Brooke Grayson, Your Realtor

Over the past year, our homes have become our workplaces, virtual schools, and safe havens that provide shelter, stability, and protection through the evolving health crisis. Today, 65.8% of Americans are fortunate enough to call their homes their own. As we continue to think about the future, our goals for the year, and what we want to achieve well beyond 2021, it’s a great time to look at the benefits of owning a home. Below are some highlights and quotes on the benefits of... homeownership shared by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Non-Financial Benefits Owning a home brings a sense of happiness, satisfaction, and pride. Pride of Ownership: It feels good to have a place that’s truly your own, especially since you can customize it to your liking. The personal satisfaction and sense of accomplishment achieved through homeownership can enhance psychological health, happiness and well-being for homeowners and those around them. Civic Participation: Homeownership creates stability, a sense of community, and increases civic engagement. It’s a way to add to the strength of your local area and drive value into your neighborhood. Financial Benefits Buying a home is also an investment in your financial future. Net Worth: Homeownership builds your net worth. Today, the national median household net worth of all homeowners is $254,900, while the median net worth of renters is only $6,270. Financial Security: Equity, appreciation, and more predictable monthly housing expenses are huge financial benefits of owning a home. Homeownership is truly the best way to improve your long-term financial position. Economic Benefits Homeownership is even a local economic driver. Housing-Related Spending: An economic force throughout our nation, housing-related expenses accounted for more than one-sixth of the country’s economic activity over the past three decades. Bottom Line Homeownership is truly a way to build financial freedom, find greater satisfaction and happiness, and make a substantial impact in your community. If owning a home is part of your dream this year, let’s connect so you can begin the homebuying process today.

I invested in this great program for people to check out the current value of their home. Take a look!

We are in a sellers' market, but if you're selling your house, don't get too excited... When inventory is low, like it is in the current market, it’s common to think buyers will pay whatever we ask when setting a listing price. Believe it or not, that’s not always true. Don’t forget that the buyer’s bank will send an appraiser to determine the fair value for your house. The bank will not lend more than what the house is worth, so be aware that you might need to renegotiate th...e price after the appraisal. DM me for advice on this. I will help you set the true value of your home. #brookegrayson #realestate #homesforsale #simivalley #westlakevillage #thousandoaks #realtor #housingmarket #realestatetips #realestateadvice #adviceforsellers

"I never knew these programs existed, but I found the down payment help we needed and we bought a home near family." -Anna Rendell See which programs you qualify for.

I was talking to my TC this morning about contingency removals for my client and I stopped dead in my tracks and said, Raven, you are not going to believe me when I say this but a snake just poked its head out of my stove. She hesitated and said, what? I said it again and she and I were in tears! ... #covidlife #remoteworking #waitwhat #realtor #snake

The housing market made an incredible recovery in 2020 and is now positioned for an even stronger year in 2021. Record-low mortgage interest rates are a driving factor in this continued momentum, with average rates hovering at historic all-time lows. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), buyer demand across the country is incredibly strong. That’s not the case, however, on the supply side. Seller traffic is s...imply not keeping up. This graph shows a breakdown state by state. As the maps show, buyer traffic is high, but seller traffic is low. With so few homes for sale right now, record-low inventory is creating a mismatch between supply and demand. NAR also just reported that the actual number of homes currently for sale stands at 1.28 million, down 22% from one year ago (1.64 million). Additionally, inventory is at an all-time low with 2.3 months supply available at the current sales pace. In a normal market, that number would be 6.0 months of inventory significantly higher than it is today. What does this mean for buyers and sellers? Buyers need to remain patient in the search process. At the same time, they must be ready to act immediately once they find the right home since bidding wars are more common when so few houses are available for sale. Sellers may not want to wait until spring to put their houses on the market, though. With such high buyer demand and such a low supply, now is the perfect time to sell a house on optimal terms. The real estate market is entering the year like a lion. There’s no indication it will lose that roar, assuming inventory continues to come to market. You can call or text me any time at (805) 630-2869 for more info. - Brooke #brookegrayson #realtor #aviararealestate #daysonthemarket #realestate #NAR #homeownership #realestategoals #realestatelife #realestateagent #realestateagency #realestateadvice #realestatemarket #realestateexperts #realestateagents #instarealestate #realestatetipsandadvice

