NEWSLETTER October 13, 2022

Fall Newsletter – What are Experts Saying About the Fall Housing Market?

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It is hard to believe the Fall season has already arrived!  This year is flying by quickly for me, how about you?  Fall is my favorite time of year, with the crisp mornings, cooler days, and the warmth of the Holiday season approaching.

In this newsletter, you will find articles regarding the current real estate market discussing the cost of waiting for mortgage rates to go down, and how to prep your house for sale this Fall.  Let’s talk soon to discuss your buying and/or selling options in today’s market.

Also included is a delightful cookie recipe, and a short curated list of fall events happening this month throughout the Bay area.  I look forward to helping you with all your real estate needs this fall!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE CURRENT MORTGAGE RATES

What Are Experts Saying About the Fall Housing Market?

The housing market is rapidly changing from the peak frenzy it saw over the past two years. That means you probably have questions about what your best move is if you’re thinking of buying or selling this fall.

To help you make a confident decision, lean on professionals for insights. Here are a few things experts are saying about the fall housing market.

Expert Quotes for Fall Homebuyers

A recent article from realtor.com:

This fall, a more moderate pace of home selling, more listings to choose from, and softening price growth will provide some breathing room for buyers searching for a home during what is typically the best time to buy a home.”

Michael Lane, VP and General Manager, ShowingTime:

Buyers will continue to see less competition for homes and have more time to tour homes they like and consider their options.” 

Expert Quotes for Fall Sellers

Selma Hepp, Interim Lead of the Office of the Chief Economist, CoreLogic:

“. . . record equity continues to provide fuel for housing demand, particularly if households are relocating to more affordable areas.”

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist, realtor.com:

“For homeowners deciding whether to make a move this year, remember that listing prices – while lower than a few months ago – remain higher than in prior years, so you’re still likely to find opportunities to cash in on record-high levels of equity, particularly if you’ve owned your home for a longer period of time.”

Mortgage rates, home prices, and the supply of homes for sale are top of mind for buyers and sellers today. And if you want the latest information for our area, let’s connect today.

I absolutely love figs!  Anytime I find a recipe that has figs, I must give it a try.  This recipe is quite tasty and hope you enjoy it as well.  This cookie recipe is perfect for the upcoming fall holiday season.  This healthy oatmeal cookie is loaded with golden-dried figs and crunchy walnuts, which make it incredibly chewy and moist.  Enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Calories: 196 kcal
Author: Susan the CA Grown Mom

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 2/3 cups flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
  • 1/2 cup dried golden figs
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (can substitute with pecans or almonds if preferred)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Using a mixer, mix together the butter and sugars until fluffy.
  • Add in the egg and vanilla and mix until combined well.
  • In another bowl, add the flour, soda, powder, salt, and nutmeg and stir well. Add in batches to the butter mixture, mixing well after each addition.
  • Fold in the oats, figs, and walnuts until evenly distributed.
  • Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough onto the parchment paper, making sure to keep at least 3 inches between scoops.
  • Bake for 12-14 minutes or until done. Cookies may not look all the way done in the middle but it will continue to cook for a few minutes after removed. Allow to cool on the pan for a few minutes and then transfer cookies to a cooling rack.

 

Nutrition

Calories: 196kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 130mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 247IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

(Photo & Recipe Source: californiagrown.com)

Mortgage rates have increased significantly in recent weeks. And that may mean you have questions about what this means for you if you’re planning to buy a home. Here’s some information that can help you make an informed decision when you set your home-buying plans.  As mortgage rates rise, they impact your purchasing power by raising the cost of buying a home and limiting how much you can comfortably afford.

Are Mortgage Rates Going To Go Down?

The rise in mortgage rates and the resulting decrease in purchasing power may leave you wondering if you should wait for rates to go down before making your purchase. Realtor.com says this about where rates could go from here:

“Many homebuyers likely winced . . . upon hearing that the Federal Reserve yet again boosted its short-term interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point—a move that’s pushing mortgage rates through the roof. And the already high rates are just going to get higher.

