Striking shapes, sizes, and colors make them more spectacular than ever. Plus: Easy care tips
Showing posts with label seasonal trends. Show all posts
Showing posts with label seasonal trends. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Bay Area Home Prices Closer to Peak Than Rest of California
Home and condominium prices across the nine-county Bay Area are about 10 percent shy of their 2007 highs, says recently released data, closer than they are in other parts of California.
According to a new report from CoreLogic DataQuick, the median sales price for single-family homes and condominiums across the nine-county Bay Area was $601,000 in October, 9.6 percent below its summer 2007 peak of $665,000. The company notes that the median sales price in the Bay Area is closer to its prerecession high than it is in any other major region of the state.
In a separate report, CoreLogic DataQuick said that the median sales price in California is still 21.1 percent shy of its spring 2007 peak of $484,000.
Bay Area home prices have been declining since June but are up 11.3 percent year over year, the company says. Annual price gains ranged from 18.3 percent in San Francisco to 3.5 percent in Sonoma County. San Francisco claimed the highest median sales price in the Bay Area at $999,250.
In a statement accompanying the report, CoreLogic DataQuick Analyst Andrew LePage attributed slowing prices in the Bay Area to both a lack of affordability and modest inventory gains while cautioning that further economic growth could reverse that pattern.
“Still, if we see more job and wage growth heading into 2015 it’s easy to imagine demand and price pressures building again,” LePage said.
The company says that 7,693 properties changed hands across the nine-county region in October, an annual increase of 1.3 percent. October’s sales volume was 9.7 percent below its average over the past 26 years when the company began tracking data. Contra Costa County saw the largest-year-over-year sales-volume gains (6.8 percent), while declines were greatest in Napa County (7.4 percent).
Both investor activity and all-cash sales throughout the Bay Area were down from one year earlier, according to the report, which will hopefully provide some relief for would-be homebuyers who have been struggling in one of the nation’s most competitive real estate markets.
The number of buyers offering all cash in October dropped to 20.5 percent, down from 24.2 percent a year ago and the second lowest recorded since November 2008. Purchases by absentee buyers, which the company says are mostly investors, declined to 19.4 percent, down from 20.3 percent in October 2013.
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
November May Be the Perfect Time to Sell Your Home
Conventional wisdom says that most sellers take their homes off the market in November and December because potential buyers are focused more on the upcoming holidays than on escrow agreements.
That’s probably true – which is why clever sellers might want to act fast and take advantage of a unique opportunity to sell their homes quickly to highly motivated buyers who don’t want to wait until spring to close a deal.
Several studies show that, on average, homes listed in November and December are more likely to sell, and at a quicker pace and closer to asking price, says an article at Forbes.com.
One of the key reasons is that sellers in off-peak periods face less competition. With other properties off the market, serious buyers have fewer homes to choose from during the holiday season.
And buyers who are looking at properties this time of year are highly motivated. Maybe they weren’t able to win a bidding war during the busy summer season, or perhaps they face time constraints due to professional or personal reasons.
Another big motivator for buyers to close a deal before the end of the year are taxes. Buyers looking to lower their taxes may purchase a home now so they can deduct costs such as points, interest, and property-tax payments.
Also, certain sellers who sold their homes during the summer season may be facing a capital-gains tax. They may be highly motivated to buy in November to avoid paying this fee, since closing on the purchase of another home within 180 days allows them to get around this tax.
“End-of-year tax benefits can be a big deal for buyers,” Linda Carroll, regional executive of Pacific Union’s Napa County region says. “So if you’re considering putting a home on the market at this time of year, go ahead.
“In the spring you’re going to be in competition with everyone else,” Carroll adds. “Right now there’s not much to sell, so your home is going to get noticed.”
Brent Thomson, senior vice president of Pacific Union’s Marin County region, cautions sellers that even highly motivated buyers won’t settle for second-best.
“A home has to look good and be priced right for it to sell,” Thomson says. “There’s less competition out there at this time of year, and that’s good for sellers, but remember that buyers will still be picky.”
(Image: Flickr/Jennifer H.)
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Cider: the quintessential autumn sipper
It might be something about the crunchy rust-colored leaves littering the yard, the nostalgic scent of wood smoke drifting in the crisp autumn air, something about the memories of childhood hay rides and picking apples in my aunt’s North Carolina orchard, but during the first weeks of fall I cannot think of something more scrumptious to sip than a dry, hand-crafted, hard apple cider.
