Ram Handa Real Estate

Does Your House Have What Buyers Want?

The rise in remote work is changing what many Americans want in their homes. Many companies are choosing to delay reopening or go remote full-time, and today’s buyers are looking for homes with more space to support their work needs. As a seller, if you no longer need the extra room you have in your home, rest assured there are buyers who do.

More remote work means a greater need for home offices. That’s leading today’s buyers to prioritize finding homes with more space so they can comfortably work from home. The 2021 Home Design Trends Survey from the American Institute of Architects finds that 69% of surveyed individuals still want at least one office at home. However, it also shows that more people are looking for multiple spaces in their home for remote work and virtual meetings.

If your house has extra space that you no longer need, buyers are interested, and now...

Does Your House Have What Buyers Want? The rise in remote work is changing what many Americans want in their homes. Many companies are choosing to delay reopening or go remote full-time, and today’s buyers are looking for homes with more space to support their work needs.

The Mortgage Process Doesn’t Have To Be Scary [INFOGRAPHIC]

Applying for a mortgage is a big step towards homeownership, but it doesn’t need to be one you fear. Here are some tips to help you prepare. Know your credit score and work to build strong credit. When you’re ready, lean on your agent to connect you with a lender so you can get pre-approved and begin your home search. DM me so you have an advisor by your side to take the fear out of the equation.

The Mortgage Process Doesn’t Have To Be Scary Some Highlights Applying for a mortgage is a big step towards homeownership, but it doesn’t need to be one you fear. Here are some tips to help you prepare. Know your credit score and work to build strong credit. When you’re ready, lean on your agent to connect you with a lender so you can get p...

Housing Challenge or Housing Opportunity? It Depends.

The biggest challenge in real estate today is the lack of available homes for sale. The low housing supply has caused homes throughout the country to appreciate at a much faster rate than what we’ve experienced historically.

There are many reasons for the limited number of homes on the market, but we’re well below where we’ve been for most of the past 10 years. Today, across the country, there is only a 2.4-month supply of homes available for sale.

The Opportunity

This lack of homes for sale is creating a challenge for many buyers who are growing frustrated in their search. On the other hand, this is a huge opportunity for sellers as low supply is driving up home values. According to CoreLogic, the average home has appreciated by more than $50,000 over the past year. And for many homeowners, that’s opening new doors as they re-think their...

Housing Challenge or Housing Opportunity? It Depends. The biggest challenge in real estate today is the lack of available homes for sale. The low housing supply has caused homes throughout the country to appreciate at a much faster rate than what we’ve experienced historically.

There Are More Homes Available Now than There Were This Spring

There’s a lot of talk lately about how challenging it can be to find a home to buy. While housing inventory is still low, there are a few important things to understand about the supply of homes for sale as we move into the end of the year.

The Number of Homes for Sale Usually Peaks in the Fall

If we look at the active monthly listings for 2021, we’ll see that the number of homes on the market has increased fairly steadily since spring this year. The realtor.com data shows we’re still seeing an increase in active inventory month-over-month. While that gain is a bit smaller month-to-month, September numbers are still up from the month prior.

The important takeaway here is the latest monthly numbers show growth. At the end of September, buyers had more options to pick from than they did this spring. That’s encouraging for buyers who...

There Are More Homes Available Now than There Were This Spring There’s a lot of talk lately about how challenging it can be to find a home to buy. While housing inventory is still low, there are a few important things to understand about the supply of homes for sale as we move into the end of the year.

Knowledge Is Power When It Comes to Appraisals and Inspections

Buying a home is one of the most important transactions in your lifetime, and it’s critical to keep your best interests in mind. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from the appraisal and the inspection.

Put simply: when you apply for a mortgage, an unbiased appraisal – typically required by your lender – is the best way to verify the value of the home. That appraisal ensures the lender doesn’t loan you more than what the home is worth.

A buyer’s contract price may end up higher than the value of the home – this is known as an appraisal gap. In today’s market, it’s common for the seller to ask the buyer to make up the difference when an appraisal gap occurs. That means, as a buyer, you may need to be prepared to bring extra money to the table if you really want the home.

Like the appraisal, the inspection is important...

Knowledge Is Power When It Comes to Appraisals and Inspections Buyers in today’s market often have questions about the importance of getting a home appraisal and an inspection. That’s because high buyer demand and low housing supply are driving intense competition and leading some buyers to consider waiving those contingencies to stand out in the crowded ma...

