The Pat Augustine Team - Long & Foster

Honoring the American Workforce

Wishing you a happy and safe Labor Day.

Honoring the American Workforce

Your Agent Is Key When Pricing Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]

Pricing your house right takes market experience and expertise. To find the best list price, your agent balances current market demand, values of homes in your neighborhood, where prices are headed, and your home’s condition. If you’re ready to sell, don’t guess on the price. DM me so we can price your house to attract multiple offers and maximize your return on investment.

Your Agent Is Key When Pricing Your House Some Highlights Pricing your house right takes market experience and expertise. To find the best list price, your agent balances current market demand, values of homes in your neighborhood, where prices are headed, and your home’s condition. If you’re ready to sell, don’t guess on the price. L...

5 Reasons Today's Housing Market Is Anything but Normal

There are many headlines out there that claim we’re reverting to a more normal real estate market. Here’s the definition of normal from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary: “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern: characterized by that which is considered usual, typical, or routine.” Using this definition, here are five housing industry metrics that prove we’re nowhere near normal.

>>Mortgage Rates
Today, the average mortgage rate stands at 2.87%, which is very close to the historic low.
Currently, mortgage rates are anything but usual, typical, or routine.

>>Home Price Appreciation
According to Black Knight, the average annual appreciation on residential real estate prices since 1995 has been 4.14%. According to the latest forecast from NAR, home price appreciation will hit 14.1% this year.
Currently, home price appreciation is...

5 Reasons Today's Housing Market Is Anything but Normal There are many headlines out there that claim we’re reverting to a more normal real estate market. That would indicate the housing market is returning to the pre-pandemic numbers we saw from 2015-2019. But that’s not happening. The market is still extremely vibrant as demand is still strong even...

What You Can Do Right Now To Prepare for Homeownership

Rising rental costs may make it seem impossible to prepare for homeownership if you’re a renter. But the truth is, there are ways you can – and should – prepare to purchase your first home. Here’s some expert advice on what to do if you’re ready to learn more about how to escape rising rents.

>>Start Saving – Even Small Amounts – Now
As Cindy Zuniga-Sanchez, Founder of Zero-Based Budget Coaching LLC, says. “I recommend saving for a home in a ‘sinking fund’ . . . . This is a savings account separate from your emergency fund that you use to save for a short or mid-term expense.” Zuniga-Sanchez adds saving in smaller increments can help make a large goal – such as saving for a down payment –achievable.

>>Assess Your Finances and Work on Your Credit
Another tip experts recommend: take a look at your overall finances and credit score...

What You Can Do Right Now To Prepare for Homeownership As rent prices continue to soar, many renters want to know what they can do to get ready to buy their first home. According to recent data from ApartmentList.com:

What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know About the Appraisal Gap

Why does an appraisal gap happen?

Basically, with the heightened buyer demand, purchasers are often willing to pay over asking to secure the home of their dreams. If you’ve ever toured a house you’ve fallen in love with, you understand. Once you start to picture yourself and your furniture in the rooms, you want to do everything you can to land the property, including putting in a high offer to try to beat out other would-be buyers.

When the appraiser comes in, they look at things a bit more objectively. Their job is to assess the inherent value of the home, so they’re going to study the facts. In simple terms, while homebuyers may be willing to pay more, appraisers are there to assess the market value of the home. Their goal is to make sure the lender isn’t loaning more money than the home is worth. It’s objective, rather than...

What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know About the Appraisal Gap It’s economy 101 – when supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally rise. That’s what’s happening in today’s housing market. Home prices are appreciating at near-historic rates, and that’s creating some challenges when it comes to home appraisals.

The Difference in Net Worth Between Homeowners and Renters Is Widening

Two major personal wealth goals – homeownership and net worth – work hand-in-hand. Below are just a few reasons why, if you’re looking for financial security, homeownership should be a top priority.

The gap between homeowners and renters continues to widen. That’s because homeownership contributes massively to an individual’s overall net worth. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, highlights this idea. “. . . between 2016 and 2019, housing wealth was the single biggest contributor to the increase in net worth across all income groups . . . .” When we look even closer at the most recent data from 2019, the average homeowner’s net worth is more than 40 times greater than that of the average renter.

The gap exists in large part because homeowners build equity as their home appreciates in value and...