There are many American artisans producing stellar versions, similar to the ones France has been making for ages. The best ciders have tiny Champagne-like bubbles, and are not cloyingly sweet, but taste of pure heirloom apples, of honey. Hard cider pairs wonderfully with fall’s favorite nibbles; dry cheeses and deep, toasty nuts. A wise host might even pair cider with an autumn pork roast or a platter of grilled bratwurst. Happy Fall, y’all.
How is cider produced? Apples are to cider what grapes are to wine. You’ve got your wildly sweet, and sour and tart and bitter and all the rest, not unlike wine grapes. You press the apples for their juice, occasionally blending said varietals along the way, then you add some yeast, and the juice is laid to rest for fermentation. Depending on the cider house, fermentation time can vary from weeks to many months, with longer maturation adding complexity to the finished product.
Why are there bubbles in cider? Not all hard ciders contain bubbles, but the ones that do have probably seen a gentle reintroduction of CO2 or have undergone a process called dosage, the addition of sugar and yeast to facilitate a second fermentation, which creates bubbles; the same process by which Champagne is made.
There are many types of cider. Cider is produced all over the world, from Argentina to France and Spain, but the United States is just now seeing its own little renaissance with its own typically American flavor. American ciders vary wildly in style from serious dry versions and ice-wine styles to sparkling and still iterations with dozens of apple varieties from east to west coast. French ciders tend to be light, subtle, and lower in alcohol content than English ciders, which are often bold, dry, and higher in alcohol.
Tasting notes: American ciders
Foggy Ridge Serious Cider
Full of yellow apple notes with a super acidic finish, this Virginia-made cider is for those who have previously shunned the category. This expression of Foggy Ridge is made with four different apple varietals including Ashmead Kernel and Rocksbury Red. It’s dry, with small bubbles like a low-dosage Champagne, which means it would pair well with oysters, sushi, and a nice, crisp fall salad.
West County Cider, Baldwin
From a rare-apple varietal in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, this cider is exactly what should be paired with Thanksgiving dinner for its fresh-pressed apple quality and baked pie-dough aromas. It’ll carry through brightly from canapés to pumpkin pie and a snooze by the fire.
Original Sin Cherry Tree
With a big mouthful of pinot noir-like suppleness and bright acidity, heirloom varietals give Cherry Tree the tartness of Ranier cherries and green apples. It would go nicely alongside a crispy duck, a warm autumn salad with dried fruit and squash, and a hot date.
Farnum Hill Extra Dry
This New Hampshire cider house produces an entire family of apple-y goodness each year, ranging from semi-dry to farmhouse style. The Extra Dry being the easy going, flannel-clad sibling who pairs best with seafood, like a poached halibut or maybe baked salmon.
Ace Pumpkin Hard Cider
This Sebastopol-crafted cider boasts subtle aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg which are surprisingly delish, making it a no brainer for autumn entertaining.
More apple goodness – pie!
Apples are back in the markets and, lucky us, there are so many beautiful varieties. I eat an apple a day this time of year and am obsessed with finding the perfect balance of sweet-tart and juicy-firm. Most apples that you’ll grab in the produce aisle are going to be tasty for munching, but will it produce a perfect pie? The answer is mostly, no. When baking, it is worth searching for the following varieties, mixing several is even better, and – do what grandma did – work some leaf lard into the crust, and prepare for pie perfection.
Northern Spy.
Your grandmother may well have insisted on Northern Spy for her pies. She was right. This early 1800s star is one of the few apples that can stand alone in pies. Bright and lively, firm yet tender-skinned, it’s experiencing a well-deserved resurgence as a new generation of bakers discovers that no other apple can match its bag of tricks.
Pink Lady.
Not all modern apples fall flat in pies. The Pink Lady is super-crisp when eaten fresh and nearly as crisp in pies, where its rosy hue and sweet-tart balance work wonders. No peeling, please.
Gravenstein.
Love it or leave it. Some people think this local treasure is too soft for pie, but others believe its unmistakable berry-apple fragrance is the very harbinger of fall. Pick them early for pie.
McIntosh.
Too often we make pies with nothing but overly hard apples — I’m looking at you, Granny Smith! The McIntosh’s supple flesh melts into a soft, almost mashed, consistency that when paired with a crisp crust is utter deliciousness.
