Amanda Willis - Real Estate Advisor

09/17/2024

For the past three years I have chaired the Affton-Lemay Chamber of Commerce's women's group, BREW (Building Relationships Empowering Women). I have met some incredible people and have learned a lot in this journey.

We've all been hearing more and more about the dangers of fentanyl, and it is crucial that we take action to educate ourselves and our children on this serious issue. That's why this month's BREW meeting is especially important.

Join us this Thursday, September 20th, 2024, from 9-10 am for a vital discussion featuring Erin Johnston, Executive Director of Addiction is Real, Inc. in St. Louis. Erin will be sharing insights on the impact of fentanyl in our community and the steps we can take to protect our children from its dangers. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and empower yourself with knowledge that could save lives.

*Statistical graphic from www.addictionisreal.org

09/10/2024

Congratulations 🥳 to this Boss Babe,Erica Heffner, for getting not one but TWO buyers under contract over the weekend.

So happy to be working with you again as your Transaction Coordinator!!!!

08/23/2024

Always learning ways I can support my agents 💪

02/13/2024

Has anyone ever used Milkshake? Milkshake is a free website builder that you can link in your instagram bio. Check it out! This is mine and I just added to it for my Transaction Coordination Business for real estate.

Willis Transaction Services

01/18/2024

To really understand home affordability, you need to look at the combination of three important factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.

1. Mortgage Rates

Mortgage rates have come down in recent months. And looking forward, most experts expect them to decline further over the course of the year. Even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact on your purchasing power, making it easier for you to afford the home you want by reducing your monthly mortgage payment.

2. Home Prices

The second important factor is home prices. After going up at a relatively normal pace last year, they’re expected to continue rising moderately in 2024.
That’s great news for you because it means prices aren’t likely to skyrocket like they did during the pandemic. But it also means it’ll probably cost you more to wait. So, if you’re ready, willing, and able to buy, and you can find the right home, purchasing before more buyers enter the market and prices...

Over the past year, a lot of people have been talking about housing affordability and how tight it’s gotten.

01/17/2024

If you’re worried about what’s next for home prices, know the HPES shows experts are projecting they’ll continue to rise at least through 2028. Based on that forecast, if you bought a $400,000 house this year, experts say it could gain over $72,000 in equity over the next five years. If you're worried about falling home prices, don't be. Many experts forecast they'll keep rising for years to come. If you have questions, let’s connect.

If you’re worried about what’s next for home prices, know the HPES shows experts are projecting they’ll continue to rise at least through 2028.

01/16/2024

Are you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move? If so, it may be time to consider a newly built home and the benefits that come with one. Here’s why.

Near-Record Percentage of New Home Inventory

The percentage of the total homes available to buy that are newly built is well over two times higher than the norm. And even more new homes are on the way.

Recent data from the Census shows there’s been an uptick in both housing starts (where builders break ground on more new homes) and housing completions (homes where construction just wrapped).

And while some people may worry builders are building too many homes, that isn’t a concern – if anything, the recent increase is really good news.

How This Helps You

Since the supply of existing homes for sale is still low right now, the increase of new-home construction can be a game changer because it gives you more options for your...

Are you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move?

01/15/2024

Buying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains at the heart of the American Dream. Let’s explore just a few of the reasons why so many Americans continue to value homeownership.

The Financial Benefits of Owning a Home

One possible reason homeownership is viewed so highly is because owning a home is a significant wealth-building tool. Over time, owning a home not only helps boost your own net worth, but it also sets future generations up for success as you pass that wealth down.

It can also provide meaningful financial stability compared to renting. When you buy with a fixed-rate mortgage, you can lock in your monthly housing payments for the length of your home loan.

The Non-Financial Benefits of Homeownership

But, owning a home offers more than just financial benefits—it benefits you socially and emotionally too. Your home provides feelings of achievement, responsibility, and more.

What Does That Mean for You?

If your idea of the...

Buying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains at the heart of the American Dream.

01/11/2024

If you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial part of the process you definitely don’t want to skip. So, before you start picturing yourself in your new living room or dining on your future all-season patio, be sure you’re working with a trusted lender to prioritize this essential step. Here’s why.

Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes for sale right now, and that means ongoing competition among hopeful buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there are ways to navigate these waters – and pre-approval is the game changer.

What Pre-Approval Does for You

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

If you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial part of the process you definitely don’t want to skip.

01/10/2024

Planning to buy a home in 2024? Here’s what to focus on. Improve your credit score, plan for your down payment, get pre-approved, and decide what’s most important to you. Let’s connect so you have expert advice on how to achieve your homebuying goals this year.

Planning to buy a home in 2024? Here’s what to focus on.

01/09/2024

If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on your mortgage.”

That means your equity grows as you pay down your home loan over time and as home values climb. Here are a few examples of how you can put your home equity to work for you.

1. Buy a Home That Fits Your Needs

If your current space no longer meets your needs, you can put your equity toward a down payment on something that fits your changing lifestyle.

2. Reinvest in Your Current Home

A real estate agent is a great resource on which projects to prioritize to get the greatest return on your investment when you sell later on.

3. Pursue Personal Ambitions

While you shouldn’t use your equity for unnecessary spending...

If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity.

01/08/2024

If you want to buy a home, it's important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. Fortunately, rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have come down significantly since the end of October and are currently under 7%, according to Freddie Mac.

This recent trend is great news for buyers. As a recent article from Bankrate says: “The rate cool-off somewhat eases the housing affordability squeeze.”

And according to Edward Seiler, AVP of Housing Economics and Executive Director of the Research Institute for Housing America at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA): “MBA expects that affordability conditions will continue to improve as mortgage rates decline . . .”

Here’s a bit more context on how this could help with your plans to buy a home.

How Mortgage Rates Affect Your Search for a Home

Understanding the connection between mortgage rates and your monthly home payment is crucial for your plans to become a...

If you want to buy a home, it's important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month.