Simple Home Upgrades That Increase Your Homes Value Feeling overwhelmed with the thought of selling your home? Do you find yourself wanting to make updates to enhance its appeal but unsure where to start? Well, you’re in the right place because today, I’m going to share some game-changing easy home upgrades that will make a big difference in the perceived value of your home. If you’re like many sellers, you’ve lived in your home for […]
Cash in Now: Why Today’s Seller’s Market Spells Success
Cash in Now: Why Today’s Seller’s Market Spells Success Contemplating putting your house on the market? Wondering if the timing is right? Brace yourself for some eye-opening insights. Despite a growing inventory of homes in recent months, we’re still firmly entrenched in a seller’s market. It’s a scenario in which demand still outweighs supply, leaving eager buyers shopping with only a limited pool of homes to choose from. Curious for a closer look at why […]
2024 Home Price Forecasts Surge: What Sellers Need to Know
2024 Home Price Forecasts Surge: What Sellers Need to Know Over the past few months, experts have amended their 2024 home price forecasts based on the latest data and market signals. They are saying they are even more confident prices will rise, not fall. So, let’s see exactly how experts’ thinking has shifted – and what’s caused the change. 2024 Home Price Forecasts: Then and Now In the chart below you will see what seven expert organizations think will happen to […]
Providing Hope, Mortgage Rates May Ease Below 6% This Year
Providing Hope, Mortgage Rates May Ease Below 6% This Year There’s a lot of confusion about what’s happening with day-to-day movement in mortgage rates right now, but here’s what you really need to know: compared to the near 8% peak last fall, mortgage rates have trended down overall. If you’re looking to buy or sell a home, this is a big deal and good news. While rates are going to continue to bounce around a bit based on various economic drivers […]
Unveiling the Truth: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Mortgage Rates
What’s Really Happening with Mortgage Rates? Are you feeling a bit unsure about what’s really happening with mortgage rates? That might be because you’ve heard someone say they’re coming down. But then you read somewhere else that they’re up again. And that may leave you scratching your head and wondering what’s true. The simplest answer is: that what you read or hear will vary based on the time frame they’re looking at. Here’s some information that […]
Harnessing Home Equity to Unlock Your Oregon Wine Country Dream
Harness the Equity in Your Home to Unlock Your Oregon Wine Country Dream For those of you yearning for the tranquility and charm of a small town, Oregon’s wine county could be your dream destination. Your years of homeownership have not only filled your heart with cherished memories, but more than likely, your pockets as well, with the equity in your home. Now, retirement or maybe even just a yearning for a change of scenery […]
Will Mortgage Rates Come Down? The Million Dollar Question
Will Mortgage Rates Come Down? The Million Dollar Question Today, let’s dive into the fascinating world of mortgage rates here in Oregon’s wine country. Whether you’re contemplating the idea of downsizing or upsizing your current home, or maybe you’re embarking on the journey of moving and buying a home in our small town region, mortgage rates are a topic you can’t afford to overlook. So, grab your favorite glass of Pinot Noir and lets embark […]
The Truth About Your Credit Score and Buying a Home
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should know your credit score is a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a home loan. Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make payments on time, to pay back debts, and more. It’s also a factor that helps determine your mortgage rate. An article from Bankrate explains: “Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider […]
An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your House
An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your House If you’re thinking of selling your house, it’s important to work with someone who understands how the your hyperlocal housing market is changing and what it means for you. Here are five reasons working with a real estate expert can ensure you’ll get the most out of your sale.
How To Sell and Buy a House at the Same Time
How To Sell and Buy a House at the Same Time Are you a homeowner thinking, or even dreaming of upgrading to a new home? Maybe a bigger home or ready to downsize homes? It can be exciting to find your next home, yet overwhelming and stressful to think of selling your current home at the same time. Fear not, today I am here to guide you through the options of how to sell and buy […]
New Construction Home Inspection – The What & Why
New Construction Home Inspection -The Truth About and Why They Are Vital Should you have a professional home inspection done on a new construction home? Without a doubt yes. When you have a professional inspection completed before you close and occupy your newly built home, you have the opportunity to catch issues before you become responsible for the repairs as they are still covered under your builders warranty. Stick with me as I go over […]
Monthly FHA Loan Costs are Dropping!