The Best Apple Pie
(Recipe courtesy of Food52)
Makes one 9” double-crust pie
2 chilled pie dough disks
3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for decorating, if desired
1/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
2 cups Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
2 cups Macintosh apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
3 wedges of fresh lemon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons cream or milk
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix together the dry ingredients. Place Granny Smith apple slices in bowl, squeeze a wedge of lemon juice over and toss. In another bowl, place Golden Delicious apples, lemon juice and toss. And in a third bowl, place Macintosh, lemon juice and toss. Evenly distribute sugar mixture over apples in three separate bowls. Mix.
Roll out one round of dough on a lightly floured surface into a circle about 11 inches across. Place crust into a 9-inch pie pan with 1-inch high sides. Roll another round of dough into a circle about 10 inches across. With a knife or scissors, cut excess dough from bottom layer, keeping about a ½ inch overhang.
Starting with the Granny Smith slices, place them in one layer into the bottom crust. Next, layer the Golden Delicious slices over. And lastly, layer the Macintosh slices over. Dot with butter. Cover with top crust. Tuck overhang of top crust under the bottom crust edge. Flute edges with fingers, or however you like. Vent top.
Sprinkle sugar over the whole pie, if desired. Place pie on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until juices bubble through vents. Check the pie after 20 minutes, and if you see the edges burning, take two long strips of aluminum foil and wrap edges of pie loosely.
Let the pie cool on a rack for about a half an hour before cutting into it.
Article and Photo Sourced From: http://suneats.sonomaportal.com/2014/10/30/cider-the-quintessential-autumn-sipper/
Foggy Ridge Serious Cider
Full of yellow apple notes with a super acidic finish, this Virginia-made cider is for those who have previously shunned the category. This expression of Foggy Ridge is made with four different apple varietals including Ashmead Kernel and Rocksbury Red. It’s dry, with small bubbles like a low-dosage Champagne, which means it would pair well with oysters, sushi, and a nice, crisp fall salad.
West County Cider, Baldwin
From a rare-apple varietal in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, this cider is exactly what should be paired with Thanksgiving dinner for its fresh-pressed apple quality and baked pie-dough aromas. It’ll carry through brightly from canapés to pumpkin pie and a snooze by the fire.
Original Sin Cherry Tree
With a big mouthful of pinot noir-like suppleness and bright acidity, heirloom varietals give Cherry Tree the tartness of Ranier cherries and green apples. It would go nicely alongside a crispy duck, a warm autumn salad with dried fruit and squash, and a hot date.
Farnum Hill Extra Dry
This New Hampshire cider house produces an entire family of apple-y goodness each year, ranging from semi-dry to farmhouse style. The Extra Dry being the easy going, flannel-clad sibling who pairs best with seafood, like a poached halibut or maybe baked salmon.
Ace Pumpkin Hard Cider
This Sebastopol-crafted cider boasts subtle aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg which are surprisingly delish, making it a no brainer for autumn entertaining.
More apple goodness – pie!
Apples are back in the markets and, lucky us, there are so many beautiful varieties. I eat an apple a day this time of year and am obsessed with finding the perfect balance of sweet-tart and juicy-firm. Most apples that you’ll grab in the produce aisle are going to be tasty for munching, but will it produce a perfect pie? The answer is mostly, no. When baking, it is worth searching for the following varieties, mixing several is even better, and – do what grandma did – work some leaf lard into the crust, and prepare for pie perfection.
Northern Spy.
Your grandmother may well have insisted on Northern Spy for her pies. She was right. This early 1800s star is one of the few apples that can stand alone in pies. Bright and lively, firm yet tender-skinned, it’s experiencing a well-deserved resurgence as a new generation of bakers discovers that no other apple can match its bag of tricks.
Pink Lady.
Not all modern apples fall flat in pies. The Pink Lady is super-crisp when eaten fresh and nearly as crisp in pies, where its rosy hue and sweet-tart balance work wonders. No peeling, please.
Gravenstein.
Love it or leave it. Some people think this local treasure is too soft for pie, but others believe its unmistakable berry-apple fragrance is the very harbinger of fall. Pick them early for pie.
McIntosh.
