1. “For those of us who live in cold-weather climates, the winter months are synonymous with hibernation mode. Who wants to go outside when you have to shovel 2 feet of snow just to see the sidewalk? But don’t let the next blizzard or polar vortex take the wind out of your home renovation sails. A frigid winter weekend is the perfect time to tackle an indoor project.” Realtor.com suggests you Take It Inside: 7 Weekend Improvement Projects You Can Do in Your Pajamas. These projects are pretty simple, so why not grab one of the kids to help you too? Is there a better way to spend an afternoon, teaching them something they can use for the rest of their lives?
2. WE’RE ALL MOVING TO MICHIGAN
The NYT reports “This fall, the United Nations stunned the world when it released a report saying that if no action was taken, the catastrophic effects of climate change could be felt as early as 2040. It painted a bleak picture of a world plagued by fires, food shortages, extreme heat, droughts, floods and disease. Entire populations might have to migrate away from coastal or Southern cities. There would be a strain on resources and damage to the economy. Some believe that prices on Northern land will surge.” Here’s an idea to help you feel better. Build a bit of Climate Change Insurance: Buy Land Somewhere Else. As an added bonus to all this good news, watch this 2016 Popular Science video suggesting These will be the best places to live in America in 2100 A.D.
3. NEED A NOTARY?
“So long are the days of scrambling to find a notary, or inviting a stranger into your home to notarize a deed or mortgage.” Webcam notaries are game changers in the real estate business. Abc7.com reports “Whether you live in another state or another county, you don’t have to worry about scrambling to find a notary in person.” How much will this change how we’ve been doing business? We will just have to wait and see.
4. SEATTLE COOL DOWN
It’s December and yes it is getting colder, but that’s not what KOMO News is talking about in their recent real estate article, Case-Shiller real estate numbers confirm: Seattle is cooling off. “So while Seattle is definitely enjoying a cool down, and no longer sits atop the Case-Shiller list of cities with the fastest increasing prices, it hasn’t fallen all that far. The median home price in the Seattle area, according to the latest from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, is still more than $706,000, and that only drops to $613,509 when you factor in the rest of King County.” Good news for home buyers!
5. NOT SO FAST
Will this winter be the new prime time house shopping season for home buyers? “Prices are usually lower in the winter months, in fact 18 percent lower in the Chicago area on average than at the peak of the market in June, according to Re/Max. So add higher rates to that, and sellers will have to be more flexible this year. The sky is no longer the limit. Not even close.” CNBC reports December is usually the slowest month for home sales, but that might not be the case this year. Get out there buyers. It may be a great time for you. Even with rising interest rates, maybe there will even be some motivated sellers out there willing to finance for you.
6. STILL NO BARGAINS
Realtor.com just posted The Housing Slowdown Is Here—and These 10 Cities Are Getting Hit Hardest. “Over the last decade, the seemingly unstoppable growth of the American housing market has created a bonanza for sellers, a cutthroat environment for buyers, and an endless source of fascination for just about everyone else.” Although these ten cities have experienced significant slowdowns, it still may be a bit of a challenge to get a bargain property.
7. OFF THE HAMSTER WHEEL
Coastal Living just featured This Tiny Fishing Cottage Is What Florida Real Estate Dreams Are Made Of. What more do you need? “This tiny coastal cottage in the historic fishing village of Cortez—just minutes from some of the finest white sand you can find on Florida’s west coast. At 715 square feet, the pint-sized charmer has all the hallmarks of a classic beach cottage, from its vibrant red exterior to its light-filled interiors and, of course, idyllic water views.” Click the link to find out the listing price of this piece of paradise.
8. LIGHTS OUT
“The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver is reporting the region recorded its worst November in ten years and Dane Eitel with Eitel Insights says that’s largely because speculators are no longer interested in this market.” Potential Vancouver investors believe the market will continue to fall over the course of next year. In addition, there are huge tax consequences for vacant property owners. City News 1130 reports this Analyst says real estate speculators no longer interested in Vancouver market.
9. ZAP!
What’s Wrong With This Listing Pic? The Answer Will Shock You. “Looking at real estate listing photos online is probably one of the most thrilling parts of the home-buying experience. It’s fantasy window-shopping at its best, plus a major time saver since you can suss out what a house looks like without leaving the comfort of your own couch. What’s not to love?” Thanks Realtor.com for possibly saving someone’s life today!
10. THE FORECAST CALLS FOR…
“The year started with sky-high home prices, historically low mortgage rates and a definitive upper hand for sellers. In recent months though, home price growth has faltered, rates have risen to their highest point in nearly eight years, and favor has started to shift from seller to buyer.” Forbes just posted the 2019 Real Estate Forecast: What Home Buyers, Sellers And Investors Can Expect. There is a great deal of good content in this article, it’s a good read for anyone who’s thinking about the 2019 real estate market.
Have a great weekend!
