Natasha Brkovic Real Estate

09/24/2023

If you know, you know 😊

10/27/2022

What happens to housing when there is a recession? Mortgage rates typically fall. Looking at recessions in the US going back to 1980, this graph shows each time the economy slowed down mortgage rates decreased. The bottom line: history shows you don’t need to fear the word recession when it comes to the housing market. If you have questions about what’s happening today, let’s connect so you have expert advice and insights you can trust.

10/22/2022

As the housing market cools in response to the dramatic rise in mortgage rates, home price appreciation is cooling as well. While opinions differ, the most likely outcome is we’ll fall somewhere in the middle of slight appreciation and slight depreciation. This graph shows the most up-to-date forecasts from five experts in the housing industry. While there isn't a clear consensus, if you take the average (shown in green) of all five of these forecasts, the most likely outcome is, nationally, home price appreciation will be flat next year.

Shafran Realty Group | eXp Realty

04/28/2022

04/19/2022

Pre-Approval Is an Important Step for Today’s Homebuyers. Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home this season. That’s why pre-approval is so important today. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Peter Warden, Editor of The Mortgage Reports, explains:

“The lender will check out your personal finances and issue you a letter confirming the amount you’re eligible to borrow. This not only gives you a firm budget for house hunting, but also lets sellers know you’re qualified to make an offer.”

Why does that matter so much today? There are many more buyers looking for homes today than there are homes available for sale, and that’s creating some serious competition. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average home is getting 4.8 offers per sale. As a result, bidding wars are still common.

Your pre-approval gives you a leg up in these situations. That’s because you know exactly what you’re approved to borrow before you write your offer, and it lets the seller know you’re qualified to buy their home. This helps both you and the seller feel confident in what you’re bringing to the table. And that puts you in a better position to potentially win a bidding war.

Every advantage you can gain as a buyer is crucial in a market that’s constantly changing. Mortgage rates are rising, home prices are going up, and lending institutions are regularly updating their standards. You’re going to need guidance to navigate these waters, so it’s important to have a team of professionals, such as a loan officer and a trusted real estate advisor, on your side. They’ll help make sure you’re ready to put your best foot forward.

Bottom Line
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage helps you better understand what you can afford and signals to sellers you’re serious about purchasing their home.

04/12/2022

Five reasons why selling your home with a real estate professional makes more sense, even in todays hot market.

1. I know what buyers want to see & which projects and repairs to take on to make sure your house shows well.

2. I help maximize your buyer pool through my marketing methods because buyer competition can drive your final sales price higher.

3. I understand contracts and the fine print because I know exactly what the paperwork means, and how to work through it efficiently.

4. I am a trained negotiator and know what levers to pull, and how to address everyone’s concerns.

5. I know how to set the right price for your house, because if you sell on your own, you may over or undershoot your asking price.

Bottom line: There’s a lot that goes into selling your house. Instead of tackling it alone, let’s connect so you have an expert on your side throughout the entire process.

03/26/2022

There are three things that seem certain going into the spring housing market:

1. Mortgage rates will continue to rise
2. The selection of homes available for sale will modestly improve
3. Home prices will continue to appreciate, just at a slightly slower pace
If you're thinking of buying, act now before mortgage rates and home prices increase further. If you're thinking of selling, your best bet may be to sell soon so you can beat the increase in competition that's about to come to market.

03/26/2022

SOLD! Just closed escrow on this beautiful home in Carlsbad. Huge congratulations to my lucky buyers! I helped them craft an offer that beat out 7 other offers!

03/25/2022

Spent an amazing few hours at The Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad yesterday afternoon. Decompressing and spending quality time with my daughter for a special birthday. And we came across this Reflexology Path in the Spa courtyard.

The theory behind the ancient Chinese art of reflexology is that areas of the foot correspond to the energy of specific organs and systems of the body. Pressure applied to the foot is believed to bring relaxation and healing to those corresponding areas.

So I couldn’t resist. The Reflexology Path at the spa consists of smooth beach stones embedded in concrete, laid in varying patterns to provide stimulation to the feet. Walking barefoot along these stones provides gentle, yet deep-working therapy, stimulating acupressure points in the feet, which are connected to various energy meridians of the body, thus increasing overall blood flow, and relieving stress.

The stimulation of the reflex zones may initially create pain and soreness. If you feel pain, which is natural in the beginning, breath it out. The end goal is to massage all the parts of your feet. After a while, you will feel better and it won’t hurt as much.

Tips for Walking a Reflexology Path

1. Walk each section of the path at your own pace and breath slowly. Your feet may be tender at first, so start with just a few steps.
2. For the best acupressure effect, walk barefoot, in socks or with soft-soled shoes.
3. Use the hand-railing for balance assistance and for rocking exercises to the arch of the foot.
4. After walking the reflexology path, drink water to help flush away toxins

“To walk in this way, we have to notice each step. Each step made in mindfulness can bring us back to the here and the now. Go slowly. Mindfulness lights our way. We don’t rush. With each breath we may take just one step. We may have run all our life, but now we don’t have to run anymore.”
- Thich Nhat Hanh

02/16/2022

Sorry but it already went pending.

02/06/2022

Spent some quality time in Escondido today. Loving the vibrant art scene. Check out these amazing murals which are part of the Esco Alley Art project in downtown off Grand Avenue, in the alley of the block between Broadway and Maple. Excited about their next phase which will include the block between Broadway and Kalmia. Escondido has one of the few remaining authentic downtown historic districts complete with vintage buildings filled with eclectic shops, galleries, parks, and amazing restaurants. Come check it out!

02/04/2022

If your workplace is delaying its return to office plans or is allowing permanent work from home options, that may open up new possibilities for your home search. Ongoing remote work could give you the chance for a change in scenery, a move to an area with a lower cost of living, or finding a home with more home office space.

- 19% of sellers say they’re moving because they’re not tied to the office anymore.

- 69% of buyers are prioritizing home offices in their search.

Seize the opportunity to move to your dream location. Let’s connect to discuss your situation and priorities for your home search.