The Difference in Net Worth Between Homeowners and Renters Is Widening Becoming financially secure is an important goal for many people today, but some don’t realize just how much homeownership can help them achieve that dream. A recent report, The Journey Toward Financial Freedom, surveys Americans about their perspective on financial wellness and their goals. It sh...

Your Checklist To Get Ready To Sell [INFOGRAPHIC]

When it comes to selling your house, you want it to look its best inside and out. It’s important to focus on tasks that can make it inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal for prospective buyers. DM me today so we can make sure it shows well and catches a buyer’s eye.

Your Checklist To Get Ready To Sell Some Highlights When it comes to selling your house, you want it to look its best inside and out. It’s important to focus on tasks that can make it inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal for prospective buyers. Let’s connect to make sure your house shows well and catches a b...

If Housing Affordability Is About the Money, Don’t Forget This.

Since home prices are rising, it’s true that homes are less affordable than they have been since the housing crash fifteen years ago. Headlines making these claims aren’t incorrect; they just don’t tell the whole story. To paint the full picture, you have to look at how today stacks up with historical data. A closer analysis of affordability going further back in time reveals that homes today are more affordable than any time from 1975 to 2005.

Despite that, the chatter about affordability is pushing some buyers to the sidelines. They don’t feel comfortable knowing someone else got a better deal a year ago. However, Are Homes Really Less Affordable if We Consider Equity?

In a recent post, Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, offers a different take on the financial components of housing affordability. Kushi proposes we...

If Housing Affordability Is About the Money, Don’t Forget This. There are many non-financial benefits of buying your own home. However, today’s headlines seem to be focusing primarily on the financial aspects of homeownership – specifically affordability. Many articles are making the claim that it’s not affordable to buy a home in today’s market, but tha...

Why 2021 Is Still the Year To Sell Your House

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, this is the time to think seriously about making a move. Fannie Mae’s recent Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) reveals the number of respondents who say it’s a good time to sell is higher now than it was over the past few summers. Today, the majority of consumers, 75 percent, say it’s a good time to sell a house.

The higher good time to sell sentiment has to do with today’s market conditions, specifically low housing supply and high buyer demand. In the simplest terms, we don’t have enough houses available for sale to meet buyer demand.

According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), we’re still firmly in a sellers’ market because housing supply is well below a balanced norm. Clearly the scales are tipped in a seller’s favor today. But while housing...

Why 2021 Is Still the Year To Sell Your House If you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, this is the time to think seriously about making a move. Fannie Mae’s recent Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) reveals the number of respondents who say it’s a good time to sell is higher now than it was over the past few summers...

What To Do with Your Vacation Home as Summer Ends

If you’ve taken your last vacation this summer, here are reasons you should consider selling your vacation home this year.

>>Remote work continues to drive demand for vacation homes.

Recent data shows we’ll likely see a sustained increase in the rate of remote work over the next five years. That means your vacation home could be highly sought after by certain buyers. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, puts it best, saying, "Vacation homes are a hot commodity at the moment . . . . With many businesses and employers still extending an option to work remotely to workers, vacation housing and second homes will remain a popular choice among buyers."

>>Selling could allow you to upgrade your vacation spot – or even your day-to-day scenery.
When demand is high, so is buyer competition. When competition is strong, buyers will do everything they can to make...

What To Do with Your Vacation Home as Summer Ends As summer comes to a close, is it time to think about selling your vacation home? Based on recent data and expert opinions, it’s something you may want to consider. According to research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), vacation home sales are up 57.2% year-over-year for January-Ap...

What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates?

Experts across the industry agree – today’s low rates present buyers with an incredible opportunity. Here’s what they have to say:

Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, points out the historic nature of today’s rates:
“As the economy works to get back to its pre-pandemic self, and the fight against COVID-19 variants unfolds, owners and buyers continue to benefit from some of the lowest mortgage rates of all-time.”

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, talks about how rates impact a buyer’s bottom line:
“Mortgage rates are generally the same across the country, so a decline in mortgage rates boosts affordability equally in each market.”

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, also notes the significance of today’s low rates and urges buyers to carefully consider their timing:
“Those who haven’t yet taken advantage of...

What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates? Mortgage rates are hovering near record lows, and that’s good news for today’s homebuyers. The graph below shows mortgage rates dating back to 2016 and where today falls by comparison.

