Lori Jones, Realtor at Preferred Shore

The Sweet Spot for Buying Luxury Homes

If you’ve been looking for a home at the high end of your market, but haven’t found the right one, you may have put your search on hold. But according to recent data, now may be the time to jump back in. Here’s why.

There Are More Luxury Homes To Choose From

What’s considered the top-end of the market, or a luxury home, will always vary by location. But generally speaking, they’re homes that are valued in the top 5% of any given market. According to a recent report from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, the selection of luxury homes is increasing.

There are considerably more single-family luxury homes available now than there were a year ago. In fact, there are even more than there were just a month ago. This means you should have a wider variety of top-of-the-line homes to choose from, each with unique features and...



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The Sweet Spot for Buying Luxury Homes If you’ve been looking for a home at the high-end of your market, but haven’t found the right one, you may have put your search on hold.

The Biggest Mistakes Buyers Are Making Today

Buyers face challenges in any market – and today’s is no different. With higher mortgage rates and rising prices, plus the limited supply of homes for sale, there’s a lot to consider.

Putting Off Pre-approval

As part of the homebuying process, a lender will look at your finances to figure out what they’re willing to loan you for your mortgage. This gives you a good idea of what you can borrow so you can really wrap your head around the financial side of things before you start looking at homes. Make sure you get your pre-approval first.

Holding Out for Perfection

While you may have a long list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, you need to be realistic about your home search. Even though your ideal state is you find a home that checks every box, you may need to be willing to compromise – especially since inventory...



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The Biggest Mistakes Buyers Are Making Today Buyers face challenges in any market – and today’s is no different.

Top Reasons To Own a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

Buying a home has powerful financial and non-financial benefits. It creates more stability, helps grow your net worth, and gives you an undeniable sense of pride. While today’s market can be challenging for buyers, use these reasons to remind you of why homeownership is so worthwhile. When you’re ready to enjoy all the amazing advantages that come with owning a home, let’s get in touch.



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Top Reasons To Own a Home [INFOGRAPHIC] Buying a home has powerful financial and non-financial benefits.

Ready to sell your house? One of your top priorities may be getting help marketing your home.
Partnering with a great agent can make all the difference.
These are just a few strategies we can use to get your house more visibility.
Ready to maximize your home's exposure and potential? Let's connect.



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Climate risks are having an impact on where people buy homes.
And if it’s something that’s on your mind, you want to work with an agent with expertise on the local area, what’s impacting homes near you, and what features you may want your home to have to help safeguard it from the elements.
Want to buy? Together, we’ll find you a home you love that’s built to last.



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Today's market can feel like a lot to navigate, but these reasons show why homeownership is worth it if you’re ready and able to buy.
When you want to enjoy these amazing advantages, I’m here to help guide you through the process.



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How Do Climate Risks Affect Your Next Home?

If you’re planning to move, climate change is something you might want to consider, no matter where you are. So, how can you be sure your investment is safe from the elements?

For starters, work with a local real estate agent to understand the likelihood of your future home being exposed to hazards like wind, floods, and wildfires. Your agent will know the area and be able to tell you about the risks you’ll most likely face.

A Home Built to Last

If you’re planning to be in your home for many years, you want to know it’s going to last. One way to think ahead is to work with your real estate agent to ensure the home you buy can withstand environmental hazards. They’re up to date on the most common building and remodeling techniques—like a secondary water barrier on the roof or noncombustible, fire-resistant...



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How Do Climate Risks Affect Your Next Home? Climate change is impacting where people buy homes.

How an Agent Helps Market Your House

You’re ready to sell your house. But what do you need most from your real estate agent? Well, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) asked that very question to recent sellers and found one of the top things they were looking for is help marketing their house to potential buyers. Maybe that’s what you need the most help with too.

You expect your real estate agent to write a great description of your house for the listing and pair it with some high-quality photos. But that’s not all you’re going to get when you partner with a great agent:

• Listing on the MLS – By listing your house on the MLS, it will get more visibility from other real estate agents and buyers.

