The Fed came through yesterday and lowered their rate by 1/4%. It caused mortgage rates to come all the way back to....7%. This is probably as good as it will get for the next few months. The market feels fairly balanced currently, with some tilt towards a buyer's...
Most home sellers are reluctant to do much, if anything, to prepare their home for sale. The covid frenzy was very forgiving when buyers were desperate to buy anything at any price - which spoiled sellers (and agents) who were still able to sell homes for retail...
With all the talk about the presidential election being so close, some thought it could take weeks to determine the eventual winner - and only a powerful Trump victory could avert it. Standoff averted! No matter how you feel about it, another Trump presidency should...
I thought the run-up to the election would cause potential home sellers to wait it out. Wouldn't it make sense to NOT list your home in the month or two before the most contentous election in history? Certainly home sellers would have foresight and believe that buyers...
If there is a surge of inventory next year, will sales increase too? Yes, probably. There have been 6% more sales this year. Oh - but there were 15% more listings. Hmmm it sounds like not every seller gets out. We could be set up for an old-fashioned price war, where...
There are several reasons why I think the local inventory will surge in 2025. It will be due to several causes contributing more houses for sale, and all combined it may look like a flood in some areas. Been Trending That Way in 2024 - The inventory this year has been...
Another believer in the lock-in effect. The drop in percentages is 8.5% over two years, which sounds like a full-blown liquidation event if you ask me. These are national stats so those in the more-reasonably priced areas and/or areas that didn't appreciate much...
Hat tip to Jorge who sent in this interview with Jeffrey Gundlach, the prominent bond trader who speculates with confidence on the Fed's half-point cut and what it means for the markets. He speaks quite knowledgeably about everything except the future of the housing...
Since May, Zillow has been predicting virtually no annual appreciation locally. Living in Flat City mostly affects those who have purchased recently - it's tougher to move and/or refinance if the down payment was 20% or less. If you just want to lower your existing...
Can we learn about what to expect in 2025 by reviewing the other recent metrics available? Here are alternative ways to gauge the market conditions - the most interesting numbers in red: Number of Sales - Just incredible that out of nowhere the July sales set the high...
