Flat Fee Realty

06/05/2022

03/20/2020

As we go through tough times and uncertainty, the best thing I can provide as a Real Estate Broker is education and information.
You may have heard of the recent Fed rate cuts. A Fed rate cut does NOT equal lower mortgage rates. If mortgage lenders tell you otherwise, it is an unethical sales pitch and/or they are not well-versed. Currently, there is a log jam for Mortgage-Backed Securities (MBS). Most US home loans are bundled into securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (which provide 50% of the mortgage money in the US) and sold to investors. In other words, lenders have reached their capacity after the recent tidal wave of Refinance applications. Lenders have filled their balance sheets moving mortgage rates "artificially higher"... for the time being. The Feds will need to use their balance sheet to purchase MBS and not just cut federal rates in order for mortgage rates to drop back to historical levels.
Precautions for Sellers - Since it's likely that some sellers will hold off a while on putting their home on the market to avoid showings and an uncertain stock market, now is a better time than ever to put your house on the market. There will be less competition from other homes, and the serious buyers will still be out looking! Home prices are holding steady, plus we have everyone's attention online- when even more people can spend the time looking up homes! When scheduling showings, agents are now required to confirm that they and their clients are not known carriers of coronavirus. Sellers can provide shoe covers, gloves, and masks to buyers to wear during showings to reduce the spread of germs during a showing. Having all the lights already turned on will keep buyers from flipping switches on and off.
Precautions for Buyers - If a client has a compromised immune system, we can facilitate FaceTime showings and virtual open houses to still be able to view the homes.
Additionally, our real estate board has given us wording to add into contracts to protect our clients from any delays that may arise from businesses closing and/or effects of COVID-19. Home shopping now, while everyone else is in hiding, will help you beat out the feeding frenzy that will resume when people rebound.

03/01/2018

https://www.usinspect.com/blog/10-things-you-must-fix-selling-your-home/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=10+Things+You+Must+Fix+Before+Selling+Your+Home&utm_campaign=ININ+10+things+to+fix+180227

If you're planning to list your home for sale, now is the perfect time to fix odds and ends. Over the last 30 years, our inspectors have witnessed just about everything, whether representing buyers with our

12/09/2017

11/02/2017

https://www.facebook.com/realtor.com/posts/10156091700972871

It's easy to become overconfident in a seller's market. If you don't do a reality check, pronto, you could end up sabotaging your sale.

11/02/2017

https://www.facebook.com/realtor.com/posts/10156077791817871

The listing for the first house reflects the basement in the total square footage, and in the price. The second house only includes the square footage of the main floors. So, which listing is correct?

08/27/2017

Here's how to deal with a low appraisal: Do not panic, and then consider these four options.

07/15/2017

04/05/2017

It’s official, we’re a winner two year in a row!

03/15/2017

You're almost to the finish line. But first, your house has to ace the ultimate test: the home inspection. Are you prepared?