Posts

12 Tips for an Easier Move

Pros & Cons of Selling During the Holidays

Pros and Cons of Selling During the Holidays

If you are thinking about listing your Raleigh Durham home for sale this fall, you might be concerned about showing it, and possibly having to move, over the holiday season. The holidays are already a busy time of year for most families, so you would be right to wonder if you are making a good decision by marketing your home between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Some sellers even take their homes off the market temporarily during the holiday season, but, before you make that choice, consider all the pros and cons to selling during this festive time of year.

Pros:

1. Buyers are serious. Buyers looking for a home during the holiday season are usually serious about getting under contract, or else they’d put it off. Often, they are starting a new job at the beginning of the year, or they want to get their children registered in school by the end of the holiday break, or maybe they want the tax break in the current year. Regardless of their reasons, if they are out looking in November or December, they are serious buyers.

2. There are not as many homes on the market. As a seller, you benefit from having fewer homes on the market to compete with. Less inventory combined with serious buyers means sellers get higher offers.

3. You can take advantage of holiday season curb appeal. While it’s recommended that you not over-decorate while showing your home, you can take advantage of the warm and festive vibes that holiday decorations add. Some white twinkle lights, a wreath on the door, and poinsettias lining your porch can add just the right cozy and inviting feel to win over buyers.

4. Cooler weather may invigorate buyers. The only thing worse than house hunting in the dead of summer is moving and unpacking in the dead of summer. On the other hand, the cooler temperatures of the holiday season may fuel buyers’ desire to get out on the hunt.

Cons:

1. You won’t have as many lookers. We noted that buyers shopping during the holidays are serious ones, but there will definitely be fewer buyers looking to move in  Raleigh Durham than later in the New Year.

2. Showing your home may be more inconvenient. Again, it’s a busy time of year for most families, so do consider the inconvenience of having showings while you are preparing for the holidays or enjoying time off from school or work.

3. Business closings may slow down transactions. Many businesses have shortened hours or holiday closings, which means you or your buyers might have delays with such things as scheduling inspections and appraisals, clearing title or escrow payments, or getting repairs completed.

All in all, the market in the triangle is wonderful for sellers! You can’t really choose a terrrible time to list your Raleigh Durham house for sale. There are pros and cons to all of the different seasons. If you are looking to make a a move in the triangle, give us a call so we can set up a no strings consutlation about your home!

 

Zach + Cindi Honeycutt, Realtors, Movil Realty, 919-730-0777

Are Interest Rates Expected to Rise Next Year?

Are Interest Rates Expected to Rise Over the Next Year?

Are Interest Rates Expected to Rise Over the Next Year? | MyKCM
 

Buying a home in Raleigh Durham has never been better when it comes to interest rates! The competition and lack of inventory…not so great! But the low interest rates have really made it more possible for people interested in buying a home in Raleigh or Durham!

So far this year, mortgage rates continue to hover around 3%, encouraging many hopeful homebuyers to enter the housing market. However, there’s a good chance rates will increase later this year and going into 2022, ultimately making it more expensive to borrow money for a home loan. Here’s a look at what several experts have to say. This will impact nationally and locally for those looking to buy a home in Raleigh Durham or elsewhere.

Danielle Hale, Chief Economistrealtor.com:

Our long-term view for mortgage rates in 2021 is higher. As the economic outlook strengthens, thanks to progress against coronavirus and vaccines plus a dose of stimulus from the government, this pushes up expectations for economic growth . . . .”

Lawrence Yun, Chief EconomistNational Association of Realtors (NAR):

In 2021, I think rates will be similar or modestly higher . . . mortgage rates will continue to be historically favorable.”

Freddie Mac:

We forecast that mortgage rates will continue to rise through the end of next year. We estimate the 30-year fixed mortgage rate will average 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2021, rising to 3.8% in the fourth quarter of 2022.”

Below are the most recent mortgage rate forecasts from four top authorities – Freddie MacFannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and NAR:Are Interest Rates Expected to Rise Over the Next Year? | MyKCM

Bottom Line

If you’re planning to buy a home in Raleigh Durham, purchasing before mortgage interest rates rise may help you save significantly over the life of your home loan! We are Cindi & Zach Honeycutt, your favorite Raleigh Durham realtors! We would be honored to work alongside you on your raleigh durham home search!

The Honeycutts, Movil Realty, 919-730-0777 call or text anytime!

82,338 Reasons to Buy a House Right Now- Raleigh Durham Real Estate Update

82,338 Great Reasons to Buy a Home Today

Taking a Look at the national & Raleigh Durham Real Estate Market

82,338 Great Reasons to Buy a Home Today | MyKCM

The financial benefits of buying a home as compared to renting one are always up for debate. However, one element of the equation is often ignored – the ability to build wealth as a homeowner.

Most experts are calling for home prices to continue appreciating over the next several years. The most recent Home Price Expectation Survey, a survey of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists, expects home appreciation to increase as follows:

  • 2021: 6%
  • 2022: 4.5%
  • 2023: 4%
  • 2024: 3.6%
  • 2025: 3.5%

Using their annual projections, the graph below shows the equity build-up a purchaser could earn, using a $350,000 home as an example:82,338 Great Reasons to Buy a Home Today | MyKCMA homeowner could increase their net worth by over $80,000 in five years. That’s an average of $16,000 annually. That number should be in any equation determining the financial benefits of owning a home compared to renting.

These are national averages. When we take a look at the Raleigh Durham real estate numbers, things look even better!

The average sales price of a Raleigh Durham home from 2020 to 2021 increased by 13% in just one year!  From March 2019 to March of 2020, there was an increase of 5.6% in average sales price. If we don’t even take this years unprecedented bumber of 13%, year over year sales price increases are much higher than the national average. Meaning, your household wealth factor is greatly higher after only a couple of years!

Bottom Line

Homeowners are going to make a substantial amount of money in home equity over the next five years buying a home in Raleigh Durham. If you’re ready to buy a home in the triangle, let’s connect so you can enjoy this great benefit as well!

We are Zach & Cindi Honeycutt. Raleigh Durham real estate agents working to give you the benefit of 2 agents instead of 1! Give us a call anytime for a no strings buying or selling consultation.

 

The Honeycutts, Realtors, Movil Realty, 919-730-0777

How to Be a Competitive Buyer in Today’s Raleigh Durham Housing Market

How to Be a Competitive Buyer in Today’s Raleigh Durham Housing Market

How to Be a Competitive Buyer in Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

  • With so few houses for sale today in the triangle, it’s important to be prepared when you’re ready to buy a home.
  • Meeting with your lender early, knowing your must-haves and nice-to-haves, preparing for a bidding war, and keeping your emotions in check are all ways to gain confidence in the homebuying process. If you need a recommendation for a great lender, let us know! We’d be happy to help you get connected wiht someone who can provide you great service.
  • If you’re looking for an expert guide to help you navigate today’s lightning-fast Raleigh Durham housing market, let’s connect today!

Zach and Cindi Honeycutt, Realtors, Movil Realty, 919-730-0777