Big congratulations to Tanner and Courtney on the sale and closing of their Lake Stevens home! 🔑🎉
Wishing you both so much happiness, love, and wonderful new memories as you start this next adventure. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey—past, present, and future. 🤍I was honored to help them purchase this home years ago and now guide them through the sale as they begin an exciting new chapter—moving closer to family in their new state. Being trusted through multiple milestones like this is truly what makes my job so meaningful.
Happy September, friends! 🍂 This month’s newsletter is packed with: 📊 A fresh Eye on the Market 🏡 Fall home décor ideas to cozy up your space 📦 Clever space-saving tips 🎶 Can’t-miss local events around the Sound Grab your coffee ☕ and take a few minutes to check it out—you’ll love what’s inside! 💌
As the kiddos head back to school and the leaves start to turn, it’s a great time to think about new beginnings—whether it’s finding a new home or making the most of your current one!
Here’s the scoop for September: Mortgage rates have been on a delightful downward trend this summer. While the Federal Reserve left rates unchanged at their mid-summer meeting, they’ve hinted that a rate cut could be on the horizon this month. 📉 If they decide to cut rates, it could mean even more favorable mortgage rates as we roll into fall.
So, while your little ones are hitting the books, why not consider making your real estate dreams a reality? Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or just explore your options, I’m here to help you navigate the market with ease. 📚🏡
Looking forward to helping you turn your real estate goals into a reality! Reach out today, and let’s make this September the start of your next big adventure. 🌟
As the beauty of the Puget Sound region unfolds around us, it’s the perfect time to ensure your home remains a sanctuary of comfort and style. 🏡✨ Our team understands the unique needs of Puget Sound homes, and we’ve curated an essential annual maintenance checklist just for you. 🛠️🌲 From the roof overhead to the roots in the ground, let’s embark on a journey of home care that keeps your investment in prime condition. Your home deserves the very best, and we’re here to guide you through every step. 🌟 If you have any questions or need local service recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your Puget Sound home is a gem, and together, let’s ensure it continues to shine bright!
Great question! High interest rates can indeed have an impact on the sale of your home. As a professional Realtor it’s essential for me to help you understand how interest rates can influence the housing market and the potential sale of your property.
Reduced Buyer Demand: High interest rates can lead to reduced buyer demand in the housing market. When interest rates are high, the cost of borrowing money for a mortgage increases. This means that potential homebuyers may be discouraged from entering the market or may have to adjust their budgets, resulting in fewer qualified buyers looking for homes. As a seller, this could mean a smaller pool of potential buyers for your property.
Decreased Affordability: Higher interest rates can also impact the affordability of homes for buyers. With higher mortgage rates, monthly mortgage payments increase, which could make it more challenging for buyers to afford the homes they desire. As a result, some buyers may have to lower their price range, leading to potential downward pressure on home prices.
Extended Time on Market: The combination of reduced buyer demand and decreased affordability can result in homes staying on the market for a longer time. With fewer buyers and potential price adjustments, it may take more time to attract the right buyer at a price that aligns with market conditions.
Impact on Home Prices: In areas where high interest rates are prevalent, we may see a moderation in home price growth or even a potential decline in prices. When demand decreases, sellers may find it necessary to adjust their listing prices to attract buyers, and this could lead to a softening of home prices in the market.
Impact on Refinancing: For potential buyers who already own a home, high interest rates can also affect their ability to refinance their existing mortgages. This may lead to fewer homeowners putting their homes up for sale since they may be hesitant to lose their current low-interest rate by purchasing a new property with a higher mortgage rate.
As your real estate agent, I’ll keep a close eye on interest rate trends and how they impact the local market. If we find ourselves in a high-interest-rate environment, I’ll work closely with you to devise a pricing and marketing strategy that takes these factors into account. My goal is to position your home competitively in the market and attract qualified buyers to ensure a successful sale, regardless of the interest rate climate. Rest assured, my commitment is to help you achieve the best possible outcome in any market conditions
Self-made real estate millionaire Barbara Corcoran says it’s a ‘good time to buy’ because home prices are going to ‘explode’ when mortgage rates drop!
Alena Botros Fri, June 2, 2023 at 2:00 AM PDT·4 min read
Appearing as a guest on Good Morning America this week, Barbara Corcoran answered several questions from viewers, ranging from when the right time to buy a home is to how to win a bidding war. As for the former, Corcoran said now is the time to buy.
“It’s a good time to buy because the minute interest rates go down, everybody’s waiting for them to go down even by a point, and when they do, they’re going to come rushing back in the market,” Corcoran said. “Prices are going to explode, and you’re going to be paying more for the same house. And you can always refinance, remember, when and if interest rates come down.”
It’s not Corcoran’s first time advising against even attempting to time the market. Previously, on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Corcoran said to forget about the timing, again stressing that now is always the time to buy.