Options for First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

With a housing market this competitive, sometimes you have to think outside the box. Work with your trusted real estate advisors to do things like assess your budget, expand your search radius, look into other options, and determine your true needs. DM me today if you're having trouble finding your first home so we can explore options together. It's out there!

Options for First-Time Homebuyers Some Highlights With a housing market this competitive, sometimes you have to think outside the box. Work with your trusted real estate advisors to do things like assess your budget, expand your search radius, look into other options, and determine your true needs. If you're having trouble finding y...

More Young People Are Buying Homes

There’s a common misconception that younger generations aren’t interested in homeownership. Many people point to the fact that millennials put off purchasing their first home as a reason for this belief.

It’s partially true that some millennials have waited on homeownership to focus on other things in their lives – and that’s impacting certain housing market trends. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) indicates the average age of a first-time homebuyer is higher today than it’s been over the past 40 years. But just because millennials are hitting certain milestones later in life doesn’t mean they’re not interested in becoming homeowners.

The recent U.S. Census reveals a significant increase in homeownership rates for millennials and other young homebuyers. Millennials are entering the market in full force, and their share of the market is...

More Young People Are Buying Homes There’s a common misconception that younger generations aren’t interested in homeownership. Many people point to the fact that millennials put off purchasing their first home as a reason for this belief.

Real Estate: It’s Still a Lack of Supply, Not a Lack of Demand

Do prospective homebuyers still believe purchasing a home makes sense? Some claim rapidly rising home prices are impacting demand and, by extension, leading to the recent slowdown in sales activity.

However, demand isn’t the real issue. Instead, it’s the lack of supply (homes available for sale). An article from the Wall Street Journal shows this is true for new home construction. “Home builders have sold more homes than they can build. Now they are limiting their sales in an effort to catch up.”

Again, the buyers are there. We just need houses to sell to them. If the slowdown in sales was the result of demand waning, we would start to see home prices beginning to moderate – but this isn’t the case.

There’s a shortage of listings, not buyers, and there are three very good reasons for purchasers to still be interested in...

Real Estate: It’s Still a Lack of Supply, Not a Lack of Demand One of the major questions real estate experts are asking today is whether prospective homebuyers still believe purchasing a home makes sense. Some claim rapidly rising home prices are impacting demand and, by extension, leading to the recent slowdown in sales activity.

What Does Being in a Sellers’ Market Mean?

There’s a good chance you’ve heard we’re in a serious sellers’ market. But what does that really mean? And why are conditions today so good for people who want to list their house?

It starts with the number of houses available for sale. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows housing supply is still astonishingly low. Today, we have a 2.6-month supply of homes at the current sales pace. Historically, a 6-month supply is necessary for a ‘normal’ or ‘neutral’ market in which there are enough homes available for active buyers.

When the supply of houses for sale is as low as it is right now, it’s much harder for buyers to find homes to purchase. That creates increased competition among purchasers which leads to more bidding wars. And if buyers know they may be entering a bidding war, they’re going to do...

What Does Being in a Sellers’ Market Mean? Whether or not you’ve been following the real estate industry lately, there’s a good chance you’ve heard we’re in a serious sellers’ market. But what does that really mean? And why are conditions today so good for people who want to list their house?

A Look at Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for Sellers

No matter the industry, anytime there’s more demand than supply, prices naturally rise. It happens because buyers are willing to pay more to secure the scarce product or service they’re looking for. That’s exactly what’s happening in today’s real estate market. Buyers are competing with one another to purchase a home, leading to bidding wars that drive prices up. For sellers, the rising prices mean opportunity is knocking.

According to Quicken Loans, the national average home price appreciation rate is between 3-5% in a typical year. Today, home prices are appreciating well beyond the norm thanks to high demand. Compared to the normal pace of 3-5% appreciation per year, the current average forecast of nearly 11.5% is significant.

For sellers, this means that with the current rise in prices, your house may be worth more than you...

A Look at Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for Sellers When you hear the phrase home price appreciation, what does it mean to you? Through context clues alone, chances are you know it has to do with rising home prices. And as a seller, you know rising home prices are good news for your potential sale. But let’s look past the dollar signs and dive deep...

Sellers Are in a Sweet Spot [INFOGRAPHIC]

In today’s sellers’ market, you’re set up to win big when you list your house. That’s because homes are selling fast, receiving 4.4 offers on average and often selling above the asking price. Then, when you buy your next home, you’ll also win by addressing your changing needs and taking advantage of near historic-low mortgage rates. If you’re ready to make a move, DM me so you can capitalize on today’s market and find your next dream home.

