Jeff Banter / Real Estate Consultant

06/22/2022

Happy Birthday to the best daughter, and most awesome mother!! Celebrate with great joy, you deserve it!!!

03/17/2022

According to CoreLogic, the average homeowner gained $55,300 in equity over the last year. That much equity can open so many doors for you, including the door to your dream home. DM me to learn how much equity you have in your house and to find out how it can power your next move.

03/16/2022

Every year, many renters ask themselves the same question: Should I continue renting, or is it time to buy a home? If you’re a renter, chances are you’ve asked yourself that question at least once, and it’s likely because you’ve faced an increase in your monthly housing costs over time. After all, according to Census data, rents have risen consistently for decades.

To make an informed and powerful decision, the first step is understanding what’s happening in today’s housing market so you can determine which option is the better long-term financial decision for you.

Rents are skyrocketing right now. Data from realtor.com shows just how much rental prices are surging throughout the country. If you’re a renter and plan on signing a new lease, your monthly costs are likely to go up when you do. Those rising costs can have a big impact on your financial goals, including any plans you’re making to...

Every year, many renters ask themselves the same question: Should I continue renting, or is it time to buy a home? If you’re a renter, chances are you’ve asked yourself that question at least once, and it’s likely because you’ve faced an increase in your monthly housing costs over time. Afte...

03/15/2022

Homeownership is a significant wealth building tool, and there’s no clearer indication than when you compare the net worth of renters and homeowners. The average homeowner’s net worth is more than 40x that of a renter today. DM me if you’re ready to grow your wealth by buying a home.

03/14/2022

The Spring Buyer and Seller Guides are here. Let's connect so you can get the latest digital copies.

03/11/2022

As you set your clocks forward for Daylight Savings Time, consider that 742 homes sell in the U.S. each hour. Your house could be one of them. As much of the U.S. springs forward, let's connect so you can spring into action in today’s incredible sellers’ market.

03/10/2022

If you’re thinking of buying a home today, you already know that the number of homes available for sale is low. Realtor.com has this to say:

“Homes also flew off the market at record pace as buyers put offers in the moment properties came up for sale….”

In a bidding war situation like this, doing everything you can to get ahead of the competition is a wise move. That’s because when you find a house and submit an offer, it’ll likely be up against strong offers from other buyers. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes today are receiving an average of 3.9 offers.

Here are three tips to keep in mind that will help you make the best offer possible.

>>1. Know Your Numbers
Knowing your budget and what you can afford is critical to your success as a homebuyer. The best way to understand your numbers is to work with a lender so you...

If you’re thinking of buying a home today, you already know that the number of homes available for sale is low. But what does that really mean for you? As a buyer, low housing supply coupled with high buyer demand means you should be prepared to navigate a highly competitive market where homes sel...

03/09/2022

You can’t read an article about residential real estate without the author mentioning the affordability challenges that today’s buyers face. There’s no doubt homes are less affordable today than they were over the last two years, but that doesn’t mean homes are now unaffordable. There are three measures used to establish home affordability. Let’s look closely at each of these components.

>>Home Prices
The most recent Home Price Insights report by CoreLogic shows home values have increased by 19.1% from last January to this January. That was one reason affordability declined over the past year.

>>Mortgage Rates
While the current global uncertainty makes it difficult to project mortgage rates, we do know current rates are almost one full percentage point higher than they were last year. That increase in the mortgage rate also contributes to homes being less affordable than they were last...

You can’t read an article about residential real estate without the author mentioning the affordability challenges that today’s buyers face. There’s no doubt homes are less affordable today than they were over the last two years, but that doesn’t mean homes are now unaffordable.

03/08/2022

It's essential to avoid mishaps after applying for a mortgage. Let's connect so you know what to avoid during this part of the homebuying process.

03/07/2022

When you make a move, you want to sell your house for the highest price possible. Even in a market like we have now, working with an agent to set the right asking price is critical, as pricing it too high or too low could have a negative impact on your final sale. Here’s why.

Price it too low and you might raise questions about your home’s condition or lead buyers to assume something is wrong with the property. Not to mention, you could leave money on the table, which decreases your future buying power if you undervalue your house.

On the other hand, price it too high and you run the risk of deterring buyers. When that happens, you may have to do a price drop to try to re-ignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag for some buyers who will wonder why the price was reduced and what that means about the home.

In other...

When you make a move, you want to sell your house for the highest price possible. That might be why many homeowners are eager to list in today’s sellers’ market. After all, with record-low inventory and high buyer demand, many homes are selling for more than asking price. Data from the National ...

03/04/2022

If rising home prices and interest rates are top of mind, you may be wondering if it makes more sense to wait to make your home purchase. Just know that many experts say waiting is a risk. That’s because home prices and mortgage rates are both projected to continue climbing. DM me if you’re ready to act quickly in today’s market.

03/03/2022

Buyer demand continues to outpace seller traffic in much of the country. That means if you’re planning to sell, now may be the time. DM me today so we can talk about the supply and demand trends in our local market and how you can benefit from listing your home today.