Tag: Housing market

Mortgage Interest Rates Drop

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After months of high interest rates, mortgage rates are declining. This rate decline means good things for sellers. While it’s true that you should consider selling your home if the timing with the financial market andyour situation aligns, now is a great time to get your house on the market. A Mel Foster Co. agent can help you get started.

Interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve Bank have begun and are expected to continue into 2025. This decline in mortgage rates is driving more buyers into the housing market. Mortgage rates have decreased significantly since the beginning of August 2024.

Home sales have also increased after months of declines. So, if you’re a homeowner thinking about selling, a spike in buyer activity works in your favor. Since the market has become more accessible to a wider range of buyers and there is more competition for available homes, these factors can lead to higher offers and your home may be on the market for a shorter period of time.

Work with your local Mel Foster Co. agent to make the most of increased buyer demand and get your house ready to sell. Focus on these projects first when preparing your house to sell:

  • Find a Mel Foster Co. agent and use their expertise from the start
  • Consider a pre-sale home inspection to determine any trouble areas to correct
  • Invest time in your home’s curb appeal
  • Declutter and tidy up storage areas like the garage, basement and closets
  • Do the deep clean
  • Gather warranties and user manuals to pass along at closing

Find more selling tips for homeowners.

Sell Now

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It’s a seller’s market right now. There are fewer homes for sale which means more competition for buyers. Let’s look at a few of the reasons not to wait to place your house on the market.

Before School’s Out For Summer

Sell now at the start of the spring real estate season before people prepare to move in the summer when their kids are off school. Be sure to include both indoor and outdoor spring-cleaning projects to get your house ready to show. Moving families will want to settle into a new neighborhood, so school registration for fall is finalized, and new routines are established.

Homes Are Selling Quickly

According to Realtor.com, the median U.S. home listing price is up 15.6%, and homes are spending less time on the market than last year at this time. On average, homes stay on the market for about 54 days, which is nearly a week shorter than a year ago. And the Quad City market is seeing home sales finalized in less than seven days. Fewer homes for purchase allow those available to turn over quickly, which means you’ll have fewer open houses. If you’ve been debating on selling at a time when profit looks promising, now’s the time.

Multiple Offers Mean More Options

Fewer homes available for sale means that, as the seller, you could experience bidding wars and multiple offers. And receiving multiple offers may give you more flexibility on closing dates and fewer inspections to pass. Bidding wars produce more offers to consider and even possible cash offers from buyers.

Money In Your Pocket

Interest rates remain low, and the possibility that they will begin to rise again has incented some buyers to take the leap and act quickly now. As demand for available homes increases, so does the money in your pocket if you’re ready to sell.

Find more selling tips for homeowners at melfostercoblog.com

Preparing to Buy in the Competitive Summer Housing Market

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Home Buying Tips

This summer will be a competitive season in the housing market where demand will be higher than supply. If you’re planning on buying a home, here are some tips to help you prepare.

Get Your Finances in Order Ahead of Time

Before you begin looking for houses, make sure you’re financially prepared to be a homeowner. This includes doing a credit check, gathering your employment and salary history, getting a current bank statement that shows savings and checking balances, making a list of your debts and anything else that could contribute to your net worth.

Be Prepared for High Prices

If you see a house you love, chances are someone else loves it too. Many sellers are receiving multiple offers and will often receive offers close to their asking price. Be prepared for firm prices and difficult negotiations. Determine your needs vs. wants when it comes to selecting a home and be willing to compromise so you can act and make an offer quickly.

Work with a Professional Real Estate Agent

Having a real estate agent on your team can make a big difference. An experienced agent can recognize what might make or break a deal. Your agent will offer the sellers your whole package and not just an offer number, making your offer more appealing to the seller. Your agent’s ability to negotiate on your behalf gives you peace of mind that you’re getting the most out of the deal.

To contact a Mel Foster Co. agent today visit our website.


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