Home Loans with Victoria

Have you heard the good news? Mortgage rates are trending down.

And, if you’re looking to buy a home, that helps your bottom line. As rates drop, your monthly payment on your next home does too.

The change we’ve already seen could save you hundreds of dollars a month.

If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent.

After months of high rates keeping buyers on the sidelines, things are starting to shift. Rates are already coming down due to a number of economic factors. And yesterday the Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate for the first time since they began raising that rate in March 2022. And while they don’t control mortgage rates, this sets the stage for mortgage rates to fall even further than they already have – especially since more cuts from the Fed are expected into next year. And lower mortgage rates are bringing more buyers back into the market. Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says: “A drop in the cost of borrowing will help fuel more homebuyer demand . . . Falling rates will also bring more sellers into the market.”

The best part? You can take advantage of that...

Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent.

Mortgage rates are trending down and that’s great news for your bottom line. As rates drop, your monthly payment on your next home does too. Even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact on your purchasing power. If you put your search on hold when mortgage rates were higher, think about how much you could save now that rates are coming down.

Lower Mortgage Rates Boost Your Buying Power Mortgage rates are trending down and that’s great news for your bottom line.

Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now. But here’s some good news: builders are focusing their efforts on building smaller homes, and they’re offering key incentives to buyers. And both of these things can be a big help if you're worried about finding a home that’s right for your budget.

During the pandemic, homebuyers were looking for larger homes—and many could afford them. Builders responded to that demand and created bigger spaces to help people with things like working from home, setting up home gyms, and having extra rooms for virtual school.

Now, with affordability as tight as it is, builders are turning their focus to smaller single-family homes. At the end of the day, builders are going to focus on building homes that meet current market demand – because they want to build what they know will sell. And the number one thing homebuyers are looking for right now is better...

The Latest Builder Trend: Smaller, Less Expensive Homes Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now.

Mortgage rates are dropping. As a result, more buyers are getting ready to re-enter the market. That’s clear based on the rise in mortgage applications since rates started to fall.

If you’ve been thinking about selling, let’s talk about how to get your house ready so you can take advantage of increased buyer activity.

A shift is underway in the housing market this season. And if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump back into your homebuying search, this is a great time to do it. That’s because the best week to buy a home this year is just around the corner. Your sweet spot is here.

The experts at Realtor.com study seasonal trends to figure out the ideal week for homebuyers: “Nationally, the best time to buy in 2024 is the week of Sept. 29–Oct. 5. This week historically has shown the best balance of market conditions that favor buyers. Inventory tends to be high, prices are below peak levels, demand is waning, and the pace of the market slows to a more manageable speed.”

In addition to the historical trends and typical seasonality that Realtor.com looks at, there are also clear indicators in today’s market data that you’ll see better conditions right now than you would have over the last few years...

The Best Time To Buy a Home This Year A shift is underway in the housing market this season.

Have you felt like homeownership is out of reach? You aren’t alone.

But here’s some good news: builders are focusing on bringing smaller, more affordable homes to market. And if we open up your search to include those new builds, we may be able to find the right fit for your budget.

Let’s chat if you’re ready to explore what builders have to offer in and around our area.

Mortgage rates have hit their lowest level since February 2023 – and that’s big news.

So if you’ve been sitting on the homebuying sidelines waiting for this to happen, it’s time to talk about making your move. Because the monthly savings is going to be a game changer for your purchasing power.

DM me and I’ll show you how the recent decline may help you get a better monthly payment than you’d expect.

Mortgage rates have hit their lowest point in over a year and a half. And that’s big news if you’ve been sitting on the homebuying sidelines waiting for this moment.

Even a small decline in rates could help you get a better monthly payment than you would expect on your next home. And the drop that’s happened recently isn’t small. As Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, says:

“Mortgage rates have fallen more than half a percent . . . and are at their lowest level since February 2023.”

But if you want to see it to really believe it, here’s how the math shakes out. Going from 7.5% just a few months ago to the low 6s has a big impact on your bottom line. In just a few months’ time, the anticipated monthly payment on a $400K loan has come down by over $370. That’s hundreds of dollars less per month.