• Using a Yard Sign – A yard sign catches the eye of people driving or walking by.

• Having an Open House – When your agent advertises and hosts your...



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How an Agent Helps Market Your House You’re ready to sell your house. But what do you need most from your real estate agent?

Sellers, are you worried buyers aren’t out there? Just check out the data.

They may not be as active as they were during the ‘unicorn’ years, but buyer traffic is well above what we’d see in a normal market.

This means there are still people out there looking for homes. So, let’s get yours listed and in front of them.



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Veterans, did you know VA home loans can help you buy a home with no down payment, no PMI, and limited closing costs?

Over 24 million service members have become homeowners thanks to this loan option. Learn more and make your American Dream come true.



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Your Agent Is the Key To Pricing Your House Right [INFOGRAPHIC]

The asking price for your house can impact your bottom line and how quickly it sells. Both under- and overpricing have drawbacks. So to find the right price for your house, lean on your agent for their expertise. Don’t pick just any price for your listing. Trust your real estate professional to help you find the perfect price for your house.



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Your Agent Is the Key To Pricing Your House Right [INFOGRAPHIC] The asking price for your house can impact your bottom line and how quickly it sells.

Your agent holds the key to unlocking the perfect asking price for your house.

You don’t want the price to be too high or too low – either way has some serious drawbacks.

Instead, you want to aim for current market value.

So, don't leave money on the table or risk scaring away buyers with the wrong price. Trust your agent's expertise on how to price it just right.



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Questions You May Have About Selling Your House

There’s no denying mortgage rates are having a big impact on today’s housing market. And that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house and make a move.

1. Should I Wait To Sell?

If you’re thinking about waiting to sell until after mortgage rates come down, here’s what you need to know. So are a ton of other people.

And while mortgage rates are still forecasted to come down later this year, if you wait for that to happen, you may be dealing with a lot more competition as other buyers and sellers jump back in too.

That means if you wait it out, you’ll have to deal with things like prices rising faster and more multiple-offer scenarios when you buy your next home.

2. Are Buyers Still Out There?

But that doesn’t mean no one is moving right now. While some people are holding...



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Questions You May Have About Selling Your House There’s no denying mortgage rates are having a big impact on today’s housing market.

How Many Homes Are Investors Actually Buying?

Are big investors really buying up all the homes today?

If you’re trying to find a house to buy, this may be something you’re wondering about. To clear things up, here's the scoop on what's really happening. A lot of the big investor activity is actually in the rearview mirror already.

The key here is investor activity has slowed significantly, and even during the peak of investor buying, 3 out of every 4 single-family homes purchased were by regular, everyday buyers – not investors. And of the investors who bought over the past few years, most weren’t the big investors you may be hearing about. The vast majority were small mom-and-pop investors – people like your neighbors who own only a couple of homes, maybe even just their main residence and a vacation home.

But let’s focus on the giant, mega-investor...



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How Many Homes Are Investors Actually Buying? Are big investors really buying up all the homes today?

Worried about Home Maintenance Costs? Consider This

If one of the main reasons you’re hesitant to buy a home is because you’re worried about the upkeep, here’s some information you may find interesting on both new home construction and existing homes (a home that’s been lived in by a previous owner).

Newly Built Homes Need Less Upfront Maintenance

If you can afford it, you may find a newly built home could help ease your worries about maintenance costs. Think about it, if everything in the house is brand new, it won’t have the wear and tear you may see in an existing home – and that means it’s less likely to need repairs. Plus, many builders also have warranties on their homes that would cover some of the more major expenses that could pop up.

Existing Homes Can Still Have Great Perks

But it’s worth mentioning, that it’s not just newly built homes that can...



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Worried about Home Maintenance Costs? Consider This If one of the main reasons you’re hesitant to buy a home is because you’re worried about the upkeep, here’s some information you may find interesting on both new home construction and existing homes.

More homes are hitting the market this year, and that means more options if you’ve been looking to buy.

But, while inventory is growing, we're still below where we’d be in a normal year.

That's where I come in. Let's team up and navigate this evolving market together. Your future home might be closer than you think.