Important Distinction: Homes Are Less Affordable, Not Unaffordable

It’s impossible to research the subject of buying a home without coming across a headline declaring that the fall in home affordability is a crisis. However, when we add context to the most recent affordability statistics, we soon realize that, though homes are less affordable than they have been over the last few years, they are more affordable than they have been historically.

Today’s payment-to-income ratio is more affordable than the average over the last 25 years. Given that context, we can see that American households still have the same ability to be homeowners as their parents did 20 years ago.

This confirms the recent analysis of ATTOM Data resources where Todd Teta, Chief Product and Technology Officer, explains, “The typical median-priced home around the U.S. remains affordable to workers earning an average wage...

Important Distinction: Homes Are Less Affordable, Not Unaffordable It’s impossible to research the subject of buying a home without coming across a headline declaring that the fall in home affordability is a crisis. However, when we add context to the most recent affordability statistics, we soon realize that, though homes are less affordable than they have been ...

Your Home Equity Is Growing [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re a homeowner, today’s rising equity is great news. On average, homeowners have gained $51,500 in equity since this time last year. Whether it’s funding an education, fueling your next move, or starting a business, your home equity is a great tool you can use to power your dreams. Ready to sell? DM me to talk about how you can take advantage of your rising equity to reach your goals.

Your Home Equity Is Growing Some Highlights If you’re a homeowner, today’s rising equity is great news. On average, homeowners have gained $51,500 in equity since this time last year. Whether it’s funding an education, fueling your next move, or starting a business, your home equity is a great tool you can use to power y...

Looking To Move? It Could Be Time To Build Your Dream Home.

While today’s supply of homes for sale is still low, the number of newly built homes is increasing. If you’re ready to sell but have held off because you weren’t sure you’d be able to find a home to move into, newly built homes and those under construction can provide the options you’ve been waiting for.

The latest Census data shows the inventory of new homes is increasing this year. With more new homes coming to the market, this means you’ll have more options to choose from if you’re ready to buy. Of course, if you do consider a newly built home, you’ll want to keep timing in mind.

According to Robert Dietz, Chief Economist and Senior VP for Economics and Housing Policy for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), “28% of new home inventory consists of homes that have not started construction, compared to 21% a...

Looking To Move? It Could Be Time To Build Your Dream Home. While today’s supply of homes for sale is still low, the number of newly built homes is increasing. If you’re ready to sell but have held off because you weren’t sure you’d be able to find a home to move into, newly built homes and those under construction can provide the options you’ve be...

What Does the Future Hold for Home Prices?

To answer that question, let’s first understand a few terms you may be hearing right now.

>>Appreciation is an increase in the value of an asset.
>>Depreciation is a decrease in the value of an asset.
>>Deceleration is when something happens at a slower pace.

It’s important to note home prices have increased, or appreciated, for 114 straight months. To find out if that trend may continue, look to the experts. Pulsenomics surveyed over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts asking for their five-year projections. In terms of what lies ahead, experts say the market may see some slight deceleration, but not depreciation.

Bill McBride, author of the blog Calculated Risk, also expects deceleration, but not depreciation. “My sense is the Case-Shiller National annual growth rate of 19.7% is probably close to a peak, and that...

What Does the Future Hold for Home Prices? If you’re looking to buy or sell a house, chances are you’ve heard talk about today’s rising home prices. And while this increase in home values is great news for sellers, you may be wondering what the future holds. Will prices continue to rise with time, or should you expect them to fall?

Sellers: Your House Could Be an Oasis for Buyers Seeking More Options

Sellers have a great opportunity this season as buyer demand still heavily outweighs the current supply of homes for sale. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), today’s housing inventory sits at only a 2.6-month supply. To put that into perspective, a neutral market typically features a 6-month supply. That places today’s market firmly in the sellers’ market category. That same NAR data also shows today’s inventory of single-family homes is trailing behind the level we saw last year.

Because of the ongoing supply challenges, buyers can feel like they’re wandering across a vast, empty desert when searching for their next home. That means your house could provide an oasis for buyers thirsty for options – and it could increase the chances of buyers entering a bidding war for your home.

The latest Realtors...

Sellers: Your House Could Be an Oasis for Buyers Seeking More Options Sellers have a great opportunity this season as buyer demand still heavily outweighs the current supply of homes for sale. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), today’s housing inventory sits at only a 2.6-month supply. To put that into perspective, a neutral market typically fe...

What Do Past Years Tell Us About Today’s Real Estate Market?

