Lee Morof's Real Estate Blog

Curb appeal is often neglected by sellers. So much attention is spent getting the inside of a home cleaned up that the outside is left until last. This is a mistake. Landscaping and gardens are the first things a prospective buyer sees. Following these tips ensures homes look their best and give a positive first impression.

Spruce Up Mulch

A fresh layer of mulch brings out the color in a garden and makes gardens look well-tended. Homes on the market in the spring, summer, or fall benefit from a fresh application of mulch prior to putting a home on the market.

Clean Up

Cluttered yards full of toys and tools are unattractive. Pick up any clutter and place it out of sight of prospective buyers.

Branches, leaves, and other debris are equally unsightly. Rake leaves and eliminate brush to give lawns a clean, manicured appeal. This is important year round.

Renting a power washer to clean driveways and walkways is also advisable. A clean driveway and gleaming walkways invite prospective buyers to picture themselves strolling through the yard.

Trim Grass And Shrubs

Overgrown grass and shrubs look unkempt. Take the time to cut the grass and sweep or blow the clippings off of driveways and walkways. Trim shrubs and trees to desired shape and height, and clean up all trimmings.

Don’t worry about trimming out of season. Well-manicured landscapes suggest that the rest of the house is equally well maintained.

Fresh Plantings

Add a little color in the garden to increase its appeal with some fresh flowers. A new planting ensures blooms look their best, especially against that new application of mulch.

Tend To All Garden Beds

This is the time to spruce up all garden beds. Remove weeds and trim up perennials to create a well-maintained appearance. Remove or trim back any plants that look dead or otherwise unhealthy.

Address Water Issues

Yards with fountains, faucets, pools, and irrigation systems require additional care. The time to fix issues is before the showing.

Resolve any issues with irrigation systems. Clean fountains and pools of algae and leaves. Fix leaky faucets as they suggest issues elsewhere with plumbing.

Fixing up the outside is just as important as a clean interior. Making gardens, lawns, and landscaping appear attractive and well maintained gives prospective buyers a positive first impression.

Don’t wait until the day of the showing. Start working on landscape staging a month before putting a home on the market. Call your trusted real estate agent today for more staging tips.

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on job openings, inflation, and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

Job Openings Rise as Inflation Rate Falls

The Labor Department reported a record number of job openings for the fourth consecutive month in June. Job openings rose to 10.1 million available jobs from May’s reading of 9.5 million job openings. Analysts expected job openings to decrease to 9.1 million jobs in June. 

Analysts said that previous headwinds to hiring including generous unemployment benefits and childcare issues may be easing. Workers took advantage of the rising demand for employees to negotiate higher wages and switch jobs for better offers. 

The Consumer Price Index fell by 0.40 percent in July to 0.50 percent as compared to June’s reading of 0.90 percent. The pace of year-over-year inflation remained at 5.40 percent  Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and fuel sectors, fell to 0.30 percent from 0.90 percent. July’s reading showed the impact of food and gas prices on inflation in recent months.

Mortgage Rates Rise, Jobless Claims and Consumer Sentiment Index Fall

Average mortgage rates rose last week as the rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by 10 basis points to 2.87 percent. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 2.15 percent and were five basis points higher; rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged four basis points higher at 2.44 percent. Discount points averaged 0.70 percent for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.30 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages. 

Initial jobless claims fell to 375,000 new claims filed as compared to the prior week’s reading of 387,000 first-time claims filed. Continuing jobless claims also fell; 2.87 million ongoing claims were filed last week as compared to the prior week’s reading of 2.98 million continuing jobless claims filed.

The University of Michigan reported its lowest reading for consumer sentiment since 2011. The preliminary reading for August fell to an index reading of 70.2 in August as compared to July’s reading of 81.2. Analysts expected an index reading of 81.3 for August, but rising covid 19 cases attributed to the highly contagious Delta form of the virus tanked consumer sentiment as mask requirements and social distancing guidelines re-emerged in some areas.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic releases include readings from the National Association of Home Builders on housing markets, government readings on housing starts, and building permits issued. Retail sales will also be reported.

Because the housing market is so competitive right now, many buyers are looking at alternative options. Instead of looking for a resale home, some buyers are considering a new home. What is the process of taking out a loan on a new construction home? There are several factors buyers should consider.