The self-proclaimed “NYC Real Estate Queen,” founded the Corcoran Group with a $1,000 loan in 1973, which she famously turned into $66 million, after selling her business in 2001. She’ll always be a powerhouse within the real estate industry, but now most people know her as the spunky, blunt, and well-dressed shark on ABC’s Shark Tank.
Another viewer asked Corcoran how to win bidding wars, saying that he and his fiancee have been looking for a house but have been out bid every time they’ve found one they like. Corcoran said the key is to look like the “best deal in town,” while playing on the seller’s emotions.
“You have to be prequalified for your mortgage so you can go in there as an all cash deal. I’m an all cash deal, it’s not contingent, I already got my mortgage—you want that power behind you,” Corcoran said. “You also want to go in and realize it’s never just a financial deal. Get a nice piece of stationery and handwrite a note to that owner, and tell them how much you love the house. It makes a difference because people like to sell homes to people who love their house.”
As for the different types of mortgage loans that buyers can choose from, Corcoran said it depends on how long you’re going to live in that home. If you’re going to live there a long time, or at least except you are, Corcoran said a conventional rate mortgage at the shortest term you can afford, is the best option. On the other hand, if you’re only going to be living there for a short period of time, likely under five years, she said you’ll want to get an adjustable rate mortgage because it’s cheaper.
When Corcoran was then asked if there’s any way to get relief as someone who’s “house poor,” a term used to describe someone that’s spending more than 30% of their income on housing, she answered: “you don’t get relief from that.” In coastal cities, Corcoran said, people are spending more than 40% of their income on housing. But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, in her view—people are forced to save by paying off their mortgage.
“When it comes time to retire, for most of us, it’s the only money we have to retire on,” Corcoran said.
Now if you want to make the most out of your home purchase, she said you’ll always get the best return in a high-traffic area. And if you want to make a killing, buy a home in an up and coming area. Corcoran’s formula for doing so? Follow the creative community and see where they’re living, and check out the nightlife.
And of course, a Corcoran Q&A couldn’t be complete without touching on rentals and renting. As for rent prices, Corcoran said they’re going to continue to go up, and there won’t be any relief. When interest rates go up and chase people into the rental market, rents generally go up. But when interest rates go down, that doesn’t mean rent follows. Corcoran said she’s never met a landlord that brings down their rent, ever. And, most of us know how she feels about renting—that it’s a “no-win game.”
Remember~ date the rate, marry the home. As the famous Will Rogers said ” Don’t wait to buy real estate, by real estate and wait. Good advice everyone and I am just the gal to help you so reach out with all your real esate questions and needs in the Puget Sound region.
This is an oldie but a goodie handout. I like to give to my clients as they are going through paperwork when they are decluttering for us to sell their current home or home buyers when packing up for their move. We all have it lots and lots of paperwork! This time of year you may be done with taxes and have all the documents still sitting around or, you may be feeling like spring cleaning and wondering what documents you really need to keep and for how long. I hope this helps.
It’s Springtime! If you are considering selling your home or, just want to spruce it up here are my top tips to add value.
Simple upgrades to increase your home’s value You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to add value to your home. Here are some easy and “financially” easy on the pocketbook tips.
Change fixtures and hardware. This adds appeal and newness quite easily. If you’re selling your home a new mirror in the bathroom and new fixtures can make a huge difference. Upgrade sinks, showerheads and faucets to newer water conserving models in sleek finishes. Sorry folks but brass is dated and out! If wanting a remodel on a larger scale replace cabinets, windows and doors. New molding that’s been painting also really pops out.
Declutter. Clean and organize storage areas including the attic and garage. Believe it or not organization adds tremendous value. Keep kitchen and bathroom counters clear.
Spiff up landscaping. Ever hear of curb appeal? An ugly front yard can torpedo your homes value. Add flowers to add color. A study was done on homes for sale in which red flowers were used on the front door step. These homes sold faster and were more appealing to the client. You can also add path lighting for style and safety. Dust off the exterior. Gutters, siding and windows are often forgotten. Clean them! Crud cutter is wonderful for cleaning off gutters and getting the grime off. Also make sure everything is properly sealed and is good shape. It looks better and helps conserve energy.
Replace appliances. From the refrigerator to the washer and dryer upgrade appliance to new energy efficient models to add instant value and convenience not to mention Earth friendly.
There are so many good reasons for home improvement — even in a tough economy. You may want to boost your home’s future sales value, add livable space, refresh an aging room or feature. Or you may just want to enjoy your home more, especially if you wanted to move but the market didn’t cooperate. Find out which projects could bring you joy — and some cash back!
Is the kitchen the biggest project that will pay you back or the bathroom?
If you are considering selling your home 
or, just want to spruce it up here are my top tips to add value.
