The real estate market was covered by a cloud of uncertainty as 2018 came to a close. With the proposed tax bill expected to increase mortgage and interest rates, many are hesitant to buy or sell their house. Breathe easy. This bump is expected to be a gradual rollout. In fact, prices may not be heavily affected until the end of 2020 or beginning of 2021. That is why right now is the perfect time to sell your home. Let us explain!

Moods of Buyers and Sellers Are Changing

If you have been on the fence about selling your house, right now is that “pull the trigger” moment. That is because those who are also on the fence about buying a house are coming to the same realization that you are. The time to do it is now!

As a potential seller, you have the concerns that many other homebuyers are having. They’re nervous to list their house. This is an advantage for you.

The market is not as competitive as it was a year before. Naturally, this makes your house in better standing against others.

Consequently, you may not see as many people scoping out your property. This is not a cause for concern. In actuality, this is sort of a blessing.

Less bites is like a filter mechanism. Having fewer people looking makes it easier to differentiate between potential buyers and “tire-kickers.” With fewer houses on the market and a smaller pool of people looking, you only have serious candidates out there.

It’s actually a win-win situation for both parties. Sellers aren’t overpricing their homes. Meanwhile, buyers aren’t lowballing and wasting sellers’ time.

You Might Make a Pretty Good Profit

If you have a considerable amount of equity in your home, then right now is undoubtedly the best time to sell your house. For one, you are already up in the game.

Chances are, you probably bought your house when the interest rates were at a record low. This allowed you the cushion to gain more equity. So, you were paying low prices to earn considerable equity. Selling now sets you up for a very nice profit.

Right now, interest rates are still affordable. That means people looking to buy are pretty eager to lock in at today’s rate. Therefore, you can list your house without worry of taking a hit.  

As we mentioned, you still have some time. The same goes for your buyer. Therefore, potential buyers might feel comfortable negotiating. Keep this in mind. You’re still in a position where you can price your property with an amount that leaves room for negotiation. Just make sure you have that “bottom out” number in mind. Right now is not the time to dip below that number.

Has the dream of owning a home been on your mind lately? Have you been putting off making the leap or waiting until the right moment? Perhaps 2019 is the year for you to transition into home ownership. Don’t let another year go by without making progress – resolve to buy a home in 2019!

Reduce Spending, Increase Saving

The first step to buying a home is saving up a substantial down payment. The bigger your down payment, the more affordable paying off your home will be in the long run. Calculating a smaller monthly mortgage payment will make your dream feel more achievable.

The most effective way to save more money towards your down payment (aside from working towards a major income increase) is to reduce your spending. Are there large purchases you can go without? Can you plan smaller vacations or stay-cations? Cancel any unnecessary subscription services like extra TV channels, magazines, novelty apps, unused gym memberships, and others. You can always re-enroll after you have reached your savings goals.

Aim for Career Stability

When you are working towards buying a home, job hopping is not the best move. Lenders will look for stability in your employment history and at least two years with the same company is ideal. Recent job changes (even if better for your career) may flag your application. If a great opportunity comes around, still consider the benefits – but keep your lenders up to date and provide plenty of documentation to show you are a stable employee.

It is also helps to remain in salaried positions while going through the home-buying process. Less dependable income sources such as jobs based on commission or seasonal jobs may be undesirable for lenders.

Improve Your Credit

Your credit can make a huge impact in the home loan you receive, so taking a little extra time to boost your score will really pay off. A good history of paying off debts (loans, credit cards) shows that you are a responsible borrower.

Consider speaking with a financial advisor on ways to build credit. It could save you thousands in the long-run.

Take on a Side Job

Many people have taken up side-gigs these days to support their savings goals. When you are trying to buy a home, this is a great way to build up your down payment and reach your goal of owning a home. These days, there are tons of ways to boost your income, even if you already work a full-time job.

Outside of  getting a part-time or night job, consider using resources you already have to make money such as with sites like Uber, Turo, and Airbnb. If you have technical skills, find your niche on Upwork or Fiverr; if you’re crafty sell on Etsy. Have a passion for essential oils or a particular skin care brand? Consider selling on the side. Babysit, fundraise, dog-walk, or get creative in any way that speaks to you.

