Erica Bader Real Estate

02/21/2023

There's been a shift in the housing market... the volatility of interest rates has slowed down the market and created increased price sensitivity among many buyers. Paired with the low inventory, many buyers have questioned whether or not this is the year to buy a home. I'm here to tell you that this market is our new normal for the unforeseen future. Experts and economists are expecting interest rates to continue to fluctuate, and the inventory shortage to remain, as a result of the imbalance of supply and demand.

In this ever-evolving market, it's more important than ever to have a knowledgeable agent on your side to help guide you and educate you through the most important transaction of your life. If you're not happy with your current agent, you CAN break up with them. You shouldn't ever feel like you're stuck.

Remember, the media is NOT your local housing market expert. There’s no such thing as the “right” time to buy or sell. So the next time the media's "scare tactics" make you doubt if now is the right time to make a move, send me a message, and let's chat about your specific goals. I always have my finger on the pulse of what is going on in the market, and would love to help you achieve your dream of homeownership this year!

Contact me today with any of your real estate needs!

02/18/2023

This is your sign to STOP ⚠️ using (inaccurate) online mortgage calculators!

They’re a great place to start, but relying on inaccurate (or incomplete) information may cause unnecessary frustration and confusion. It’s not just “interest rate” and “loan balance" that go into an estimate.

Here are just a few reasons why you should contact a trusted lender for an estimate rather than relying on the one you find online:

• Most Mortgage Calculators Assume You’re Putting 20% Down.
Fees/closing costs, and interest rates all change depending on your downpayment, and most buyers don't plan on putting down 20%.

• Most online estimates provide users with a best-case scenario estimate.
This means they don’t factor in every expense. You may have additional closing costs or fees, depending on your loan product, such as property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, escrow, and prepaids, along with mortgage insurance (if not already paid). You may also be responsible for an HOA or Condo fee. Every lender has different fees depending on loan type, loan term, and many other factors.

• Mortgage Calculators Can’t Predict Your Interest Rate.
Similar to how online calculators assume you’re going to put 20% down, they also automatically populate the best rate available. This is misleading. Your Interest rate will depend on your credit score, loan type / term, and downpayment.

It’s important to have a thorough understanding of what you can expect, this way you can put together a proper strategy to move forward with your dream home.

If you're interested in getting a reliable estimate, message me — I'd love to help!

02/15/2023

A wonderful review from a recent client 🤍

Having worked with her son and his wife & now her and her husband, they have become great friends of mine. Assisting clients with buying or selling their homes is much more than a simple transaction, it is the relationships built along they way that go beyond the closing table.

If you are looking to buy, sell, or chat about the changing market I am always available! 😊

03/08/2022

ℝ𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣!
Your monthly homeowner checklist. ✔️📋

March is the perfect time to deep clean everything — including your baseboards & windows (trust me, it needs to be done!). It is also a good time to have your a/c unit serviced.

Save this post for later and pick 1 or 2 off the list every weekend! What are you tackling first?

08/10/2021

Offer Accepted! 🎉

Congratulations to my buyers on getting their offer accepted today on this beautiful 4 bedroom 4.1 bath 6,000 sq ft home in Landenberg, PA.

The market is still a strong sellers market but the interest rates are still low making it a great time to buy! Have any questions about the buying/selling process? Let’s chat ☕️

08/09/2021

When discussing the value of your home, you will typically hear the terms 𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎
and 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚎𝚝 𝚟𝚊𝚕𝚞𝚎 – so what is the difference?

Market value is the price a buyer is willing to pay for a property, and the appraised value is the professional opinion of an appraiser, hired by the lender when obtaining a mortgage. The appraised value of a property can often differ significantly from the market value of a home, especially in today's hot market with multiple offers and bidding wars.

An appraisal is a property valuation that is determined based on recent sale prices of homes in the surrounding area or neighborhood. An appraisal can ultimately influence a home's sales price because it is in place to determine the amount of financing you can obtain through a mortgage. Mortgage companies require an appraisal because they need to verify that the home is worth the price you are paying for the home, and it is conducted as a safeguard that helps ensure lenders don’t extend loans for more than homes are worth.

In our current market, appraised value versus market value has come up more than ever before. It is important that your agent educates you on the difference between the two, as it can cause serious issues if the appraisal comes in lower than the purchase price.

Whether you are thinking of buying or selling, I would love to be your resource and advocate. Give me a call or shoot me a message, I would be happy to answer any and all questions you have about the process!

07/02/2021

ℝ𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣!

Your monthly homeowner to-do list. ✔️📋

Like most household items, smoke detectors wear out over time and don't work as well as they should, which is why it is important to replace them every ten years (not just the batteries!) Just bought a house? Replace the smoke detectors. You have no way of knowing how old they are, and it's a small investment that could save your life.

Save this post for later and pick 1 or 2 off the list every weekend! What are you tackling first?

05/07/2021

𝚂𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐?
With rent prices continuing to increase, and interest rates at record lows, you may want to consider buying a home.

There are a few things to consider, however, before you start the process of making a move from paying your landlord to paying your mortgage.

𝟷. 𝙵𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜.
Talk to a lender, check your credit score, review your budget to determine a price range, and learn about the costs associated with buying a home.

𝟸. 𝙵𝚒𝚐𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚌𝚞𝚛𝚛𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎.
When does your lease end? Do you have a plan for "in-between" in case you have a gap before closing? Do you have enough time to find a new home before your lease is up, or do you need to make other arrangements, or extend your lease?

𝟹. 𝙱𝚞𝚍𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚘𝚠𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙.
Make sure you understand the costs associated with homeownership. Do you have savings/an emergency fund for unforeseen repairs and other expenses? How much do you want to have saved before you buy?

Homeownership is a form of ‘forced savings.’ Every time you pay your mortgage, you are contributing to your net worth by increasing the equity in your home. Whereas every time you pay your rent, you are increasing your landlord's equity.

So if you’re done paying your landlord’s mortgage, let’s chat. Send me message and we’ll get you started investing in YOUR future. You may be able to afford more than you think!

05/05/2021

What would make tacos even better? 🌮 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

If you're thinking about making a move this year, make yourself a nice big margarita and then send me a message to receive a copy of my free home buyer guide! 😊

05/04/2021

Check out this great article on creating a healthy home 🥰

If you want to reduce home toxins but aren't sure where to start, here are eight easy ways you can reduce toxins and create a healthy home.

05/01/2021

ℝ𝕖𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣!

Your monthly homeowner to-do list. ✔️📋

As you prepare your home for the warmer weather, it’s not uncommon to see pesky bugs make their first appearance of the season. 🐜 But did you know? Many pests, including termites, are practically invisible, which is why it is so important to have regular pest inspections. If you live in an older home, most pest control companies recommend quarterly inspections. Protect your home and family by being proactive instead of reactive.

Save this post for later and pick 1 or 2 off the list every weekend! What are you tackling first?