The housing market today is anything but normal, and it’s still an incredibly strong sellers’ market, especially when compared to the few years leading up to the pandemic. With that in mind, what can previous years tell us about today’s real estate market and if it’s truly slowing?

>>We’re Still Seeing an Above Average Number of Sales
You may see headlines about a drop in home sales. But are those headlines telling the full story? NAR does show a drop of about 2% from July to August. But the month-over-month decline doesn’t provide the full picture. Today’s home sales are well ahead of some of the more normal years that led up to the health crisis. That means buyers are still in the market, which is great news if you’re planning to list your home.

>>Houses Are Selling Faster Than Usual
When headlines mention the market is...

What Do Past Years Tell Us About Today’s Real Estate Market? As you follow the news, you’re likely seeing headlines discussing what’s going on in today’s housing market. Chances are high that some of the more recent storylines you’ve come across mention terms like cooling or slowing when talking about where the market is headed.

Homebuyer Tips for Finding the One [INFOGRAPHIC]

The best advice carries across multiple areas of life. When it comes to homebuying, a few simple tips can help you stay on track. Because of increased demand, you’ll need to be patient and embrace compromises during your search. Then, once you’ve fallen in love, commit by putting your best offer forward. If you’re looking to buy a home this year, DM me so you have a dedicated partner and teammate to help you find the one.

Homebuyer Tips for Finding the One Some Highlights The best advice carries across multiple areas of life. When it comes to homebuying, a few simple tips can help you stay on track. Because of increased demand, you’ll need to be patient and embrace compromises during your search. Then, once you’ve fallen in love, commit by putting...

The Big Question: Should You Renovate or Move?

If you’re a homeowner who wants more from their current house, you have two options: renovate your current house or buy a home that already has the spaces you desire. The decision you make could be determined by factors like:

>>A possible desire to relocate
>>The difference in the cost of a renovation versus a purchase
>>Finding an existing home or designing a new home that has exactly what you want (versus trying to restructure the layout of your current house)

In either case, you’ll need access to capital: the funds for the renovation or the down payment your next home would require. The great news is that the money you need probably already exists in your current home in the form of equity.

The record-setting increases in home prices over the last two years dramatically improved homeowners’ equity. As a homeowner, the money you need to purchase the perfect...

The Big Question: Should You Renovate or Move? The last 18 months changed what many buyers are looking for in a home. Recently, the American Institute of Architects released their AIA Home Design Trends Survey results for Q3 2021. The survey reveals the following:

Don’t Wait for a Lower Mortgage Rate – It Could Cost You

Today’s housing market is truly one for the record books. Over the past year, we’ve seen the lowest mortgage rates in history. And while those rates seemed to bottom out in January of this year, the golden window of opportunity for buyers isn’t over just yet. If you’re one of the buyers who worry they’ve missed out, rest assured today’s mortgage rates are still worth taking advantage of.

Even today, our mortgage rates are below what they’ve been in recent decades. So, while you may not be able to lock in the rate your friend got recently, you’re still in a great position to secure a rate well below what your parents and even grandparents got in years past. The key will be acting sooner rather than later.

In late September, mortgage rates ticked above 3% for the first time in months. And according to experts throughout the industry...

Don’t Wait for a Lower Mortgage Rate – It Could Cost You Today’s housing market is truly one for the record books. Over the past year, we’ve seen the lowest mortgage rates in history. And while those rates seemed to bottom out in January of this year, the golden window of opportunity for buyers isn’t over just yet. If you’re one of the buyers who ...

Experts Agree: Homeownership Provides a Path to Long-Term Wealth

A recent survey from LendingTree.com found there are multiple reasons why Americans would choose to purchase a home instead of renting. 41% of respondents say they’d rather own a home than rent because of the unique way homeownership builds wealth over time. And experts agree – the home you own is an important tool for building your net worth.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), “Homeowners who purchased a typical single-family existing-home 30 years ago at the median sales price of $103,333 with a 10% down payment loan and who sold the property at the median sales price of $357,700 in 2021 Q2 accumulated housing wealth of $349,258, . . .”

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, points out that a home is truly a one-of-a-kind asset. “The major financial advantage of homeownership is the accumulation of equity in...

Experts Agree: Homeownership Provides a Path to Long-Term Wealth A recent survey from LendingTree.com found there are multiple reasons why Americans would choose to purchase a home instead of renting. Some of the most popular non-financial reasons given include:

111,285 Reasons You Should Buy a Home This Year

The financial benefits of buying a home versus renting one are always up for debate. However, one element of the equation is often ignored – the ability to build wealth as a homeowner.

