Some Highlights In real estate, a good first impression is key. If the outside of a house looks welcoming, more people will want to come in and see it. Your agent helps you by giving advice on what you may want to prioritize, finding easy fixes that make a big difference, knowing what buyers in your area like, and showing off your updates in your listing. Let’s connect so you have expert advice on what'll have the biggest impact in our area.   Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the acc... 03/29/2024

Recent headlines may leave you wondering what’s next for mortgage rates. Maybe you’d previously heard there were going to be cuts this year that would bring rates down. That refers to the Federal Reserve (the Fed) and what they do to their Fed Funds Rate. While cutting, or lowering, the Fed Funds Rate doesn’t directly determine mortgage rates, it does tend to impact them. But when the Fed met last week, a cut didn’t happen — at least, not yet.  There are a lot of factors the Fed considered in their recent decision and most of them are complex. But you don’t need to be bogged down by those finer details. What you really want is the answer to this question: does that mean mortgage rates aren’t going to fall? Here’s what you need to know.  Mortgage Rates Are Still Expected To Drop This Ye... 03/26/2024

Thinking about selling your house and wondering if now’s a good time to do it? Here’s what you need to know. Even though the number of homes for sale has been growing this year, there still aren’t enough homes on the market for all the buyers who want to buy.So, what does that mean for you? To keep it simple, it means it’s still a seller’s market. Here’s how it works: A neutral market is when supply and demand is balanced. Basically, there are enough homes to meet buyer demand based on the current sales pace, and home prices hold fairly steady. A buyer’s market is when there are more homes for sale than there are buyers. When that happens, buyers have more negotiation power because sellers are willing to make compromises to close the deal. In a buyer’s market, sellers may have to do pri... 03/14/2024

Ideas for creating an Eclectic Interior with Vintage Flair.Over the years, I have had the pleasure of decorating many homes with a unique blend of southern charm and an eclectic style.  As a luxury real estate professional and Interior Designer I have not only helped to decorate many beautiful homes, but also have worked with sellers to successfully list and sell their properties.An eclectic interior offers homeowners the opportunity to create a space that is timeless and can be filled with their own personal touches.By carefully selecting high quality furnishings, and investing in pieces with classic lines, additional pieces can be added in for an interesting mix.Furnishings that constructed with fine craftsmanship ensures longevity,  and a more timeless appeal.A beautiful neutral colo... 02/08/2024

Aging in place, the concept of growing older in thefamiliar comfort of one's own home.One of the most notable advantages is the preservation of independence. Retaining autonomy in familiar surroundings fosters a sense of control and self-reliance.  These are crucial elements for the emotional well-being among seniors. Aging in place often translates to a higher quality of life. The emotional connection to one's home and community cannot be overstated. Seniors can maintain relationships with neighbors, friends, and local support systems.   Familiarity with medical services, clubs, and social activities. Seniors prioritize features that promote safety, accessibility, and comfort These all contribute to a robust social life that promotes mental and emotional health.Adapting a home to accom... 02/06/2024

If you're thinking about moving, it's important to know what's happening in the housing market. Here's an update on the supply of homes currently for sale. Whether you're buying or selling, the number of homes in your area is something you should pay attention to.In the housing market, there are regular patterns that happen every year, called seasonality. Spring is the peak homebuying season and also when the most homes are typically listed for sale (homes coming onto the market are known in the industry as new listings). In the second half of each year, the number of new listings typically decreases as the pace of sales slows down.The graph below uses data from Realtor.com to provide a visual of this seasonality. It shows how this year (the black line) is breaking from the norm (see gr... 12/13/2023

Some Highlights If you're wondering what’s happening with home prices, know they’re still rising, just at a slower pace – and that’s perfectly normal for this time of year.   Based on typical seasonality in the market, prices go up most in the spring during the peak buying season, and then price growth slows down as the year goes on. Home prices aren’t falling. They’re just rising slower and going back to normal seasonal trends. That’s a good thing. If you're curious about prices in our area, let’s connect.  Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as i... 10/20/2023

