Patrick Donegan - Lic #01909765

10/02/2023

Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership

If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home right now. While those market factors are important, there's more to consider. You should think about the long-term benefits of homeownership too.

Think about this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that grows your own wealth. That may be why, in a recent Fannie Mae survey, 76% of respondents say they believe buying a home is a safe investment.

If you look at the percent change in home prices, you can see home prices grew on average by just over 57% nationwide over a five-year...

If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home right now.

10/02/2023

If you’re ready to make a move and you’re thinking about climate risks as you search for your next home, you’re not alone. Today, more than 4 out of 5 buyers have that same thing on their minds. Let's connect so you have an expert on your side to listen to what’s important to you and help find a home that fits what you’re looking for.

10/01/2023

Have questions about the housing market? Don't rely on online search results for your answers. Instead, have a conversation with a local real estate professional. That way you have reliable expertise you can trust. DM me and let me know what questions you have. I'm here to help.

10/01/2023

Beginning with Pre-Approval

If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some competition among buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there are ways to navigate these waters. The first thing you’ll want to do is get pre-approved for a mortgage. That way you’ll know your numbers and can set yourself up for success from the start of your home search.

What Pre-Approval Does for You

Basically, pre-approval gives you critical information about the homebuying process that’ll help you understand how much you may be able to borrow. Why does this help you, especially today? With higher mortgage rates and home prices impacting affordability for many buyers right now, a solid understanding of your numbers is even more...

If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know.

09/30/2023

The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price Appreciation

If you’re thinking of making a move, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? Despite what you may be hearing in the news, nationally, home prices aren’t falling. It’s just that price growth is beginning to normalize. Here’s the context you need to really understand that trend.

In the housing market, there are predictable ebbs and flows that happen each year. It’s called seasonality. Spring is the peak homebuying season when the market is most active. That activity is typically still strong in the summer but begins to wane as the cooler months approach. Home prices follow along with seasonality because prices appreciate most when something is in high demand.

Why This Is So Important to Understand

In the coming months, you’re going to see the media talk more about home prices. In their...

If you’re thinking of making a move, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? 

09/29/2023

Explaining Today’s Low Housing Supply [INFOGRAPHIC]

Wondering why the supply of homes for sale is limited today? There are a few factors at play. Lack of building over time, the mortgage rate lock-in effect, and people staying in their houses longer are three of the main reasons why supply is low. But real estate agents know exactly where to look and what to do to make your dream a reality. DM me so you have an expert on your side to help you successfully navigate the market and find your next home.

Wondering why the supply of homes for sale is limited today?

09/29/2023

Why Today’s Housing Inventory Shows a Crash Isn’t on the Horizon

You might remember the housing crash in 2008, even if you didn't own a home at the time. If you’re worried there’s going to be a repeat of what happened back then, there's good news – the housing market now is different from 2008.

Here’s a closer look at today's housing inventory to understand why this isn’t like 2008.

Homeowners Deciding To Sell Their Houses

Although housing supply did grow compared to last year, it’s still low. The current months’ supply is below the norm. There’s only about a third of that available inventory today.

Newly Built Homes

People are also talking a lot about what's going on with newly built houses these days, and that might make you wonder if homebuilders are overdoing it.

The 14 years of underbuilding is a big part of the reason why inventory is so low today. Basically, builders haven’t been building enough...

You might remember the housing crash in 2008, even if you didn't own a home at the time.

09/28/2023

Why Your House Didn’t Sell

If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, you’re likely feeling a little frustrated. Not to mention, you're also probably wondering what went wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next.

Did You Limit Access to Your House?

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when selling your house is restricting the days and times when potential buyers can tour it. ShowingTime advises: “. . . do your best to be as flexible as possible when granting access to your house for showings.”

It’s simple. If no one’s able to look at it, how’s it going to sell?

Did You Make Your House Stand Out?

When selling your house, the old saying matters: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Putting in the work to make the exterior of your home look nice is just as important as how you stage it inside. As an article from U.S. News says: “After...

If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, you’re likely feeling a little frustrated.

08/24/2023

26% of buyers had all-cash sales, unchanged from last month and up slightly from 24% in July 2022. Homes listed received an average of 3.0 offers, down from 3.5 last month and up from 2.8 offers in July 2022. http://spr.ly/6189PWgZx