I talk a lot about why it makes financial sense to buy a home, but more often than not, we’re drawn to the emotional reasons for homeownership. No matter the living space, the feeling of a home means different things to different people. Whether it’s a certain scent or a favorite chair, the feel-good connections to our own homes are typically more important to us than the financial ones. Here are some of the reasons why: 1. Owning your ho...me is an accomplishment worth celebrating. You’ve likely worked very hard to achieve this dream, and whether it’s your first home or your fifth, congratulations are in order for this milestone. You’ve earned it. 2. There’s no place like home. Owning your own home offers not only safety and security but also a comfortable place where you can simply relax and kick-back after a long day. Sometimes, that’s just what we need to feel recharged and truly content. 3. You can find more space to meet your needs. Whether you want more room in your home for your changing lifestyle (think: working from home, virtual school, or a personal gym), or you simply prefer to have a large backyard for socially-distant entertaining, you can invest in a location that truly works for your evolving needs. 4. You have control over renovations, updates, and your style. Looking to try one of those complicated wall treatments you saw on Pinterest? Tired of paying an additional pet deposit for your apartment building? You can do all of these things in your own home. Bottom Line: Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a move-up buyer who wants to start a new chapter in your life, now is a great time to reflect on the intangible factors that turn a house into a happy home. #brookegrayson #realtor #realtorlife #housingmarket #realestate #simivalley #venturacounty #realestateagent #aviararealestate #aviarare #aviara See more

This morning’s yoga routine included kittens. Not easy relaxing into it with all that playful energy but it sure makes for a sweet start to the day! #kittenyoga #yoga #happynewyear

Saving for a down payment is a crucial step in the homebuying process. However, many hopeful homebuyers overestimate how much they actually need to save and worry that having enough for a down payment could delay their homeownership goals. Luckily, there are a ton of programs out there specifically designed to help people afford a down payment. DM me to learn more about which ones are available in our area. ... #downpayment #downpaymentassistance #affordingahome #expertanswers #purchasingpower #buyingpower #affordability #realestate #homevalues #homeownership #homebuying #realestategoals #realestatetips #brookegrayson #realtor #realtorlife #housingmarket #realestate #simivalley #venturacounty #realestateagent #aviararealestate #aviarare #aviara See more

With so few houses available to purchase right now compared to this time last year, today’s housing market clearly belongs to sellers. Buyers are actively purchasing, so homeowners selling their houses are getting more offers more quickly and often making more money than they would have in years past. This sellers’ market won’t last forever, though. DM me so we can start the process of selling your house before the end of the year. ... #sellyourhouse #sellersmarket #moveuphome #dreamhome #realestate #homeownership #realestateexpert #realestateagency #realestateadvice #instarealestate #instarealtor #realestatetipsoftheday #realestatetipsandadvice #justsold #brookegrayson #realtor #realtorlife #housingmarket #realestate #simivalley #venturacounty #realestateagent #aviararealestate #aviarare #aviara See more

Over the past year, mortgage rates have hit a new historic low 15 times. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them. 1. Move-up or Downsize: One option is to consider moving into a new home, putting the equity you’ve likely gained in your current house toward a down payment on a new one that better meets your needs something that’s truly a perfect fit, esp...ecially if your lifestyle has changed this year. 2. Become a First-Time Homebuyer: There are many financial and non-financial benefits to owning a home, and the most important thing is to first decide when the time is right for you. You have to determine that on your own, but know that now is a great time to buy if you’re considering it. Just take a look at the cost of renting vs. buying. 3. Refinance: If you already own a home, you may decide you’re going to refinance. It’s one way to lock in a lower monthly payment and save more over time. However, it also means paying upfront closing costs too. Why 2020 Was a Great Year for Homeownership Last year, the average mortgage rate was 3.93% (a historically low-interest rate, but even substantially higher than today). If you waited for a better time to make a move, market conditions have improved significantly. Bottom Line If you’ve been waiting since last year to make your move into homeownership or to find a house that better meets your needs, today’s low mortgage rates may be just what you need to get the process going. Let’s connect today to discuss how you may benefit from the current rates. Contact me at (805) 630-2869 or [email protected]. #buyingahome #homebuying #firsttimehomebuying #howtobuyahome #buyahome #newhome #firsthome #move #brookegrayson #realtor #housingmarket #realestate #simivalley #venturacounty #realestateagent See more