COVID-19 is only one of the reasons why housing inventory remains low. (Photo: Bigstock). If you have been searching for a home recently, you will observe that there is a shortage of homes for sale. Demand for homes remains high, and with limited inventory, there has been pressure pushing prices upwards. COVID-19 does factor […]
Make your move: Walk, bike and transit scores for homes
Over the past few months with the impact of COVID-19, homebuyers have been trending away from living in downtown areas and have been relocating to the suburbs. (Photo: Emma Bauso, Pexels). Over the past few months with the impact of COVID-19, homebuyers have been trending away from living in downtown areas and have been […]
Analyzing residential real estate investments
My last article I discussed investing in real estate during the coronavirus pandemic. Even with all the uncertainty in our life today, through good times and bad, there are some things that remain constant – that is the way you analyze real estate investment properties. There are several rules of thumb that help you compare […]
Coronavirus and Real Estate: Counting Our Blessings
Everyone morning when we wake up, we have to wonder, “when will this all end?” But in fact, that’s the wrong question. The coronavirus will not just end on a specific date. The question should be: “How should we adapt and change to deal with this virus, […]
Real Estate: Refinance or not?
When interest rates drop, you might wonder whether or not it makes any sense to refinance. Interest rates for a 30-year mortgage loan are currently below four percent, continuing the opportunity to refinance at a historically low rate. When interest rates drop, you might wonder whether or not it makes any sense to refinance. Unfortunately, […]
Real Estate “Instant Offers” or iBuyers – What’s it all about? – Part 1
You may have heard “instant offer” commercials aimed at homeowners who want to sell their home quickly online for a cash offer. The “instant offers” or iBuyers concept is not new. In 1978 when I started my real estate career, our company offered a guaranteed sales program for home sellers. The program was used to […]
Measuring square footage in single-family homes, condos and townhomes
Single family homes are usually measured using outside measurements, meaning the width of the wall is included in the total square footage number. If you have three different professionals measure a home, you will likely be presented with three slightly different results. Why is that? Different standards, rounding differences, and local customs are just a […]
Holiday Gift Ideas for First-Time Home Buyers – Part 1
Saving for a down payment on a home is the most difficult step in the process of buying a home for 25% of first-time buyers, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers. Of those buyers, 55% said student loan debt delayed them in saving for a home. Now couple […]