With the recent drop in mortgage rates, the purchasing power you have right now is better than it’s been in almost...

Mortgage Rates Drop to Lowest Level in over a Year and a Half Mortgage rates have hit their lowest point in over a year and a half.

September 29 – October 5 is the best week to buy a home this year, according to a study from Realtor.com.

And with mortgage rates coming down like they have recently, that makes this sweet spot even hotter.

So, if you’re looking to make a move, DM me so we can make sure you’re ready to go.

Trying to get your house ready to list? Here are a few general tips on where you’ll want to spend some time and effort.

Prioritize things that will make it inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal. But this is just a starting point.

If you want more specific advice to help your house stand out in our local market, DM me.

Since the supply of homes for sale is growing and mortgage rates are coming down, you may be thinking it’s finally your moment to jump into the market. To make sure you’re ready, you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage.

That’s when a lender looks at your finances, including things like your W-2, tax returns, credit score, and bank statements, to figure out what they’re willing to loan you. After that process, you’ll get a pre-approval letter to show what you can borrow. Here are two reasons why this is essential in today’s market.

Pre-Approval Helps You Know Your Numbers

While home affordability is finally starting to show signs of improving, it’s still tight. So, it’s a good idea to talk to a lender about your loan options and how today’s changing mortgage rates will impact your monthly payment. The pre-approval process is the perfect time for that. In addition to determining the maximum amount you can borrow...

Why Pre-Approval Should Be at the Top of Your Homebuying To-Do List Since the supply of homes for sale is growing and mortgage rates are coming down, you may be thinking it’s finally your moment to jump into the market.

Getting your house ready to sell? Here’s a few tips on what you may want to do to prepare. Focus on making it inviting, showing it’s cared for, and boosting your curb appeal. If you want specific advice to help your house stand out in our local market, let’s connect.

Checklist for Getting Your House Ready To Sell Getting your house ready to sell? Here are a few tips on what you may want to do to prepare.

Planning to buy a home? Make sure you’re budgeting not just your down payment, but for your closing costs too.

And if you want to try to cut down on those a bit, try these tips. Negotiate with the seller for concessions, shop around for more affordable home insurance, and look into closing cost assistance programs. DM me for more homebuying tips.

Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don't forget about closing costs. Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Closing Costs?

Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. Some of these are one-time expenses that are baked into your closing costs. Others, like homeowners’ insurance, are initial installment payments for ongoing responsibilities you’ll have once you take possession of the home.

How Much Are Closing Costs?

Freddie Mac says: “Closing costs vary greatly depending on your location and the price of your home. Typically, you should be prepared to pay between 2% and 5% of the home purchase price in closing fees.”

Tips To Reduce Your Closing Costs

If...

What To Know About Closing Costs Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process.

Wondering what’s really happening with home prices? This visual should help.

Data shows home price appreciation is moderating nationally. That means prices are still rising, just not as fast. And if you compare the numbers for last year to 2024, you can see it.

But that’s just the national picture. If you want to know what prices are doing in our area, DM me.

If you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one. With so much information out there, it can be hard to figure out your next move.

Home Price Growth Is Slowing, but Prices Aren’t Falling Nationally

Throughout the country, home price appreciation is moderating. What that means is, prices are still going up, but they're not rising as quickly as they were in recent years.

What’s Next for Home Prices? It’s All About Supply and Demand

Nationally, the number of homes for sale is going up, but there still aren’t enough of them to meet today’s buyer demand. That’s keeping upward pressure on prices – even though recent inventory growth has caused that home price appreciation to slow. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, said, “. . . today’s low but quickly improving for-sale inventory has ushered in more market balance than would otherwise be expected . . . This should...

The Real Story Behind What’s Happening with Home Prices If you’re wondering what’s going on with home prices lately, you’re definitely not the only one.

Even though affordability is improving, it’s still tight. So, it’s important to take some time early on to talk to a lender about pre-approval.

As part of that conversation, you’ll go over your loan options, what you can borrow, and your monthly payment, so you can gauge what really works for your budget.

How long have you lived in your house? Because if it’s been a while, chances are you have a whole lot of equity built up.

In the last 5 years, home values have gone up by almost 60%. And in 30 years, they’ve more than tripled.