Sellers Are in a Sweet Spot Some Highlights In today’s sellers’ market, you’re set up to win big when you list your house. That’s because homes are selling fast, receiving 4.4 offers on average and often selling above the asking price. Then, when you buy your next home, you’ll also win by addressing your changing nee...

The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to Renovations

In the current sellers’ market, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be remodeled before they list their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. Here are some considerations a professional will guide you through:

>>With current supply challenges, buyers may be willing to take on projects of their own.
According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), our current supply of homes for sale, while rising, still remains solidly in sellers’ market territory. So, what’s that mean for you? If you’re a seller trying to decide whether or not to renovate, this is especially important because it’s indicative of buyer behavior. When there aren’t enough homes for sale, buyers may be more willing to purchase a home that doesn’t meet all their needs and renovate it themselves later.

>>Not...

The Best Use of Time (and Money) When It Comes to Renovations In the current sellers’ market, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be remodeled before they list their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you think through today’s market conditions and how they impact what you should – and shouldn....

Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades?

There are many headlines about how housing affordability is declining. The headlines are correct: it’s less affordable to purchase a home today than it was a year ago. However, it’s important to give this trend context. Is it less expensive to buy a house today than it was in 2005? What about 1995? What happens if we go all the way back to 1985? Or even 1975?

Obviously, the price of a home has appreciated dramatically over the last 45 years. So have the prices of milk, bread, and just about every other consumable. Prices rise over time – we know it as inflation.

However, when we look at housing, price is just one component that makes up the monthly cost of the home. Another key factor is the mortgage rate at the time of purchase.

When adjusted for inflation, there were only two times in the last 45 years that it was less expensive to own a home...

Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades? There are many headlines about how housing affordability is declining. The headlines are correct: it’s less affordable to purchase a home today than it was a year ago. However, it’s important to give this trend context. Is it less expensive to buy a house today than it was in 2005? What about 19...

Looking for a Place To Call Home? Consider a Condominium.

There are a few reasons more and more people are opting to buy condos – the benefits of condo life can be quite compelling. Let’s explore the main perks to find out if a condo is a good fit for you.

>>Affordability
According to the NAR report, the median sales price of a condo is roughly $59,000 less than the median price of a single-family detached home. This makes condos a great option for first-time homebuyers, those with limited down payment savings, or those looking to save money by downsizing.

>>Maintenance
A recent article from BankRate adds low maintenance as another perk of a condo-lifestyle. Generally, exterior maintenance for condos is handled by a Homeowner’s Association (HOA). This can include things like landscaping and upholding a certain standard of cleanliness and condition for walkways, siding, and roofs. If you’re looking for...

Looking for a Place To Call Home? Consider a Condominium. It’s no secret that one of the top stories in today’s real estate market is low housing supply and high buyer demand. If you’re a first-time buyer looking for a starter home or are someone who’s interested in downsizing, it may be worth considering a condominium (condo) as a worthwhile optio...

The Community and Economic Impacts of a Home Sale

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, chances are you’re focusing on the many extraordinary ways it’ll change your life. What you may not realize is that decision impacts people’s lives far beyond your own. Home purchases and sales are significant drivers of economic activity. They have a major impact on your community and the entire U.S. economy via the multiple industries and professionals that take part in the process.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) releases a report each year that highlights just how much economic activity a home sale generates. An existing home sale contributes $45,600 to the economy. For a newly built home, that number’s $93,800. As you can see, a single home sale can have a massive effect on the overall economy. Ali Wolf, Chief Economist for Zonda, talks about this in a recent article. “The...

The Community and Economic Impacts of a Home Sale If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, chances are you’re focusing on the many extraordinary ways it’ll change your life. What you may not realize is that decision impacts people’s lives far beyond your own. Home purchases and sales are significant drivers of economic activity. The...

Ready To Sell, but Don’t Know Where You’ll Go? [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re thinking of selling your house but don’t know what you should buy, you have options. Existing homes offer a wide variety of home styles, an established neighborhood, and lived-in charm. Meanwhile, new home construction lets you create your perfect home, cash in on energy efficiency, and minimize repairs. Whether you’re looking for newly built or existing homes, both have their perks. If you’re ready to sell your house, DM me today to go over the perks of both existing and newly built homes to find out what’s right for you.

