Blog
Looking for a Place To Call Home? Consider a Condominium.
It’s no secret that one of the top stories in today’s real estate market is low housing supply and high buyer demand. If you’re a first-time buyer looking for a starter home or are someone who’s interested in downsizing, it may be worth considering a condominium...
The Community and Economic Impacts of a Home Sale
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, chances are you’re focusing on the many extraordinary ways it’ll change your life. What you may not realize is that decision impacts people’s lives far beyond your own. Home purchases and sales are significant drivers...
Ready To Sell, but Don’t Know Where You’ll Go? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights If you’re thinking about selling your current house but are unsure about what type of home to buy next, you’re not alone. This is a significant decision, and it’s important to know you have several excellent options. The choice between an existing home...
Surprising Shift Favors Homeowners: Buyers Now Prefer Existing Homes
In April, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) posted an article, Home Buyers’ Preferences Shift Towards New Construction, which reported: “60% of people who were looking to buy a home in 2020 said they’d prefer new construction to an existing home.”...
Sellers: Make Today’s Home Price Appreciation Work for You
Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that’s good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their home’s potential. If you’re on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this...
With Rents on the Rise – Is Now the Time To Buy?
According to recent data from realtor.com, median rental prices have reached their highest point ever recorded in many areas across the country. The report found rents rose by 8.1% from the same time last year. As it notes: “Beyond simply recovering to pre-pandemic...
Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home
Sometimes it can feel like everyone has advice when it comes to buying a home. While your friends and loved ones may have your best interests in mind, they may also be missing crucial information about today’s housing market that you need to make your best decision....
Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights If you’re thinking about buying a home but considering delaying the decision in hopes of saving money, it’s time to reevaluate that plan. While waiting might feel like a cautious choice, it could actually lead to higher costs over time, especially as...
Home Sellers: There Is an Extra Way To Welcome Home Our Veterans
Some veterans are finding it difficult to obtain a home in today’s market. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Conventional conforming mortgages (mortgages that conform to guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), accounted for 74% of...
4 Reasons Why the End of Forbearance Will Not Lead to a Wave of Foreclosures
With forbearance plans about to come to an end, many are concerned the housing market will experience a wave of foreclosures like what happened after the housing bubble 15 years ago. Here are four reasons why that won’t happen. 1. There are fewer homeowners in trouble...
A Look at Housing Supply and What It Means for Sellers
One of the hottest topics of conversation in today’s real estate market is the shortage of available homes. Simply put, there are many more potential buyers than there are homes for sale. As a seller, you’ve likely heard that low supply is good news for you. It means...
3 Hot Topics in the Housing Market Right Now
If you’re a prospective buyer or seller, it’s important to understand the current real estate market conditions and how they affect you. The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) just released its Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate report. Here are three hot topics from...
Pop Quiz: Can You Define These Key Terms in Today’s Housing Market?
Some Highlights The language of buying and selling a home may sound scary at first, but knowing how key terms relate to today’s market can help you. For example, current low mortgage rates and higher wages positively impact affordability for buyers, while home price...
Today’s Real Estate Market Explained Through 4 Key Trends
As we move into the second half of the year, one thing is clear: the current real estate market is one for the record books. The exact mix of conditions we have today creates opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Here’s a look at four key components that are...
Remote Work Has Changed Our Home Needs. Is It Time for Your Home To Change, Too?
Over the past year, many homeowners realized what they need in a home is changing, especially with the rise in remote work. If you’re longing for a dedicated home office or a change in scenery, now may be the time to find the home that addresses your evolving needs....
3 Charts That Show This Isn’t a Housing Bubble
With home prices continuing to deliver double-digit increases, some are concerned we’re in a housing bubble like the one in 2006. However, a closer look at the market data indicates this is nothing like 2006 for three major reasons. 1. The housing market isn’t driven...
Why This Isn’t Your Typical Summer Housing Market
In real estate, it’s normal to see ebbs and flows in the market. Typically, the summer months are slower-paced than the traditionally busy spring. But this isn’t a typical summer. As the economy rebounds and life is returning to normal, the real estate market is...
4 Major Incentives To Sell This Summer
While the housing market forecast for the second half of the year remains positive, there may not be a better time to sell than right now. Here are four things to consider if you’re trying to decide if now’s the right time to make a move. 1. Your House Will Likely...
Your Home Equity Can Take You Places [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights The amount of wealth Americans have stored in their homes has increased astronomically. On average, homeowners gained $33,400 in equity over the last 12 months, and the average equity on mortgaged homes is now $216,000. When it’s time to sell, your...
Selling Your House? Make Sure You Price It Right.
There’s no denying we’re in a sellers’ market. With low inventory and high buyer demand, homes today are selling above the asking price at a record rate. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR): Homes...
