Hot Advice for Current Home Buyers and Sellers

Usually, April to June is when real estate transactions reach their zenith, but this year there is more pent-up demand than usual. Homebuyers who are fed up with waiting for interest rates to drop are prepared to take action, even if mortgage rates are still hovering at 7%, which is a lot higher than two years ago when lenders provided 3% house loans. Sellers accustomed to 3.5% mortgages, however, may afford to bide their time and wait for the best possible deal.

Now is the perfect time to sharpen your pencil if you intend to take action this spring or summer. For home purchasers this spring and perhaps for the foreseeable future, the combination of high mortgage rates, record-low housing availability, and sky-high home prices are the thorns in their rose-colored petals. Strong payroll numbers and higher-than-expected inflation could support rising mortgage rates.

Fannie Mae predictions provide some promise despite these challenges, indicating that house sales transactions will increase over the previous year as eager buyers and sellers come to terms with the realities of mortgage rates between 6% and 7%. It’s crucial to keep in mind that getting too emotionally invested in a deal can cost you money. It’s simple to become disheartened or disappointed by circumstances beyond of your control, which emphasizes the significance of taking control of what you can.

These are the key takeaways that will guide you through the possibly turbulent spring and early summer real estate market.

Purchasing: novices, capitalists, and merchants

Is this the correct moment to buy? is the most important issue for most purchasers, given the uncertainties surrounding interest rates and housing prices.

Perhaps. Perhaps not. However, it doesn’t hurt to look into your possibilities. The president of Rowan Financial, a fee-only financial advisor and housing specialist affiliated with the Wealthramp network, Dave Rowan, advises customers that “whether you’re an investor or a first-time buyer, it’s always time to look.”

He emphasizes the value of educating yourself on the process of buying your first house or investment property for both novice and seasoned investors. Rowan suggests closely monitoring four extra costs in addition to housing prices and mortgage rates: taxes, insurance, upkeep, and utilities.

Location can have a big impact on taxes and insurance, so it’s important to be aware of potential insurability issues in places like Florida and California. An effective benchmark for yearly upkeep expenses is between 0.5% and 0.6% of the house’s original purchase price. However, yearly maintenance costs might increase to 1% to 1.5% for older properties, such as structures that are more than 150 years old. However, the square footage of the property can be used to estimate utilities more easily.

It is imperative that you ascertain your buyer profile and any corresponding benefits. For instance, the VA home loan program can help you if you’re a veteran. It usually has no down payment requirements, reasonable interest rates, and eliminates the need for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

However, it’s getting more and harder to find a “forever home” on your first try because housing costs have tripled in absolute terms since 2000 and more than doubled when inflation is taken into account.

According to Rowan, “home hacking” could be a viable option for first-time purchasers or individuals who are keen to go into real estate investing. Using this strategy, you buy a property, live in part of it, and rent out the remaining areas. The possibility to qualify for an FHA loan with as little as 3% down as an occupant is one of the major perks. The financials might be better than renting in places with high rental expenses.

In essence, it lets you become a serial investor by letting you live in the house for a few years, make modifications, then rent it out completely and go on to your next home hack. “From the perspective of starting your path as a real estate investor, getting into a home earlier than you might otherwise, and reducing your monthly cash outlay compared to renting, it’s a win-win situation,” says Rowan.

Seek Out Discounts Elsewhere

Investors can also search for offers outside of the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) by working with local or national wholesalers or building relationships with banks who are willing to offload properties, possibly through a short sale as an alternative to the foreclosure process.

Even though flipping houses is still a popular investment technique, particularly during a market downturn, the current environment of high prices and sluggish price acceleration makes it a bad time to begin flipping. Despite the FOMO brought on by TV shows and social media, Rowan draws attention to an important point: The reason these projects, which are frequently portrayed on HGTV, work so well is usually because one spouse is skilled in construction and the other in design, which enables them to cut these expenses out of their budget.

It’s also critical to acknowledge that historically, real estate returns have trailed behind those of the stock market from an investing standpoint. While there are often profitable opportunities in real estate, it is not a long-term, reliable investment.

Being affordable is essential when thinking about a purchase to prevent going without a home. Remember that purchasing real estate is how you turn a profit. Real estate investing yields true profits when one buys at the correct price rather than when one sells.

Selling: Market Forces

How about making a sale in this market?

Due to exceptionally low mortgage rates or their reluctance to sell in the face of skyrocketing property values, many homeowners find themselves in a competitive market where supply continuously falls short of demand.

This implies that you are essentially in control if you are a seller.

But even for individuals who are ready to sell, such retirees trying to downsize or move, the days of drawing buyers with just a listing—a throwback to when prices were at an all-time low—are long gone. High rates and property prices have created a more discriminating and cautious buyer base despite the restricted availability.

In this kind of atmosphere, vendors need to plan strategically. Rowan advises “partnering with a Realtor who understands the specifics of your home and the type of buyer it will appeal to and has in-depth knowledge of your local market (and neighborhood).” “It’s crucial to price the home appropriately—not too high to turn off buyers, nor too low that it undervalues the property,” he stresses.

An important trend to take note of for sellers is the growing desire for historic homes, especially on the East Coast. Purchasers are looking for homes with personality, and they are prepared to pay for that special charm.

Varying Standards For Historical Residences

Rowan draws attention to an important distinction in getting properties ready for sale: Historical properties require different maintenance than current building, which needs to be updated, spotless, and well-maintained. Though they don’t need to be as perfect as listings, they should still look well and show well. No need to change everything.

Whether you’re a buyer or a seller in this spring and early summer real estate market, you need to have a strategic plan, some cunning, and a sophisticated awareness of current trends.

The most important thing to remember is that your unique situation and the extent of your preparation will determine when it is best to purchase or sell rather than the market alone. One significant financial asset is real estate. Just remember where it stands in relation to your overall financial plan. Working with a fee-only financial advisor could be a wise decision if you want objective counsel on how your next real estate deal will affect your entire financial situation.