Jan O'Brien Realtor - Tampa Gulf Coast Living

Do You Believe Homeownership Is Out of Reach? Maybe It Doesn’t Have To Be.

It turns out, millennials aren’t the renter generation after all. The 2022 Consumer Insights Report from Mynd says there’s a portion of millennial and Gen Z buyers who are pursuing homeownership as a way to build their wealth.

Instead of buying a home and moving into it themselves, some young buyers are purchasing a home so they can use it as a rental. This tactic may be gaining popularity, at least in part, because of the affordability challenges brought about by today’s higher mortgage rates. The report above mentions how many people in this group are considering this approach. It says:

“Almost half of Millennials and Gen Z (43%) are considering buying an investment property compared to only 9% of Baby Boomers and 27% of Gen X.”

>>Why Younger Buyers Are Buying a Home...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Do You Believe Homeownership Is Out of Reach? Maybe It Doesn’t Have To Be. It turns out, millennials aren’t the renter generation after all. The 2022 Consumer Insights Report from Mynd says there’s a portion of millennial and Gen Z buyers who are pursuing homeownership as a way to build their wealth, but it may not be exactly the way previous generations have done it. ...

Sell Your House Before the Holidays

As you look ahead to the winter season, you’re likely making plans and thinking about what you want to achieve before the year ends. One of those key decision points could be whether or not you want to move this year.

If you’re ready to make your decision, here are three reasons you may want to consider selling before the holidays.

>>1. Get One Step Ahead of Other Sellers

Homeowners are less likely to list their houses toward the end of the year. Selling now, while other homeowners may hold off until after the holidays, can help your house stand out.

Start the process with a real estate professional today so you can get your house on the market and get ahead of your competition.

>>2. Get In Front of Serious Buyers This Season

Even though housing supply has increased this year as buyer demand has moderated, it’s...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Sell Your House Before the Holidays As you look ahead to the winter season, you’re likely making plans and thinking about what you want to achieve before the year ends. One of those key decision points could be whether or not you want to move this year. If the location or size of your current home no longer meets your needs, finding...

3 Trends That Are Good News for Today’s Homebuyers

As the market has cooled this year, some of the intensity buyers faced during the peak frenzy of the pandemic has cooled too. Here are just a few trends that may benefit you when you go to buy a home today.

>>1. More Homes To Choose from

According to Calculated Risk, the supply of homes for sale increased by 39.5% for the week ending October 28 compared to the same week last year.

Even though it’s still a sellers’ market and supply is still lower than more normal levels, you have more to choose from in your home search. That makes finding your dream home a bit less difficult.

>>2. Bidding Wars Have Eased

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average number of offers on recently sold homes has declined. This September, the average was 2.5 offers per sale. In contrast, last...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

3 Trends That Are Good News for Today’s Homebuyers While higher mortgage rates are creating affordability challenges for homebuyers this year, there is some good news for those people still looking to buy a home.

Taking the Fear out of Saving for a Home

If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound scary at first. But it doesn’t have to be. One way to take the fear out of budgeting is understanding some of the costs you might encounter.

Here are just a few costs experts say you can expect.

>>1. Down Payment

Saving for your down payment is likely top of mind as you set out to buy a home. While each situation is different, there’s a common misconception that putting 20% down toward your purchase is required.

To understand your options, partner with a trusted real estate professional to go over the various loan types, down payment assistance programs, and what each one requires.

>>2. Closing Costs

Make sure you also budget for closing costs, which are a collection of fees and payments made to the various people involved...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Taking the Fear out of Saving for a Home If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound scary at first. But it doesn’t have to be. One way to take the fear out of budgeting is understanding some of the costs you might encounter. And to do that, turn to trusted real estate professionals. They can ...

Applying for a Mortgage Doesn’t Have To Be Scary [INFOGRAPHIC]

Even with higher mortgage rates, the mortgage process doesn’t need to be something you fear. Here are some steps to help as you set out to buy a home. Know your credit score and work to build strong credit. When you’re ready, lean on the pros and connect with a lender so you can get pre-approved and begin your home search. Any major life change can be scary, and buying a home is no different. DM me so you have an advisor by your side to take fear out of the equation.