An increase in equity builds the wealth of the individual that owns it. This wealth can be passed down to future generations. National Association of Realtors research reveals that the average gain for homeowners over the last five years was $139,134 and over the last 10 years was $218,505.

Homeownership builds household wealth which also enables households to more easily move to the home of their dreams.

If you missed out on the equity gains over the last 30 years, don’t fret. Experts are still calling for substantial growth in equity over the next five years. The most recent Home Price Expectation Survey, a survey of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and...

111,285 Reasons You Should Buy a Home This Year The financial benefits of buying a home versus renting one are always up for debate. However, one element of the equation is often ignored – the ability to build wealth as a homeowner.

What’s Causing Today’s Competitive Real Estate Market? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Today’s strong sellers’ market is the direct result of high demand and low supply. Low mortgage rates and generational trends have created an increased demand for homes. Meanwhile, the slower pace of new home construction and homeowners staying in their homes longer have both led to today’s low supply. If you’re thinking of selling, let’s connect to talk about our local area and how you can take advantage of today’s housing market.

What’s Causing Today’s Competitive Real Estate Market? Some Highlights Today’s strong sellers’ market is the direct result of high demand and low supply. Low mortgage rates and generational trends have created an increased demand for homes. Meanwhile, the slower pace of new home construction and homeowners staying in their homes longer have both led...

What Do Supply and Demand Tell Us About Today’s Housing Market?

The law of supply and demand explains what’s happening with prices in the current real estate market. Put simply, when demand for an item is high, prices rise. When the supply of the item increases, prices fall. Of course, when demand is very high and supply is very low, prices can rise significantly.

Why Are Prices Rising?
According to CoreLogic, home prices have risen 18% since this time last year. But what’s driving the increase? When we take NAR’s buyer activity data and compare it to the seller traffic during the same timeframe, we can see buyer demand continues to outpace seller activity by a wide margin. In other words, the demand for homes is significantly greater than the current supply that’s available to buy.

Where Are Prices Headed?
Many experts forecast prices will continue to increase, but they’ll likely...

What Do Supply and Demand Tell Us About Today’s Housing Market? There’s a well-known economic theory – the law of supply and demand – that explains what’s happening with prices in the current real estate market. Put simply, when demand for an item is high, prices rise. When the supply of the item increases, prices fall. Of course, when demand is very hig...

The Main Key To Understanding the Rise in Mortgage Rates

Every Thursday, Freddie Mac releases the results of their Primary Mortgage Market Survey which reveals the most recent movement in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate. Last week, the rate was announced as 3.01%. It was the first time in three months that the mortgage rate surpassed 3%. In a press release accompanying the survey, Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, explains, “Mortgage rates rose across all loan types this week as the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield reached its highest point since June.” The reason Khater mentions the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield is because there has been a very strong relationship between the yield and the 30-year mortgage rate over the last five decades. The relationship has also been consistent throughout 2021.

So, what impacts the yield rate? According to Investopedia, “There are a number of economic factors that impact...

The Main Key To Understanding the Rise in Mortgage Rates Every Thursday, Freddie Mac releases the results of their Primary Mortgage Market Survey which reveals the most recent movement in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate. Last week, the rate was announced as 3.01%. It was the first time in three months that the mortgage rate surpassed 3%. In a press releas...

As Home Equity Rises, So Does Your Wealth

Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation.

The best thing about equity is that it often grows without you even realizing it, especially in a sellers’ market like we’re in now. In today’s real estate market, the combination of low housing supply and high buyer demand is driving home values up. This is giving homeowners a significant equity boost.

According to the latest data from CoreLogic, the amount of equity homeowners have has continued to grow as home values appreciate. Here are some key takeaways from the Homeowner Equity Insights Report:

>>The average homeowner gained $51,500 in equity over the past year
>>There was a 29.3% increase in national homeowner equity year over year

If you’re already a homeowner, you likely have more equity in your house than you realize...

As Home Equity Rises, So Does Your Wealth Homeownership is still a crucial part of the American dream. For those people who own a home (and those looking to buy one), it’s clear that being a homeowner has considerable benefits both emotionally and financially. In addition to long-term stability, buying a home is one of the best ways to in...

