Merry Hampton - Westport / Fairfield County CT Real Estate

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

Are you in need of a little extra help around your home? Here are our top tips for hiring a cleaning service. ⁣
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🧼 Discuss expectations upfront.Ask for specifics about what will be done, who will provide the cleaning supplies, and what they will charge. ⁣
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🧼 Inquire about their crew.Find out who will be working in your home, how long they have been with the company, and if they do background checks. ⁣
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🧼 Conduct some due diligence.Request client references, search for reviews online, and make sure they’re bonded and insured. ⁣
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Searching for a professional cleaning service in our area? Reach out for a list of recommendations! ⁣
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📲 (203) 247-7622 ⁣
📧 [email protected]

The Best Time To Buy a Home This Year

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...

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

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.

Checklist for Getting Your House Ready To Sell

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.

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. 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...

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.

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. 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...

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.

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.

Planning a home renovation? 🏡🛠️ Don't let these common contractor hiring mistakes turn your dream project into a nightmare! ⁣
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🧐 Skipping the research phase.Meet with multiple candidates and educate yourself on best practices surrounding your project. ⁣
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💰 Choosing based solely on price.Consider experience, reputation, and the quality of materials they'll use. ⁣
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🕵️‍♀️ Neglecting to confirm credentials & insurance.Verify claims and check references to ensure you're hiring a qualified professional. ⁣
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📝 Proceeding without a written agreement.Outline the scope of work, payment schedule, and any warranty information. ⁣
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💸 Paying too much upfront.A reasonable deposit is standard, but tie the remaining payments to project milestones. ⁣
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🚧 Failing to get necessary permits.Make sure your contractor handles all the paperwork to avoid fines and safety violations. ⁣
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🚩 Ignoring red flags after the project has started.Address any concerns promptly and professionally, and seek legal advice if issues persist. ⁣
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Check out our latest blog post for more tips and advice! ⁣
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🔗 http://merryhamptonhomes.com/7-mistakes-to-avoid-when-hiring-a-contractor/

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.

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.

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. 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.

Could a 55+ Community Be Right for You?

If you’re thinking about downsizing, you may be hearing about 55+ communities and wondering if they’d be a good fit for you. Here’s some information that could help you make your decision.

What Is a 55+ Community?

It’s important to note that these communities aren’t just for people who need extra support – they can be pretty vibrant, too. Many people who are downsizing opt for this type of home because they’re looking to be surrounded by people in a similar season of life. U.S. News explains: “The terms ‘55-plus community,’ ‘active adult community,’ ‘lifestyle communities’ and ‘planned communities’ refer to a setting that caters to the needs and preferences of adults over the age of 55. These communities are designed for seniors who are able to care for themselves but may be looking to downsize to a community with others their same age and with similar interests.”

Why It’s Worth...

Could a 55+ Community Be Right for You? If you’re thinking about downsizing, you may be hearing about 55+ communities and wondering if they’d be a good fit for you.

Buying a home can be a dream come true, but it can also be a complicated process. ⁣
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Here are 3 common homebuyer hurdles — and ways we can help you overcome them. ⁣
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💸 Financing IssuesUnexpected financial bumps may arise during the purchase process. We can help you navigate these issues and find solutions to keep your transaction on track. ⁣
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🔨 Home Inspection ProblemsSometimes inspectors uncover issues that can derail a deal. We can help you negotiate repairs or even walk away if the problems are too significant. ⁣
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🧐 Appraisal ConcernsIf the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price, it can be hard to secure a mortgage. We can guide you through options like renegotiating the price or appealing the appraisal. ⁣
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Don’t let these obstacles derail your home-buying dreams! Contact us for a free consultation. ⁣
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📲 (203) 247-7622 ⁣
📧 [email protected]

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.

Are We Heading into a Balanced Market?

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the housing market over the past couple of years, you know sellers have had the upper hand. But is that going to shift now that inventory is growing? Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know.

What Is a Balanced Market?

A balanced market is generally defined as a market with about a five-to-seven-month supply of homes available for sale. In this type of market, neither buyers nor sellers have a clear advantage. Prices tend to stabilize, and there’s a healthier number of homes to choose from. And after many years when sellers had all the leverage, a more balanced market would be a welcome sight for people looking to move. The question is – is that really where the market is headed?

For now, this is still seller’s market territory – it’s just not as frenzied of a seller’s market as it’s been over the past few years.

What This Means for You and...

Are We Heading into a Balanced Market? If you’ve been keeping an eye on the housing market over the past couple of years, you know sellers have had the upper hand.

How To Avoid Today's Top Seller Mistakes

Want to know some of the top mistakes sellers are making today and how to make sure they don’t happen to you too? The biggest missteps are pricing a house too high, skipping repairs, not being objective, and not being willing to negotiate. And the best way to avoid falling into any of these traps is to partner with a trusted real estate agent who knows exactly what to do. Let’s connect so you have someone to lean on for advice.

How To Avoid Today's Top Seller Mistakes Want to know some of the top mistakes sellers are making today and how to make sure they don’t happen to you too?

2025 Housing Market Forecasts: What To Expect

Looking ahead to 2025, it's important to know what experts are projecting for the housing market.

Mortgage Rates Are Projected To Come Down Slightly

Mortgage rates play a significant role in the housing market. The forecasts for 2025 from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and Wells Fargo show an expected gradual decline in mortgage rates over the course of the next year.

And many experts believe these signs will encourage the Federal Reserve to lower the Federal Funds Rate, which tends to lead to lower mortgage rates.

Expect More Homes To Sell

The market will see an increase in both the supply of available homes on the market, as well as a rise in demand, as more buyers and sellers who have been sitting on the sidelines because of higher rates choose to make a move. That’s one big reason why experts are...

2025 Housing Market Forecasts: What To Expect Looking ahead to 2025, it's important to know what experts are projecting for the housing market.

Want to know the top mistakes today’s homeowners are making when they sell? Here they are:

-Pricing your house too high
-Skipping necessary repairs
-Not being objective
-Not being willing to negotiate

DM me if you want to talk more about how an agent can help you avoid costly missteps like these.

The walk-through is one of the last steps in the homebuying process, but you shouldn’t rush it! Here are a few things to check during your final walk-through: ⁣
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💡 Are all items included in the sale (e.g. light fixtures and appliances) in place and operational? ⁣
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🚿 Are all major systems working properly? ⁣
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⚒️ Have all requested repairs been completed? ⁣
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🗑️ Has the seller removed all personal items and debris? ⁣
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🚪 Was any significant damage done during the seller’s move out? ⁣
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Want more expert guidance on the homebuying process? Reach out for a free consultation. ⁣
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📲 (203) 247-7622 ⁣
📧 [email protected]

As inventory grows, the market is starting to balance out a bit. But don’t worry – this isn’t close to an oversupply that would cause a crash.
It just means buyers are regaining negotiation power as their options grow. And sellers need to price their house right and may want to consider some repairs to help it stand out.
Let’s connect to talk more about how this impacts you.