Anne Weber Real Estate

Over the past couple of years, a lot of people have had a hard time buying a home. And while affordability is still tight, there are signs it's getting a little better and might keep improving throughout the rest of the year. Here’s a look at the latest data on the three biggest factors affecting home affordability.

1. Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates have been volatile this year, bouncing around from the mid 6% to low 7% range. But there's some good news. Data from Freddie Mac shows rates have been trending down overall since May. When rates decline, it's easier to afford the home you want because your monthly payment will be lower. Just don’t expect them to go back down to 3%.

2. Home Prices

The second big thing to think about is home prices. Nationally, they’re still going up this year, but not as fast as they did a couple of years ago. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, says, “While housing...

Is Affordability Starting To Improve? Over the past couple of years, a lot of people have had a hard time buying a home.

One of the biggest bright spots in today’s housing market is how much the supply of homes for sale has grown since the beginning of this year.

Recent data from Realtor.com shows that nationally, there are 36.6% more homes actively for sale now compared to the same time last year. That’s a significant improvement. It gives you far more options for your move than you would’ve had just a year ago. And with supply improving, you’re also regaining a bit of negotiation power. So, if you’re someone who thought about buying a home over the last few years but were discouraged by how limited inventory was, this should be welcome news.

As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, says, “Increased housing supply spells good news for consumers who want to see more properties before making purchasing decisions.”

While we’re up by almost 37% year-over-year, we’re still not back to how much inventory there’d be in a normal market.

The...

Are There More Homes for Sale Where You Live? One of the biggest bright spots in today’s housing market is how much the supply of homes for sale has grown since the beginning of this year.

Have you heard the good news?

Mortgage rates are down a full percent from their recent peak.

And if higher rates were the biggest thing keeping you on the sidelines, this may be exactly what you were waiting for.

If you’re ready to jump back into the market, DM me.

Curious about selling your home? Understanding how much equity you have is the first step to unlocking what you can afford when you move. And since home prices rose so much over the past few years, most people have much more equity than they may realize.

Here’s a deeper look at what you need to know if you’re ready to cash in on your investment and put your equity toward your next home.

Home Equity: What Is It and How Much Do You Have?

Home equity is the difference between how much your house is worth and how much you still owe on your mortgage. For example, if your house is worth $400,000 and you only owe $200,000 on your mortgage, your equity would be $200,000.

Recent data from the Census and ATTOM shows Americans have significant equity right now. In fact, more than two out of three homeowners have either completely paid off their mortgages.

Today, more homeowners are getting a larger return on their...

What Every Homeowner Should Know About Their Equity Curious about selling your home?

Right now, over 2/3 of homeowners have at least 50% equity in their homes.

And that much equity can go a long way toward buying a new place.

Curious about how much equity you have? I can walk you through a Professional Equity Assessment Report on your house. Drop a comment below if you’re interested.

Caught between caring for your kids and aging parents? Here’s some good news.

In a recent survey, 1 in 3 people in this same situation find it actually makes it easier to afford a home.

That’s because a multi-generational home has big financial perks like sharing expenses and built-in childcare.

If you want to talk about whether this type of home is right for you, DM me.

Are you a part of the Sandwich Generation? According to Realtor.com, that’s a name for the roughly one in six Americans who take care of their children and their parents or grandparents at the same time.

If that sounds familiar to you, juggling all the responsibilities involved certainly must have its challenges. But it turns out there’s one pretty significant benefit: it can actually make it a bit easier for you to buy a home.

How Can It Help You Buy a Home?

Here are a few ways their caretaking situation might be helping those 33% buy a home:

• Sharing Expenses

• Built-In Childcare

Beyond just the financial reasons, buying a multi-generational home has other advantages. The Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) highlights some of the most popular, including:

• Easier To Care for Aging Parents

• Spending More Time Together

How a Real Estate Agent Can Help

If you’re in...