The Truths Young Homebuyers Need To Hear
For many young or first-time homebuyers, purchasing a home can feel intimidating. A recent survey shows some homebuyers ages 25 to 40 may be unsure about the homebuying process and what they can afford. It found: “1 in 4 underestimated their buying potential by $150k...
A Look at Home Price Appreciation Through 2025
Home prices have increased significantly over the last year, which in turn has grown the net worth of homeowners. Appreciation and home equity are directly linked – as the value of a home increases, so does a homeowner’s equity. And with these recent gains, homeowners...
Home Builders Ramp Up Construction Based on Demand
If you’re thinking of buying a home, there really is no time like the present. With today’s low mortgage rates, you have a great opportunity to get more home for your money. The challenge is inventory. Like you, many buyers want to capitalize on these market...
Happy Independence Day!
Wishing you a happy and safe Independence Day. Wishing you a joyful and safe Independence Day! Today, we come together as a nation to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy and reflect on the sacrifices made to secure them. It’s a day to honor the courage and determination...
Are We in a Housing Bubble? Experts Say No.
The question of whether the real estate market is a bubble ready to pop seems to be dominating a lot of conversations – and everyone has an opinion. Yet, when it comes down to it, the opinions that carry the most weight are the ones based on experience and expertise....
What Do Experts See on the Horizon for the Second Half of the Year?
As we move into the latter half of the year, questions about what’s to come are top of mind for buyers and sellers. Near record-low mortgage rates coupled with rising home price appreciation kicked off a robust housing market in the first half of 2021, but what does...
What To Expect as Appraisal Gaps Grow
In today’s real estate market, low inventory and high demand are driving up home prices. As many as 54% of homes are getting offers over the listing price, based on the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Shawn Telford,...
Save Time and Effort by Selling with an Agent
Selling a house is a time-consuming process – especially if you decide to do it on your own, known as a For Sale By Owner (FSBO). From conducting market research to reviewing legal documents, handling negotiations, and more, it’s an involved and highly detailed...
Homebuyers: Hang in There [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights Today’s sellers’ market provides unique challenges—and benefits—for buyers. Current low interest rates won’t last forever, and home prices are forecast to rise. If you’re a homebuyer, hang in there. Homeownership improves your quality of life, and the...
Demand for Vacation Homes Is Still Strong
The pandemic created a tremendous interest in vacation homes across the country. Throughout the last year, many people purchased second homes as a safe getaway from the challenges of the health crisis. With many professionals working from home and many students taking...
Homeowner Wealth Increases Through Growing Equity This Year
Building financial wealth and stability remains one of the top reasons Americans choose to own a home, and as a homeowner, your wealth often grows without you even realizing it. In a recent paper published by the Urban Institute, Home Ownership is Affordable Housing,...
Pre-Approval Makes All the Difference When Buying a Home
You may have been told that it’s important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today’s market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it’s crucial to...
5 Things Homebuyers Need To Know When Making an Offer
When it comes to buying a house, you’re looking for the perfect place to call home. The problem is, in today’s market there just aren’t that many homes available to purchase. With inventory hovering near record lows and sky-high buyer demand, a multi-offer scenario is...
Owning a Home Has Distinct Financial Benefits Over Renting
Some Highlights When you rent, you build your landlord’s wealth, your monthly payment depends on ever-rising rents, and you don’t benefit from home price appreciation. On the other hand, when you own your home, you build your own wealth, your monthly payment is locked...
6 Steps to Financial Freedom
A proven method to pay off debt, grow your net worth, invest, retire comfortably, and leave a legacy.
Don’t Wait To Sell Your House
We’re in the ultimate sellers’ market right now. If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling, you have a huge advantage in today’s housing market. High buyer demand paired with very few houses for sale makes this the optimal time to sell for those who are ready to do...
Hope Is on the Horizon for Today’s Housing Shortage
The major challenge in today’s housing market is that there are more buyers looking to purchase than there are homes available to buy. Simply put, supply can’t keep up with demand. A normal market has a 6-month supply of homes for sale. Anything over that indicates...
The Right Expert Will Guide You Through This Unprecedented Market
In a normal market, it’s good to have an experienced guide coaching you through the process of buying or selling a home. That person can advise you on important things like pricing your home correctly or the first steps to take when you’re ready to buy. However, the...
Have Your Day in the Sun by Moving Up This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights Longer days and sunny weather mean summer is upon us, and what better conditions than right now to upgrade to the home of your dreams? If your needs have changed, it’s a great time to upgrade – there’s likely high demand for your current house, and...
