1. Many of us don’t regularly clean as we go, “But if your New Year’s resolution is to have a house that doesn’t send you into a shame spiral when friends drop by, read on for our dirty … er, clean dozen: simple, quick habits that will make it look like someone slaved over your house all day.” Realtor.com just posted 12 Habits People With Clean, Organized Homes Have in Common. Have a look. How many of the 12 do you do on a regular basis?
2. SMART INVESTING BASICS
Some folks are predicting another real estate crash. Although we can never predict the future, I am not one of those individuals. I was helping buyers and sellers right through the last crash, and I also helped clients flip houses. I have firsthand knowledge of the downturn, what happened, and how it happened. “Before the housing market crisis from 2008 to 2012, the banks were being foolish. They were making outlandish loans to just about anyone who wanted a house or even two houses.” I have not witnessed that same behavior since the last crash. Mark Ferguson a Forbes Real Estate Council member just wrote: Should You Wait To Invest In Real Estate Until The Housing Market Crashes? It’s definitely worth reading.
3. INNER CITY INSPIRATION
I worked with New Haven, Conn. inner city youth and adults for many years so this story is particularly meaningful to me. CBS News just reported about a Real estate broker and man who returned $10,000 check help the homeless. “Many homeless people are haunted by drug addiction, mental illness or a criminal past. Indeed, Elmer Alvarez knows those demons all too well. But he said just because a person is without a home, it doesn’t mean they’re void of character.” This man did the right thing and both he and the real estate agent are reaping the rewards of his action.
4. SELLING? START HERE
Are you selling a house and want to stay on a tight budget? “One of the most common mistakes sellers make is assuming they need to sink a bunch of money into home staging. Some choose the expensive route—swapping out their furniture and art at the behest of a hired professional home stager—but that’s not the only way to impress potential buyers.” Realtor.com has come up with How to Stage a House for Free: 7 Ideas That Don’t Cost a Dime. Have a look. It’s a great place to start.
5. DOMINATING MILLENIALS
Data suggests millenials will start to outnumber baby boomers in 2019. That said, “According to the new report from Apartment List, although nine out of ten millennials who rent want to purchase a home, very few actually have immediate plans to do so. Just 4.9 percent say they’re able to do so in the next year, while 34 percent say they expect it to take upwards of five years.” Seattle’s Komo News reports on how Millennials will become the largest generation in 2019 – so what happens to real estate?
6. RESOLVE NOT RESOLUTIONS
Resolve is to decide firmly on a course of action. Resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. I prefer to use resolve in the new year, and if I were planning on building a home gym, I might consider one of these ideas from Houzz. How to Create a Home Gym You’ll Actually Use. “Start the new year off on the right foot with expert tips on designing a home fitness space you’ll stick with.” Stay strong!
7. SLOWING BUT NOT STALLING
WaPo has the Experts weigh in on what the 2019 housing market will bring. “In their forecasts for 2019, real estate experts anticipate the housing market slowing down, but not stalling, with prices and mortgage rates moderating.” See what the NAR, Realtor.com, Redfin, Zillow, and a couple of more experts predict about the real estate market this year.
8. OLD STRATEGY REVISITED
Let’s face it. Real estate prices are high. Especially in more desirable parts of the United States. With more millenials now than baby boomers, it maybe important for some to figure out a way to help them enter the real estate market. “Enter a strategy that could help potential buyers afford a new home, even as mortgages become more expensive: Paying your lender a fee upfront in order to reduce the interest rate on the mortgage.” I’ve seen this strategy before, but it’s important to find out if it’s the right strategy for you or your clients. CNBC’s article, This home-buying strategy could come back in style as mortgage rates rise is a good place to start.
9. NOT ALL-CASH ANYMORE
MSN reports Chinese buyers are now working with U.S. lenders who are helping them finance homes. “They have been the top foreign buyers in both units and dollar volume of residential housing for six years straight, according to the National Association of Realtors, and now they are expanding to new, lower price tiers.” Have a look at this video explaining how the Chinese middle class is buying up US residential real estate.
10. SMART SHOPPING
Realty Times has a few suggestions on How To Keep From Going House Poor. “The only thing worse than not being able to buy a home when you want to is owning a home and not being able to do anything but sit inside because after your house payment, HOA fee, taxes, and household bills, there’s nothing left. A few smart strategies can help you avoid becoming house poor.” It’s also a good idea to talk with a real estate professional to get the best information relevant to your unique situation.
Have a great weekend!