Reasons Renters Buy [INFOGRAPHIC]

When deciding whether you should rent or buy, make sure you’re considering these factors. Buying a home means consistent monthly payments. Homeownership also helps to build your wealth. And owning a home gives you greater flexibility than renting. If you’re ready to take advantage of the perks of homeownership, DM me to explore your options.

Reasons Renters Buy Some Highlights When deciding whether you should rent or buy, make sure you’re considering these factors. Buying a home means consistent monthly payments. Homeownership also helps to build your wealth. And owning a home gives you greater flexibility than renting. If you’re ready to take advantag...

Don’t Tackle Selling Your Home on Your Own - an Agent Can Help

Before you decide to sell your house on your own, here are five reasons why working with an agent is your best bet to maximize the sale of your home.

>>First impressions are everything – and an agent knows how to make a great one.
Prepping a house for sale requires a significant amount of time and effort, even though it may seem simple at first glance. An expert real estate advisor relies on their experience to answer your questions so you don’t invest in the wrong things.

>>Agents have tools to maximize the number of views your home gets.
Put plainly, the more buyers that view your house, the better your return will be. Agents have multiple tools at their disposal – from social media to agency resources – to ensure your home is viewed by more prospective buyers.

>>An agent won’t miss anything in the fine print.
Because there’s so much to...

Don’t Tackle Selling Your Home on Your Own - an Agent Can Help If you’re looking to maximize your sale and minimize your effort, you need to work with a real estate professional. In a sellers’ market like today’s, it can be tempting to list your house on your own – known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO). But the truth is, a real estate professional can save ...

Early October is the Sweet Spot for Buyers

Are you looking to buy a home? If so, we’ve got good news for you.

As a buyer, you’re likely braving bidding wars and weighing low mortgage rates versus price appreciation as you search for your dream home. If you find yourself a bit discouraged, hear this: there are clear signs buyers may have more opportunities this fall. According to realtor.com, the sweet spot for buyers is just around the corner. The research says:

“Nationally, the best time to buy in 2021 is the week of October 3-9. This week historically has shown the best balance of market conditions that favor buyers.”

So, what’s that mean for you? If you’re looking to buy a home, there’s a golden window of opportunity coming. The number of homes available for sale should increase. The findings estimate we’ll see roughly 17.6% more homes available than we saw at the start of the year.

Having more...

Early October is the Sweet Spot for Buyers Are you looking to buy a home? If so, we’ve got good news for you.

If You’re a Buyer, Is Offering Asking Price Enough?

In today’s real estate market, buyers shouldn’t shop for a home with the expectation they’ll be able to negotiate a lower sales price. In a typical housing market, buyers try to determine how much less than the asking price they can offer and still get the home. Homes selling quickly and receiving multiple offers highlights how competitive the housing market is right now. This is due, in large part, to the low supply of homes for sale. Low supply and high demand mean homes often sell for more than the asking price. In some cases, they sell for a lot more.

What does that mean for you? If you’ve found your dream home, you need to be realistic about today’s housing market and how that impacts the offer you’ll make. Offering below or even at a home’s asking price may not cut it.

Because of today’s home price appreciation and the auction-like...

If You’re a Buyer, Is Offering Asking Price Enough? In today’s real estate market, buyers shouldn’t shop for a home with the expectation they’ll be able to negotiate a lower sales price. In a typical housing market, buyers try to determine how much less than the asking price they can offer and still get the home. From there, the buyer and selle...

Two Reasons Why Waiting a Year To Buy Could Cost You

To determine if you should buy now or wait, you need to ask yourself two simple questions:

What will home prices be like in 2022? And where will mortgage rates be by the end of 2022?

Three major housing industry entities project continued home price appreciation for 2022. Here are their forecasts: Freddie Mac: 5.3%, Fannie Mae: 5.1% and Mortgage Bankers Association: 8.4%.

Using the average of the three projections (6.27%), a home that sells for $350,000 today would be valued at $371,945 by the end of next year.

Today, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering near historic lows. However, most experts believe rates will rise as the economy continues to recover. Here are the forecasts for the fourth quarter of 2022 by the three major entities mentioned above: Freddie Mac: 3.8%, Fannie Mae: 3.2%, and Mortgage Bankers Association: 4.2%. That averages out to 3.7...

Two Reasons Why Waiting a Year To Buy Could Cost You If you’re a renter with a desire to become a homeowner, or a homeowner who’s decided your current house no longer fits your needs, you may be hoping that waiting a year might mean better market conditions to purchase a home.