Pricing On A New Construction Home

Many buyers are used to negotiating with sellers to get the best deal possible. On a new construction home, it is still possible to negotiate for a better price. Most homeowners are going to be negotiating for better items in the home than the purchase price. For example, it might be possible for buyers to negotiate for better counters, cabinets, floors, or appliances instead of asking for a discount on the price. It is also possible for buyers to negotiate for better options if they are the first or second people to move into the new community. Homes usually go up in price after the first homes in the community sell.

A New Home Is Often A Better Investment

Buying a new home is often a better investment than purchasing an older home. Newer homes tend to appreciate faster immediately after they are built. Many people like to buy a home that has had only one owner because items in the home are less likely to break. Therefore, homes with only one owner are often in higher demand, which can lead to higher property values on new homes.

Understand The Financing Process

Typically, prospecting homeowners need to put down a building deposit for the project to start. This is usually three percent of the projected sale price of the home; however, it can be higher or lower depending on the price of the home and the builders. In addition, homeowners need to be aware that they will need to secure financing when the building project nears its completion date. The lender might require a certain percentage down in order to finance the home.

Do Not Hesitate To Ask For Help

Buying a new home does have a few differences when compared to buying an existing home. Homeowners should reach out to professionals for help with this process to make sure they get the best deal possible.

Once you’re done with debt and you’ve started to save, it’s commonly the case that you’ll start hearing about the risks and rewards of investing in stocks or real estate. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many people to know what type of investment is going to work better for them down the road. If you’re currently considering what you should put your money into, here are some reasons you may want to turn to real estate.

It’s Something You Can See

While investing in the stock market will give you the ability to invest as little or as much as you want, a home will take a monthly payment and a down payment in order to make the deal. Fortunately, this means that you’ll be investing money every month into something that belongs to you and that you can see. A home is not only something you can invest in all the time, it will enable you to avoid putting money into rent that you’ll never get back.

Saving Money On Tax Breaks

There may be a certain amount of volatility with any market investment, but when it comes to buying a home you also have the benefit of tax breaks that are designed specifically for homeowners. In addition to the ability to deduct interest on your main residence if you’ve lived in your property for a minimum of two of the last five years, you’ll also be able to sell it tax-free. Investing in a home certainly takes savings, but there are many available tax benefits that can save money.

A Sense Of Security

Many people want to invest in a home because it offers up a piece of something that they can really own. However, another appealing aspect of having a home is that you’ll be removed from the day-to-day rumblings of the stock market. Investing can make people more than a little weary, even if they’re knowledgeable about the markets, and this can cause people to sell off and lose money when the going gets tough.

Investing in real estate and the stock market both involve some degree of financial risk, but you might not be aware that there are several added benefits of buying a home. From the tax break incentives to the sense of security, real estate can often be the better financial route to take.

There are many factors that buyers need to consider when they are evaluating a potential property. Sometimes, buyers run across properties that have to deal with something called a Homeowners’ Association, or HOA.

What Do HOAs Do?

An HOA ensures that communities look their best and function well. While HOAs were unusual several decades ago, they are becoming more common. HOAs are typically governed by a board made up of people living in the neighborhood. By ensuring properties look their best, property values could remain high; however, there could also be restrictive covenants in place.

How Much Do HOAs Charge?

HOAs can vary widely from place to place. Fees are usually charged monthly, quarterly, or annually. While some HOA fees might be less than $100, some HOA fees can be a few thousand dollars per year. HOA fees vary significantly depending on the number of people in the community and the amenities in the neighborhood.

HOAs use this money to take care of common areas in the community. For example, HOA fees are usually used to pay landscaping companies to take care of the common areas. HOA fees can also be used to take care of swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf courses that could be in the neighborhood. If there is security, the HOA fees are used to compensate that as well.

What Restrictions Can An HOA Put In Place?

There are many restrictions an HOA could place on a homeowner; however, these vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. Most of these restrictions involve the exterior of the home, as the point of these restrictions is to keep a homeowner from doing something that could adversely impact the home values of other properties. There might be restrictions on the size of trees, certain landscaping work, and patios. Make sure to take a look at these restrictions before buying a home.

HOAs Have Their Benefits And Drawbacks

Like other factors involved in buying a home, HOAs have their benefits and drawbacks. It is critical to work with a lender who understands how to read HOA covenants before making a decision. HOAs can play a significant role in what people can do with their home.

