price of homes in the US at $240,900, that’s a whopping $48,000. For many, coming up with that kind of cash just isn’t possible.

But while you traditionally needed a substantial down payment in order to secure a loan, today there are plenty of ways to become a homeowner—even if you haven’t saved a penny for a down payment.

In a recent video, the team at Realtor.com break down a few options available for potential buyers looking to buy a home without a substantial down payment. One option is a mortgage from the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office, which provides 0% down payment mortgages to buyers in towns with populations of 10,000 or less (which covers 97% of the US!). Other options include mortgages from credit unions, VA loans, and down payment assistance programs. In addition to the options outlined in the video, nontraditional lending options like FHA loans are also a great way to purchase a home without breaking the bank with a down payment.

If you’ve been holding back on purchasing a home because you haven’t been able to save a substantial down payment, you have options. Talk to your real estate agent and figure out which no (or low) down payment loan option is right for you.

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Maintain Your Washing Machine

MAINTAIN YOUR WASHER

Using your washer every every week means that many cycles of dirt, detergent, water and heat pass through the machine – not to mention general wear and tear. Here’s how to give your washing machine a deep clean.

Step 1 – First, remove germs and detergent build up by running an empty load with hot water and 2 cups of chlorine bleach, or white vinegar.

Step 2 – In the middle of the wash cycle, add a half cup of detergent. Let the load run the full cycle.

Step 3 – Remove any stains on the washer drum with a soft abrasive cleanser and a sponge.

Dont forget to check your owners manual for recommendations prior to cleaning

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Housing Demand Shifting From Renting To Owning

If you needed further confirmation that homeownership is becoming a more attractive option than renting to people across the country, just ask Harvard. According to the recent State of the Nation’s Housing report from the Joint Center on Housing Studies of Harvard University, the national homeownership rate increased for the first time in 13 years (from 63.4% in 2016 to 63.9% in 2017), with the number of homeowners rising an average of 710,000 per year over the past two years.

At the same time, the demand for renting has significantly slowed down. While growth in the number of rental households from 2000 – 2015 was at an average of 850,000 per year, that number dropped dramatically in 2015 – 2017 to just 220,000. The national rental vacancy rate also rose for the first time since 2009 (from 6.9% to 7.2%).

As renting continues to become more unaffordable in markets across the country, more people are finding homeownership to be the best (and oftentime more affordable) housing option for themselves and their families.

Looking to purchase? Please do not hesitate to contact me.

Email: info@soldbyshaw.com

715-245-3261

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Why You Should Get Pre-Approved Before Looking At Homes

Ever had an agent deny to show you a home because you weren’t pre-approved for a mortgage? It’s not because they’re mean, or they don’t value your business… it’s actually because they’re looking out for your best interests.

Let’s face it, shopping for a home before getting pre-approved for a mortgage is like walking into a grocery store without a wallet. You may have the desire to buy, but you lack the ability. Let’s cover some basics…

What is a mortgage pre-approval? In a nutshell, a mortgage pre-approval is written assurance from a lender or broker that you’re able to borrow money to purchase a home up to a certain amount. It’s based on the income, employment and asset documentation you supply at the time of application, in conjunction with your credit history.

It carries more weight than a “pre-qualification”. A pre-approval differs from a pre-qualification. With the former, the lender has actually checked your credit and verified your documentation to approve a specific loan amount (usually for a particular time period such as 30, 60 or 90 days). A pre-qualification can be useful as an estimate of how much you can afford to spend on your home, but it’s a less accurate indicator of your ability to purchase. A pre-approval always carries more weight.

You’ll know how much house you can afford. Getting pre-approved before you begin house hunting allows you to know how much house you can realistically afford. Knowing this narrows down the options and makes the selection process more efficient. Not to mention, it protects you from the unpleasant surprise of realizing the home you fell in love with doesn’t fit your budget.