Too often we make pies with nothing but overly hard apples — I’m looking at you, Granny Smith! The McIntosh’s supple flesh melts into a soft, almost mashed, consistency that when paired with a crisp crust is utter deliciousness.
The Best Apple Pie
(Recipe courtesy of Food52)
Makes one 9” double-crust pie
2 chilled pie dough disks
3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for decorating, if desired
1/4 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
2 cups Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
2 cups Macintosh apples, peeled, cored and sliced thin
3 wedges of fresh lemon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons cream or milk
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix together the dry ingredients. Place Granny Smith apple slices in bowl, squeeze a wedge of lemon juice over and toss. In another bowl, place Golden Delicious apples, lemon juice and toss. And in a third bowl, place Macintosh, lemon juice and toss. Evenly distribute sugar mixture over apples in three separate bowls. Mix.
Roll out one round of dough on a lightly floured surface into a circle about 11 inches across. Place crust into a 9-inch pie pan with 1-inch high sides. Roll another round of dough into a circle about 10 inches across. With a knife or scissors, cut excess dough from bottom layer, keeping about a ½ inch overhang.
Starting with the Granny Smith slices, place them in one layer into the bottom crust. Next, layer the Golden Delicious slices over. And lastly, layer the Macintosh slices over. Dot with butter. Cover with top crust. Tuck overhang of top crust under the bottom crust edge. Flute edges with fingers, or however you like. Vent top.
Sprinkle sugar over the whole pie, if desired. Place pie on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until juices bubble through vents. Check the pie after 20 minutes, and if you see the edges burning, take two long strips of aluminum foil and wrap edges of pie loosely.
Let the pie cool on a rack for about a half an hour before cutting into it.
Article and Photo Sourced From: http://suneats.sonomaportal.com/2014/10/30/cider-the-quintessential-autumn-sipper/
Saturday, October 25, 2014
10 Ways to Snug Up Your Bedroom
Turn your back on the cold by chilling out in
cozy sleep-space comfort
What’s better on a crisp fall weekend morning than grabbing a cup of hot coffee
and something to read and returning to a cozy bed? Make your bedroom
the snuggest place around by layering rugs, blankets, twinkling lights,
plump cushions and piles of books. You’ll probably have to get up
eventually, but until then, here are 10 ideas to make your room perfect
for snuggling in.
1. Make a mini library.
Whether you have room for floor-to-ceiling bookshelves complete with
library ladders, or for just a teetering pile of favorite tomes beside
the bed, books bring much warmth to the bedroom.
Consider swapping out bedside tables sans shelving for ones with a lower shelf for books, stacking books on a trunk at the foot of the bed or tucking a low bookcase beneath a bank of windows.
More ways to bring books to the bedroom
Consider swapping out bedside tables sans shelving for ones with a lower shelf for books, stacking books on a trunk at the foot of the bed or tucking a low bookcase beneath a bank of windows.
More ways to bring books to the bedroom
2. Stow extra throws in a woven basket. For
wrapping up while you read in bed or pulling on in the middle of a
chilly night, having a few spare throws on hand is never a bad idea.
Keeping them in a basket creates decor and storage in one.
3. Add a wool rug. A toasty wool rug insulates cold floors and adds color and pattern — try a colorful kilim or dhurrie. Repeat a hue from the rug in a new toss pillow on the bed for a put-together look.
Kilim, Flokati, Beni Ourain, Boucherouite — What’s the Difference?
3. Add a wool rug. A toasty wool rug insulates cold floors and adds color and pattern — try a colorful kilim or dhurrie. Repeat a hue from the rug in a new toss pillow on the bed for a put-together look.
Kilim, Flokati, Beni Ourain, Boucherouite — What’s the Difference?
4. Paint the walls a warm color. A rich, warm hue creates a cozy, enveloping mood in the bedroom.
If you prefer neutrals, you can’t miss with mocha or chocolate brown. But if you’re a color lover, why not go for something a bit bolder, like persimmon or even pink?
A deeper pink paint like the one used here is surprisingly sophisticated — especially when balanced with black accents and a traditional Oriental rug.
How to decorate with pink
If you prefer neutrals, you can’t miss with mocha or chocolate brown. But if you’re a color lover, why not go for something a bit bolder, like persimmon or even pink?
A deeper pink paint like the one used here is surprisingly sophisticated — especially when balanced with black accents and a traditional Oriental rug.