Property values are a moving target. They are important to buyers and sellers because everyone wants to get the best deal possible. Sellers want to get as much money for their investment while buyers do not want to overpay for a home. There are a lot of factors that play a role in property values including the economy, the number of people looking for homes, new home construction, schools, the job market, and more. How do real estate agents estimate the value of a home?

How Much Will Someone Pay For A Home?

The market value of a home is the amount of money someone is willing to pay for that home. This is how real estate agents estimate the value of the home. He or she will usually take a look at similarly priced homes in the area (sometimes in the same neighborhood) to see what those homes are selling for. Then, the price per square foot will be applied to that specific home to calculate its value.

Often, real estate agents use the past six months as a guideline; however, if there has not been much action, agents might go back further. Agents will usually draw a radius of one mile to ensure homes are similar; however, some homes, such as luxury homes, are harder to compare.

A Professional Appraiser Is Usually Involved

Sometimes, home values are calculated by a professional appraiser who is typically hired by a lender. Lenders want to make sure they will get their money back if the home sells in the future. If the buyer is paying more than the appraiser says it is worth, then the lender might ask the buyer to put more money down before financing it.

Real Estate Agents Could Ask For More Information

Real estate agents might also ask homeowners for more information. If one house stands out on the comps sheet, the agent might ask the homeowner what happened. What makes this house different? Is the location different? Did the home sell as furnished? All of this is important for helping realtors ensure they are doing the best possible job in guiding their clients in the right direction. Some sales may still require the help of a licensed appraiser.

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on construction spending, consumer sentiment, labor sector reports on public and private sector jobs, and national unemployment. Weekly readings for mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

Residential Sector Drove June Construction Spending

Construction spending rose by 0.10 percent in June according to the Commerce Department. Analysts expected spending to increase by 0.50 percent, but builders spent less on public sector and non-residential projects. Spending for all construction spending rose at a year-over-year pace of $1.55 trillion. Residential construction rose by 1.10 percent in June, but public-sector spending fell by -1.20 percent and nonresidential construction spending fell by 0.70 percent. Year-over-year residential construction spending rose by 28.80 percent in June; nonresidential construction spending was 6.60 percent lower year-over-year.

Demand for homes continued to exceed the supply of available homes. Builders took advantage of lower lumber prices to ramp up construction, but shortages of affordable entry-level homes continued to challenge first-time and moderate-income home buyers. Although the covid pandemic continued to increase demand for homes, some buyers left the market due to high home prices and few options for available homes. Cash buyers and bidding wars in popular metro areas continued to drive up home prices.

Mortgage Rates, Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported lower average mortgage rates last week as rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell by three basis points to 2.77 percent. The average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages was unchanged at 2.10 percent; Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 2.40 percent and were five basis points lower. Discount points averaged 0.60 percent for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.40 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

New jobless claims fell to 385,000 initial claims filed from the previous week’s reading of 399,000 new claims filed. Ongoing jobless claims were also lower with 2.93 million continuing claims filed as compared to 3.30 million ongoing claims filed in the previous week.

Low Unemployment Rate Suggests Continued Economic Recovery

Public and private sector jobs showed mixed results in July. ADP reported 330,000 private-sector jobs added in July as compared to 680,000 private-sector jobs added in June. The Labor Department reported 943,000 public and private-sector jobs added in July as compared to its June reading of 938,000 jobs added. The national unemployment rate fell to 5.40 percent in July as compared to June’s reading of 5.90 percent. Analysts expected an unemployment rate of 5.70 percent in July. 

What’s  Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic readings include reporting on job openings, inflation, and the University of Michigan’s initial consumer sentiment index for August. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be published.

When it comes to real estate, putting your home in its best light is key when it comes to making the sale. While it may seem like you’re more limited with a home of a smaller scale, here are a few ways you can enhance what’s best and make a good impression on potential buyers.

Let There Be Ideal Light

If you’ve ever taken note of a room on a perfectly lit day or a downcast one, the difference in how lighting can impact a space is marked. When staging your small space, you’ll want to check the lighting of each room and make sure it ideally enhances the space it’s illuminating as few things can improve the look of a place like lighting. If you’re prepared to go all out, you may even want to install a swanky chandelier or lengthy light fixture in certain rooms as it can draw the eye up and lengthen the look of your space.