Why This Is Not Like 2008 Again
During the Great Recession, just over a decade ago, the financial systems the world depended on started to collapse. It created a panic that drove some large companies out of business (ex. Lehman Brothers) and many more into bankruptcy. The financial crisis that...
Home Price Appreciation Is as Simple as Supply and Demand
Home price appreciation continues to accelerate. Today, prices are driven by the simple concept of supply and demand. Pricing of any item is determined by how many items are available compared to how many people want to buy that item. As a result, the strong...
In Today’s Market, Listing Prices Are Like an Auction’s Reserve Price
For generations, the process of buying and selling a home never really changed. A homeowner would try to estimate the market value of their house, then tack on a little extra to give themselves some negotiating room. That figure would become the listing...
Why You May Want To Cash in on Your Second Home
When stay-at-home mandates were enforced last year, many households realized their homes didn’t really fulfill their new lifestyle needs. An office (in some cases two), a media room, space for children to learn, a gym, and a large yard are all examples of amenities...
Top Reasons To Own Your Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights June is National Homeownership Month, and it’s a great time to consider the benefits of owning your own home. If you’re thinking of buying a home, it might just help you find the stability, community, and comfort you’ve been searching for over the past...
Dreaming of a Bigger Home? Why Not Buy It This Year?
Are you clamoring for extra rooms or a more functional floorplan in your house? Maybe it’s time to make a move. If you’ll be able to work remotely for the long-term or your overall needs have simply changed, it’s a great time to sell your house and move up. Why? With...
What’s Motivating People To Move Right Now?
This year, Americans are moving for a variety of reasons. The health crisis has truly reshaped our lifestyles and our needs. Spending so much more time in our current homes has driven many people to reconsider what homeownership means and what they find most valuable...
6 Reasons to Celebrate National Homeownership Month
Our homes are so much more than the houses we live in. For many, they’ve also become our workplaces, schools for our children, and safe harbors in which we’ve weathered the toughest moments of a global pandemic. Today, 65.6% of Americans call their homes their own, a...
We Remember, Today and Always
We remember and honor those who gave all. "We remember and honor those who gave all." This phrase serves as a solemn reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by countless men and women in service to their country. Whether they served in times of war, conflict, or...
Homes Across the Country Are Selling Fast [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights In today’s whirlwind real estate market, houses are selling at astonishing speed – from sea to shining sea. Four years ago, the average house spent 39 days on the market. Two years ago, homes were on the market for about 24 days. Today, that number has...
How Misunderstandings about Affordability Could Cost You
There’s a lot of discussion about affordability as home prices continue to appreciate rapidly. Even though the most recent index on affordability from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows homes are more affordable today than the historical average, some...
Buying a Home Is Still Affordable
The last year has put emphasis on the importance of one’s home. As a result, some renters are making the jump into homeownership while some homeowners are re-evaluating their current house and considering a move to one that better fits their current lifestyle....
Where Do Experts Say the Housing Market Is Heading?
As we enter the middle of 2021, many are wondering if we’ll see big changes in the housing market during the second half of this year. Here’s a look at what some experts have to say about key factors that will drive the industry and the economy forward in the months...
3 Things To Prioritize When Selling Your House
Today’s housing market is full of unprecedented opportunities. High buyer demand paired with record-low housing inventory is creating the ultimate sellers’ market, which means it’s a fantastic time to sell your house. However, that doesn’t mean sellers are guaranteed...
Americans Choose Real Estate as the Best Investment
Some Highlights For the eighth year in a row, real estate maintained its position as the preferred long-term investment among Americans. Real estate has been gaining ground against stocks, gold, and savings accounts over the last 11 years and now stands at its highest...
Becoming a Trusted Advisor
How Realtors can move from Price to Advice
Becoming a Trusted Advisor
How Realtors can move from Price to Advice
Should I Move or Refinance?
The level of equity homeowners have is at an all-time high. According to the U.S. Census, over 38% of owner-occupied homes are owned free and clear, meaning they don’t have a mortgage. Those with a mortgage are seeing their equity skyrocket too. Every time real estate...
Sellers Are Ready To Enter the Housing Market
One of the biggest questions in real estate today is, “When will sellers return to the housing market?” An ongoing shortage of home supply has created a hyper-competitive environment for hopeful buyers, leading to the ultimate sellers’ market. However, as the economy...
Americans See Real Estate as a Better Investment Than Stocks or Gold
Last month, in a post on the Liberty Street Economics blog, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noted that Americans believe buying a home is definitely or probably a better investment than buying stocks. Last week, a Gallup Poll reaffirmed those findings. In an...
Don’t Forget to Budget for Closing Costs
When buying a home, it’s important to have a budget and make sure you plan ahead for certain homebuying expenses. Saving for a down payment is the main cost that comes to mind for many, but budgeting for the closing costs required to get a mortgage is just as...
