Carolyn Suess, Realtor

03/21/2023

This beautiful Delanco home is Under Contract. 40 showings and multiple offers all over asking in just a few days. Congrats to my sellers!!!
Its still a Sellers Market! Contact me today if you are thinking of selling your home.

03/16/2023

02/24/2023

Checklist for Selling Your House This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC]

As you get ready to sell your house, there are specific things you can add to your to-do list. These include decluttering, taking down personal photos and items, and power washing outdoor surfaces. DM me so you have advice on what you may want to do to get your house ready to sell this season.

Some Highlights As you get ready to sell your house, there are specific things you can add to your to-do list. These include decluttering, taking down personal photos and items, and power washing outdoor surfaces.

02/23/2023

The Power of Your Home Equity

Homeowners have a significant amount of equity. Let’s connect so you can learn how much equity you have and how it can help you achieve your goals.

02/22/2023

A Smaller Home Could Be Your Best Option

Many people are reaching the point in their lives when they need to decide where they want to live when they retire. If you’re a homeowner approaching this stage, you have several options to explore.

Sometimes smaller homes are more suited to your changing needs, and moving means you can also land in your ideal location.

In addition to the personal benefits, downsizing might be more cost effective, too. The New York Times (NYT) shares:

“Many downsizers expect to improve their retirement income stream if their new home costs less than what their old house sells for. Lower utility costs, insurance and property taxes — as well as investment returns on the proceeds — can also improve the bottom line.”

Being in a strong financial position is one of the most important parts of retirement, and downsizing can make a big difference.

A key part of why downsizing is still cost effective today, even when mortgage...

Many people are reaching the point in their lives when they need to decide where they want to live when they retire. If you’re a homeowner approaching this stage, you have several options to explore. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association o...

02/21/2023

The Two Big Issues the Housing Market’s Facing Right Now

The biggest challenge the housing market’s facing is how few homes there are for sale.

Let’s break down these two big issues in today’s housing market.

>>Rate-Locked Homeowners

Today, the typical mortgage rate offered to buyers is over 6%. As a result, many homeowners are opting to stay put instead of moving to another home with a higher borrowing cost. This is a situation known as being rate locked.

When so many homeowners are rate locked and reluctant to sell, it’s a challenge for a housing market that needs more inventory. However, experts project mortgage rates will gradually fall this year, and that could mean more people will be willing to move as that happens.

>>The Fear of Not Finding Something To Buy

The other factor holding back potential sellers is the fear of not finding another home to buy if they move. Worrying about where they’ll go has left many on the sidelines as...

The biggest challenge the housing market’s facing is how few homes there are for sale. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains the root causes of today’s low supply:

02/20/2023

Spring into Action: Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Expert Guidance

Today’s housing market has a different feel. There are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, but inventory is still historically low. So, if a house has been sitting on the market for a while, that’s a sign it may not be hitting the mark for potential buyers.

Today, homes with curb appeal that are presented well are still selling quickly, and sometimes over asking price.

With the spring buying season just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house ready to sell.

>> Curb Appeal Wins

One way to prioritize updates that could bring a good return on your investment is to find smaller projects you can do yourself. Little updates that boost your curb appeal usually work well.

Small cosmetic updates, like refreshing some paint and power washing the exterior of your home, create a great first impression for buyers and help it stand out. Work...

To sell your home this spring, it may need more preparation than it would have a year or two ago. Today’s housing market has a different feel. There are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, but inventory is still historically low. So, if a house has been sitting on the marke...

02/17/2023

The Spring Housing Market Could Be a Sweet Spot for Sellers [INFOGRAPHIC]

The biggest challenge in the housing market is how few houses there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy. The number of homes for sale is up from last year but below pre-pandemic numbers, and that means we’re still in a sellers’ market. The housing market needs more homes for sale to meet the demand of today’s buyers. If you’ve thought about selling, DM me today.

Some Highlights The biggest challenge in the housing market is how few houses there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy. The number of homes for sale is up from last year but below pre-pandemic numbers, and that means we’re still in a sellers’ market.

02/16/2023

The Importance of Pre-Approval

Getting pre-approved is an important first step towards buying a home. Let’s connect so you have the right tools to buy a home in today’s market.

02/15/2023

Should You Consider Buying a Newly Built Home?

If you’re thinking about buying a home, it makes sense to consider all your options, and that includes a home that’s newly built.
>>The Number of Newly Built Homes Is on the Rise
There's still a historically low number of homes available on the market. One reason for that is years of underbuilding—meaning there haven’t been enough new homes built to keep up with demand.
As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, shares:
“While existing-home inventory remains limited, the silver lining for home buyers is that new-home inventory is on the rise, and a new home at the right price is a pretty good substitute.”
>>Builder Incentives Can Provide a Boost
While there a growing number of new homes for sale, builders are slowing that pace until they sell more of their current inventory. And many builders are now offering incentives to help buyers purchase these homes. Fleming also explains:
“The...

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you might be focusing on previously owned ones. But with so few houses for sale today, it makes sense to consider all your options, and that includes a home that’s newly built.

02/14/2023

Why It’s Easy To Fall in Love with Homeownership

No matter how the housing market changes, there are some things about owning a home that never change—like the personal benefits it can provide. When you own your home, you likely feel a sense of attachment because of the comfort it gives and also because it’s a space that’s truly yours.

Over the last few years, we’ve fully embraced the meaning of our homes as we spent more time than ever in them. As a result, the emotional benefits our homes provide have become even more important to us.

As the most recent State of the American Homeowner from Unison puts it:

“. . . one thing has stayed the same: the home continues to be of the utmost importance and a place of security and comfort.”

The same study from Unison notes:

• 91% of homeowners say they feel secure, stable, or successful owning a home
• 64% of American homeowners say living through a pandemic has made their home more important to...

No matter how the housing market changes, there are some things about owning a home that never change—like the personal benefits it can provide. When you own your home, you likely feel a sense of attachment because of the comfort it gives and also because it’s a space that’s truly yours.

02/13/2023

What You Should Know About Closing Costs

Before you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home, you need to understand what closing costs are and how much you should budget for.

>>What Are Closing Costs?

People are sometimes surprised by closing costs because they don’t know what they are. According to Bankrate:

“Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .”

In other words, your closing costs are a collection of fees and payments involved with your transaction. According to Freddie Mac, while they can vary by location and situation, closing costs typically...

Before you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home, you need to understand what closi...