Hope Leitner, Realtor®, CRS

  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 Considering This Type of Home If that sounds like someth

  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

  Should I Wait for Mortgage Rates To Come Down Before I Move? If you’ve got  a move  on your mind, you may be wondering whether you should wait to sell until  mortgage rates  come down before you spring into action. Here’s some information that could help answer that question for you. In the housing market, there’s a longstanding relationship between mortgage rates and buyer demand. Typically, the higher rates are, you’ll see lower buyer demand. That’s because some people who want to move will be hesitant to take on a higher mortgage rate for their next home. So, they decide to wait it out and put their plans on hold. But when rates start to come down, things change. It goes from limited or weak demand to good or strong demand. That’s because a big portion of the buyers who sat on the sidelines when rates were higher are going to jump back in and make their moves happen. The  graph below  helps give you a visual of how this relationship works and where we are today:   As Lisa Sturteva

  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