In today's world of rising housing costs, many buyers are looking for ways to still be able to buy a home. Some of them have found a solution in multi-generational living.Multi-generational living is when two or more adult generations live together under one roof. This includes siblings, parents, or even grandparents. Here’s an in-depth look at why more buyers are choosing this option today, so you can see if it may be right for you too.Reasons To Buy a Multi-Generational HomeAccording to a recent study  by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the top two reasons people are opting for multi-generational homes today have to do with affordability (see graph below): Cost Savings: About 28% of first-time buyers and 11% of repeat buyers are deciding on a multi-generational home to sav... 10/17/2023

Some Highlights When deciding between buying a home or renting, think about these three important factors. Buying a home means avoiding rising rents, owning a tangible and valuable asset, and growing your wealth over time. If you’re ready to enjoy the advantages of owning a home, let’s connect to discuss your options.  Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 641-1531Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice.... 10/13/2023

Even though you may feel reluctant to sell your house because you don’t want to take on a mortgage rate that’s higher than the one you have now, there’s more to consider. While the financial side of things does matter, your personal needs may actually matter just as much. As an article from Bankrate says: “Deciding whether it’s the right time to sell your home is a very personal decision. There are numerous important questions to consider, both financial and lifestyle-based, before putting your home on the market.” So, ask yourself this: why did I want to move in the first place? Chances are your primary motivation wasn’t just financial in nature. Why you’re really thinking about selling likely has more to do with something changing in your life or a shift in what you need out of your ... 08/29/2023

Over the last year, the housing market’s gone through significant change. While it’s still a sellers’ market, homes that are priced right are selling, and they get the most attention from buyers right now. If you’re thinking of selling your house this spring, it’s important to lean on your expert real estate advisor when it comes to setting a list price. As Realtor.com explains:“Move-in-ready homes with curb appeal and in desirable areas—and that are priced to sell—are especially likely to move quickly this spring.”In today’s market, how you price your house will not only make a big difference to your bottom line, but to how quickly your house will sell.Why Pricing Your House Right MattersYour asking price sends a message to potential buyers, especially today.If it’s priced too low, you... 04/13/2023

With the rapid shift that’s happened in the housing market this year, some people are raising concerns that we’re destined for a repeat of the crash we saw in 2008. But in truth, there are many key differences between what’s happening today and the bubble in the early 2000s.One of the reasons this isn’t like the last time is the number of foreclosures in the market is much lower now. Here’s a look at why there won’t be a wave of foreclosures flooding the market.Not as Many Homeowners Are in Trouble This TimeAfter the last housing crash, over nine million households lost their homes due to a foreclosure, short sale, or because they gave it back to the bank. This was, in large part, because of more relaxed lending standards where people could take out mortgages they ultimately couldn’t af... 11/30/2022

It turns out, millennials aren’t the renter generation after all. The 2022 Consumer Insights Report from Mynd says there’s a portion of millennial and Gen Z buyers who are pursuing homeownership as a way to build their wealth, but it may not be exactly the way previous generations have done it. The study explains how they’re breaking into the market: “. . . younger generations of Americans are not buying into that dream in the same way that older generations have. A growing number of Americans are choosing to make their first real estate purchase as an investment property.” Instead of buying a home and moving into it themselves, some young buyers are purchasing a home so they can use it as a rental. This tactic may be gaining popularity, at least in part, because of the affordability c... 11/03/2022

Today’s housing market is different than it was just a few months ago. And if you’re thinking about selling your house, that may leave you wondering what you need to do differently as a result. The answer is simple. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately and create a solid plan can help bring in the greatest return on your investment.Here are a few simple tips to make sure you maximize the sale of your house this fall.1. Price It RightOne of the first things buyers will notice is the price of your house. That’s because the price sends a message to home shoppers. Pricing your house too high to begin with could put you at a disadvantage by discouraging buyers from making an offer. On the flip side, pricing your house too low may make buyers worry there’s some underlying ... 10/03/2022

