Rachel Bader Group

11/25/2022

Home Sweet Home: The Emotional Benefits of Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]

While there are many financial perks to owning a home, there are also powerful non-financial benefits to consider if you’re thinking about making a move. Homeownership allows you to express yourself, gives you greater privacy and comfort, enhances your connection to your community and loved ones, and is an achievement to feel proud of. DM me today to discuss all that homeownership has to offer.

Some Highlights While there are many financial perks to owning a home, there are also powerful non-financial benefits to consider if you’re thinking about making a move. Homeownership allows you to express yourself, gives you greater privacy and comfort, enhances your connection to your community ...

11/24/2022

Thank You for Your Support

Thank you for your support.

11/23/2022

What Buyers Need To Know About the Inventory of Homes Available for Sale

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’re likely trying to juggle your needs, current mortgage rates, home prices, your schedule, and more to try to decide if you want to jump into the market.

According to Calculated Risk, for the week ending in November 18th, there were 47.7% more homes available for sale than there were at the same time in 2021. And having more options for your home search may be exactly what you need to feel confident about making a move.

>>What Caused the Growth in Housing Inventory This Year?

The increase we’ve seen in housing supply this year isn’t from the source you think it is. Rather than an influx of recent homeowners listing their houses for sale (known as new listings), the primary reason the supply has grown is because homes are staying on the market a bit longer (known as active listings).

That’s happening because higher mortgage rates...

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’re likely trying to juggle your needs, current mortgage rates, home prices, your schedule, and more to try to decide if you want to jump into the market.

11/22/2022

What Homeowners Want To Know About Selling in Today’s Market

If you’re thinking about selling your house, you’re likely hearing about the cooling housing market and wondering what that means for you. While it's not the peak intensity we saw during the pandemic, we’re still in a sellers’ market.

Here are a few things experts say today’s sellers need to consider.

>>Be Willing To Negotiate

This year, the supply of homes for sale has increased as the market cooled. Even though inventory is still low overall, buyers today have more options, and with that comes more negotiation power.

As a seller, that means you may see more buyers getting an inspection, requesting repairs, or asking for help with closing costs today.

>>Price Your Home at Market Value

Pricing your house appropriately so you can catch the eyes of serious buyers is important.

You don’t want to overreach with your price and deter buyers. At the same time, you don’t want to...

If you’re thinking about selling your house, you’re likely hearing about the cooling housing market and wondering what that means for you. While it's not the peak intensity we saw during the pandemic, we’re still in a sellers’ market. That means you haven’t missed your window. Realtor.com ...

11/21/2022

Mortgage Rates Will Come Down, It’s Just a Matter of Time

Over the past nine months, we’ve seen fewer homes sold than the previous month as home price growth has slowed. This is because the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has doubled this year, severely limiting homebuying power for consumers. This month, the average rate for financing a home briefly rose over 7% before coming back down into the high 6% range. But we’re starting to see a hint of what mortgage interest rates could look like next year.

As long as inflation is high, we’ll see higher mortgage rates. Recently, we’ve seen indications that inflation may be cooling, giving us a glimpse into what may happen in the future. The mortgage market is eagerly awaiting positive news on inflation. As Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda, says, “The housing market is expected to face continued uncertainty heading into 2023 as consumers, financial markets, and policymakers work through their...

This past year, rising mortgage rates have slowed the red-hot housing market. Over the past nine months, we’ve seen fewer homes sold than the previous month as home price growth has slowed. All of this is due to the fact that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has doubled this year, severely ...

11/18/2022

Should You Update Your House Before You Sell? Ask a Real Estate Professional. [INFOGRAPHIC]

You may be wondering what needs to be renovated before you sell your house. In today’s shifting market, making your house appealing is more important than ever. That’s why it’s essential to lean on a real estate professional who has in-depth knowledge of today’s housing market. They know what buyers are looking for and how to highlight any upgrades you make. DM me so you know where to focus your efforts so your house will stand out in a today’s market.

Some Highlights You may be wondering what needs to be renovated before you sell your house. In today’s shifting market, making your house appealing is more important than ever. That’s why it’s essential to lean on a real estate professional who has in-depth knowledge of today’s housing marke...

11/17/2022

More People Are Finding the Benefits of Multigenerational Households Today

The Pew Research Center defines a multigenerational household as a home with two or more adult generations. And the number of individuals choosing multigenerational living has increased over the past 50 years.

