Dion Winston Riley, Realtor

03/06/2024

05/05/2023

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Have fun and please remember to celebrate responsibly.

05/01/2023

Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today

Wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the Census shows rents have been climbing pretty steadily since 1988.

And, data from the latest rental report from Realtor.com shows rents continue to grow today, even though it’s at a slower pace than we saw at the height of the pandemic. With rents much higher now than they were in more normal, pre-pandemic years, owning your home may be a better option, especially if the long-term trend of rents increasing each year continues. In contrast, homeowners with a fixed-rate mortgage can lock in a monthly mortgage payment for the duration of their loan (typically 15-30 years).
In addition to shielding you from rising rents and being more...

Wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year?

04/28/2023

The number of houses being listed for sale is even lower than it was in the same period in previous years. If you’re thinking about selling, consider making your move this spring while you may have less competition from other sellers. DM me to learn more about why selling now may make sense for you.

04/27/2023

Home inspections are popular again, and that means buyers are likely to require one before purchasing your house. As you get ready to sell, let’s work together to make sure you’re prepared for what an inspection will cover.

04/26/2023

The Three Factors Affecting Home Affordability Today

There’s been a lot of focus on higher mortgage rates and how they’re creating affordability challenges for today’s homebuyers. It’s true that rates climbed dramatically since the record-low we saw during the pandemic. But home affordability is based on more than just mortgage rates – it’s determined by a combination of mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.

Considering how each one of these factors is changing gives you the full picture of home affordability today. Here’s the latest.

>>Mortgage Rates: While mortgage rates are higher than they were a year ago, they’ve hovered primarily between 6% and 7% for nearly eight months now with some volatility during that time. And even a small change in mortgage rates impacts your purchasing power.

>>Home Prices: Over the past few years, home prices appreciated rapidly as the record-low mortgage rates we saw during the pa...

There’s been a lot of focus on higher mortgage rates and how they’re creating affordability challenges for today’s homebuyers.

04/25/2023

More baby boomers are buying homes right now than any other generation. The main reason why? Because they’re homeowners who have built up equity they can use to power their next move. DM me to figure out how much equity you have and how you can leverage it.

04/24/2023

The Power of Pre-Approval

If you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge. With so few homes on the market right now, plus higher mortgage rates, it’s essential to have a firm grasp on your homebuying budget. You’ll also need a sense of determination to find the right house and act quickly when you go to put in an offer. One thing you can do to help you prepare is to get pre-approved.

To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to know what pre-approval is. As part of the process, a lender looks at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how much money you can borrow.

Basically, pre-approval gives you critical information about the homebuying process that’ll help you understand how much you may be able to borrow so you have a stronger grasp of your options. And w...

If you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge.

04/21/2023

Mortgage rates affect how many people want to buy homes. When rates fall, buyer demand rises. To understand the latest about our local housing market, DM me today.

04/20/2023

What’s the Difference Between a Home Inspection and an Appraisal?

If you’re planning to buy a home, an inspection is an important step in the process. It assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. It’s also a different step in the process from an appraisal, which is a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy.

>>Home Inspection

Here’s the key difference between an inspection and an appraisal. Bankrate says, “In short, while an appraisal helps you understand a home’s value, inspections help you understand a home’s condition.” The home inspection is a way to determine the current state, safety, and condition of the home before you finalize the sale. If anything is questionable in the inspection process – like the age of the roof, the state of the HVAC system, or just about anything else – you as a buyer have the option to discuss and negotiate any poten...

If you're planning to buy a home, an inspection is an important step in the process.

04/19/2023

Falling out of Love with Your House? It May Be Time To Move.

Owning a home means having a place that’s solely your own and provides the space, features, and location you and your loved ones need. But what happens when your needs change? If this hits home for you, it may be time to make a move.

According to NAR, the average person has lived in their current house for ten years. If you’ve been in your home for a while, think about how much in your life has changed since you moved in. Even if you thought it would be your forever home when you bought it, it doesn’t have to be. Work with a local real estate agent to explore all your options in today’s market before settling for your current home.

That’s actually what a lot of homeowners are doing right now. A recent survey from Realtor.com finds that, of people who are considering selling in 2023, one in three are thinking about moving because their home no longer...

Owning a home means having a place that’s solely your own and provides the space, features, and location you and your loved ones need.

04/18/2023

Fair Housing Month is a time to promote equal opportunities and more homeownership. And with a professional at your side, you’ll have an advocate throughout your home search. If you're ready to get started, DM me today.