It adds clout to your offer. In many markets, homes attract more than one offer. If the sellers are weighing one offer against another, they may lean towards the one accompanied by a pre-approval letter. That’s because pre-approvals install confidence that the buyer is financially capable of purchasing their home.

It could increase your negotiating power. In addition to strengthening your offer when compared to buyers who haven’t taken this step, getting pre-approved may give you the upper-hand when negotiating the price. If the homeowner is eager to sell, they may be more willing to accept a lower offer from someone they’ve been assured is financially capable of purchasing their home.

It saves time. Obtaining a mortgage is a lengthy process. Getting pre-approved ahead of time shortens the time between contract to close — this way you’re ready to proceed with finalizing the mortgage once you’ve found the home you want to purchase.

Please feel free to download my Buyers Guide giving you some helpful information on the buying process.

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BUYERS

Whether you are a buyer searching for your first home, or a homeowner looking to move up to your next home, you should pay attention to where mortgage interest rates are heading.

Although rates have risen since January, If you look at the graph below, we’ll see that rates have already started to level off and return to the mark set in February.

This is great news for anyone looking to buy a home this spring! The spring is always one of the busiest seasons for home buying, and with rates projected to increase, buyers have come off the fence to lock in great rates!

SELLERS

With the low interest rates, buyer demand is still outpacing the supply of homes for sale! With the lack of competition, this is a great time to capitalize on the demand in the market right now!

Maybe worth finding out what your home could sell for in today’s market.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

715-245-3261

info@soldbyshaw.com

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Buying a Home? Its Time

Reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting!

Prices Will Continue to Rise

CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.6% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 4.3% 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.

Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that interest rates for a 30-year mortgage hovered close to 4.0% in 2017. 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 by nearly a full percentage point by this time next year.

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.

Either Way, You Are Paying a Mortgage

There are some renters who have not yet purchased a home 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 have equity in your home that you can tap into later in life. As a renter, you guarantee your landlord is the person with that equity.

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

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.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. I would love to help in any way I can and set you on your path to your new home

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Looking to buy / sell property in Pierce County Wisconsin?

Looking to buy / sell property in St Croix County Wisconsin?

Looking for a real estate agent?

If you plan to sell your home in the near future, one of the most important things to know is a fair asking price for your property. Please feel free to contact me for a FREE valuation of your property!

If you are looking to buy a home please feel free to carry out a home search, or contact me via my Buyer Form and I will carry out a personalized search to fit your criteria immediately.

BUYERS

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Help Your Home Sell Quicker

Make sure your home has good curbside appeal. Helping it look like the new kid on the block by investing a few dollars will help you get more $$ and faster!!

A new paint job is one of most cost-effective ways of freshening your house up, inside and out.  Keeping it neutral helps. White, off-white or beige usually works well.

Staging your home – Do yourself, otherwise have a home staging specialist help stage your home. De-clutter and reorganize. Studies show that buyers pay more for staged homes.

Fix ups – if need be: Replace cracked windows, stained carpeting or torn screens.

Landscaping – Get the yard raked, pruned, trimmed and otherwise tidied up. If the area hasn’t already been landscaped, plan to add some new greenery and flowering plants. Keep the grass mowed and weeds pulled.

Other ideas may include:

–          New Doormat

–          New plush towels for the bathroom.

–          Flowers for the showings.

–          New couch cushions, Area rugs, Nice table runner, Artwork.

–          If your front door makes a poor first impression – replace it, or put a fresh coat of paint on it.

–          Get rid of any clutter and get back to open spaces.

–          Dark and cold rooms have little appeal – plenty lights and do not let get to cold.

–          Make sure it smells nice and fresh.

–          Keep the kitchen spotless ALWAYS.

–          Bathrooms spotless with guest towels on show.

–          Check every room for hazards.

–          Plumbing and appliances in working order.

–          Roof and gutters in good condition with no repairs needed.

–          Wash windows, Sparkling windows make a huge difference.

–          Remove grease or oil spots, and fill cracks in the driveway.

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