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Should I Rent or Buy a Home? [INFOGRAPHIC]

While renting may be less expensive in some areas right now, there are two big benefits homeownership provides that renting can’t. Owning a home means you get to say goodbye to rising rents and hello to stability. It also gives you the chance to gain equity as home values rise over time. If you’re ready to learn more about the perks of owning a home, let’s chat.



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Should I Rent or Buy a Home? [INFOGRAPHIC] While renting may be less expensive in some areas right now, there are two big benefits homeownership provides that renting can’t. 

Ready for a change? If you move-up now, you can unlock benefits like eager buyers, top-dollar sales, and high home equity. With summer fast approaching, let’s work together to get your house ready.



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Struggling to find your first home that fits both your lifestyle and budget? Consider condos. They're smaller and that means they may be easier on the wallet. And with added perks like low maintenance and community amenities, condos might just be your smartest move. DM me to learn more about the condos available in our area.



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Thinking of Selling? You Want an Agent with These Skills

Selling your house is a big decision. That’s where a good listing agent, also known as a seller's agent, comes in. Here are just a few skills you’ll want your agent to have.

The Ability To Turn Something Complex into Something Simple

Some agents are going to use big, fancy real estate terms to try and impress you. But you shouldn’t have to know all the industry jargon in order to understand what they’re saying. If anything, it's an agent’s job to keep it simple, so you don’t get overwhelmed or confused.

A great agent is going to be someone who is very good at explaining what’s happening in the housing market in a way that’s easy to understand.

A Data-Based Approach on How To Price Your House

While it may be tempting to pick the agent who suggests the highest asking price for your house, that strategy...



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Thinking of Selling? You Want an Agent with These Skills Selling your house is a big decision.

Considering buying or selling? Here's the latest on home prices nationally.

After being virtually flat in January – which is normal for that time of year – prices are climbing again. And experts project this rise will continue.

Want to find out what’s happening in our area? DM me.



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The Sun Is Shining on Sellers This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC]

If your needs have changed, now’s a great time to sell and get the features you want most. Many buyers are eager to move between the school years, so you may see a faster sale, multiple offers, a higher final sales price, and more. If you want to get your house ready for a summer listing, let’s connect.



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The Sun Is Shining on Sellers This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC] If your needs have changed, now’s a great time to sell and get the features you want most.

Tips for Younger Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality

If you’re a member of a younger generation, like Gen Z, you may be asking the question: will I ever be able to buy a home? Here are some helpful tips you may get from a pro.

1. Explore Your Options for a Down Payment

If a down payment is your #1 hurdle, you may have options to give your savings a boost. There are over 2,000 down payment assistance programs designed to make homeownership more achievable. And chances are you won’t need to put 20% down (unless specified by your loan type or lender).

2. Live with Loved Ones To Boost Your Savings

Another thing a number of Gen Z buyers are doing is ditching their rental and moving back in with friends or family. This can help cut down your housing costs so you can build your savings a whole lot faster.

3. Cast a Broad Net for Your Search

When...



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Tips for Younger Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality If you’re a member of a younger generation, like Gen Z, you may be asking the question: will I ever be able to buy a home?

How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits Your Community

If you're thinking of buying or selling a house, it's important to know it doesn't just impact you—it helps out the local economy and your community, too.

When a house is sold, it really boosts the local economy. That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains how the housing industry adds jobs to a community: “. . . housing is a significant job creator. In fact, for every single-family home built, enough economic activity is generated to sustain three full-time jobs for a year . . .”

It makes sense that housing creates a lot of jobs because so many different kinds of work are involved in the industry.

Think about all the people involved with selling a house—city officials, contractors...



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How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits Your Community If you're thinking of buying or selling a house, it's important to know it doesn't just impact you—it helps out the local economy and your community, too.

Did you know? Every home sale isn't just a milestone for you, it's an economic boost for your entire community. This is true for newly built and existing homes. If you're looking to move, reach out – let's not just change your life, but uplift our entire neighborhood together.



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