Posts

Why Pre-Approval Is an Important Step for Today’s Homebuyers

  Being intentional and competitive are musts when   buying a home   this season. That’s why pre-approval is so important today states  Michael Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott . Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Peter Warden, Editor of   The Mortgage Reports ,   explains : “The lender will check out your personal finances and issue you a letter confirming the amount you’re eligible to borrow. This not only gives you a firm budget for house hunting,  but also lets sellers know you’re qualified to make an offer .” Why does that matter so much today? There are many more buyers looking for homes today than there are homes available for sale, and that’s creating some serious  competition . According to the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR), the average home is getting  4.8 offers ...

Is It Time To Buy a Smaller Home?

  Life events can have a major impact on what you need from your home, and retirement is one of the biggest changes many of us face.  Michael Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott  states. This period of your life can mean doing more of the things you enjoy, like traveling, visiting with loved ones, or taking on new hobbies. But what does that mean for your home? If you’re looking for ways to focus more on the important things in your life, the answer could be downsizing. A  recent article  from  The Balance  talks about why it could be a great option, saying: “There are many reasons to buy a smaller home—or to downsize from your present home—but sometimes,  the idea that “less is more” is what propels homeowners to buy a smaller home.” You Can Find the Right Home for Your Needs The  2022 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends  from the  National Association of Realtors...

On the Fence of Whether or Not To Move This Spring? Consider This.

Image
  If you’re thinking of   selling   your house, it may be because you’ve heard   prices are rising , listings are going fast, and sellers are getting   multiple offers   on their homes in states  Michael Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott . But why are conditions so good for sellers today? And what can you   expect   when you move? To help answer both of those questions, let’s turn to the data. Today, there are far more buyers looking for homes than sellers listing their houses. Here are the maps of the latest  buyer and seller traffic  from the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR) to help paint the picture of what this looks like: Notice how much darker the blues are on the left. This shows buyer traffic is strong today. In contrast, the much lighter blues on the right indicate weak or very weak seller traffic.  In a nutshell, the demand for homes is s...

Why a Real Estate Professional Is Key When Selling Your House

Image
  With today’s real estate market moving as fast as it is, working with a   real estate professional   is more essential than ever states Michael  Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott   They have the skills, experience, and expertise it takes to navigate the highly detailed and involved process of selling a home. That may be why the percentage of people who list their houses on their own, known as an FSBO or For Sale By Owner, has reached its   lowest point   since 1985 ( see graph below ): Here are five reasons why selling with a real estate professional makes more sense, even in today’s  hot market : 1. They Know What Buyers Want To See Before you decide which projects and repairs to take on, connect with a real estate professional. They have first-hand experience with today’s buyers, what they expect, and what you need to do to make sure your house  shows well . If you don’t lean ...

Using Your Tax Refund To Achieve Your Homeownership Goals This Year

Image
 If  you’re buying or selling a home this year, you’re likely saving up for a variety of   expenses .  Michael Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott states.  For buyers, that might include things like your   down payment   and closing costs. And for sellers, you’re probably working on a bit of spring cleaning and maintenance to spruce up your house before you list it. Either way, any money you get back from your taxes can help you achieve your goals. Using a tax refund is a common tactic for buyers and sellers.  SmartAsset   estimates  the average American will receive a $2,897 tax refund this year. The map below provides a more detailed estimate by state: If you’re getting a refund this year, here are a few tips to help with your home purchase or sale this season. How Buyers Can Use Their Tax Refund According to  American Financing , there are multiple ways your refund chec...