Brighten a Room with an Accent Wall

Homeowners often think that bright colors are a bad idea because they’re flashy and will minimize a space, but using a brilliant color on one wall of a room can actually maximize the look of your room and can serve as something memorable for viewers of your home. While you’ll want to make sure the color you choose isn’t garish and doesn’t completely overwhelm the eye, you’ll want to keep in mind that an accent wall works particularly well for enhancing a pint-sized bathroom.

Stand By a Statement Piece

It might seem like unique or off-the-wall furniture pieces will overtake the room in a small living space, but one statement piece can actually provide potential buyers of your home with a unique look that may instill an interest in your house and highlight it in a unique way. Instead of choosing multiple pieces that are bright or quirky, stick with one or two items per room that will stand out and make themselves known, but will still give off the living-style vibe that you’re going for.

Staging a small home can seem more complicated with less space, but there are great ways that you can highlight it to positive effect. While you may want to consider an accent wall or lighting that will effectively illuminate the room, if you’re interested in more tips for small home staging, you may want to contact a local real estate agent for more information.

Office work has changed significantly during the past few years. With many people working well from home, numerous employers are becoming open to the possibility of allowing their employees to work from home permanently. With many people looking for ways to be productive from home, it is critical to create an environment that is conducive to being productive. How can homeowners make this happen?

Make Small Changes First

It is difficult to make major changes in a small home or condo; however, there are still small changes that can be made. For example, many people use a drop-down shelf or a narrow table as a work from home desk. Then, with a task light and a monitor, it is easy to create a functional home office. It is even possible to repurpose a formal dining room table, by turning it into a home office.

Repurpose An Entire Room

Those who own larger single-family homes might be able to make bigger changes to their homes, repurposing an entire room and turning it into a home office. For example, it might be possible to turn the guest room into a home office, making it a guest room during the evening and a home office during the day. Then, homeowners might want to install a Murphy bed that can fold out and create a guest room during the evening.

Use The Attic Or Basement

It might be time to finish the attic or basement, turning that into a home office. These are usually large spaces that can be used for more than one purpose. For example, it might be possible to use this space as a home office for two people. Consider investing in great lighting to avoid creating a cave-like work environment. It is possible to turn these locations into fantastic home offices with the right tools.

Consider Building An Addition

Finally, some homeowners are also thinking about building a home office instead. It might be time to add an addition to a single-family home, particularly for those who are going to be working from home for the foreseeable future. There are plenty of remodeling projects that could create a functional, comfortable home office.

The real estate market is rife with terminology that can make a home purchase seem more than a little complicated. If you’re currently looking for a home and are considering your loan options, you may have even heard the term ‘Debt to Income’ ratio. In the interest of simplifying things, here are some insights on what this term means and how it can impact your home investment.

Determining Your ‘Debt to Income’ Ratio

It’s important to consider what exactly your DTI ratio is before your home purchase as this will quickly determine how much home you can actually afford. To calculate this number, take your monthly debt payments – including any credit card, loan and mortgage payments – and divide them by your monthly gross income to get a percentage. In the event that your monthly debt is $700 and you make $2800 in income, your DTI is 25%.

What Your DTI Means To The Bank

The DTI is a very important number when it comes to a home loan because it enables the bank to determine your financial situation. A DTI of 25% leaves some wiggle room, as most banks will allow a DTI percentage that runs between 36-43%. In the case of the above example, this means that the most debt this person could take on per month is about $1200. While banks vary on this percentage, credit history plays an important part in the DTI that will be allowed.

Paying Down Your Debt Or Purchasing A Home

In the event that you have a DTI ratio that exceeds what your bank will allow, you will need to consider your debts before moving on to investing in a home. If you’re planning on purchasing a home in the next year, it’s a good idea to tackle high-interest debt first. However, if you happen to have a chunk of money saved up that you’re planning on putting into a down payment, it’s worth considering that putting more than 20% down may slightly increase the DTI percentage your bank will accept.

There are many fancy terms that go along with the world of real estate, but it’s important to understand what they mean so you can make them work in your favor. If you’re calculating your DTI ratio and are planning a home purchase down the road, you may want to contact one of our local real estate professionals for more information.