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Applying for a Mortgage Doesn’t Have To Be Scary Some Highlights Even with higher mortgage rates, the mortgage process doesn’t need to be something you fear. Here are some steps to help as you set out to buy a home. Know your credit score and work to build strong credit. When you’re ready, lean on the pros and connect with a lender so you can ...

Millennials Are Still a Driving Force of Today’s Buyer Demand

If you’re thinking about selling your house but wondering if buyers are still out there, know that there are still people who are searching for a home to buy today. Your house may be exactly what they’re looking for.

While the millennial generation has been dubbed the renter generation, that namesake may not be appropriate anymore. Millennials, the largest generation, are actually a significant driving force for buyer demand in the housing market today. Here’s why.

>>Millennial Homebuying Power

While there’s no denying higher mortgage rates are making it more challenging to afford a home today, many millennials are still eager and able to buy homes – whether it’s their first or they’re moving up. That’s in large part because of the value they place on education.

A recent...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Millennials Are Still a Driving Force of Today’s Buyer Demand If you’re thinking about selling your house but wondering if buyers are still out there, know that there are still people who are searching for a home to buy today. And your house may be exactly what they’re looking for.

3 Graphs Showing Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Like 2008

With all the headlines and talk in the media about the shift in the housing market, you might be thinking this is a housing bubble. The good news is, there’s concrete data to show why this is nothing like the last time.

There were too many homes for sale during the housing crisis (many of which were short sales and foreclosures). That caused prices to fall dramatically. Supply has increased since the start of this year, but there’s still a shortage of inventory available, primarily due to almost 15 years of underbuilding homes.

There just isn’t enough inventory on the market for home prices to come crashing down like they did last time.

During the lead-up to the housing crisis, it was much easier to get a home loan than it is today. Back then, lending institutions took on much...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

3 Graphs Showing Why Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Like 2008 With all the headlines and talk in the media about the shift in the housing market, you might be thinking this is a housing bubble. It’s only natural for those thoughts to creep in that make you think it could be a repeat of what took place in 2008. But the good news is, there’s concrete data to...

What Happens to Housing when There’s a Recession?

Since the 2008 housing bubble burst, the word recession strikes a stronger emotional chord than it ever did before. And while there’s some debate around whether we’re officially in a recession right now, the good news is experts say a recession today would likely be mild and the economy would rebound quickly.

To add to that sentiment, housing is typically one of the first sectors to rebound during a slowdown.

Part of that rebound is tied to what has historically happened to mortgage rates during recessions. Here’s a look back at rates during previous economic slowdowns to help put your mind at ease.

>>Mortgage Rates Typically Fall During Recessions

Historical data helps paint the picture of how a recession could impact the cost of financing a home. Looking at recessions in this country going...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

What Happens to Housing when There’s a Recession? Since the 2008 housing bubble burst, the word recession strikes a stronger emotional chord than it ever did before. And while there’s some debate around whether we’re officially in a recession right now, the good news is experts say a recession today would likely be mild and the economy would re...

Pre-Approval Is a Critical First Step on Your Homebuying Journey

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, one of the first steps on your journey is getting pre-approved. Especially in today’s market when mortgage rates are higher than they were just a few months ago, getting a mortgage pre-approval can be a game changer. Here’s why.

>>What Is Pre-Approval?

To better understand why pre-approval is key, it’s important to know what pre-approval is. As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will look at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand your true price range and how much money you can borrow.

That can make it easier when you set out to search for homes because you’ll know your overall numbers. And with mortgage rates rising and...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Pre-Approval Is a Critical First Step on Your Homebuying Journey If you’re planning to buy a home this year, one of the first steps on your journey is getting pre-approved. Especially in today’s market when mortgage rates are higher than they were just a few months ago, getting a mortgage pre-approval can be a game changer. Here’s why.

3 Questions You May Be Asking About Selling Your House Today [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re planning to sell your house this year, you likely have questions about what the shift in the housing market means for your home sale. You might be wondering: Should I wait to sell? Are buyers still out there? And can I afford to buy my next home? Let’s connect so you can get answers to these questions and learn about the opportunities you still have in today’s housing market.