When It Comes To Selling a House, Your Time Is Money
Some Highlights Selling a house is no small task. If you decide to try to do it on your own, keep in mind you’ll be responsible for all the expert-level work of a real estate professional. The vital tasks an agent manages for you include listing and marketing your...
Your House Could Be the Oasis in an Inventory Desert
Homebuyers are flooding the housing market right now to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates. Many have a sense of urgency to find a home soon since experts forecast a steady rise in both rates and home prices this year and next. As a result, buyer demand...
It’s Not Too Late To Apply For Forbearance
Over the past year, the pandemic made it challenging for some homeowners to make their mortgage payments. Thankfully, the government initiated a forbearance program to provide much-needed support. Unless they’re extended once again, some of these plans and the...
Experts Say Home Prices Will Continue to Appreciate
It’s clear that consumers are concerned about how quickly home values are rising. Many people fear the speed of appreciation may lead to a crash in prices later this year. In fact, Google reports that the search for “When is the housing market going to crash?” has...
3 Graphs Showing Why You Should Sell Your House Now
There’s no doubt that 2021 is the year of the seller when it comes to the housing market. If you’re a homeowner thinking of moving to better suit your changing needs, now is the perfect time to do so. Low mortgage rates are in your favor when you’re ready to purchase...
The Power of Mortgage Pre-Approval
Some Highlights Mortgage pre-approval means a lender has reviewed your finances and, based on factors like your income, debt, and credit history, determined how much you’re qualified to borrow. Being pre-approved for a loan can give you clarity while planning your...
DISC and Communication
How to understand your clients personality type and communicate with them in a way they want to receive information.
Elevating Your VIP Relationships
Identify and deepen your relationships with the most important people in your life. Learn strategies and tactics to generate warn, organic, high-converting leads from your existing relationships.
How to Get Your Offer Accepted in a Low Inventory Market
Tactics and Strategies that Realtors can use to increase the likelihood that their buyer’s offer will be accepted by a seller.
Generating Leads that Convert for Realtors
Learn tactics to enable you to consistently generate high quality leads for your Real Estate Business.
June 27, 2020
The Value of Hardscaping at Your Home
Curb appeal is one of the biggest factors when selling a home. Keeping the exterior of your home tidy and aesthetically pleasing can keep your neighborhood beautiful, encourage other homeowners to take pride in their homes, and attract more buyers if you are trying to...
What to expect after your offer is accepted
Did your offer get accepted? If so, congratulations! One of the first major items in the escrow process is the home inspection. Hopefully you took some time for yourself to have a quick celebration but with the escrow clock ticking you will need to get right down to...
Finding a home and making an offer
In earlier posts we discussed finding the right lender and realtor. Now it is time to move on to the most exciting and sometimes nerve racking part of the home buying process. It is time to search for that home of your dreams and make an offer. Before hopping into the...
How to pick the right real estate agent
In our last post we talked about the pre-approval and how the two most important items that any potential home buyer needed to focus on first was their credit and their pre-approval. Assuming all looked good in those areas, the next item to sit down and consider is...
Two major items home buyers need to think about before contacting a realtor.
Many people find it useful to have a checklist and on any good checklist these 2 items should be the first items on that list. as they are essential to getting the ball rolling on your dream of home ownership. The 2 major items a potential home shopper needs to begin...
Selling (or Buying) in Peak Real Estate Season
Produce has a season. So do sports. But did you know that real estate has a peak season as well? People buy and sell homes all year long but there are certain times of the year when more transactions are likely to take place. The peak real estate season refers to the...
Absolute Realty Solutions and Wells Funding
We discuss the state of the Real Estate and housing market and offer some insights valuable to the current homeowner and home buyers
Five Questions Realtors Need to Answer Right Now
Presenting the answers to the 5 most common questions being asked by homeowners and potential buyers today.
Market Update with Wells Funding and the Lisa Gaff Team
Market Update 4-6-2020
Forbearance: What is it, what does it mean, and what can you do about it?
We want to help good people make great financial decisions. With all the talk about mortgage forbearance, I wanted to break it all down and show the ramifications and the risks associated with this option.
Should you skip a mortgage payment?
Video from 3/26/2020 on whether or not someone should apply for forbearance on their mortgage payment.
COVID-19 and the Real Estate Market
Video about how COVID-19 and the measures taken will impact the economy and the housing market
Power up Your Power Hour
Webinar I put together to provide Tips, Tactics, Systems, and Strategies for Realtors to use to make more calls and create more leads.
April 8, 2020
Weekly Market Update 8-13-18
What is happening in the Mortgage Market for the week of August 13, 2017.