How to decorate with pink
5. Drape a mirror with fairy lights.
This is such a quick and easy way to enhance the ambience in the
bedroom — drape tiny white lights gently over a mirror so it will
reflect the light.
6. Get something to sink your toes into. The
alarm’s call on chilly mornings is a bit easier to face when you have
something luxuriously plush to sink your toes into upon rising.
Try a sheepskin (real or fake) or a thick-pile rug. If you already have a flat-weave rug, layer a smaller, fluffier rug right on top for extra warmth.
Browse fluffy rugs in the Houzz Products section
Try a sheepskin (real or fake) or a thick-pile rug. If you already have a flat-weave rug, layer a smaller, fluffier rug right on top for extra warmth.
Browse fluffy rugs in the Houzz Products section
If you have a large bedroom, a thick-pile rug on a large expanse of bare floor will help warm up the space considerably.
7. Warm up with spicy orange accents. A
mostly white bedroom is easy to change with the seasons — slip new
covers on your pillows and fold a throw at the foot of the bed.
For fall, orange and orange-red accents are a reminder of the changing leaves outdoors.
How to decorate with orange
For fall, orange and orange-red accents are a reminder of the changing leaves outdoors.
How to decorate with orange
8. Swap artwork. Whether
you collect original paintings, fine-art photography or affordable
prints, changing the art on the walls is a great way to signal a shift
in the season.
Hang a big beach scene in summer and swap it out for something that hints at the woods for fall and winter, like the adorable fox photo shown here.
10 Design Strategies for Art Lovers
Hang a big beach scene in summer and swap it out for something that hints at the woods for fall and winter, like the adorable fox photo shown here.
10 Design Strategies for Art Lovers
9. Layer deliciously textured bedding.
Use silk, velvet and linen to create an inviting range of textures on
the bed. Stick with analogous colors — hues that are next to one another
on the color wheel — like soft green, blue and lilac, for a serene look.
8 Great Color Palettes: Surprising Bedroom Neutrals
8 Great Color Palettes: Surprising Bedroom Neutrals
For a more rustic look, mix nubby linen or crisp cotton sheets with cozy wool blankets and hooked-wool pillows.
How to get a perfectly polished bedroom
How to get a perfectly polished bedroom
10. Pull up a window seat. As
we head toward winter, any way of maximizing light is most welcome.
Pull a chair up close to the window, where you (or a furry friend) can
sit with a cup of coffee, savoring the sun.
Article and Photo Sourced From: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/32697597/list/10-ways-to-snug-up-your-bedroom
Friday, October 17, 2014
Fall Landscaping, for Beauty and Profit
With the fall season fully upon us in the Bay Area, any landscaping projects that you haven’t already started will have to wait until spring, right?
Wrong. Landscape professionals say that autumn is the perfect time to plant bulbs and prepare your yard for the coming spring and summer. And if you’re thinking of selling your house in the coming months, you shouldn’t wait until spring to make sure the yard is in tip-top shape.
In fact, researchers at Virginia Tech found that upgrading a home’s landscape from “average” to “excellent” can raise its overall value by 10 to 12 percent.
A $150,000 home with no landscaping could fetch an additional $8,300 to $19,000 by adding a landscape with color and large plants, according toa report from the school’s Department of Horticulture. And the bonus increases exponentially for higher-priced homes.
“The most preferred landscape included a sophisticated design with large deciduous, evergreen, and annual color plants and colored hardscape,” according to the report. Adding different plant sizes to a front yard, for example, can boost curb appeal, as can mixing fruit trees and flowers for added color.
Design sophistication is the most important consideration, followed by plant size and diversity of plants.
“Survey results showed that relatively large landscape expenditures significantly increase perceived home value and will result in a higher selling price than homes with a minimal landscape,” the report noted. “The resulting increase in ‘curb appeal’ of the property may also help differentiate a home in a subdivision where house styles are similar and thereby attract potential buyers into a home.
“This advantage is especially important in a competitive housing market,” the report concluded — as if it had been written especially for Bay Area homebuyers and sellers.
Looking for more landscaping tips? Check out the website of the Professional Landcare Network, the national trade association for landscape professionals. It offers a full page of fall landscaping tips.