If you’re thinking about selling your house, you may have heard about the housing market slowing down in recent months. While it’s still a sellers’ market, the peak frenzy the market saw over the past two years has cooled some. If you’re asking yourself if you’ve missed your chance to sell your house and make a move, the good news is you haven’t – motivated buyers are still out there. But you do need to price your house right for today’s market. Here’s why.As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:“Homes priced right are selling very quickly, but homes priced too high are deterring prospective buyers.”It’s true buyer demand has slowed over the past few months as higher mortgage rates made it more expensive to buy a home. The result is fewer bid... 08/23/2022

If you’re following along with the news today, you’ve heard about rising inflation. Today, inflation is at a 40-year high. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB):“Consumer prices accelerated again in May as shelter, energy and food prices continued to surge at the fastest pace in decades. This marked the third straight month for inflation above an 8% rate and was the largest year-over-year gain since December 1981.”With inflation rising, you’re likely feeling it impact your day-to-day life as prices go up for gas, groceries, and more. These climbing consumer costs can put a pinch on your wallet and make you re-evaluate any big purchases you have planned to ensure they’re still worthwhile.If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home this year, you’re probably wo... 06/25/2022

Once you’ve applied for a mortgage to buy a home, there are some key things to keep in mind. While it’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating, be careful when it comes to making any big purchases. Here are a few things you may not realize you need to avoid after applying for your home loan.Don’t Deposit Large Sums of CashLenders need to source your money, and cash isn’t easily traceable. Before you deposit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to document your transactions with your loan officer.Don’t Make Any Large PurchasesIt’s not just home-related purchases that could disqualify you from your loan. Any large purchases can be red flags for lenders. People with new debt have higher debt-to-income ratios (how much debt you have compared to yo... 06/22/2022

If you own a home, your net worth likely just got a big boost thanks to rising home equity. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. And today, based on recent home price appreciation, you’re building that equity far faster than you may expect – here’s how it works.Because there’s an ongoing imbalance between the number of homes available for sale and the number of buyers looking to make a purchase, home prices are on the rise. That means your home is worth more in today’s market because it’s in high demand. As Patrick Dodd, President and CEO of CoreLogic, explains:“Price growth is the key ingredient for the creation of home equity wealth. . . . This has led to the largest one-year gain in average home equity wealth for owners. . . .”Basically, because yo... 06/21/2022

Homeowners Have Several Options When Facing Foreclosure.Loan modifications, secondary loans, borrowing from acquaintances, filing for bankruptcy, and selling are all possibilities with varying success rates.But all foreclosure options aren’t equal. Some common methods used to avoid facing foreclosure can leave the homeowner incurring a larger debt. Other recommended strategies used to stop foreclosure require third-parties to be sympathetic to the foreclosure plight.If halting foreclosure is a homeowner’s goal, the best foreclosure option might be the least likely.Modifying Your Loan When Facing Foreclosure One of the most common foreclosure options homeowners consider when facing foreclosure is modifying their pre-existing mortgage. This method consists of contacting your mortgage comp... 06/20/2022

Some Highlights Worried you won’t be able to find your next home after you sell? You should know data from realtor.com shows more listings are coming onto the market each month this year. Having additional options can make the search for your next home. But inventory is still low overall, which means your house should still stand out when you sell. If your biggest question is where you’ll go if you sell, take this as encouraging news. Let’s connect to start the process today.  Contact us:PHP Houses142 W Lakeview AveUnit 1030Lake Mary, FL 32746Ph: (407) 519-0719Fax: (407) 205-1951email: info@phphouses.comLet’s Connect:FacebookLinkedinTwitterInstagramThe information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author doe... 06/17/2022