Kaye Fain-HomeSmart Encore

03/27/2024

You fell in love with a house. You made an offer. It was accepted! Your mortgage process is going smoothly. The appraisal justified the price you paid. Everything is going perfect… …and then you had the home inspected, and the report made it sound like the place is falling apart, and it’s a ho...

09/17/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

Why Is Housing Inventory So Low?

One question that’s top of mind if you’re thinking about making a move today is: Why is it so hard to find a house to buy?

There aren’t enough homes available for sale, but that shortage isn’t just a today problem. It’s been a challenge for years. Let’s take a look at some of the long-term and short-term factors that have contributed to this limited supply.

Underbuilding Is a Long-Standing Problem

One of the big reasons inventory is low is because builders haven’t been building enough homes in recent years.

And while new home construction is back on track and meeting the historical average right now, the long-term inventory problem isn’t going to be solved overnight.

Today’s Mortgage Rates Create a Lock-In Effect

There are also a few factors at play in today’s...



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

One question that’s top of mind if you’re thinking about making a move today is: Why is it so hard to find a house to buy?

09/16/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

Plenty of Buyers Are Still Active Today [INFOGRAPHIC]

Holding off on selling your house because you believe there aren’t any buyers out there? Data shows buyers are still active, even with higher mortgage rates. This goes to show, people still want to buy homes, and those who can are moving now. Don’t delay your plan to sell for fear no one is buying. The opposite is true and buyer traffic is still strong today. Let’s connect to get your house in front of these buyers.



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

Holding off on selling your house because you believe there aren’t any buyers out there?

09/14/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

Should Baby Boomers Buy or Rent After Selling Their Houses?

Are you a baby boomer who’s lived in your current house for a long time and you’re ready for a change? If you’re thinking about selling your house, you have a lot to consider. Will you move to a different state or stay nearby? Is it time to downsize or do you want more space to accommodate your loved ones? But maybe the biggest consideration boils down to this – will you buy your next home or choose to rent instead?

That decision ultimately depends on your current situation and your future plans. Here are two important factors to help you decide what’s right for you.

Expect Rents to Keep Going Up

Rents have been going up consistently over the long run. If you choose to rent, there’s a risk your rental payment will go up each time you renew your...



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

Are you a baby boomer who’s lived in your current house for a long time and you’re ready for a change?

09/13/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

What Experts Project for Home Prices Over the Next 5 Years

If you're planning to buy a home, one thing to consider is what experts project home prices will do in the future and how that might affect your investment. While you may have seen negative news over the past year about home prices, they’re doing far better than expected and are rising across the country. And data shows, experts forecast home prices will keep appreciating.

Experts Project Ongoing Appreciation

Pulsenomics polled over 100 economists, investment strategists, and housing market analysts in the latest quarterly Home Price Expectation Survey (HPES). The results show what the panelists project will happen with home prices over the next five years.

If you’re someone who was worried home prices would fall because of stories you’ve read...



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

If you're planning to buy a home, one thing to consider is what experts project home prices will do in the future and how that might affect your investment.

09/12/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

Planning to Retire? Your Equity Can Help You Make a Move

Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities. As the door to this exciting chapter opens, one thing you may be considering is selling your house and finding a home better suited for your evolving needs.

Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few reasons why.

Consider How Long You’ve Been in Your Home

From 1985 to 2009, the average length of time homeowners stayed in their homes was roughly six years. But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number is higher today. Since 2010, the average home tenure is just over nine years.

This means many homeowners have been living in their houses even longer in recent...



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities.

09/11/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

Are headlines about the housing market leaving you with more questions than answers? That can make it tough when you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to buy or sell a home. For a clearer picture of today’s housing market, DM me for digital copies of these guides. They’re designed to make sure you have the information you need to make a confident decision.



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

09/10/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

Home Price Forecasts Revised for 2023 [INFOGRAPHIC]

Last year, some housing experts projected a decline in home prices by the end of 2023. But that didn’t happen – inventory was just too low. While it’s normal for experts to re-forecast throughout the year, the good news for 2023 is that prices are no longer projected to decrease. Let’s connect so you know what’s happening with home values in our local area.



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

Last year, some housing experts projected a decline in home prices by the end of 2023. But that didn’t happen – inventory was just too low. 

09/08/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

Get Ready for Smaller, More Affordable Homes

Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options? If so, here’s some good news, smaller, more affordable homes are on the way.

In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go to school, exercise, and more. Those who had that space were more likely to keep it. And those that didn’t were in a position where they were trying to sell their smaller house to move up to a larger one. That meant the homes coming to the market during the pandemic were smaller than those on the market before the pandemic – and that trend continues today.

Larger homes tend to come...



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options?

09/07/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

Mortgage Rates: Past, Present, and Possible Future

If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates. Since mortgage rates impact what you can afford when you take out a home loan – and affordability is a challenge today – it’s a good time to look at the big picture of where mortgage rates have been historically compared to where they are now.

Giving Context to the Sticker Shock

Mortgage rates have increased significantly since the start of last year. But even with that rise, today’s rates are still below the 52-year average.

That’s important because it explains why the recent jump in rates might have you feeling sticker shock even though they’re close to their long-term average. While many buyers have adjusted to the elevated rates over the past...



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.

If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates.

09/06/2023

Resales - Buy or Sell * New Homes * Investment

There’s a lot of negative headlines out there and they could leave you feeling a bit unsure about what’s actually happening in the housing market. Having the reliable expertise of a local real estate agent makes all the difference. Let's connect to make sure you have someone by your side who can help you figure out what’s true and what’s not and answer your burning questions.



I work personally with all my clients....buyers or sellers.