Sandra Cordasco Realtor with Realty Masters & Associates

Are Listings Growing in Your Area? Home sellers may be wondering whether to put their homes on the market now during the winter months or wait for spring 2021. There are arguments for both sides, but the National Association of REALTORS predicts that this will be one of the best winter sales years ever. NAR economists say we have a perfect storm of low mortgage interest rates, low housing inventory, plus a pandemic that’s causing many homebuyers to work from home and virtu...ally school their children. They’re rethinking how and where they want to live. While most homebuyers purchase homes to secure more living space, that’s true now more than ever. Buyers are looking for advantages because low inventories and rising prices favor sellers. Many will look at homes in the winter because the interest rates on the benchmark 30-year fixed-rate are below three percent for those with good credit. There’s less competition from other buyers, which means fewer above-list-price offers and bidding wars. According to CNBC real estate expert Diane Olick, buyers could be reaching their limits in terms of housing prices after months of double-digit increases. This fall, for the first time in months the NAR reported a decline in pending home sales. While the number of listings available for sale is still lower than year-ago levels, the percentage is shrinking. Price reductions are becoming more frequent, but continue to remain low. To find out what’s happening in your area, contact me for an in-depth market analysis.

The Meanings Behind Red Front Doors Why are so many front doors painted red across the world? For fun, we’ve gathered some of the most interesting reasons why this is an important choice for many homeowners. Many cultures use red front doors to communicate something about their beliefs or status. Since the first Passover the red door has symbolized God’s protection, that plague and the Angel of Death would pass the household by. Red doors can also symbolize the blood of Chris...t, which is why so many churches and cathedrals feature red doors. In the Americas, settlers used red front doors to offer friendly shelter for weary travelers and their horses. By the Civil War, red front doors in the free Northern states were used by the Underground Railroad to signal safe houses for runaway slaves and other refugees. Across the world, red doors in China say welcome, as is practiced by Feng Shui enthusiasts. The color red is believed to bring health, harmony, happiness, positive energy and prosperity. The Irish and Scottish had uses for red doors, too. When Queen Victoria died, the Irish were asked to paint their front doors black in commemoration and mourning, but many rebelled and painted their doors bright colors, including red. Many Scots today paint their doors red to signal that their mortgages have been paid off. There are as many shades of red doors as there are traditions. Red doors don’t hold much significance today, except as a statement color to still convey a cheerful welcome to visitors.

How Much Home Do You Really Need? In a fast-moving housing market, you may find yourself compromising what you want to what’s affordable and available to buy. Some wish list items you’ll be able to find, but others you can happily do without if you concentrate instead on choosing a home that functions for your household and budget. Size: Most homebuyers want more space, but square footage can be misleading. A bigger house isn’t better if you’re paying big bucks to heat, cool ...and maintain space you don’t use. Layout: As you preview homes, think about your daily activities and whether the layout functions to serve those needs. Does the interior design allow you to pivot as needs change? For example, a little-used formal dining room or living room could become a home office or playroom. Materials: As suggested by the children’s story The Three Little Pigs, houses made of brick or stone are the safest, longest-lasting materials, but houses made of siding can be comfortable and affordable. The quality of materials and the workmanship are what matter most. Comfort: You want your household members to be comfortable and enjoy the spaces that they have. Think about places for family and friends to gather. Privacy is important, so there should be shared spaces to do homework, play games, and converse. Costs: When estimating your monthly payment, include taxes and hazard insurance, but don’t forget to set aside money in your overall budget for decorating, maintenance and repairs, such as installing curtains and repainting.

Congratulations! Home dreams can still come true.

Are you tired of searching for homes, only to be hassled by hungry agents pushing you to buy. No fear, I'm here to help. Search the MLS direct from my new website. No pressure & no unwanted calls. Have fun! www.Inland-Realtor.com