....and how it impacts the market value of your home   new homes are far more energy efficient than those built in years past   adding in a solar energy system in addtion to that   can reduce monthly energy costs even further   the trick is to right size your decision   based on the timeline that you plan to own your home   solar energy has not proven to be   a dollar for dollar increase in a homes value   and for those that plan to be in their home for just a few years   there may not be enough time for the cost to make financial sense   for those that plan to be in the home long term   and want to own a green home   a whole house solar system may be the exact right thing to choose   if you are an investor considering solar options   spending some time crunching the numbers is advisable   we go deep into solar energy products today    and provide some thought provoking conversation 

 

...and its coming up more and more

water is the main culprit in most situations

It can be a simple fix

such as adding gutters

it may be more complex

and require adding more drainage

or it could be something major

such as lower elevations than the neighboring properties

where all the water runs downhill toward the property

today we discuss a number of things to look for

as you look at properties

before you make an offer

and also what to watch for during the inspection period

after you go under contract

there is more than meets the eye

and we want you prepared for any situation

 

...and there are some twists in the plot

around 60% of licensed real estate agents did not sell a home in 2024

most stopped working long ago and are not likely to pay the upcoming dues

Here are my fearless predictions for 2025

 30% of agents will exit the business

home sale prices will increase 3.4%

home inventory available will increase 15%

interest rates will decrease to 5.875% by the end of 2025

these are the most important numbers for most home buyers

listen in for my road map for 2025

with several strategies to get the best possible price and terms next year

 

 

 

... May Not Help You Out

If you are watching and waiting

for lower interest rates

before you buy a home

the banks are not dropping mortgage rates 

for reasons such as 

• the economy
• job reports
• inflation
• consumer confidence
• uncertainty

so when do rates finally go down?

or will they actually go up ?

what if there was a way to "defeat high interest rates"

today we go over our solutions 

for those that are tired of waiting

 

It's been a struggle for so many people in the real estate industry in 2024

with so much focus on how many agents had tough years

we can easily forget that there are those that were very successful

today we discuss some things that have me feeling optimistic about 2025

interest rates are likely to come down

home inventory is increasing 

which provides more opportunity for buyers

people are ready to move

and willing to trade their current interest rate

for todays rates, knowing that there are some protections in place

a 2-1 buy down is a great strategy in this market

and combining that with an eventual refinance

there is a path to getting the right house now

at todays pricing as opposed to future prices

and payment that makes a lot sense 

at the end we talk about what real estate agents 

will be facing in the year ahead

 

 

...Without An Agent Representing You

Can be easy and hard at the same time

experienced home buyers may be able to navigate the process on their own

and yet some will choose to hire an agent in this new market

among those buying for the 1st Time

we have noticed that the vast majority are choosing to hire an agent

today we go over some of the effects of the "new rules"

the required buyer representation agreements 

that are now mandatory to provide any real estate services

have caused some discomfort for buyers

as well as real estate agents

today we share some thoughts on what we are seeing

we are not attorneys and we always advise

to do as much research as necessary to understand everything to your satisfaction

 

 

 

...to purchasing a home in a market that is really stacked against them right now

The monthly cost of renting a home

is quite often more expensive than owning the very same home

this is a problem

the 1st part of the solution is earning the highest possible credit score

car loans - student loans weigh heavily into the score calculation

new credit inquiries over the holidays to "save 10% on your store purchase"

can also negatively affect your credit score much more than most realize

understanding how to calculate the debt to income ratio

will serve almost everyone well as they prepare to buy a home

down payments can be as low as zero for buyers that served in the military

For Non-Veterans, FHA loans only require a 3.5% down payment

Interest Rate Buy downs can provide lower monthly payments

for the 1st 2 years of the home loan

and the home seller can help the buyer pay for it

many lenders are offering future refinances with no lender costs

think of this as interest rate protection as mortgage rates decrease down the road

todays show gives you the details on how to master these essential steps

 

 

...because it happens every year

home buyers that are looking at properties intently over the holidays

are typically more motivated than at other times of the year

whether their goal is to buy a snowbird second home

buy their retirement home with possible rental income

or the typical upsize, downsize, job relocation, or changes in family situations

its a time of very focused activity for this group

and with that

is an opportunity gained (or lost) for home sellers

for those that have their homes up for sale

its a golden opportunity to attract a buyer

its a fact that most home sellers think

"that no one buys over the holidays"

and most will wait until after January 1 to go on the market

which might be a critical error 

there is far more competition after the holidays for this reason

home buyers are searching online now and making plans

and they are unaware of any homes that aren't currently on the market

and its the exact reason why savvy home some sellers

will go on the market in mid December 

as they know it increases their odds for a quick sale at the right price

we provide some tips at the end of todays show   on how to best position a property for a holiday sale  

 

...and what you should be watching for that isn't readily apparent       Beach House Bungalows are my favrorite properties   They are quirky - charming - and unique in their own way   hardwood flooring - fireplaces - old school tile are common   some will consider renting out their bunglaows part time   and they may create their own theme within their home   and getting the chance to see these creations is a super exciting thing   most of all - remember to let the whole experience be fun   here are some things to keep in mind as you search for the right one   they may be 50-100 years old    its close to sea level - is it prone to flooding or susceptible to wind damage   many are pier and beam construction - with crawl space area below the home   several additions - enclosed carports and lanai areas are common   roof designs - tile - metal - shingle   plumbing - does it have cast pipes that need replacement    electrical system- older panel boxes - fuse box - cloth wiring may need attention   central air vs mini splits options based on available duct work   I could go on and on   enjoy the journey

 

 

 

... can absolutely be found between $100k-$200k if you know where to look

what should you be looking for?

and what do you need to know that you may not know right now?

many people see inexpensive condos and get excited

they usually are looking at condotels online and don't always realize

that they are different than your typical condo

think of them as a condo hotel - efficiency units in most cases

quite often they have very few rental restrictions

and can bring in cash when you arent using them

its low barrier to entry and almost always a cash purchase

there are definitely 1-2 bedroom condos available under 200k

these can usually be financed

but they almost always have some rental restrictions

to be honest some people have a bigger budget

and for that group, a 500k condo may seem like a budget condo

its an interesting time of year as the snowbirds are arriving

and the condo market is starting to heat up