Monthly FHA Loan Costs are Dropping! Big changes are coming to the FHA loan this month. The US Department of Housing & Urban Development (aka HUD), announced this last week that the monthly mortgage insurance premiums on new FHA loans endorsed on and after March 20th will be reduced! This will be the first time since 2015 that there has been a change to these costs. The hope is that these changes will benefit borrowers […]
Pay Attention to Your Hyperlocal Housing Market
In talking about the 2023 housing industry, one thing experts agree, unlike the last few years, it will be hyperlocal. We will see some markets across the nation drop home prices. Others will remain flat while some communities will continue to see moderate value price increases. Will the national news be able to tell the whole story for where you live? The consensus is that unlike the last few years, in the year ahead, probably […]
The Top Three Trends Changing the Housing Market for Buyers
The last two years have been a wild ride in the housing market. So much so, that many Buyers decided to step out of line and press pause on their dream of homeownership. Have you delayed your plans to buy a house because of how competitive the market has been the past few years? If so, you may be happy to know, today’s housing market is looking different from even just a few months ago. […]
What Every Seller Should Know About Home Prices
What Every Seller Should Know About Home Prices If you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, recent headlines about home prices may be top of mind. And if those stories have you wondering what that means for your home’s value, here’s what you really need to know. What’s Really Happening with Home Prices? It’s possible you’ve seen news stories mentioning a drop in home values or home price depreciation, but it’s important […]
How Owning a Home Builds Your Net Worth
How Owning a Home Builds Your Net Worth Owning a home is a major financial milestone and an achievement to take pride in. One major reason: the equity you build as a homeowner gives your net worth a big boost. And with high inflation right now, the link between owning your home and building your wealth is especially important. If you’re looking to increase your financial security, here’s why now could be a good time to start on your journey […]
Separating Fact from Fiction in the Housing Market
Separating Fact from Fiction in the Housing Market If you’re following the news, chances are you’ve seen or heard some headlines about the housing market that don’t give the full picture. The real estate market is shifting, and when that happens, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help debunk the headlines so you can really understand today’s market and what it […]
Expert Housing Market Forecast for the Second Half of 2022
Expert Housing Market Forecast for the Second Half of 2022 The housing market is at a turning point, and if you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, that may leave you wondering: is it still a good time to buy a home? Should I make a move this year? To help answer those questions, let’s turn to the experts for projections on what the second half of the year holds for residential real estate. Where Mortgage Rates Will […]
Cash To Close, Beware, It’s More Than Just Your Down Payment!
Cash To Close, Beware, It’s More Than Just Your Down Payment! Have you been thinking about buying a home? Maybe you have even started the homebuying process? There is one thing you are probably beginning to realize. The real estate industry uses its own vocabulary! A vocabulary of terms and acronyms tossed around as if people from all walks of life use them everyday. Earnest money, discount points, closing disclosure, DTI, VOE, LTV… feeling confused? You […]
What is an Earnest Money Deposit?
What is an earnest money deposit? How much is an earnest money deposit? What happens to earnest money once it Is deposited with the title and escrow company? And what happens to the money if the sale does not close?
Newberg, Oregon | The Gateway to Oregon’s Wine Country
It is known as the Gateway to Oregon’s Wine Country. Where the suburbs of Portland roll into the fertile hills of the Willamette Valley. This city is home to one of the original 1950’s drive in movie theaters, a luxury resort and spa, nationally certified BMX track and skate park, hot air balloon adventures, a champion style public golf course, vineyards, breweries and so much more. Where am I? Newberg, Oregon! Today I answering clients questions about the […]
All Things Rehab Loans
We all see the homes on the market listed as “fixer”, “cash and “lots of potential”. If approved for a traditional loan, you may overlook these properties believing that your lender will not approve these types of properties. You may think you need to have expendable cash to renovate these homes. Would it surprise you to know rehab loans tie both the purchase of a home and the renovation into one loan? That you can leverage […]
Selling your home this Spring is a Golden Opportunity
Selling your home this Spring is a Golden Opportunity If you’re thinking of selling your home this year, timing is crucial. After all, you’ll want to balance getting the most out of the sale of your current home and making the best investment when you buy your next one. If that’s the case, you should know – you may be able to get the best of both worlds today. Here are four reasons why selling your home this spring […]
Housing Market Update, How the Russia-Ukraine Crisis Effects the Housing Industry
How can a war an ocean away effect our housing economy? Providing you a housing market update on the effects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis and how energy, inflation and stocks are effected and how they each effect our housing market…
How you can Hedge Inflation By Buying Real Estate in 2022