Why the Sandwich Generation Is Buying Multi-Generational Homes Are you a part of the Sandwich Generation?

WELCOME TO SCOTCH PLAINS STEVEN & HARRIET! You are going to love living here !! So happy to work with JOCELYNE HOLDEN to help you find the ‘right’ house 🏡

Figuring out what to do with your house when you're ready to move can be a big decision. Should you sell it and use the money for your next adventure, or keep it as a rental to build long-term wealth?

Is Your House a Good Fit for Renting?

Even if you're interested in becoming a landlord, your current house might not be ideal for renting. Maybe you're moving far away, so keeping up with the ongoing maintenance would be a hassle, the neighborhood isn't great for rentals, or the house needs significant repairs before you could rent it out.

If any of this sounds like it might apply, selling might be your best option.

Are You Ready for the Realities of Being a Landlord?

Managing a rental property isn't just about collecting rent checks. It's a time-consuming and sometimes challenging job.

For example, you may get calls from tenants at all hours of the day with maintenance requests. Or you may find a tenant causes...

Should You Rent Out or Sell Your House? Figuring out what to do with your house when you're ready to move can be a big decision.

Selling your home? Don’t fall for these common mistakes.
The housing market is in a transition right now. And homeowners who don’t work with an agent are going to be more likely to miss the mark on things like pricing, selective repairs, and negotiation tactics.
With the right agent, you won’t get tripped up with avoidable challenges along the way.

If you’re in the market to buy a home, there’s some exciting news for you.

Here are two key reasons working with your agent to look into new home construction could help you find a more budget-friendly option.

Reason 1: Lower Median Prices for Newly Built Homes

The median sales price for newly built homes is lower than the median sales price for existing homes today. This might seem surprising, but it’s true according to the latest data from the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Why is that? Builders are focused on building what they can sell. And right now, there’s a very real need for smaller and more affordable homes – so that’s what they’ve been bringing to the market.

Reason 2: Attractive Incentives from Home Builders

Another big reason to consider a newly built home is the range of incentives that many home builders are offering. Again, since builders are aiming to sell their current...

A Newly Built Home May Actually Be More Budget-Friendly If you’re in the market to buy a home, there’s some exciting news for you.

Beautiful closing in Westfield for our lovely clients. Congrats on a great Westfield split. Welcome to town. Thank you and for a smooth transaction. COLDWELL BANKER WEST Exclusive.
Looking to buy ? Reach out 998.456.2500.

Did you put off your home search because the market was too intense?

Here’s some good news: buyer demand is easing and inventory is growing. This means you may be able to avoid being in a multiple-offer scenario.

Want to learn more about the opportunities buyers have in the second half of this year? DM me.

There’s an interesting trend happening in the housing market. People are increasingly moving to more affordable areas, and remote or hybrid work is helping them do it.

Consider Moving to a More Affordable Area

Today’s high mortgage rates combined with continually rising home prices mean it’s tough for a lot of people to afford a home right now. That’s why many interested buyers are moving to places where homes are less expensive, and the cost of living is lower.

If you’re hoping to buy a home soon, it might make sense to broaden your search area to include places where homes that fit your needs are more affordable. That’s what a lot of other people are doing right now to find a home within their budget.

Remote Work Opens Up More Home Options

If you work remotely or drive into the office only a few times each week, you have many more possibilities when looking for your next home. That’s because you can cast a broader net...

How Affordability and Remote Work Are Changing Where People Live There’s an interesting trend happening in the housing market.

Having a hard time finding a place to call home in your budget?

Thousands of Americans are on the move in search of better affordability.

That’s because broadening where you're looking could help you find somewhere your money takes you a little further.