Ready To Sell, but Don’t Know Where You’ll Go? Some Highlights If you’re thinking of selling your house but don’t know what you should buy, you have options. Existing homes offer a wide variety of home styles, an established neighborhood, and lived-in charm. Meanwhile, new home construction lets you create your perfect home, cash in on energ...

Surprising Shift Favors Homeowners: Buyers Now Prefer Existing Homes

In April, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) posted an article which reported, “60% of people who were looking to buy a home in 2020 said they'd prefer new construction to an existing home.” However, it seems buyers are now shifting their preference back to existing homes.

The latest Consumer Confidence Survey reveals the percentage of Americans planning to buy a home in the next six months is virtually the same as it was back in March. However, the percentage that plan to buy a newly constructed home is lower for that same period. NAHB confirms that existing homes are now the top preference among today’s buyers.

Why the shift? There are several reasons why buyer preference is shifting. Here are two that impact purchasers looking to move-in now:

>>The process may move faster. Builders may not be able to guarantee...

Surprising Shift Favors Homeowners: Buyers Now Prefer Existing Homes In April, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) posted an article, Home Buyers’ Preferences Shift Towards New Construction, which reported:

Sellers: Make Today’s Home Price Appreciation Work for You

Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that’s good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their home’s potential. If you’re on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this price appreciation last?

Here’s what three leading industry experts have to say about what lies ahead.

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“At a broad level, home prices are in no danger of a decline due to tight inventory conditions, but I do expect prices to appreciate at a slower pace by the end of the year.”

Selma Hepp, Deputy Chief Economist, CoreLogic:

“The imbalance between robust demand and dismal availability of for-sale homes has led to a continual bidding over asking prices, which reached record levels in recent months...

Sellers: Make Today’s Home Price Appreciation Work for You Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that’s good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their home’s potential. If you’re on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this price appreciation last?

With Rents on the Rise – Is Now the Time To Buy?

According to recent data from realtor.com, median rental prices have reached their highest point ever recorded in many areas across the country. The report found rents rose by 8.1% from the same time last year. If you’re a renter concerned about rising prices, now may be the time to consider purchasing a home.

When you weigh your options of whether to buy a home or continue renting, how much you’ll pay each month is likely top of mind. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), monthly mortgage payments are rising, but they’re still significantly lower than the typical rental payment. NAR indicates the latest data on homes closed shows the median monthly mortgage payment is $1,204.

By contrast, the median national rent is $1,575 according to the most current data provided by realtor.com. In other words, buyers who recently purchased a home...

With Rents on the Rise – Is Now the Time To Buy? According to recent data from realtor.com, median rental prices have reached their highest point ever recorded in many areas across the country. The report found rents rose by 8.1% from the same time last year. As it notes:

Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home

Before you decide whether you’re ready to buy a home, you should know how to answer these three questions.

>>What’s Going on with Home Prices?

Home prices are one factor that directly impacts how much it will cost to buy a home and how much you stand to gain as a homeowner when prices appreciate. Continued price appreciation is great news for existing homeowners but can pose a significant challenge if you wait to buy. Put simply, with home prices increasing, the longer you wait, the more it could cost you.

>>Are Today’s Low Mortgage Rates Going To Last?

Another significant factor that should inform your decision is mortgage interest rates. Today’s average rates remain close to record-lows. Much like prices, though, experts forecast rates will rise over the coming months. Your monthly mortgage payment can be significantly impacted by even the...

Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home Sometimes it can feel like everyone has advice when it comes to buying a home. While your friends and loved ones may have your best interests in mind, they may also be missing crucial information about today’s housing market that you need to make your best decision.

Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re thinking of buying a home but wondering if waiting a few years will save you in the long run, think again. The longer the wait, the more you’ll pay, especially when mortgage rates and home prices rise. Even the slightest change in the mortgage rate can have a big impact on your buying power no matter your price point. Don’t assume waiting will save you money. Connect with your trusted real estate professional to set the ball into motion today while mortgage rates are hovering near historic lows.

Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You Some Highlights If you’re thinking of buying a home but wondering if waiting a few years will save you in the long run, think again. The longer the wait, the more you’ll pay, especially when mortgage rates and home prices rise. Even the slightest change in the mortgage rate can have a big impact...