Advice Archives

The Art of First Impressions: The Importance of Home Staging When Listing Your House for Sale

Advice, Real Estate, Seller / By Heather Montalbano - RE/MAX Select

For homeowners looking to list their properties in this competitive environment, making a memorable first impression is not just beneficial—it’s essential. This is where the art of home staging comes into play, a strategy that can significantly enhance the appeal of a home, leading to faster sales and potentially higher offers. At Countryside Homes NJ, we understand the transformative power of home staging and are here to guide you through its importance before listing your home for sale. Setting the Stage for Success Home staging is the process of preparing a home for sale by making it look its best, […]

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Why a Housing Market Crash Isn’t on the Horizon

Advice, Buyer, Market Trends, Real Estate, Seller / By Keith LaBrunda - RE/MAX Select

Home buyers waiting for the housing market to collapse, driving home prices lower, might need to adjust their expectations. Contrary to hopes for a downturn, current data indicates a continued rise in home prices. The landscape of today’s housing market bears little resemblance to the pre-2008 crash conditions. Here are the key reasons why an impending crash is unlikely: Stricter Loan Requirements Enhance Market Stability Obtaining a mortgage is significantly more challenging now than in the period leading up to the 2008 crisis. Previously, lenient lending standards allowed almost anyone to secure a home loan or refinance, contributing to the

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The Importance of a Realtor’s Advice When Planning to Move

Advice, Buyer, Real Estate, Seller / By Keith LaBrunda - RE/MAX Select

Whether you’re contemplating buying or selling a property, the decision is significant. In times of change, seeking advice from knowledgeable individuals is a natural step for guidance and support. Relocating is no different. Expert insights are crucial to navigate your decision with confidence. Freddie Mac emphasizes the importance of this approach: “As you set out to find the right home for your family, be sure to select experienced, trusted professionals who will help you make informed decisions and avoid pitfalls.” While no advice can be flawless – experts included – you can still access the highest quality guidance available. The

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Home Price Headlines Can Be Confusing

Advice, Buyer, Market Trends, Real Estate, Seller / By Keith LaBrunda - RE/MAX Select

Amidst the buzz around falling home prices you might catch in the news, it’s crucial to look beyond the headlines. The reality is, the broader narrative doesn’t align with the snippets you’re hearing. A closer examination of the national figures for 2023 reveals an overall positive trajectory in home prices throughout the year. Despite some regional variations and occasional national dips, these instances were outliers rather than a prevailing trend. The real story of the past year is one of growth, not decline. Let’s delve deeper into the facts to clarify the situation. 2023: A Year of Stabilized Home Price

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Leveraging Your Home Equity is Key When Considering a Move

Advice, Real Estate, Seller, Senior Housing / By Keith LaBrunda - RE/MAX Select

Considering selling your home but unsure due to the current market’s affordability challenges? While it’s true that affordability might be tighter this year, there’s a silver lining: your home equity. An article from Bankrate sheds light on this: “Home equity is the difference between your home’s value and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. It represents the paid-off portion of your home. You’ll start off with a certain level of equity when you make your down payment to buy the home, then continue to build equity as you pay down your mortgage. You’ll also build equity over time

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Mortgage Pre-Approval is a Must Have for Buyers This Year

Advice, Buyer, Mortgage, Real Estate / By Keith LaBrunda - RE/MAX Select

Embarking on the journey to homeownership? You might have encountered the term “pre-approval” along the way. Let’s delve into its meaning and its critical role for those aiming to purchase a home in 2024. Understanding Pre-Approval In the homebuying journey, lenders assess your financial health to determine the loan amount you’re eligible for. This evaluation includes reviewing your W-2 forms, tax returns, credit score, bank statements, among other financial documents, as outlined by Investopedia. Following this assessment, lenders issue a pre-approval letter, which Freddie Mac describes as: “A pre-approval is an indication from your lender that they are willing to

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Should You Wait Until Spring to Sell Your House?

Advice, Real Estate, Seller / By Heather Montalbano - RE/MAX Select

For those contemplating a move in the coming year, the question often arises: when is the right time to act? Contrary to popular belief, there’s no need to wait for the spring homebuying rush. Here’s why selling now could be your best move. Benefit from Currently Lower Mortgage Rates Mortgage rates saw a peak of 7.79% last October but have since dropped to their lowest since last May as of January. This reduction in rates means that the cost of moving is more manageable now than it has been in recent months. The decline in mortgage rates is also drawing

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Two Key Factors Influencing Mortgage Rates

Advice, Buyer, Market Trends, Mortgage Rates, Real Estate, Seller / By Keith LaBrunda - RE/MAX Select

As a potential homebuyer, monitoring mortgage rates is likely a priority for you. Recently, these rates have seen significant fluctuations – from historic lows to dramatic increases, and now a slight decrease. But what drives these changes? The factors influencing mortgage rates are diverse and complex. Let’s explore a couple of the most significant ones. Inflation and the Role of the Federal Reserve Although the Federal Reserve (commonly known as the Fed) does not set mortgage rates directly, its actions significantly influence them. The Fed adjusts the Federal Funds Rate in response to inflation, economic conditions, and employment rates, among

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Could a “Silver Tsunami” Reshape the 2024 Housing Market?

Advice, Buyer, Market Trends, Real Estate, Seller, Senior Housing / By Keith LaBrunda - RE/MAX Select

The term “Silver Tsunami” has been buzzing online, sparking curiosity about its meaning and potential impact on the housing market. Let’s explore this concept and understand why it’s unlikely to cause a dramatic shift in the housing market. Understanding the “Silver Tsunami” An article from HousingWire describes the “Silver Tsunami” as: “. . . a colloquialism referring to aging Americans changing their housing arrangements to accommodate aging . . .” The idea is that as the baby boomer generation ages, a considerable number might downsize their homes. Given the size of this demographic, a collective move could lead to a

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Advantages of Buying a Multi-Generational Home

Advice, Buyer, Real Estate, Senior Housing / By Keith LaBrunda - RE/MAX Select

Have you ever considered living in a home with your extended family, including grandparents, parents, or other relatives? You’re not alone in this thought. An increasing number of buyers are choosing to purchase homes that accommodate multiple generations. Let’s delve into the key reasons behind this trend to determine if such a home could be a suitable choice for you as well. The Rising Preference for Multi-Generational Homes The National Association of Realtors (NAR) highlights affordability as one of the primary reasons driving the demand for multi-generational homes (refer to the accompanying graph): First-time homebuyers are particularly attracted to the

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