Wednesday, November 27, 2024 / by John Salkowski
The housing market is set to change in 2025, which is why I’m breaking down what the experts are forecasting for interest rates, prices, and demand.
Right now, the No. 1 question I’m getting is, “What’s going to happen to the housing market in 2025?” I get it; a lot of people had plans to move this year but put things on hold due to higher mortgage rates and a slowing market. This begs the question: Will 2025 be any different? The short answer is yes, although there probably won’t be a dramatic shakeup that flips the market on its head. Today, I’m going over what the top experts are forecasting for mortgage interest rates, home prices, and buyer demand in 2025. Plus, I’ll share my insights on how you can get ready for these changes before the new year even starts:
1. Mortgage rates will ease slightly. It’s no secret that higher mortgage interest rates have hurt affordability for buyers and caused our market to slow down. U.! ...
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Monday, November 4, 2024 / by John Salkowski
Here’s why so many buyers are backing out of deals and how you can use things like a pre-listing inspection to protect your sale.
It’s official: Cancelation rates are on the rise. In a lot of markets, around 30% of real estate transactions that go to escrow end up canceling. Since listings with canceled deals often end up selling for less money, what can you do to minimize the chances of your buyer flaking out? As an experienced expert, I’ve dealt with uncertain buyers before. That’s why today, I’m sharing why buyers are leaving deals in this market and explaining what you can do to stop a cancellation before it happens.
1. Buyer's remorse. The market is definitely slower than it used to be, but that doesn’t mean buyers aren’t feeling pressure to make decisions quickly. Due to market competition, economic news, the election, and a ton of other issues, a lot of buyers want to finalize a deal ASAP. As a result, many of them jump into dea! ...
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Friday, October 4, 2024 / by John Salkowski
Going over three key reasons why staging is worth the money and effort, from giving you leverage at negotiations to depersonalizing your home.
If you’re considering selling your home in the near future, how seriously are you thinking about staging? In the real estate industry, it’s widely accepted by experts across different fields that staging nets you more money for your sale, but I’ve spoken to a lot of homeowners who see it as a waste of time and money. If you’re on the fence about staging, here’s the truth: A few thousand dollars upfront can get you a two-to-one return on your investment and save you tons of time in the long run, which is why I always recommend sellers stage their properties. Here are the three most important benefits of staging you don’t want to throw away:
1. Staging minimizes issues and highlights features. No home is 100% perfect, but staging allows you to move the focus away from your flaws and toward your strength! ...
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Friday, September 20, 2024 / by John Salkowski
Going over the key reasons it’s worth it to fix your home before selling.
Recently, a lot of sellers have been asking me, “Should I make repairs before listing my home?” The short answer is yes. While we’re still in a seller’s market, the truth is that there aren’t as many buyers as there were during the peak a few years ago. The good news is that buyers still looking to purchase a home in this environment are very serious about moving. However, due to higher interest rates and home prices, your property needs to be in great condition to stand out. That’s why today, I’m sharing three things you can do to get your home in perfect market condition before selling:
1. Have a pre-listing meeting. Meet with your agent before you list to go over which repairs are really worth it. Not every fix is worth your hard-earned money, so invest in repairs that will improve your home’s condition and net you a higher return on your investment.! ...
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Wednesday, September 11, 2024 / by John Salkowski
See how pre-sale home inspections help you list confidently, fix major issues before listing, and
negotiate from a position of strength.
Do you want to know the secret weapon for scoring top dollar on your home sale? It’s called a pre-sale inspection. With over 15 years of experience helping home sellers, I’ve seen firsthand how this game-changer can make all the difference. Here are three reasons you should never skip this crucial step when selling your home:
Hit the market with a clean product. A pre-sale inspection lets you go to market with confidence. Think about it — if you wait for a buyer to inspect your home first, you're being reactive, not proactive. Knowing your home's condition beforehand puts you in control. You can fix any issues that might scare off buyers or lead to lowball offers.
Fix major issues before buyers see them. No one wants to lose a sale over unexpected problems. A pre-sale inspection lets you handle major issues that could cau. ...
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