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

3 Questions You May Be Asking About Selling Your House Today Some Highlights If you’re planning to sell your house this year, you likely have questions about what the shift in the housing market means for your home sale. You might be wondering: Should I wait to sell? Are buyers still out there? And can I afford to buy my next home? Let’s connect so you ca...

What’s Ahead for Home Prices?

As the housing market cools in response to the dramatic rise in mortgage rates, home price appreciation is cooling as well. And if you’re following along with headlines in the media, you’re probably seeing a wide range of opinions calling for everything from falling home prices to ongoing appreciation. But what’s true? What’s most likely to happen moving forward?

>>What the Experts Are Saying About Home Prices Next Year

Five experts in the housing industry have most recently updated their projections based on current market trends.

Some experts are calling for ongoing home price appreciation, just at a more moderate rate than recent years. Others are calling for home price depreciation.

While there isn’t a clear consensus, if you take the average of all five of these forecasts, the most likely outcome is...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

What’s Ahead for Home Prices? As the housing market cools in response to the dramatic rise in mortgage rates, home price appreciation is cooling as well. And if you’re following along with headlines in the media, you’re probably seeing a wide range of opinions calling for everything from falling home prices to ongoing apprec...

Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation?

While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate is still high, remaining around 8%. This news impacted the stock market and added fuel to the fire for conversations about a recession.

You’re likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as you watch the cost of goods and services climb. The pinch it’s creating on your wallet and the looming economic uncertainty may leave you wondering: “should I still buy a home right now?” If that question is top of mind for you, here’s what you need to know.

>>Homeownership Is Historically a Great Hedge Against Inflation

In an inflationary economy, prices rise across the board. Historically, homeownership is a great hedge against those rising costs because you can lock in...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Should You Still Buy a Home with the Latest News About Inflation? While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate is still high, remaining around 8%. This news impacted the stock market and added fuel to the fire for conversations about a recession.

The Latest on Supply and Demand in Housing

Over the past two years, the substantial imbalance of low housing supply and high buyer demand pushed home sales and buyer competition to new heights. But this year, things are shifting as supply and demand reach an inflection point.

This year, buyer demand has eased as higher mortgage rates and mounting economic uncertainty moderated the market.

>>What Does This Inflection Point Mean for Buyers?

If you’re thinking of buying a home, you’ll have less competition and more options than you would have had last year. Enjoy having more homes to choose from in your home search and lean on a trusted real estate professional to understand how the increase in supply has also increased your negotiation power. That professional can talk you through the opportunities and challenges buyers face in today’s shifting...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

The Latest on Supply and Demand in Housing Over the past two years, the substantial imbalance of low housing supply and high buyer demand pushed home sales and buyer competition to new heights. But this year, things are shifting as supply and demand reach an inflection point.

The Emotional and Non-financial Benefits of Homeownership

With higher mortgage rates, you might be wondering if now's the best time to buy a home. While the financial aspects are important to consider, there are also powerful non-financial reasons it may make sense to make a move. Here are just a few of the benefits that come with homeownership.

>>Homeowners Can Make Their Home Truly Their Own

Owning your home gives you a significant sense of accomplishment because it’s a space you can customize to your heart’s desire. That can bring you added happiness.

And as a homeowner, unless there are specific homeowner’s association requirements, you typically won’t have to worry about the changes you can and can’t make. If you rent, you may not have the same freedom.

>>The Responsibilities of Homeownership Give You a Greater Sense of...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

The Emotional and Non-financial Benefits of Homeownership With higher mortgage rates, you might be wondering if now's the best time to buy a home. While the financial aspects are important to consider, there are also powerful non-financial reasons it may make sense to make a move. Here are just a few of the benefits that come with homeownership.

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for more info and to schedule a showing.

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Tips For First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re trying to buy your first home in today’s housing market, you’ll want to know what you can do as mortgage rates rise and inventory stays low overall. Connect with a lender to get pre-approved, prioritize your wish list, consider condos, and expand your search radius. Your first home is out there. DM me to explore your options and what other first-time buyers are doing to find their homes.


