Tori Tuttle - Realtor

05/11/2024

Hot take: The best time to sell a home isn’t spring 🤯

There I said it!

It’s not when prices are high, rates are low, or when your partner, your mom, your best friend, or the guy on YouTube says you should. 

The best time to sell is when it’s right for you. It’s when selling and moving are part of your journey to the next chapter in your life. Full stop.
 
With that said, there are benefits to selling in each season, provided it’s right for you.

Of note: 

• I love to tell my spring sellers that homes sold in May net a 12.8% seller premium. That’s $$$ above the home’s market value. Plus, in the spring, curb appeal is best (sorry winter), and buyers are on the hunt.

• Extended daylight hours make it easier for buyers to schedule viewings and attend open houses after work or on weekends, making summer a great time to list. Plus, families with kids will always prefer a move in between school years.

• The decline in seller premiums typically begins in the fall around September, when it drops to just 8%. By then, most families with school-aged kids have bought and settled into the new school year so foot traffic definitely slows down.

The upside for fall sellers? They can sell and buy to host the holidays in their new home.

• With fewer homes on the market, my winter sellers get the chance to stand out. Plus, winter buyers are often relocating for work or personal reasons, making them more likely to make offers.

What season do you think is best? Drop an emoji
🌷for Spring
☀️ for Summer
🍂 for Fall
❄️ for Winter

Source: The Best and Worst Time To Sell A House | Bankrate

04/26/2024

It's been a while since I shared a bit about me and how I got here, so I thought I'd take a moment to do that!

Swipe through to learn more about why I got into real estate, my favorite things, and a few interesting tidbits you may not know.

Your turn—comment below and tell me something about you!! 🤩

04/22/2024

Move over, Taylor. 😉

04/21/2024

04/17/2024

Asking your lender this ONE question could save you big.

Does my loan have a pre-payment penalty?

Making just ONE extra payment each year can shave years off your mortgage term and save you thousands in interest.

Let’s look at a client with a 30-year mortgage of $400,000 at a 6% interest rate. Without extra payments, the total interest paid over the loan term is approximately $463,353

With ONE extra payment of $2,400 each year ($200/mo) the interest drops to $368,734, and the loan would be paid off 5 years earlier than the original term.

And the savings hitting their pocket? $94,619 over the life of the loan

BUT Make sure to ask your lender about pre-payment penalties (penalties can be steep - often 2% of the loan balance).

Check with your lender so you can save on your timeline.
And if you need a lender recommendation, send me a message!

04/13/2024

Make money while saving up for a down payment??

Yes, it's possible! And it's free, no-risk and you can withdraw the funds any time.

Here's the breakdown:

Compare keeping $50,000 in a regular checking account versus stashing it in a High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA) like SoFi, which offers an impressive 4.6% interest rate (at the time of sharing this post).

After 5 years, that $50,000 in a checking account might barely keep pace with inflation, while the same amount in a HYSA could potentially grow to over $60,000!

Plus, here's the kicker: HYSA deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, so your money is safe and protected until you need it.

Don't let your money sit idly in a checking account when it could be working for you.

Drop me a message and I'll send over my favorite HYSA available today.

04/09/2024

8 seconds.... ⏰

That’s the amount of time you have to make an impression on a potential buyer.

This is what my clients focused on to ensure they hit the mark from the get-go.

1. They got to work on curb appeal
With winter winding down, it was time to spruce up the exterior.

They did this by planting pops of spring flowers, refreshing mulch, and hiring a few helping hands to ensure their yard was free of debris, dead leaves, and drooping tree limbs.

2. They decluttered

Clutter can turn off buyers in seconds — I’ve seen it firsthand.

My clients took a critical look at their space and cleared countertops, tidied closets, and removed personal momentos to help buyers envision themselves living there.

I encourage my clients to put themselves in the shoes of a stranger walking through the house — what would they nix to create a more inviting atmosphere?

3. They agreed to staging

The final touch! My clients agreed to staging (with no out of pocket cost to them). The stagers brought in a few key pieces that tied the space together perfectly.

One reason I typically recommend it? It’s been reported that professionally staged homes spend 73% less time on the market compared to homes that haven’t been staged. (Real Estate Staging Association)

If you’re curious about what your home is worth in today’s market – Let’s find out! A CMA will provide you with a detailed assessment of your property’s value based on recent sales, market trends, and local expertise.

Send me a DM and I’ll reply with a personalized CMA! 📲🤩

03/20/2024

How do you know it’s the right time?

The right time to move on?

Spending many hours with sellers over the years, l’ve learned the telltale signs that it’s time for a change.

Here are a few questions to help you determine where you stand...

1. Has my home started to feel either too spacious or too snug? It’s like a little kid outgrowing their favorite outfit - your needs might have outgrown your home.

2. How is my home equity? If it’s standing strong, selling now could open the doors to a handsome profit, providing a solid foundation for your next purchase.

3. Is home maintenance starting to resemble a never-ending marathon I didn’t sign up for? If the chores outweigh the joys, it might be high time to find a home that demands less of your attention.

4. Have I recently been through a major life event? Be it diplomas, diapers, diamonds, divorce, or death, these major life shifts often call for a change in address.

If these questions have put your mind in motion, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you decipher your next steps.