Donna Casteel Real Estate

07/09/2024

New listing today. Brookwood High School. 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms. Meticulously cared for, all brick Ranch. $374,900.

03/13/2023

Leverage Your Equity When You Sell Your House

One of the benefits of being a homeowner is that you build equity over time. By selling your house, that equity can be used toward purchasing your next home.

Bankrate explains it like this:

“Home equity is the portion of your home you’ve paid off – in other words, your stake in the property as opposed to the lender’s. In practical terms, home equity is the appraised value of your home minus any outstanding mortgage and loan balances.”

>>Majority of Americans Have a Large Amount of Equity
If you’ve owned your home for a while, you’ve likely built up some equity – and you may not even realize how much. Based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau and ATTOM, the majority of Americans have a substantial amount of equity right now.

And having such large amounts of equity is a benefit to homeowners in more ways than one. “Record levels of home...

One of the benefits of being a homeowner is that you build equity over time. 

03/12/2023

2 Things Sellers Need To Know This Spring

A lot has changed over the past year, and you might be wondering what’s in store for the spring housing market. If you’re planning to sell your house this season, here’s what real estate experts are saying you should keep in mind.
>> 1. Houses That Are Priced Right Are Still Selling
Houses that are updated and priced at their current market value are still selling. Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist at Zillow, says:
“. . . sellers who price and market their home competitively shouldn’t have a problem finding a buyer.”
The need to price your house right is so important today because the market has changed so much over the past year. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, explains:
“With a smaller pool of buyers today and more competition from other homes on the market, homesellers will likely need to adjust their price expectations in the market...

A lot has changed over the past year, and you might be wondering what’s in store for the spring housing market. 

03/11/2023

4 Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home

Are you planning to buy a home this spring? When you find the home you want to buy, remember these four tips to make your best offer.

>>1. Lean on a Real Estate Professional

Rely on an agent who can support your goals. Agents are local market experts. They know what’s worked for other buyers in your area and what sellers may be looking for in an offer. It may seem simple, but catering to what a seller needs can help your offer stand out.

>> 2. Know Your Budget
Understanding your budget is especially important right now. The best way to understand your numbers is to work with a lender so you can get pre-approved for a loan. It helps you be more financially confident, and it shows sellers you’re serious. That can give you a competitive edge.

>>3. Think Through Everything Before Making an Offer
Today’s market isn’t moving at the record pace it did...

Are you planning to buy a home this spring?

03/10/2023

Buying a Home May Make More Sense Than Renting [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some HighlightsIf you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home, there are a few things you should consider.Homeownership can help you escape the cycle of rising rents, builds your wealth, and serves as a hedge against inflation.

03/08/2023

Could a Multigenerational Home Be the Right Fit for You?

During the pandemic, many of us reexamined the meaning of home for ourselves and our loved ones. Today, that can be seen in the recent rise in multigenerational households. According to Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Economic Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

“Multi-generational buying may be a home where families live in the same home with elderly parents, children who have boomeranged back home, or other extended family members. While this is not a new concept of living, it is one which has gained recent popularity.”

And citing data from Pew Research Center, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says:

“. . . multigenerational living has made a comeback in recent years, particularly after the 2008 financial crisis and during the pandemic.”

So, if buying a multigenerational home has crossed your...

During the pandemic, many of us reexamined the meaning of home for ourselves and our loved ones. 

03/06/2023

Is It Really Better To Rent Than To Own a Home Right Now?

You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s better to rent right now than it is to own your home. But before you let that impact your decisions, you should understand what these claims are based on.

A lot of the time, these reports are assuming things that aren’t realistic for the average household. For example, the methodology behind one of those reports says that renting is the smarter financial option because of the opportunity to invest money elsewhere. It assumes renters take the money they’d spend on costs tied to buying a home and put it in an investment portfolio.

But here’s the thing – most people who rent aren’t making those investments. Ken Johnson, Co-Author of the BH&J National Price-to-Rent Index, explains:

“One of the difficulties with the rent and reinvest model is many people . . . simply rent and...