(Image: Flickr/Andrea_44)
Monday, September 8, 2014
5 Reasons to Sell BEFORE Winter Hits
People across the country are beginning to think about what their life will look like next year. It happens every Fall. We ponder whether we should relocate to a different part of the country to find better year round weather or perhaps move across the state for better job opportunities. Homeowners in this situation must consider whether they should sell their house now or wait. If you are one of these potential sellers, here are five important reasons to do it now versus the dead of winter.
1. Demand is Strong
Foot traffic refers to the number of people out actually physically looking at home right now. The latest foot traffic numbers show that there are more prospective purchasers currently looking at homes than at any other time in the last twelve months which includes the latest spring buyers’ market. These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the market right now!
As we get later into the year, many people have other things (weather, holidays, etc.) that distract them from searching for a home. Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.
2. There Is Less Competition Now
Housing supply is still under the historical number of 6 months’ supply. This means that, in many markets, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in that market. This is good news for home prices. However, additional inventory is about to come to market.
There is a pent-up desire for many homeowners to move as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. Homeowners are now seeing a return to positive equity as real estate values have increased over the last two years. Many of these homes will be coming to the market in the near future.
Also, new construction of single-family homes is again beginning to increase. A recent study by Harris Poll revealed that 41% of buyers would prefer to buy a new home while only 21% prefer an existing home (38% had no preference).
The choices buyers have will continue to increase over the next few months. Don’t wait until all this other inventory of homes comes to market before you sell.
3. The Process Will Be Quicker
One of the biggest challenges of the 2014 housing market has been the length of time it takes from contract to closing. Banks are requiring more and more paperwork before approving a mortgage. Any delay in the process is always prolonged during the winter holiday season. Getting your house sold and closed before those delays begin will lend itself to a smoother transaction.
4. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up
If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by over 19% from now to 2018. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. You can also lock-in your 30 year housing expense with an interest rate in the low 4’s right now. Rates are projected to be over 5% by this time next year.
5. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life
Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?
Only you know the answers to the questions above. You have the power to take back control of the situation by putting your home on the market. Perhaps, the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.
That is what is truly important.
http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2014/09/03/5-reasons-to-sell-before-winter-hits/
1. Demand is Strong
Foot traffic refers to the number of people out actually physically looking at home right now. The latest foot traffic numbers show that there are more prospective purchasers currently looking at homes than at any other time in the last twelve months which includes the latest spring buyers’ market. These buyers are ready, willing and able to buy…and are in the market right now!
As we get later into the year, many people have other things (weather, holidays, etc.) that distract them from searching for a home. Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market.
2. There Is Less Competition Now
Housing supply is still under the historical number of 6 months’ supply. This means that, in many markets, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in that market. This is good news for home prices. However, additional inventory is about to come to market.
There is a pent-up desire for many homeowners to move as they were unable to sell over the last few years because of a negative equity situation. Homeowners are now seeing a return to positive equity as real estate values have increased over the last two years. Many of these homes will be coming to the market in the near future.
Also, new construction of single-family homes is again beginning to increase. A recent study by Harris Poll revealed that 41% of buyers would prefer to buy a new home while only 21% prefer an existing home (38% had no preference).
The choices buyers have will continue to increase over the next few months. Don’t wait until all this other inventory of homes comes to market before you sell.
3. The Process Will Be Quicker
One of the biggest challenges of the 2014 housing market has been the length of time it takes from contract to closing. Banks are requiring more and more paperwork before approving a mortgage. Any delay in the process is always prolonged during the winter holiday season. Getting your house sold and closed before those delays begin will lend itself to a smoother transaction.
4. There Will Never Be a Better Time to Move-Up
If you are moving up to a larger, more expensive home, consider doing it now. Prices are projected to appreciate by over 19% from now to 2018. If you are moving to a higher priced home, it will wind-up costing you more in raw dollars (both in down payment and mortgage payment) if you wait. You can also lock-in your 30 year housing expense with an interest rate in the low 4’s right now. Rates are projected to be over 5% by this time next year.
5. It’s Time to Move On with Your Life
Look at the reason you decided to sell in the first place and determine whether it is worth waiting. Is money more important than being with family? Is money more important than your health? Is money more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?
Only you know the answers to the questions above. You have the power to take back control of the situation by putting your home on the market. Perhaps, the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.
That is what is truly important.
http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2014/09/03/5-reasons-to-sell-before-winter-hits/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)