Stephen Briganti Realtor

Stephen Briganti Realtor Real Estate Agent serving Upstate South Carolina with Nest Realty Greenville

01/04/2024

Thanks to all for the Birthday wishes!!!

01/13/2023

**OPEN HOUSE: SUNDAY JAN 15, 2023 from 2-4pm** Beautifully designed 3-bedroom 2 bath home in a great location. As you enter this home the custom design can’t help but impress. The two-story foyer and the entire back wall lined with French doors welcomes you into the home and provides an abundan

What's a ghost's favorite dessert? I-Scream! 🍦👻 Happy Halloween!
10/31/2022

What's a ghost's favorite dessert? I-Scream! 🍦👻 Happy Halloween!

With all the headlines and talk in the media about the shift in the housing market, you might be thinking this is a hous...
10/26/2022

With all the headlines and talk in the media about the shift in the housing market, you might be thinking this is a housing bubble. The good news is, there’s concrete data to show why this is nothing like the last time.

There were too many homes for sale during the housing crisis (many of which were short sales and foreclosures). That caused prices to fall dramatically. Supply has increased since the start of this year, but there’s still a shortage of inventory available, primarily due to almost 15 years of underbuilding homes.

There just isn’t enough inventory on the market for home prices to come crashing down like they did last time.

During the lead-up to the housing crisis, it was much easier to get a home loan than it is today. Back then, lending institutions took on much greater risk in both the person and the mortgage products offered.

Tighter lending standards over the past 14 years have helped prevent a scenario that would lead to a wave of foreclosures like the last time.

Another difference is the number of homeowners that were facing foreclosure after the housing bubble burst. Foreclosure activity has been lower since the crash, largely because buyers today are more qualified and less likely to default on their loans.

Homeowners today have options they just didn’t have in the housing crisis when so many people owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth. Today, many homeowners are equity rich. Homeowners are in a completely different position this time.

If you’re concerned we’re making the same mistakes that led to the housing crash, DM me and let's discuss the concrete data and expert insights clearly show why this is nothing like the last time.

Across the U.S., existing homes inventory is up. The city of Charlottesville, Virginia, for example, is up over 130% fro...
10/24/2022

Across the U.S., existing homes inventory is up. The city of Charlottesville, Virginia, for example, is up over 130% from its low-point six months ago. But that is still less than half of what was already a low inventory in late 2019. Now that inventory is beginning to rebound a bit, the percentage increase seems drastic. But the market still needs more inventory, and we are far from approaching a balanced market (indicated by a six month supply). Our advice? Hang in there and know that this is a normal market correction. Lean on your Nest agent to clarify what these fluctuations mean for you.

There may not be an official set of rules for attending open houses, but there are a few things first-time home buyers c...
10/22/2022

There may not be an official set of rules for attending open houses, but there are a few things first-time home buyers can do to be set up for success.

1) Get a pre-approval! Even if you're just browsing, you want to be prepared if you fall in love.

2) Research the neighborhoods you're thinking about buying in. When you attend an open house it's an opportunity to get to know the neighborhood.

3) Set your budget and stick to it. Even if you want to look at homes outside of your price range to get inspiration or ideas, you don't want to fall in love with a home that is $750K if you're pre-approved at $575K.

4) If you aren't represented by an agent already, now is the time to start interviewing! Remember that the agent who is showing the property represents the seller's interests, not yours.

5) Expect things to move quickly once you start your search. Even though the market has cooled off since last year, homes are still moving quickly and negotiations are still competitive. Buyers have more negotiating power today than you did a few months ago, but most markets favor the seller.

​Questions about the house hunting process and where to start? Drop me a message, I'd love to help you.

If you’re thinking about waiting for prices to crash before buying, then read this post first! Like many buyers I talk ...
10/20/2022

If you’re thinking about waiting for prices to crash before buying, then read this post first! Like many buyers I talk to, I’m wondering if you’re thinking about 2008…when the housing market did, indeed, well, crash. No question, it was a devastating time for many homeowners. BUT have you considered the possibility that 2022 is nothing like 2008? I really, truly think it is. Here’s why:

•What drove the crash in 2008 and sent home prices plummeting was the oversaturated market. There were WAY more homes than buyers. In 2022, it’s exactly the opposite. Inventory is low—and that's driving prices high.
•In 2008, getting a mortgage was as easy as ordering from DoorDash. Nowadays, there are much tighter regulations on the lending industry. Not just anyone can get a mortgage. That said, if you’re looking to buy, get pre-approved and then shop with confidence that you’re paperwork ready to buy a home.
•In 2008, there were 13.1 million adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) on the books. Today, there are around 2.5 million. That’s good news. Why? Fewer ARMs mean fewer homeowners are experiencing the sticker shock of a mortgage rate reset that typically raises the payment and can lead to mortgage hardship.
Wanna talk more? DM me, and let’s keep the conversation going! I’d love to share more about the current market.

10/18/2022

{Equity is the Shining Star of the Housing Market}
Today’s mortgage holders have more equity than ever before. Let’s connect to discuss how your equity can help you reach your homebuying goals.

10/18/2022

{Equity is the Shining Star of the Housing Market}

Today’s mortgage holders have more equity than ever before. Let’s connect to discuss how your equity can help you reach your homebuying goals.

Virtual House Hunters DREAM HOME POLL: Which house fits your ideal style??CLASSIC RANCHMODERN OASISCONDO IN THE CITYCUST...
10/15/2022

Virtual House Hunters DREAM HOME POLL: Which house fits your ideal style??

CLASSIC RANCH

MODERN OASIS

CONDO IN THE CITY

CUSTOM CRAFTSMAN

Tell me your pick in the comments!

As you set out to buy a home, saving for a down payment is likely top of mind. But you may still have questions about th...
10/12/2022

As you set out to buy a home, saving for a down payment is likely top of mind. But you may still have questions about the process, including how much to save and where to start.
If that sounds like you, your down payment could be more in reach than you originally thought. Here’s why.

>>The 20% Down Payment Myth

If you believe you have to put 20% down on a home, you may have based your goal on a common misconception. Freddie Mac explains:

“. . . nearly a third of prospective homebuyers think they need a down payment of 20% or more to buy a home. This myth remains one of the largest perceived barriers to achieving homeownership.”

Unless it’s specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down. According to the latest Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. There are even loan types, like FHA loans, with down payments as low as 3.5%, as well as options like VA loans and USDA loans with no down payment requirements for qualified applicants.

This is good news for you because it means you could be closer to your homebuying dream than you realize. For more information, turn to a trusted lender.

>>Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Be a Game Changer

A professional will be able to show you other options that could help you get closer to your down payment goal. According to latest Homeownership Program Index from downpaymentresource.com, there are over 2,000 homebuyer assistance programs in the U.S., and the majority are intended to help with down payments.

DM me today and make sure you have a trusted lender to help explore your options.



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Greenville, SC
29601-29617

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