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Tips For First-Time Homebuyers Some Highlights If you’re trying to buy your first home in today’s housing market, you’ll want to know what you can do as mortgage rates rise and inventory stays low overall. Connect with a lender to get pre-approved, prioritize your wish list, consider condos, and expand your search radius. Y...

Perspective Matters When Selling Your House Today

Does the latest news about the housing market have you questioning your plans to sell your house? If so, perspective is key.

>>Fewer Homes for Sale than Pre-Pandemic

While the supply of homes available for sale has increased this year compared to last, we’re still nowhere near what’s considered a balanced market.

Why does this matter to you? When inventory is low, there is still demand for your house because there just aren’t enough homes available for sale.

>>Homes Are Still Selling Faster Than More Normal Years

And while homes aren’t selling as quickly as they did a few months ago, the average number of days on the market is still well below pre-pandemic norms – in large part because inventory is so low.

Most recently, due to the cooldown in the housing market, the average days on the...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Perspective Matters When Selling Your House Today Does the latest news about the housing market have you questioning your plans to sell your house? If so, perspective is key. Here are some of the ways a trusted real estate professional can explain the shift that’s happening today and why it’s still a sellers’ market even during the cooldown.

Four Things That Help Determine Your Mortgage Rate

If you’re looking to buy a home, you probably want to secure the lowest interest rate possible for your home loan. Over the last couple of years, that was easier to do as the housing market saw record-low mortgage rates, but this year rates have risen dramatically.

If you’re looking for ways to combat today’s higher rates and lock in the lowest one you can, here are a few factors to focus on. Since approval opportunities can vary, connect with a trusted lender for customized advice.

>>Your Credit Score

Credit scores can play a big role in your mortgage rate. That’s why it’s important to maintain a good credit score. If you want to focus on improving your score, your trusted advisor can give you expert advice to help.

>>Your Loan Type

There are many types of loans, each offering different terms for...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Four Things That Help Determine Your Mortgage Rate If you’re looking to buy a home, you probably want to secure the lowest interest rate possible for your home loan. Over the last couple of years, that was easier to do as the housing market saw record-low mortgage rates, but this year rates have risen dramatically.

What Are Experts Saying About the Fall Housing Market?

The housing market is rapidly changing from the peak frenzy it saw over the past two years. That means you probably have questions about what your best move is if you’re thinking of buying or selling this fall.

To help you make a confident decision, lean on the professionals for insights. Here are a few things experts are saying about the fall housing market.

>>Expert Quotes for Fall Homebuyers

A recent article from realtor.com:

“This fall, a more moderate pace of home selling, more listings to choose from, and softening price growth will provide some breathing room for buyers searching for a home during what is typically the best time to buy a home.”

Michael Lane, VP and General Manager, ShowingTime:

“Buyers will continue to see less competition for homes and have more time to tour homes they...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

What Are Experts Saying About the Fall Housing Market? The housing market is rapidly changing from the peak frenzy it saw over the past two years. That means you probably have questions about what your best move is if you’re thinking of buying or selling this fall.

Saving for a Down Payment? Here’s What You Should Know.

As you set out to buy a home, saving for a down payment is likely top of mind. But you may still have questions about the process, including how much to save and where to start.
If that sounds like you, your down payment could be more in reach than you originally thought. Here’s why.

>>The 20% Down Payment Myth

If you believe you have to put 20% down on a home, you may have based your goal on a common misconception. Freddie Mac explains:

“. . . nearly a third of prospective homebuyers think they need a down payment of 20% or more to buy a home. This myth remains one of the largest perceived barriers to achieving homeownership.”

Unless it’s specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. According to the latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Saving for a Down Payment? Here’s What You Should Know. As you set out to buy a home, saving for a down payment is likely top of mind. But you may still have questions about the process, including how much to save and where to start.

The Journey To Buy a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

When you head out to buy a home, there are a number of key milestones you’ll encounter along the way. The process includes everything from building your team and understanding your finances to going house hunting, making an offer, and more. Your journey starts here. DM me so you have expert guidance each step of the way.


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

The Journey To Buy a Home Some Highlights When you head out to buy a home, there are a number of key milestones you’ll encounter along the way. The process includes everything from building your team and understanding your finances to going house hunting, making an offer, and more. Your journey starts here. Let’s connect...

Two Questions Every Homebuyer Should Ask Themselves Right Now

Rising interest rates have begun to slow an overheated housing market as monthly mortgage payments have risen dramatically since the beginning of the year. This is leaving some people who want to purchase a home priced out of the market and others wondering if now is the time to buy one. But this rise in borrowing cost shows no signs of letting up soon.

Economic uncertainty and the volatility of the financial markets are causing mortgage rates to rise. So, is now the right time to buy a home? Anyone thinking about buying a home today should ask themselves two questions:

>>1. Where Do I Think Home Prices Are Heading?

There are two places to turn to answer this question. First is the consensus of what experts are saying. If you look at what experts are projecting for home prices in 2023, they’re...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Two Questions Every Homebuyer Should Ask Themselves Right Now Rising interest rates have begun to slow an overheated housing market as monthly mortgage payments have risen dramatically since the beginning of the year. This is leaving some people who want to purchase a home priced out of the market and others wondering if now is the time to buy one. But this ri...

The Long-Term Benefit of Homeownership

Today’s cooling housing market, the rise in mortgage rates, and mounting economic concerns have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to factor the long-term benefits of homeownership into your decision.

Here’s a look at how just the home price appreciation piece can really add up over the years.

>>Home Price Growth Over Time

Even though home price appreciation has moderated this year, home values have still increased significantly in recent years. That means a home’s value can increase substantially in a short time. And if you expand that time frame even more, the benefit of homeownership and the drastic gains you stand to make become even clearer.

This is why homeowners who bought their homes years ago are...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

The Long-Term Benefit of Homeownership Today’s cooling housing market, the rise in mortgage rates, and mounting economic concerns have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to factor the long-term benefits of homeownership into yo...

The Cost of Waiting for Mortgage Rates To Go Down

Mortgage rates have increased significantly in recent weeks. And that may mean you have questions about what this means for you if you’re planning to buy a home. Here’s some information that can help you make an informed decision when you set your homebuying plans.

>>The Impact of Rising Mortgage Rates

As mortgage rates rise, they impact your purchasing power by raising the cost of buying a home and limiting how much you can comfortably afford.

As rates go up, the amount you can afford to borrow decreases and that may mean you have to look at homes at a different price point. That’s why it’s important to work with a real estate advisor to understand how mortgage rates impact your monthly mortgage payment at various home loan amounts.

>>Are Mortgage Rates Going To Go Down?

The rise in mortgage rates and...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

The Cost of Waiting for Mortgage Rates To Go Down Mortgage rates have increased significantly in recent weeks. And that may mean you have questions about what this means for you if you’re planning to buy a home. Here’s some information that can help you make an informed decision when you set your homebuying plans.

How To Prep Your House for Sale This Fall

Today’s housing market is different than it was just a few months ago. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately and create a solid plan can help bring in the greatest return on your investment.

Here are a few simple tips to make sure you maximize the sale of your house this fall.

>>1. Price It Right

One of the first things buyers will notice is the price of your house. That’s because the price sends a message to home shoppers. Your goal in pricing your house is to gain the attention of prospective buyers and get them to make an offer.

Pricing your house isn’t a guessing game. It takes skill and expertise. Work with a trusted real estate advisor to determine the current market value for your home.
>>2. Keep It Clean

It may sound simple but keeping your house clean is another key to making...


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

How To Prep Your House for Sale This Fall Today’s housing market is different than it was just a few months ago. And if you’re thinking about selling your house, that may leave you wondering what you need to do differently as a result. The answer is simple. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately and create a solid plan...

Why Buying a Home May Make More Sense Than Renting [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home, consider the advantages homeownership offers. Buying a home can help you escape the cycle of rising rents, it’s a powerful wealth-building tool, and it’s typically considered a good hedge against inflation. If you’re ready to take advantage of the benefits of homeownership, DM me today.


Jan O'Brien, Celtic Realty,

Why Buying a Home May Make More Sense Than Renting Some Highlights If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home, consider the advantages homeownership offers. Buying a home can help you escape the cycle of rising rents, it’s a powerful wealth-building tool, and it’s typically considered a good hedge against inflation. If you’re r...