So, if you’re waiting for mortgage rates to drop, you may be waiting for a while as the Federal Reserve works to get inflation under control.

And if you’re considering renting as your alternative while you wait it out, remember that’s going to get more expensive with time too. As Nadia Evangelou, Senior Economist and Director of Forecasting at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“There is no doubt that these higher rates hurt housing affordability. Nevertheless, apart from borrowing costs, rents additionally rose at their highest pace in nearly four decades.”

Basically, it is true that it costs more to buy a home today than it did last year, but the same is true for renting. This means, either way, you’re going to be paying more. The difference is, with homeownership, you’re also gaining equity over time which will help grow your net worth. The question now becomes: what makes more sense for you?

Each person’s situation is unique. To make the best decision for you, let’s connect to explore your options.

Water Lantern Festival
San Jose, CA
October 22 & 23rd
Saturday: Sold Out
Sunday: Few Spots Left

Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Half Moon Bay, CA
October 15th & 16th
7am – 5pm

Harvest Festival Art & Craft Show
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Pleasanton, CA
October 28th – 30th
Friday & Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Sunday: 10am – 4pm

DogFest Bay Area 2022
Oakland, CA
October 22nd
Saturday: 11am – 4pm

Northern California Renaissance Faire
Casa De Fruta, Hollister, CA
October 15th & 16th – Carnevale & Masquerade

Hillside Church Fall Festival
San Jose, CA
October 29th
Saturday: 5pm – 8pm

Today’s housing market is different than it was just a few months ago. And if you’re thinking about selling your house, that may leave you wondering what you need to do differently as a result. The answer is simple. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately and create a solid plan can help bring in the greatest return on your investment.

Here are a few simple tips to make sure you maximize the sale of your house this fall.

1. Price It Right

One of the first things buyers will notice is the price of your house. That’s because the price sends a message to home shoppers. Pricing your house too high, to begin with, could put you at a disadvantage by discouraging buyers from making an offer. On the flip side, pricing your house too low may make buyers worry there’s some underlying issue or something wrong with the home.

Your goal in pricing your house is to gain the attention of prospective buyers and get them to make an offer. And with price growth and buyer demand moderating, as well as a greater supply of homes available for sale, pricing your home appropriately for where the market is today has become more important than ever before.

But how do you know that perfect number? Pricing your house isn’t a guessing game. It takes skill and expertise. Work with a trusted real estate advisor to determine the current market value of your home.

2. Keep It Clean

It may sound simple but keeping your house clean is another key to making sure it gets the attention it deserves. As realtor.com says in the Home Selling Checklist:

When selling your home, it’s important to keep everything tidy for buyers, and you never know when a buyer is going to want to schedule a last-minute tour.”

Before each buyer visits, assess your space and determine what needs your attention. Wash the dishes, make the beds, and put away any clutter. Doing these simple things can reduce potential distractions for buyers.

For more tips, check out this checklist for preparing your house for sale. Ultimately an agent is your best resource for tailored advice, but this list can help get you started.

3. Help Buyers Feel at Home

Finally, it’s important for buyers to see all the possible ways they can make your house their next home. An easy first step to creating this blank canvas is removing personal items, like pictures, awards, and sentimental belongings. It’s also a good idea to remove any excess furniture to help the rooms feel bigger and make sure there’s ample space for touring buyers to stand and look at the layout.

If you’re unsure what should be packed away and what can stay, consult your trusted real estate advisor. Spending time on this step can pay off in the long run. As a recent article from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

Staging is the art of preparing a home to appeal to the greatest number of potential buyers in your market. The right arrangements can move you into a higher price-point and help buyers fall in love the moment they walk through the door.”

Selling a house requires prep work and expertise. If you’re looking to sell your house this season, let’s connect so you have advice on how to get it ready to list, how to help it stand out in today’s shifting market, and more.