If you’re following along with the news today, you’re probably hearing a lot about record-breaking home prices, rising consumer costs, supply chain constraints, and more. And if you’re thinking about purchasing a home this year, all of these inflationary concerns are likely making you wonder if you should wait to buy. Investopedia explains that during a period of high inflation, prices rise across the board. How can you hedge inflation? While real estate isn’t immune from this increase, here’s why […]
The Top 10 Buyer Tips That Make Buying a Home Easier | McMinnville Oregon Real Estate
Buyer Tips That Make Buying a Home Easier You’ve decided THIS is the year you’ll become a home owner … So you start looking online for houses, right? Nope. One of the biggest myths when buying a home is that the home search is the first step. When fact, there are multiple steps to be taken prior to this. Taking care of these steps ahead of time, allow you to really be ready to find […]
The City of McMinnville – Home in the Heart of Oregon Wine Country
What city near Portland, Oregon is home to a water park, municipal airport, private golf course, space museum, hiking trails and named one of the Best Small Towns to Live by Sunset Magazine? The city of McMinnville! Today I am answering the most popular of my clients questions regarding all things McMinnville and what to know before moving here. Where is McMinnville and how big is it? McMinnville is a short one-hour drive southwest down […]
Don’t Let the Unknown Cost You More later | Why You Should get a Home Inspection
Why Your Home Inspection Matters Some Highlights
Housing Market 2022 Forecast – Yamhill County, OR & the US
Housing Market 2022 Forecast -Unboxing all things Real Estate 2022 -Oregon, Yamhill County & the US Will home prices drop? Will housing prices continue to rise? When are there going to be more homes for sale? How much does the rate really affect my monthly payment? Aren’t there supposed to be a lot of foreclosures for sale at some point coming on the market? You know sometimes I think it would just be a lot […]
Moving to Oregon Wine Country – 7 Things you Need to Know
Have you ever packed up and moved somewhere that you’ve never been? Or maybe you’ve thought about doing that? That was me! In 2000 I did just that, after having moved though, I realized there were a few things that I had not expected about Oregon. So, you’ve decided to move to Oregon, or maybe you’re just starting to think about it. In 200, I looked at the map of Oregon and I realized that […]
5 Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home
5 Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home As a buyer in a sellers’ market, sometimes it can feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. When you’re ready to make an offer on a home, remember these five easy tips to help you rise above the competition. 1. Know Your Budget Knowing your budget and what you can afford is critical to your success as a homebuyer. The best way […]
Winter Housing Market Forecast
If You Think the Housing Market Will Slow This Winter, Think Again. From the opportunity to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates to changing homeowner needs, Americans have more motivation than ever to buy a home. According to the experts, buyers are making moves right now, creating an unseasonably strong housing market for this time of year. As we wrap up the fall season and move into the winter months, here’s a look at what several industry leaders have […]
Why did lumber prices skyrocket and How Does this Affect Housing?
As you may have noticed first hand while shopping at your local home improvement store, lumber costs have skyrocketed this year. Builders too have noticed, as the cost to build homes continue to soar. Why is this happening and what does this mean to the housing industry? Why Lumber Prices Rose so High The average home build start from 1960 to 2010 was 1.5 million homes a year. Since the end of the Great Recession […]
Yamhill County Real Estate Market at a Glance
Yamhill County Home prices 2nd Quarter 2021 As of May 2021, Yamhill county’s median home price was at $423,190, up from $349,140 one year previous. (+21.2% increase) Housing inventory, which indicates how long it would take to sell all the current listings on the market, at the speed of which they are currently being sold if nothing new came on the market, is holding at .7 months for the second straight month. At the current […]
What Housing Bubble?
What’s the biggest question being asked around the water cooler? True, we aren’t standing at water coolers anymore, we are in our home office, also known as our kids classroom, aka our ‘at home’ gym, and watching the news, asking friends over the phone, and searching online, “When will the housing bubble pop?” Google reports this question has spiked over the last month 2450%. I myself have had numerous conversations with buyers, sellers, and extended […]
Yamhill County Market Trend Review
Yamhill County Market Trend Review We have all heard the phrase “We are in a housing shortage”. To give eyes to this, let’s look at Yamhill County’s inventory graph from the past 36 months. (Courtesy RMLS (REALTOR®-owned multiple listing service.) LET’S REVIEW THE GRAPH You can see Pending Units (green dotted line) are a consistent pattern year to year. We see more homes pending in the summer, and less in the winter. In March of […]
Preparing to Search for Your New Home ~
Plan ahead ~ Don’t wait until you’ve found a home to Get Pre-Approved for a mortgage, investigate insurance, or consider a moving schedule. Being prepared will make your bid more attractive to sellers and may help you beat out the competition. Know there is no “right” time to buy~ If you find the ‘perfect’ home now, Don’t Risk Losing It because you’re trying to guess where the housing market and interest rates are going. In […]