Can you boost your income at your current job? Is it time for that raise or promotion? Can you take on extra projects or hours to grow your paycheck?

Become a Home Owner in 2019

You already have the dream of buying a home, now is the time to get to work and reach for it! Aside from looking for your perfect neighborhood and amenities, getting your finances in order is the first step to make that dream a reality. Make this the year you become a home owner!

We can almost hear the noise makers already. New Year’s is upon us. Time to live up to the resolution you set for yourself. If you haven’t set one yet (or if you need an extra), we have a great New Year’s resolution for you. Make 2019 the year you finally do it…you know, buy a house! That’s right, 2019 is the year you are going to find the house you’ve been dreaming about. Here’s how you can make that happen in the coming calendar year!

 

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Start Early

If we’re going to do this, let’s go all-in. Start the year of running. After all, sellers are looking at 2019 as the same clean slate that you are. Just as you are using January 1st as your launch pad into the next step of your journey, so are many others. The pickings will be nice and ripe when the ball drops. So act fast. You might get a great deal from someone who is looking to get an ultimate clean slate!

 

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Go to a Showing

If you’re ever driving around with time to kill, stop at an Open House. The more you immerse yourself in the homebuying process, the easier it will be. Going to more Open Houses will help you decide what you want. Also, it allows you to see first-hand what the going rate is…and what you’re getting for it. This can help you balance your finances more wisely.

 

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Talk to Your Partner/Roommate

Figure out what you want. This will help a lot. Discuss these desires with whoever you are going to be living with. Having an open dialogue from the get-go will help when you are discussing more pressing manners down the line. Go into this experience with a gameplan. Decide a number you can afford and brainstorm what is essential for your happiness in these living quarters. Having both sides of the spectrum figured out as you start the search will help you as search. That way, when you see what you want…you’ll know it!

 

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Browse Listings

Sometimes it’s fun to fantasize. Look at extravagant houses and lust over all the amenities. Let your mind wander. Once you get excited at the endless possibilities, start to look at more reasonable ranges. Getting your gears going will help you become more serious about taking this big step in the coming year.

 

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Talk to Friends

Want to stay local? Looking to move somewhere where other friends and family members are? Either way, tell loved ones to keep a lookout in the area. After all, if the neighborhood is good enough for them, then it’s probably good enough for you as well. Plus, can you imagine the awesome housewarming party? Be sure to invite us, too!

Winter is here. That means the holidays are coming, temperatures will drop, and it’s the best time of the year to sell your Southern California house. While the rest of the world is hibernating for the entire season, you can take advantage of what the winter time has to offer. After all, this is the most wonderful time of the year…to sell your house. Don’t believe us? Let us explain how.

 

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Nostalgia FTW

Perhaps no other holidays pull at your heartstrings quite like the winter months. When potential homebuyers are searching for a house, they are looking to purchase a backdrop for their future memories. As any family will attest to, some of the most formative memories in any clan’s life are the holidays.

By decorating your house with holiday spirit, you might trigger feelings inside of potential clients they didn’t even know they had. Throw up some lights, plop a couple inflatables on the front lawn, and put that Elf on the Shelf. Anything that can get potential buyers to imagine their future in your house will go along way in selling them a home.

 

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Makes a Great Gift

Is there anything more heartwarming for a holiday gift than planning your future with the ones you love? Nothing says “I love you” during the holiday season like milestones. Besides an engagement ring, there isn’t a gift in this world that tells the person you love how serious you are about the future more than a house.

Many young families take the plunge and buy a house to surprise their significant other for the holidays. Take advantage of this life-altering moment and put your house on the market just in time for the holiday season.

 

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Location

The greatest aspect of living in Southern California is the location. Nothing causes Easterners and Northerners to relocate more than the cold months. Whether they’re snowbirding on vacation or looking to get out of dodge online, people want to get out of the cold and thaw out. Why not choose your house to be that heater? By putting your house on the market in the winter months, you are going to draw in people who are looking for a change of scenery.

Make sure to really market the climate in your ad. If there are images unique to SoCal like palm trees or oceanfront, be sure to include them in your posting. Remind the rest of the world that it’s not freezing where your house is located and that buying your home can give the potential buyer a unique landscape all year round.