Wednesday, September 20, 2023 / by Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group
One question that’s top of mind if you’re thinking about making a move today is: Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.
There aren’t enough homes available for sale, but that shortage isn’t just a today problem. It’s been a challenge for years. Let’s take a look at some of the long-term and short-term factors that have contributed to this limited supply.
Underbuilding Is a Long-Standing Problem
One of the big reasons inventory is low is because builders haven’t been building enough homes in recent years. The graph below shows new construction for single-family homes over the past five decades, including the long-term average for housing units completed:
For 14 straight years, builders didn’t construct enough homes to meet the historical . ...
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for buyers, for sellers, housing market updates, mortgage rates, new construction
Friday, September 8, 2023 / by Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group
Have you ever wondered how inflation impacts the housing market? Believe it or not, they’re connected. Whenever there are changes to one, both are affected. Here’s a high-level overview of the connection between the two.
The Relationship Between Housing Inflation and Overall Inflation
Shelter inflation is the measure of price growth specific to housing. It comes from a survey of renters and homeowners that’s done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The survey asks renters how much they’re paying in rent, and homeowners how much they’d rent their homes for, if they weren’t living in them.
Much like overall inflation measures the cost of everyday items, shelter inflation measures the cost of housing. And for four consecutive months, based on that survey, shelter inflation has been coming down (see graph below):
Why does this matter? Well, shelter inflation makes up about one-third of overall infla. ...
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for buyers, for sellers, housing market updates, real estate market, mortgage rates
Wednesday, August 30, 2023 / by Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group
Caring for a senior with memory loss due to Alzheimer's or dementia is a journey that demands patience, empathy and adaptability. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
“About seven in 10 adults over 65 will require long-term care at some point in their lives.”
As a caregiver, the challenges of providing the best possible care for your loved one can feel daunting. If you find yourself contemplating selling your family member's home to meet their needs better, rest assured that this transition can bring about positive changes for both of you.
Making The Decision to Move
Memory loss in seniors can be emotionally overwhelming, leaving both the family member and the caregiver facing many challenges. Choosing to sell your loved one's home is undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions you'll make. Some factors include:
Emotional Attachment: The family home is more than just a physical space; it's a repository of memories, laughter, and shared momen. ...
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for sellers, multi-generational living, senior living
Wednesday, August 16, 2023 / by Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group
Some Highlights
Want to know what experts say will happen in the rest of 2023? Home prices are already appreciating again in many areas. The average of the expert forecasts shows positive price growth.
Where mortgage rates go for the rest of the year will depend on inflation. Based on historical trends, rates are likely to ease as inflation continues to cool.
Even though low inventory continues to be a challenge, experts project 5 million homes will still sell this year. That pace should pick up if rates come down.
This blog post previously appeared on https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2023/08/04/housing-market-forecast-for-the-rest-of-2023-infographic-1?a=106260-312309902871c1f0d820820f58bf8fde. The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. and t. ...
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for buyers, for sellers, housing market updates, infographics, mortgage rates, pricing
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 / by Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group
If you’re a homeowner ready to make a move, you may be thinking about using your current house as a short-term rental property instead of selling it. A short-term rental (STR) is typically offered as an alternative to a hotel, and they’re an investment that’s gained popularity in recent years.
While a short-term rental can be a tempting idea, you may find the reality of being responsible for one difficult to take on. Here are some of the challenges you could face if you rent out your house instead of selling it.
A Short-Term Rental Comes with Responsibilities
Successfully managing your house as a short-term rental takes a lot of time and effort. You’ll have to juggle tasks like dealing with reservations, organizing check-ins, and tackling cleaning, landscape, and maintenance duties. Any one of those can feel demanding, but all together it’s a lot to handle.
Short-term rentals experience high turnover rates, as new guests check in . ...
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for sellers, selling myths