You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s better to rent right now than it is to own your home. But before you let that impact your decisions, you should understand what these claims are based on.

03/05/2023

What You Should Know About Rising Mortgage Rates

After steadily falling over the winter, mortgage rates have started to rise in recent weeks. This is concerning to some potential homebuyers as the combination of higher mortgage rates and higher prices have made homes less affordable. If you’re planning to purchase a home this year, you too may be wondering if now’s the right time to buy or if you should hold off on your search until rates come back down.

The recent uptick in rates has been driven by what’s happening with inflation. Joel Kan, Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), explains:

“Mortgage rates increased across the board last week, pushed higher by market expectations that inflation will persist, thus requiring the Federal Reserve to keep monetary policy restrictive for a longer time.”

>>Advice for Home Shoppers

If you’re thinking...

After steadily falling over the winter, mortgage rates have started to rise in recent weeks. This is concerning to some potential homebuyers as the combination of higher mortgage rates and higher prices have made homes less affordable. So, if you’re planning to purchase a home this year, you too m...

03/04/2023

Where Will You Go After You Sell Your House? [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re thinking of selling your house, be sure to explore all the options you have for your next home. Both newly built homes and existing homes offer plenty of unique benefits. If you have questions about the options in our area, DM me and let’s discuss what’s available and what’s right for you.

Some Highlights If you’re thinking of selling your house, be sure to explore all the options you have for your next home. Both newly built homes and existing homes offer plenty of unique benefits.

03/03/2023

Equity Gains for Today’s Homeowners

Today’s homeowners are sitting on significant equity, even as home price appreciation has eased recently. If you’re a homeowner, your net worth got a boost over the past few years thanks to rising home prices. Here’s what it means for you, even as the market moderates.

>>How Equity Has Grown in Recent Years

Because of the imbalance between how many homes were for sale and the number of homebuyers in the market over the past few years, home prices appreciated substantially.

And while price appreciation has slowed this year, that doesn’t mean you’ve lost all the equity in your home. In fact, the latest Homeowner Equity Insights report from CoreLogic finds the average homeowner’s equity has grown by $34,300 over the past year alone.

And if you’ve been in your home longer than that, chances are you have even more equity than you realize.

>>Why This Is...

Today’s homeowners are sitting on significant equity, even as home price appreciation has eased recently. If you’re a homeowner, your net worth got a boost over the past few years thanks to rising home prices. Here’s what it means for you, even as the market moderates.

03/01/2023

An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your House

If you’re thinking of selling your house, it’s important to work with someone who understands how the market is changing and what it means for you.

>>1. They’re Experts on Market Trends

An expert real estate advisor knows about national trends and your local area too. More importantly, they’ll give insight to what all of this means for you, so they’ll be able to help you make a decision based on trustworthy, data-bound information.

>>2. A Local Professional Knows How To Set the Right Price for Your Home

Real estate professionals look at a variety of factors, like the condition of your home and any upgrades you’ve made, with an unbiased eye. They compare your house to recently sold homes in your area to find the best price for today’s market so your house sells quickly.

>>3. A Real Estate Advisor Helps Maximize Your Pool of...

If you’re thinking of selling your house, it’s important to work with someone who understands how the market is changing and what it means for you. Here are five reasons working with a professional can ensure you’ll get the most out of your sale.

02/27/2023

One Major Benefit of Investing in a Home

One of the many reasons to buy a home is that it’s a major way to build wealth and gain financial stability. According to Freddie Mac:

“Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership that can help you create financial stability.”

With spring approaching, now’s a great time to consider if buying a home makes sense for you. The best way to figure that out is to talk with a trusted real estate professional.

>>The Largest Part of Most Homeowners’ Net Worth Is Their Equity

You may be surprised to learn just how much of a homeowner’s net worth actually comes from owning their home. Scholastica Gay Cororaton, Research Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), shares:

“Homeownership is the largest source of wealth among families, with the median value of a primary residence...

One of the many reasons to buy a home is that it’s a major way to build wealth and gain financial stability. According to Freddie Mac: