Mike Wrabel, Realtor

01/11/2022

Attorney Needed!

09/30/2021

Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation.

The best thing about equity is that it often grows without you even realizing it, especially in a sellers’ market like we’re in now. In today’s real estate market, the combination of low housing supply and high buyer demand is driving home values up. This is giving homeowners a significant equity boost.

According to the latest data from CoreLogic, the amount of equity homeowners have has continued to grow as home values appreciate. Here are some key takeaways from the Homeowner Equity Insights Report:

>>The average homeowner gained $51,500 in equity over the past year
>>There was a 29.3% increase in national homeowner equity year over year

If you’re already a homeowner, you likely have more equity in your house than you realize. The numbers in the map above reflect...

Homeownership is still a crucial part of the American dream. For those people who own a home (and those looking to buy one), it’s clear that being a homeowner has considerable benefits both emotionally and financially. In addition to long-term stability, buying a home is one of the best ways to in...

09/29/2021

Before you decide to sell your house on your own, here are five reasons why working with an agent is your best bet to maximize the sale of your home.

>>First impressions are everything – and an agent knows how to make a great one.
Prepping a house for sale requires a significant amount of time and effort, even though it may seem simple at first glance. An expert real estate advisor relies on their experience to answer your questions so you don’t invest in the wrong things.

>>Agents have tools to maximize the number of views your home gets.
Put plainly, the more buyers that view your house, the better your return will be. Agents have multiple tools at their disposal – from social media to agency resources – to ensure your home is viewed by more prospective buyers.

>>An agent won’t miss anything in the fine print.
Because there’s so much to take care of, it can be hard to truly understand all of the...

If you’re looking to maximize your sale and minimize your effort, you need to work with a real estate professional. In a sellers’ market like today’s, it can be tempting to list your house on your own – known as For Sale By Owner (FSBO). But the truth is, a real estate professional can save ...

09/28/2021

Whether you’re buying or selling, today’s housing market has plenty of good news to go around. Buyers can take advantage of today's mortgage rates and sellers can reap the benefits of multiple offers and a fast sale. If this sounds like good news to you, DM me today so we can discuss why it’s a great time to buy or sell.

09/27/2021

Mortgage rates are hovering near 3%. Low rates present buyers with a golden opportunity to lock in a low monthly payment for the life of their loan. If you’ve been waiting for low rates, they’re already within reach. DM me if you’re ready to take advantage of today’s mortgage rates.

09/26/2021

There’s a misconception that you need a 20% down payment to buy a home. Data from the National Association of Realtors shows the average down payment is only 12%, while first-time buyers only put 7% down on average. Saving for a down payment could be more achievable than you think. DM me so we can discuss your options.

09/25/2021

Due to low supply and high demand, today is one of the strongest sellers’ markets we’ve seen. Sellers can benefit from more offers to pick from, higher home values, and a faster sales process. That might be why 73% of people believe it’s a good time to sell. Sellers, don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. Work with an agent to take advantage of this hot sellers’ market.

Some Highlights Due to low supply and high demand, today is one of the strongest sellers’ markets we’ve seen. Sellers can benefit from more offers to pick from, higher home values, and a faster sales process. That might be why 73% of people believe it’s a good time to sell. Sellers, don’t mi...

09/24/2021

Experts agree that the housing market is still strong this fall and gives both buyers and sellers unique opportunities. Let's connect if you’re ready to make a move this season.

09/23/2021

To determine if you should buy now or wait, you need to ask yourself two simple questions:

What will home prices be like in 2022? And where will mortgage rates be by the end of 2022?

Three major housing industry entities project continued home price appreciation for 2022. Here are their forecasts: Freddie Mac: 5.3%, Fannie Mae: 5.1% and Mortgage Bankers Association: 8.4%.

Using the average of the three projections (6.27%), a home that sells for $350,000 today would be valued at $371,945 by the end of next year.

Today, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is hovering near historic lows. However, most experts believe rates will rise as the economy continues to recover. Here are the forecasts for the fourth quarter of 2022 by the three major entities mentioned above: Freddie Mac: 3.8%, Fannie Mae: 3.2%, and Mortgage Bankers Association: 4.2%. That averages out to 3.7% if you include all three forecasts, and it’s nearly...

If you’re a renter with a desire to become a homeowner, or a homeowner who’s decided your current house no longer fits your needs, you may be hoping that waiting a year might mean better market conditions to purchase a home.

09/22/2021

There’s a common misconception that, as a homebuyer, you need to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. In fact, a recent survey by Lending Tree asks what is keeping consumers from purchasing a home. For over half of those surveyed, the ability to afford a down payment is the biggest hurdle.

If saving that much money sounds overwhelming, you might be ready to give up on the dream of homeownership before you even begin – but you don’t have to. According to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. It may sound surprising, but today’s average down payment is only 12%. That number is even lower for first-time homebuyers, whose average down payment is only 7%.

If you’re a prospective homebuyer, it’s important to know you don’t have to put the full 20% down. And while...

There’s a common misconception that, as a homebuyer, you need to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. In fact, a recent survey by Lending Tree asks what is keeping consumers from purchasing a home. For over half of those surveyed, the ability to afford a down payment is ...