http://MarionSaunders.evrealestate.com/

Marion McCourt Saunders, Realtor, 2049 W Central Boulevard, Orlando, FL (2026)

07/31/2023

Pricing Your House Right Still Matters Today

While this isn’t the frenzied market we saw during the ‘unicorn’ years, homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers right now. That’s because the number of homes for sale is still so low. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 76% of homes sold within a month and the average saw 3.5 offers in June.

The price you set for your house sends a message to potential buyers.

A recent article from NerdWallet sums it up like this: "Your house’s market debut is your first chance to attract a buyer and it’s important to get the pricing right. If your home is overpriced, you run the risk of buyers not seeing the listing . . . But price your house too low and you could end up leaving some serious money on the table. A bargain-basement price could also turn some buyers away, as they may wonder if there are any underlying pro...

While this isn’t the frenzied market we saw during the ‘unicorn’ years, homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers right now.

07/28/2023

Key Housing Market Trends [INFOGRAPHIC]

If you’re considering buying or selling a home, you’ll want to know what’s happening in the housing market. Housing inventory is still very low, prices are climbing back up, and homes are selling fast when priced right. If you want more information about our local area and what the trends mean for your plans to buy or sell, let’s connect.

If you’re considering buying or selling a home, you’ll want to know what’s happening in the housing market.

07/27/2023

Homebuyers Are Still More Active Than Usual

Even though the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy that was so characteristic of the last couple of years, it doesn’t mean today’s market is at a standstill. In actuality, buyer traffic is still strong today.

The ShowingTime Showing Index is a measure of how much buyers are touring homes. It shows there’s seasonality in real estate. If you look at the last normal years in the market (shown in gray), there was a consistent pattern as buyer activity peaked in the first half of each year (during the peak homebuying season in the spring) and slowed as each year came to a close.

When the pandemic hit in March of 2020, that trend was disrupted as the market responded to the resulting uncertainty (shown in blue in the middle). From there, we entered the ‘unicorn’ years of housing (shown in pink). This is when mortgage rates were record-low and buyer demand was sky h...

Even though the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy that was so characteristic of the last couple of years, it doesn’t mean today’s market is at a standstill.

07/26/2023

Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home

While the wild ride that was the ‘unicorn’ years of housing is behind us, today’s market is still competitive in many areas because the supply of homes for sale is still low.

Here are a few things to consider to help you put your best foot forward when making an offer on a home.

1. Lean on a Real Estate Professional

Rely on an agent who can support your goals and help you understand what’s happening in today’s housing market. Agents are experts in the local market and on the national trends too.

Plus, they know what’s worked for other buyers in your area and what sellers may be looking for in an offer.

2. Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan

Having a clear budget in mind is especially important right now given the current affordability challenges. The best way to get a clear picture of what you can borrow is to work with a lender so you can get pre-approved for a home loan....

While the wild ride that was the ‘unicorn’ years of housing is behind us, today’s market is still competitive in many areas because the supply of homes for sale is still low.

07/25/2023

Don’t Fall for the Next Shocking Headlines About Home Prices

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? And it’s no surprise you don’t have the clarity you need on that topic. Part of the issue is how headlines are talking about prices.

They’re basing their negative news by comparing current stats to the last few years. But you can’t compare this year to the ‘unicorn’ years (when home prices reached record highs that were unsustainable). And as prices begin to normalize now, they’re talking about it like it’s a bad thing and making people fear what’s next. But the worst home price declines are already behind us. What we’re starting to see now is the return to more normal home price appreciation.

Why This Is So Important to Understand

In the coming months, as the housing market moves further into a more predictable seaso...

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

07/24/2023

Foreclosure Numbers Today Aren’t Like 2008

If you've been keeping up with the news lately, you've probably come across headlines talking about the increase in foreclosures in today’s housing market. This may have left you with some uncertainty, especially if you're considering buying a home. It’s important to understand the context of these reports to know the truth about what’s happening today.

According to a recent report from ATTOM, a property data provider, foreclosure filings are up 2% compared to the previous quarter and 8% since one year ago. While media headlines are drawing attention to this increase, reporting on just the number could actually generate worry for fear that prices could crash. The reality is, while increasing, the data shows a foreclosure crisis is not where the market is headed.

