Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  If you’re  planning to sell  your house and move, you probably know there’s been a shortage of options available. But here’s the good news: the supply of  homes for sale  has grown in a lot of markets this year – and that’s not just existing, or previously-owned, homes. It’s true for newly built homes too.  So how do you decide which route to go? Do you buy an existing home or a brand-new one? The choice is yours – you just need to figure out what’s most important to you. Perks of a Newly Built Home Here are some benefits of buying a newly built home right now: Have brand new everything  with never-been-used appliances and materials Use energy efficient options  to save money and leave a smaller footprint Minimize the need for repairs  and benefit from builder warranties Take advantage of builder concessions  that can help with affordability In today’s market, a lot of builders are focusing on selling their  current inventory  before they add more homes to their mix. And some of them

  Do Elections Impact the Housing Market? The 2024 Presidential election is just months away. As someone who’s thinking about potentially   buying   or   selling   a home, you’re probably curious about what effect, if any, elections have on the housing market.   It’s a great question because   buying   or   selling   a home is a major decision, and it’s natural to wonder how such a major event might impact your plans.   Historically, Presidential elections have only had a small, temporary impact on the housing market. Here’s the latest on exactly what’s happened to home sales,   prices , and   mortgage rates   throughout those time periods. Home Sales During the month of November, in years when the Presidential election takes place, there’s typically a slight slowdown in home sales. As Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at  Zonda ,  explains : “Usually, home sales are unchanged compared to a non-election year with the exception being November.  In an election year, November is slower than norma

  If one of the goals on your list is  selling your house  and  making a move  this year, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement about what’s ahead and feeling a little sentimental about your current home. A great way to balance those emotions and make sure you’re confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind when you’re  ready to sell . 1. Price Your Home Right The  housing market  shifted in 2023 as  mortgage rates  rose and  home price appreciation  started to  normalize  once again. As a seller, you still need to recognize how important it is to price your house appropriately based on where the market is today.  Hannah Jones, Economic Research Analyst for  Realtor.com ,  explains : “Sellers need to become familiar with their local market and work closely with a local agent to make sure their listing is attractive to buyers. Buyers feeling the pressure of affordability are likely to be pickier, so  a well-priced, well-maintained home is the ticket to d