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Monday, December 9, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

Why More Sellers Are Hiring Real Estate Agents

Putting your house for sale on your own – often called “For Sale by Owner” or FSBO – might be on your mind. But you should know that it gets complicated very quickly, especially in today’s complex market.
That’s why data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows a record low number are going the route of selling on their own.
Instead, more and more homeowners are choosing to work with a real estate agent (see graph below):
And here’s why partnering with an expert is the go-to choice. Selling your home is a big deal, and while FSBO might seem like a way to save time or money, it comes with a lot of responsibilities.
The selling process requires setting the right price, navigating a growing amount of legal paperwork, and creating a solid strategy to attract buyers. And going it alone often means taking on more than you bargained for.
Let’s look at two big reasons why working with a pro can make all t; ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, real estate agents, home owners, for sale by owner

Friday, December 6, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

Why This Winter Is the Sweet Spot for Selling

Some Highlights

Thinking about selling your house? Here are a few reasons why you may want to do it this season.
Buyers looking right now are serious about moving and the number of homes for sale is typically lower this time of year – helping your house stand out.
While inventory is higher this year than it’s been in the last few winters, you'll still be in this year’s sweet spot. ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers

Thursday, December 5, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

Why Owning a Home Is Worth It in the Long Run

Today’s mortgage rates and home prices may have you second-guessing whether it's still a good idea to buy a home right now. While market factors are definitely important, there’s also a bigger picture to consider: the long-term benefits of homeownership.
Think of it this way. If you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. That’s because over time, home values usually grow – and that means a homeowner’s net worth does too. Here's a look at how that can really add up over the years.
Home Price Growth over Time
The map below uses data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to show how much prices have grown over the last five years. Since home prices vary by area, the map is broken out regionally to really showcase larger market trends:

You can see that nationally, home prices increased by over 57% in j; ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, mortgage rates, home prices, homeownership

Wednesday, December 4, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

When Will Mortgage Rates Come Down?

One of the biggest questions on everyone’s minds right now is: when will mortgage rates come down? After several years of rising rates and a lot of bouncing around in 2024, we’re all eager for some relief.
While no one can project where rates will go with complete accuracy or the exact timing, experts offer some insight into what we might see going into next year. Here’s what the latest forecasts show.
Mortgage Rates Are Expected To Ease and Stabilize in 2025
After a lot of volatility and uncertainty, the most updated forecasts suggest rates will start to stabilize over the next year, and should ease a bit compared to where they are right now (see graph below):

As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: 
“While mortgage rates remain elevated, they are expected to stabilize.”
Key Factors That’ll Impact the Future of Mortgage Rates
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  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, mortgage rates

Tuesday, December 3, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

Sell Your House During the Winter Sweet Spot

A lot of people assume spring is the ideal time to sell a house. And sure, buyer demand usually picks up at that time of year. But here’s the catch: so does your competition because a lot of people put their homes on the market at the same time.
So, what’s the real advantage of selling your house before spring? It’ll stand out.
Historically, the number of homes for sale tends to drop during the cooler months – and that means buyers have fewer options to choose from.
You can see how that trend played out over the past few years in this data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Each time, the supply of homes for sale dipped during these cooler months. And then, after each winter lull, inventory started to climb as more sellers jumped into the market closer to spring (see graph below):
Here’s why knowing how this trend works gives you an edge. While inventory is higher this year than it&lsq. ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, housing market