Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates, recognizes, and honors the beautiful traditions and cultures of the Indigenous People
We take a stand for and support the indigenous people on this day.
We should also offer our support to those who invest and uplift the indigenous communities.
Mortgage interest rates [↑](color-green) 2X since 2021, now averaging 6.78% for a 30-yr fixed-rate loan.
Choosing the right mortgage lender is challenging due to numerous options and mortgage types.
Wildfires are becoming more frequent and impactful in a warming climate.
Insurance companies are struggling to keep up with the rising costs of wildfire damage.
This is leading to a repricing of wildfire risk in the Real Estate market.
Housing prices remained high in June due to low inventory and increased buyer demand.
Avg home sale price in June was $426K, close to the all-time high.
Jumbo mortgages are non-conforming loans that exceed the conforming loan limits established by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. They are primarily used to finance high-value properties, but come with stricter requirements, such as a higher credit score, lower debt-to-income ratio, and larger down payments. Despite these challenges, jumbo mortgages can be a powerful tool for financing luxury properties and homes in competitive markets. With the right guidance and expertise, navigating the world of jumbo mortgages can be done safely and successfully.
Buying and selling a home simultaneously can be a difficult process, but with the right planning and strategies, it is possible for many homeowners. There are several options to consider, such as a bridge loan, a contingency, and a post-closing occupancy agreement, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. It is important to consult an experienced professional to determine which option is best for your needs.
The Fed Paused its key interest rate at at its current range between 5.25% and 5.50%. Meanwhile a rate hike is expected on Fed next meeting on Oct 31- Nov 1.Officials cut forecasts for 2024 rate cuts, suggesting a "higher for longer" policy; benchmark rate above 5% by end of 2024.
Rent prices in the US ↑ 1.7% MoM in June and ↑ 3% since April.
The median rent is $2,029, ↓ 1.8% than the peak in August 2022 but ↑ 5% from February 2023.
The rental industry's slower pace of growth is attributed to new inventory.
A survey of 1.3K Real Estate investors reveals that 60% believe the US is facing a housing shortage.
80% of these investors are selling renovated homes at or above asking price, indicating strong demand.
Conventional loans are a popular type of loan for home buyers, offered by private lenders and requiring a down payment of 3-5% and decent credit. These loans come in two main varieties – conforming loans with a maximum loan amount set by the government, and non-conforming loans with no limit. Borrowers should consider their individual situations to determine which type of loan is right for them.
25% of homeowners plan to buy new homes in the next two to five years.
Homeowners may wait a min of two years to avoid capital gains tax.
They also may rely on the equity in their current home for their next purchase.
Experts predicts ↓ 35% drop in office values by 2025 due to rising interest rates and reduced demand.
Structural shifts in remote work and reduced physical occupancy contribute to the decline in office space demand.
Vacancy rates have increased, leading to negative rental growth and falling net operating incomes.
The August Rental Activity Reports from RentCafe show a shift in renter preferences, with The Bronx rising three spots to #6, Queens jumping six spots to #13, and Manhattan climbing one spot to #37. This is due to decreases in listings and increases in page views, favorited apartments, and specific searches. These trends demonstrate changing housing dynamics and evolving urban landscapes.
If you’re a homeowner needing to move, you may have considered using your current home as a short-term rental or Air BnB property rather than selling it. A short-term rental (STR) is often offered as an alternative to a hotel, and it’s become a popular investment in recent years.
While a short-term rental may seem appealing, the reality of being responsible for one may be tough to accept. Here are some of the issues you may face if you rent out your home rather than selling it.
Responsibilities Come with a Short-Term Rental
It takes a lot of time and work to successfully manage your residence as a short-term rental. You’ll have to deal with reservations, organize check-ins, and handle cleaning, landscaping, and maintenance jobs. Each of these can be taxing on its own, but when combined, it’s a lot to handle.
Because new guests check in and out regularly, short-term rentals have a high turnover rate. Because of the increased wear and tear on your property, you may need to make more regular repairs or replace your furnishings, fixtures, and appliances more frequently.
Consider your ability to commit, particularly if you intend to use a platform to publicize your rental property. The majority of them have certain standards that hosts must meet. According to a Bankrate article:
Managing a rental property can be time-consuming and challenging. Are you handy and able to make some repairs yourself? If not, do you have a network of affordable contractors you can reach out to in a pinch? Consider whether you want to take on the added responsibility of being a landlord, which means screening tenants and fielding issues, among other responsibilities, or paying for a third party to take care of things instead.
There are numerous factors to consider before converting your home into a short-term rental. If you are not prepared to put in the effort, it may be better to sell.
Regulations for Short-Term Rentals
As the short-term rental sector expands, so do the restrictions. Limits on the number of holiday rentals in a specific place are regular legal restrictions. This is especially true in major cities and tourist areas where there may be concerns about overpopulation or a lack of permanent housing. There may also be restrictions on the type of property that can be utilized for short-term rentals.
Before renting out their properties, many cities require landowners to obtain a license or permit. Deckard Technologies’ CEO, Nick Del Pego, explains:
Renting short-term rentals is considered a business by most local governments, andowners must comply with specific workplace regulations and business licensing rules established in their local communities.
Before considering renting out your house, you should extensively investigate if short-term rentals are regulated or restricted by the local government and your homeowners’ association (HOA).
Summing It Up
Converting your house into a short-term rental is not a decision you should make lightly. Get in touch with us if you have questions about whether or not you should sell or rent out your house at (404) 410-6465 or visit Complete Realty Team.
The state of Georgia has launched a program called Georgia Mortgage Assistance which allows eligible residents to receive grants up to $50,000 to help pay off their mortgage. The program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and applications are now open. There are three different ways the program can assist recipients, including mortgage reinstatement, reducing the total mortgage loan balance, and making payments to vendors to reduce housing expenses. Eligibility requirements include being a resident of Georgia, meeting certain Area Median Income limits, and other conditions.
For first-time homebuyers, understanding and navigating the pre-approval process can be a daunting task. However, with the right knowledge and preparation, it can be a smooth and efficient process. The top 10 tips for first-time homebuyers include understanding the importance of pre-approval, checking your credit score, determining a budget, gathering necessary documentation, researching lenders, getting multiple quotes, being prepared for a hard credit inquiry, being honest about your financial situation, and not overextending.
Smart home products and systems are increasingly influential in attracting buyers across different price points.
>34% of likely buyers would pay a few thousand dollars extra for a smart home compared to a non-smart home.
~85% of buyers consider smart home features important, with ~40% expecting to pay no additional cost.
Homeowners who are looking for ways to access cash in their home without having to refinance to a higher rate than what they currently have can explore their home equity options. These include home equity loans, which come with lower interest rates than other credit types and a tax deduction on the interest paid, and HELOCs, which have variable interest rates and allow borrowers to deduct up to 80% of their home equity.