5 Factors That Reveal Where the Real Estate Market is Really Headed

michaelgerard Real Estate Leave a Comment

It’s the old supply-and-demand predicament: Home sales in the U.S. continue at a torrid pace, but the availability of listings remains limited. Buoyed by historically low mortgage rates, buyers keep shopping for homes, reducing the available inventory and sparking a rise in home prices across the country. News website The Atlantic summarized the sizzling home market this way: “Pick a …

5 Secrets Buyers and Sellers Must Know About Virtual Home Tours

michaelgerard Real Estate Leave a Comment

For years now, virtual home tours have helped real estate buyers far and wide find the perfect home. From long-distance military personnel being relocated, to investors expanding their portfolio, to homeowners looking for a vacation getaway, this technology makes finding a house that’s a bit out of driving distance much easier. And for real estate agents, virtual tours have been …

Lowest Mortgage Rates in History: What It Means for Homeowners and Buyers

michaelgerard Real Estate Leave a Comment

In July, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell below 3% for the first time in history.1 And while many Americans have rushed to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity, others question the hype. Are today’s rates truly a bargain? While average mortgage rates have drifted between 4% and 5% in recent years, they haven’t always been so low. Freddie Mac …

Is Now a Good Time to Buy or Sell Real Estate? – A 10,000 Foot Perspective

michaelgerard Real Estate Leave a Comment

Traditionally, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for real estate. However, the coronavirus outbreak—and subsequent stay-at-home orders—led many buyers and sellers to put their moving plans on hold. In April, new listings fell nearly 45%, and sales volume fell 15% compared to last year.1 Fortunately, as restrictions have eased, we’ve seen an uptick in market activity. …

2020 Outlook: Real Estate Market Forecast

michaelgerard Real Estate Leave a Comment

We’re in the midst of the longest economic expansion in U.S. history, and economists think there’s still room to grow. A recent survey by the National Association for Business Economics found that experts believe the U.S. economy will remain positive throughout 2020.1 Still, given that recessions are a natural (and necessary) part of a business cycle, we know this period …

5 Steps to Finding Your Next Home

michaelgerard Real Estate Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, shopping for a new home can feel daunting. In fact, 56% of buyers said that “finding the right property” was the most difficult step in the home buying process.1 Buying a home is a significant commitment of both time and money. And a home purchase has the power to improve both …

Organization for the Disorganized

michaelgerard Real Estate Leave a Comment

If you’ve heard of Western Minimalism or Japanese KonMari, you know that these are principles that promote happiness through living with fewer possessions and eliminating clutter. These intentional lifestyles allow only items that make you happy and are useful to live in your home. By eliminating clutter, or things that don’t bring you joy, you’ll experience less stress and have …

What’s Your Home Actually Worth?

michaelgerard Real Estate Leave a Comment

Discover What Buyers Will Pay in Today’s Market It’s easy to look up how much money is in your savings account or the value of your stock investments. But determining the dollar value of a home is trickier. As a seller, knowing your home’s worth helps you price it correctly when you put it up for sale. If you price …