There’s no arguing this past year has been difficult for homebuyers. And if you’re someone who has started the process of searching for a home, maybe you put your search on hold because the challenges in today’s market felt like too much to tackle. You’re not alone in that. A Bright MLS study found some of the top reasons buyers paused their search in late 2023 and early 2024 were:

• They couldn’t find anything in their price range
• They didn’t have any successful offers or had difficulty competing
• They couldn’t find the right home

If any of these sound like why you stopped looking, here’s what you need to know. The housing market is in a transition in the second half of 2024. Here are four reasons why this may be your chance to jump back in.

1. The Supply of Homes for Sale Is Growing

2. There’s More New Home Construction

3. Less Buyer Competition

4. Home Prices Are Moderating

The Opportunity in Front of...

Unlocking Homebuyer Opportunities in 2024 There’s no arguing this past year has been difficult for homebuyers.

Thinking about buying a home? You want to consider everything from mortgage rates to your personal finances and goals.
My best advice: focus on what you can control and take the time to evaluate your situation.
These 4 questions can help you figure out if you’re ready.
If you want to have a conversation about how to prepare, send me a DM.

Trying to get your house ready to list?

If your home is between 20-39 years old, it’s entering the prime remodeling years. And to make sure it shows well and appeals to today’s buyers, you may need to tackle some strategic updates.

Have a project on your mind but you’re wondering if it’s worth the time and money?

Comment below and I’ll help you prioritize your to-do list.

Retirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and enjoying the things you love. As you imagine this exciting new chapter in your life, it's important to think about whether your current home still fits your needs.

If it's too big, too costly, or just not convenient anymore, downsizing might help you make the most of your retirement years. To find out if a smaller, more manageable home might be the perfect fit for your new lifestyle, ask yourself these questions:

• Do the original reasons I bought my current house still stand, or have my needs changed since then?
• Do I really need and want the space I have right now, or could somewhere smaller be a better fit?
• What are my housing expenses right now, and how much do I want to try to save by downsizing?

If you answered yes to any of these, consider the benefits that come with downsizing.

Your Equity Can Help Make Downsizing Possible

You may already have what you need...

Why Moving to a Smaller Home After Retirement Makes Life Easier Retirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and enjoying the things you love.

Navigating the housing market can be tricky, especially these days. That's why having an experienced guide when buying or selling a home is so important.
Here are just a few of the ways a real estate expert is invaluable:
Contracts – Agents help with the disclosures and contracts necessary in today’s heavily regulated environment.
Experience – In today’s market, experience is crucial. Real estate professionals know the entire sales process, including how it’s changing right now.
Negotiations – Your real estate advisor acts as a buffer in negotiations with all parties, and advocates for your best interests throughout the entire transaction.
Industry Expertise– Knowledge is power in today’s market, and your advisor will simply and effectively explain processes, market conditions, and key terms, translating what they mean for you along the way along the way¬.
Pricing – A real estate professional understands current...

Why Working with a Real Estate Professional Is Crucial Right Now Navigating the housing market can be tricky, especially these days.

Ready to retire? Downsizing can simplify your life.
From less maintenance to financial savings, there are many perks to opting for a smaller home.
Plus, your equity can help make it happen.
Ready for the next step? Let’s chat and explore your options.

Just applied for a mortgage? Heads up – there are a few things to avoid to keep your closing smooth:
-Don't change bank accounts
-Don't apply for new credit or close accounts
-Don't make large purchases or transfers
-Don't co-sign loans
Pro tip: Once you’ve started the process, always check with your loan officer before making any financial moves.

Thinking of selling? You can’t just pick any price.

With moderating demand and a growing number of homes for sale, your asking price matters even more right now.

Buyers have more options, and they’re not going to look at a home that’s overpriced.

Want to price your house so it stands out and avoids a price cut? With my local market expertise, we can find the right price.

Homeownership continues to top the list as a big part of the American Dream.

A recent Bankrate survey found that 78% of people rank it above other milestones like retirement and career success.

Why? Security and wealth-building. A fixed-rate mortgage keeps expenses stable, and as you pay down your mortgage, you build equity and financial stability.

Let’s make your homeownership dream come true.