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The Big Advantage If You Sell This Spring

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Thinking about selling your house? If you’ve been waiting for the right time, it could be now while the supply of homes for sale is so low. HousingWire shares:

“. . . the big question is whether we are finally starting to see the seasonal spring increase in inventory. The answer is no, because active listings fell to a new low last week for 2023 . . .”

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) confirms today’s housing inventory is low by looking at the months’ supply of homes on the market. In a balanced market, about a six-month supply is needed. Anything lower is a sellers’ market. And today, the number is much lower:

“Total housing inventory registered at the end of February was 980,000 units, identical to January and up 15.3% from one year ago (850,000). Unsold inventory sits at a 2.6-month supply at the current sales pace, down 10.3% from January but up from 1.7 months in February 2022.”

Why Does Low Inventory Make It a Good Time To Sell?

The less inventory there is on the market when you sell, the less competition you’re likely to face from other sellers. That means your house will get more attention from the buyers looking for a home this spring. And since there are significantly more buyers in the market than there are homes for sale, you could even receive more than one offer on your house. Multiple offers are on the rise again (see graph below):

 

If you get more than one offer on your house, it becomes a bidding war between buyers – and that means you have greater leverage to sell on your terms. But if you want to maximize the opportunity for a bidding war to spark, be sure to lean on your expert real estate advisor. While we’re still in a strong sellers’ market, it isn’t the frenzy we saw a couple of years ago, and today’s buyers are focused on the houses with the greatest appeal. Clare Trapasso, Executive News Editor at Realtor.com, explains:

“Well-priced, move-in ready homes with curb appeal in desirable areas are still receiving multiple offers and selling for over the asking price in many parts of the country. So, this spring, it’s especially important for sellers to make their homes as attractive as possible to appeal to as many buyers as possible.”

Bottom Line

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to sell your house, low inventory this spring sets you up with a big advantage. Let’s connect today to make sure your house is ready to sell.

How Young Is ‘Too Young’ to Buy Your First Home? Getting Started Early Has Its Ups and Downs

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How Young Is 'Too Young' to Buy Your First Home? Getting Started Early Has Its Ups and DownsMany millennials are expected to enter the housing market in the next year with the interest rates still low. However, while it may be a good time, it does not necessarily mean that it’s the right time for you to make the investment. If you’re currently weighing your options when it comes to home ownership, here are some things to consider before you decide put the money down.

Are You Struggling With Student Debt

It’s possible to invest in a home when you’re still paying down student debt, but if you’re also struggling with a low-paying job and a high debt load, it may not be the right time to buy. Instead of trying to make ends meet to pay a monthly mortgage payment, it might be a better decision to pay off some of your debt, lower your interest costs and consider investing later on. This will also enable you to afford more home when you decide the time is right to buy.

Do You Have A Down Payment?

It can be a good testament to your financial ability if you want to purchase a home at a young age, but having a down payment is one of the most important things to have on hand when it comes to investing. If you’ve come up with 20% of the purchase price, this will allow you to avoid mortgage loan insurance. If you don’t have this amount, however, or much of anything saved up, you may want to create a budget in order to save up for your down payment.

Are Your Ready To Commit?

Many people romanticize the idea of buying a home since it’s something that really belongs to them, but it’s important to be prepared for the monthly mortgage payments, home maintenance and all the other fees and responsibilities associated with home ownership. It’s great if you want to invest, but if you want to travel or explore different job opportunities or even continue your education, an investment commitment may not be the best choice.

It can be a great financial benefit for your future to invest in a home at a young age, but it’s important to ensure you’re ready for the commitment by having your debt paid down and having money saved.

What You Need To Know About A VA Construction Loan

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What You Need To Know About A VA Construction LoanDo you plan on building your dream home? If you are a veteran, you may qualify for a VA construction loan. This could help you save a significant amount of money as you build your dream house, but it is important to understand the details.

An Overview Of A VA Construction Loan 

In general, a VA construction loan has three separate parts. The first part is the cost to purchase the land, the second part is the cost to construct the home, and the third component is the bundle that gives you your final, long-term mortgage. You have the option to close on the construction process either once or twice, and you should work with a professional who can help you decide which one is better for your situation.

The Benefits Of A VA Construction Loan

There are several significant benefits that come with a VA construction loan. First, it does not require a down payment, so you don’t have to worry about saving tens of thousands of dollars before you start building your house. It also does not have a cap on the maximum size of the loan, so you do not have to worry about running into a roadblock when borrowing money; however, you still have to qualify for the size of the loan you want. You also do not have to worry about paying any interest during the construction process.

Applying For A VA Loan

Applying for a VA construction loan is similar to applying for any other mortgage, but you will also need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) showing that you are a veteran and eligible for this type of loan. Apart from that, you will also need to provide evidence of your credit history, prove you have enough income to pay back the loan, and show proof of employment.

Consider A VA Construction Loan

If you are a veteran and want to build your dream house, you should consider applying for a VA construction loan. It could open the door to new options that might not have otherwise been available.

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