As you consider this option for your own home search, know it could help you on your homeownership journey and provide you with other incredible benefits along the way.

>>Living with Loved Ones Could Help You Achieve Your Homeownership Goals

There are several reasons people choose to live in a multigenerational household, and for many, the arrangement is a personal one. But according to the Pew Research Center, the top reason people choose to live together today is financial.

A recent study from Freddie Mac also finds more people are choosing to buy a home together so they can save money in the homebuying process.

For these individuals, combining their resources can help...

If you’re thinking of buying a home and living with siblings, parents, or grandparents, then multigenerational living may be for you. The Pew Research Center defines a multigenerational household as a home with two or more adult generations. And the number of individuals choosing multigenerational...

11/16/2022

Top Questions About Selling Your Home This Winter

There’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season, and that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house.

>>1. Should I Wait To Sell?

Even though the supply of homes for sale has increased in 2022, inventory is still low overall. That means it’s still a sellers’ market.

While buyers have regained some negotiation power as inventory has grown, you haven’t missed your window to sell. Your house could still stand out since inventory is low, especially if you list now while other sellers hold off until after the holiday rush and the start of the new year.

>>2. Are Buyers Still Out There?

If you’re thinking of selling your house but are hesitant because you’re worried buyer demand has disappeared in the face of higher mortgage rates, know that isn’t the case for everyone. While demand has eased this year, millennials are still...

There’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season, and that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house. Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that helps answer them – so you can make a confident d...

11/15/2022

Why It May Be Time To Add Newly Built Homes to Your Search

If you put a pause on your home search because you weren’t sure where you’d go once you sold your house, it might be a good time to get back into the market. If you’re willing to work with a trusted agent to consider a newly built home, you may have even more options and incentives than you realize.

>>More Options To Choose from and Potential Builder Incentives

While the inventory of existing homes has increased this year, it’s still below more typical years like 2019. While it’s a smaller segment of the overall inventory of homes for sale, the supply of newly built homes has grown even more.

Because the inventory of newly built homes has grown so much, builders are motivated to sell their properties before they build more. Back in the housing crash of 2008, builders were building too many homes, and that oversupply is part of what contributed to the housing bubble bursting. Now...

If you put a pause on your home search because you weren’t sure where you’d go once you sold your house, it might be a good time to get back into the market. If you’re willing to work with a trusted agent to consider a newly built home, you may have even more options and incentives than you re...

11/14/2022

Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today

Experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like we saw back in 2008, and that’s good news for the housing market. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says:

“. . . don’t expect a housing bust like the mid-2000s, as lending standards in this housing cycle have been much tighter and homeowners have historically high levels of home equity, so there likely won’t be a surge in foreclosures.”

But even though the volume of homeowners at risk is very low, there is still a small percentage of homeowners who may be coming face to face with foreclosure as a possibility today.

The good news is there are alternatives available to help you avoid going through the foreclosure process, including:

• Reinstatement
• Loan modification
• Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure
• Short sale

But before you go down any of those paths, it’s worth seeing if you have enough...

Experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like we saw back in 2008, and that’s good news for the housing market. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says:

11/12/2022

VA Loans: Making Homes for the Brave Achievable [INFOGRAPHIC]

VA Loans can help make homeownership possible for those who have served our country. These loans offer great benefits for eligible individuals and can help them buy a VA-approved house or condo, build a new home, or make improvements to their house. Homeownership is the American Dream. One way we can honor and thank our veterans is to ensure they have the best information about the benefits of VA home loans.

Some Highlights VA Loans can help make homeownership possible for those who have served our country. These loans offer great benefits for eligible individuals and can help them buy a VA-approved house or condo, build a new home, or make improvements to their house. Homeownership is the American Drea...

11/10/2022

VA Loans Can Help Veterans Achieve Their Dream of Homeownership

For over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes of their own. If you or a loved one have served, it’s important to understand this program and its benefits.
Here are some things you should know about VA loans before you start the homebuying process.

VA home loans provide a pathway to homeownership for those who have served our nation.

Top Benefits of the VA Home Loan Program

In addition to helping eligible buyers achieve their homeownership dreams, VA loans have several other great benefits for buyers who qualify. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs:

• Qualified borrowers can often purchase a home with no down payment.
• Many other loans with down payments under 20% require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). VA Loans do not require PMI, which means veterans can save on their monthly housing...

For over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes of their own. If you or a loved one have served, it’s important to understand this program and its benefits.