Norma Flores B&W

09/25/2023

Beginning with Pre-Approval

If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some competition among buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there are ways to navigate these waters. The first thing you’ll want to do is get pre-approved for a mortgage. That way you’ll know your numbers and can set yourself up for success from the start of your home search.

What Pre-Approval Does for You

Basically, pre-approval gives you critical information about the homebuying process that’ll help you understand how much you may be able to borrow. Why does this help you, especially today? With higher mortgage rates and home prices impacting affordability for many buyers right now, a solid understanding of your numbers is even more important so you can truly wrap your...

If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know.

09/24/2023

How Remote Work Helps with Your House Hunt [INFOGRAPHIC]

While remote work peaked during the pandemic, many people still work from home today. If you’re one of them, it could have an unexpected benefit when you’re looking to buy a home. If you can work from home, you might have more choices for where to live. DM me to talk about your options and what's most important to you.

While remote work peaked during the pandemic, many people still work from home today.

09/23/2023

Don’t delay your plan to sell your house out of fear no one is buying - the facts tell a different story. According to the latest Showing Time Showing Index, buyer activity is still higher than it would be in more normal years, even with today’s mortgage rates. Let's chat about how we can get your home listed and in front of these enthusiastic buyers.

09/22/2023

The mortgage pre-approval process is one of the most important steps you can take as a homebuyer. It helps you understand what you can borrow, and it shows sellers you’re serious about buying their home. If you want to make sure you really know your numbers and stand out from other buyers, connect with a lender to begin the process.

09/21/2023

Americans are sitting on tremendous equity these days. Nearly two-thirds of homeowners have at least 50% equity – and that much equity can be a real game changer. If you sell your current house, you can use your equity towards your down payment. You may even have enough to buy your next home in cash. Curious about how much equity you have? Let’s chat.

09/20/2023

Remote Work Is Changing How Some Buyers Search for Their Dream Homes

The way Americans work has changed in recent years, and remote work is at the forefront of this shift. Experts say it’ll continue to be popular for years to come and project that 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025. To give you some perspective, that's a 417% increase compared to the pre-pandemic years when there were just 7 million remote workers.

If you’re in the market to buy a home and you work remotely either full or part-time, this trend is a game-changer. It can help you overcome some of today’s affordability and housing inventory challenges.

How Remote Work Helps with Affordability

Remote or hybrid work allows you to change how you approach your home search.

If you're thinking about moving, having this kind of location flexibility can boost your chances of finding a home that fits your budget. Work with your agent to cast a wider net that includes...

The way Americans work has changed in recent years, and remote work is at the forefront of this shift.

09/19/2023

Your Home Equity Can Offset Affordability Challenges

Are you thinking about selling your house? If so, today’s mortgage rates may be making you wonder if that’s the right decision. Some homeowners are reluctant to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on their next home. If you’re worried about this too, know that even though rates are high right now, so is home equity. Here’s what you need to know.

Equity is how much your home is worth now, minus what you still owe on your home loan.

How Much Equity Do Homeowners Have Now?

Recently, your equity has been growing faster than you might think. That’s because, over the past few years, home prices went up significantly – and those rising prices helped your equity to accumulate faster than usual. While the market has started to normalize, there are still more people wanting to buy homes than there are homes available for sale. This high demand is causing home prices to go up again.

According to the...

Are you thinking about selling your house?

09/18/2023

Plenty of Buyers Are Still Active Today [INFOGRAPHIC]

Holding off on selling your house because you believe there aren’t any buyers out there? Data shows buyers are still active, even with higher mortgage rates. This goes to show, people still want to buy homes, and those who can are moving now. Don’t delay your plan to sell for fear no one is buying. The opposite is true and buyer traffic is still strong today. Let’s connect to get your house in front of these buyers.

Holding off on selling your house because you believe there aren’t any buyers out there?

09/17/2023

Early signs show the number of people putting their houses up for sale may be trending up, which is a bit unusual for this time of year. While inventory is still low, you may want to put your house on the market before it has more competition from other sellers. DM me today and let’s work together to get your house sold before your neighbors list theirs.

09/16/2023

Affordability is a top priority for many buyers, especially with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. If you work remotely either full or part-time, broadening your search to include other nearby areas could be the key to finding your dream home within your budget. DM me today to explore all your options.

09/15/2023

If you’ve recently retired, you may be trying to decide what you want to do after you sell your current house. You're likely wondering whether to buy your next home or opt for a rental. Here’s what you should know. Buying comes with significant advantages that renting just can't match. DM me so we can chat about finding a home that better fits your changing needs.

09/14/2023

Should Baby Boomers Buy or Rent After Selling Their Houses?

Are you a baby boomer who’s lived in your current house for a long time and you’re ready for a change? If you’re thinking about selling your house, you have a lot to consider. Will you move to a different state or stay nearby? Is it time to downsize or do you want more space to accommodate your loved ones? But maybe the biggest consideration boils down to this – will you buy your next home or choose to rent instead?

That decision ultimately depends on your current situation and your future plans. Here are two important factors to help you decide what’s right for you.

Expect Rents to Keep Going Up

Rents have been going up consistently over the long run. If you choose to rent, there’s a risk your rental payment will go up each time you renew your lease. Having a higher rental expense may not be something you want to deal with every year.

Freddie Mac sums it up like this: “. . . homeowners...

Are you a baby boomer who’s lived in your current house for a long time and you’re ready for a change?