In recent years, the number of foreclosures has been down to record lows. That’s because, in 2020 and 2021,...

If you've been keeping up with the news lately, you've probably come across headlines talking about the increase in foreclosures in today’s housing market.

07/21/2023

Real Estate Continues To Be the Best Investment [INFOGRAPHIC]

According to a recent Gallup poll, real estate has been voted the best long-term investment for 11 years in a row, beating gold, stocks, bonds, and more. Owning real estate means more than just having a home—it’s an investment in your future. That’s because it’s typically a stable and secure asset that tends to increase in value as time goes on. DM me if you’re ready to buy a home and invest in your future.

According to a recent Gallup poll, real estate has been voted the best long-term investment for 11 years in a row, beating gold, stocks, bonds, and more.

07/20/2023

Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth

You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now. But, even today, there are lots of good reasons to become a homeowner. One of them is that owning a home is typically viewed as a good long-term investment that helps your net worth grow over time.

Homeownership Builds Wealth Regardless of Income Level

You may be surprised to learn homeowners across various income levels have a much higher net worth than renters who make the same amount.

What makes wealth so much higher for homeowners? A recent article from Realtor.com says: “Homeownership has long been tied to building wealth—and for good reason. Instead of throwing rent money out the window each month, owning a home allows you to build home equity. And over time, equity can turn your mortgage debt into a sizeable asset.”

Basically, the wealth you accumulate when you own a home has a lot to do wi...

You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now.

07/19/2023

Explaining Today’s Mortgage Rates

If you’re following mortgage rates because you know they impact your borrowing costs, you may be wondering what the future holds for them. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to answer that question because mortgage rates are notoriously hard to forecast.

But, there’s one thing that’s historically a good indicator of what’ll happen with rates, and that’s the relationship between the 30-Year Mortgage Rate and the 10-Year Treasury Yield.

Historically, the average spread between the two over the last 50 years was 1.72 percentage points (also commonly referred to as 172 basis points).

Factors such as inflation, other economic drivers, and the policy and decisions from the Federal Reserve (The Fed) are all influencing mortgage rates and a widening spread.

Why Does This Matter for You?

This may feel overly technical and granular, but here’s why homebuyers like you should understand th...

If you’re following mortgage rates because you know they impact your borrowing costs, you may be wondering what the future holds for them.

07/18/2023

Homebuyers Are Getting Used to the New Normal

Before you decide to sell your house, it’s important to know what you can expect in the current housing market. One positive trend right now is homebuyers are adapting to today’s mortgage rates and getting used to them as the new normal.

Rates have been between 6% and 7% pretty consistently for the past nine months.

According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, mortgage rates play a significant role in buyer demand and, by extension, home sales. Yun highlights the positive impact of stable rates: “Mortgage rates heavily influence the direction of home sales. Relatively steady rates have led to several consecutive months of consistent home sales.”

As a seller, hearing that home sales are consistent right now is good news. It means buyers are out there and actively purchasing homes. Here’s a bit more context on how mortgage rates have impacted demand recently.

When mort...

Before you decide to sell your house, it’s important to know what you can expect in the current housing market.

07/17/2023

Home Prices Are Rebounding

If you’re following the news today, you may feel a bit unsure about what’s happening with home prices and fear whether or not the worst is yet to come. That’s because today’s headlines are painting an unnecessarily negative picture. If we take a year-over-year view, home prices did drop some, but that’s because we’re comparing to a ‘unicorn’ year when prices peaked well beyond the norm.

To avoid an unfair comparison to that previous peak, we need to look at monthly data. And that tells a very different and much more positive story. While local home price trends still vary by market, here’s what the national data tells us.

We can see the past year in the housing market can be divided into two parts. In the first half of 2022, home prices were going up, and fast. However, starting in July, prices began to go down. By around August or September, the trend started to stabilize. But, looki...

If you’re following the news today, you may feel a bit unsure about what’s happening with home prices and fear whether or not the worst is yet to come.

07/14/2023

Low Housing Inventory Is a Sweet Spot for Sellers [INFOGRAPHIC]

Today’s housing inventory is still well below more normal years. This low inventory is why homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers. If you want to sell your house, now is a great time because inventory is still low. Let’s connect to start the process.

Today’s housing inventory is still well below more normal years.

Marion McCourt Saunders, Realtor

07/31/2023

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