When you sell, you can use the equity that gives you to your advantage. Want to find out more? DM me.

There are a number of reasons you may be thinking about selling your house. And as you weigh your options, you may find you’re unsure how you’re going to deal with one thing about today’s housing market – and that’s affordability. If that’s your biggest concern, understanding how much equity you have in your house could help make your decision that much easier. Here are two key factors that have a big impact on your equity.

How Long You’ve Been in Your Home

First up is homeowner tenure. That’s how long homeowners live in a house, on average, before selling or choosing to move. From 1985 to 2009, the average length of time homeowners stayed put was roughly six years.

But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number has been climbing. Now, the average tenure is 10 years.

Here’s why that’s such a big deal. You gain equity as you pay down your home loan and as home prices climb. And when you combine...

The Surprising Amount of Home Equity You’ve Gained over the Years There are a number of reasons you may be thinking about selling your house.

Now that it’s September, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve (the Fed). The overwhelming expectation is that they’ll cut the Federal Funds Rate at their upcoming meeting, driven primarily by recent signs that inflation is cooling, and the job market is slowing down.

Why a Federal Funds Rate Cut Matters

The Federal Funds Rate is one of the key factors that influences mortgage rates – things like the economy, geopolitical uncertainty, and more also have an impact.

When the Fed cuts the Federal Funds Rate, it signals what’s happening in the broader economy, and mortgage rates tend to respond.

As Mike Fratantoni, Chief Economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), points out: “Once the Fed kicks off a rate-cutting cycle, we do expect that mortgage rates will move somewhat lower.”

And any upcoming Federal Funds Rate cut likely won’t be a one-time event. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of...

How the Federal Reserve’s Next Move Could Impact the Housing Market Now that it’s September, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve (the Fed).

Thinking about moving in 2025 and wondering what to expect?

In their early 2025 housing market forecasts, experts say mortgage rates will come down slightly. As that happens, more buyers will jump back into the market, so more homes will sell. And that’ll keep upward pressure on prices.

Want to talk to an expert about what that really means for you? DM me.

Thinking about making a move in 2025 and wondering what you can expect? Here’s what expert forecasts say lies ahead. Mortgage rates will come down slightly. More homes will sell. And prices will rise more moderately. Let’s connect to go over what these forecasts mean for your move and what to expect from our local market in 2025.

Early Forecasts for the 2025 Housing Market Infographic Thinking about making a move in 2025 and wondering what you can expect? Here’s what expert forecasts say lies ahead.

The luxury market is thriving. With more million-dollar homes than ever before and prices on the rise, this could be the perfect time to start your search for a high-end home.

DM me if you want to explore your options.

Luxury living is about more than just stunning views and cutting-edge smart home technology—it's about elevating your lifestyle. And if you're in the market for a million-dollar home, now is an excellent time to explore the thriving luxury market. Here's why.

The Number of Luxury Homes Is Growing

The top of the market, or luxury homes, can mean different things depending on where you live. But in general, these are homes that are in the top 5% price range in any area. According to a recent report from Redfin, the average value of those homes has risen to over one million dollars: “The median sale price for U.S. luxury homes, defined as the top 5% of listings, rose 9% year-over-year to a record $1.18 million during the second quarter.”

That same report goes on to show the percentage of homes valued at a million dollars or more has risen to an all-time high.

Your Luxury Home Is an Investment

In addition, a luxury home could...

The Latest on the Luxury Home Market Luxury living is about more than just stunning views and cutting-edge smart home technology—it's about elevating your lifestyle.

Thinking about downsizing but not sure what type of home you want?
If you haven’t considered a 55+ community, here are a few reasons you may want to:
- Lower maintenance
- Great on-site amenities
- Accessible floor plans
- Like-minded neighbors
Want to see what’s available in our area to find out if it’s right for you? DM me.

Most experts project the Fed will start cutting the Federal Funds Rate this month.

And while the Fed doesn’t control mortgage rates, a Federal Funds Rate cut can have an impact. It should help keep the downward mortgage rate momentum going, especially if inflation and the economy continues to cool.

If you want to talk more about what that means for you, DM me.