Justin & Sarye Smith, RE/MAX Consultants

According to many experts, the real estate market is expected to continue growing in 2021, and it’s largely driven by the lasting impact the pandemic is having on our lifestyles. Here are 4 reasons people are reconsidering where they live and why they’re expecting to buy a home this year. >>Record-Low Mortgage Interest Rates According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed interest rate today is 2.65%. Many wonder how low these rates will go and how long they’ll last. Len ...Keifer, Deputy Chief Economist for Freddie Mac, advises, If you’ve found a home that fits your needs at a price you can afford, it might be better to act now rather than wait for future rate declines that may never come and a future that likely holds very tight inventory. >>Working from Home Remote work is a new normal for many businesses, and it’s lasting longer than most expected. Many are discovering they don’t need to live close to the office anymore and they can get more for their money by moving a little further outside of the city limits. For some people, working remotely in their current home is challenging, especially when there may be other options available. >>More Outdoor Space Another new priority for homeowners is having more usable outdoor space. Being at home is driving those in some areas to seek less densely populated neighborhoods so they have more room to stretch their legs. >>Avoiding Renovations It’s recently come to light that many homeowners would also rather buy a new home than go through the process of fixing up the one they have. Depending on what needs to be addressed, today’s high buyer demand may make it possible to skip some renovations before selling. Many of these homeowners have prioritized buying over renovating for convenience and potential cost savings. It’s clear that homeownership needs are changing. As a result, Americans are expected to move in record numbers this year. If you’re trying to decide if now is the right time to buy a home, DM Justin + I today to discuss your options. #firsttimehomebuyer #opportunity #housingmarket

It’s all about balance. Hope whoever needs to read this can be inspired. Yesterday was a hard day for this mama with my girls not listening & whining instead of using their words. Today is a new day, thank you Jesus that your mercies are made new each + everyday!

According to the latest CoreLogic Home Price Insights Report, nationwide home values increased by 8.2% over the last twelve months. The dramatic rise was brought about as the inventory of homes for sale reached historic lows at the same time buyer demand was buoyed by record-low mortgage rates. Where will home values go in 2021? Home price appreciation in 2021 will continue to be determined by this imbalance of supply and demand. If supply remains low and demand is high, pric...es will continue to increase. Housing Supply According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the current number of single-family homes for sale is 1,080,000. At the same time last year, that number stood at 1,450,000. We are entering 2021 with approximately 270,000 fewer homes for sale than there were one year ago. However, there is some speculation that the inventory crush will ease somewhat as we move through the new year for two reasons: >>As the health crisis eases, more homeowners will be comfortable putting their houses on the market. >>Some households impacted financially by the pandemic will be forced to sell. Housing Demand Low mortgage rates have driven buyer demand over the last twelve months. According to Freddie Mac, rates stood at 3.72% at the beginning of 2020. Today, we’re starting 2021 with rates one full percentage point lower than that. Low rates create a great opportunity for homebuyers, which is one reason why demand is expected to remain high throughout the new year. Taking into consideration these projections on housing supply and demand, real estate analysts forecast homes will continue to appreciate in 2021, but that appreciation may be at a steadier pace than last year. There’s still a very limited number of homes for sale for the great number of purchasers looking to buy them. As a result, the concept of supply and demand mandates that home values in the country will continue to appreciate. #realestate #homeownership #homebuying

Let go. Light + Love are on your side. Be well today.

Hope you are having a relaxing Sunday, we are...well the girls are. Justin is working hard and showing homes to 1st time homebuyers! I’m tackling laundry + organizing aka throwing out old products I’ve had for years. 2021 will be a great year to buy a home. Let's connect to make sure you're ready for success in today's housing market. #buyingahome #realestate #2021goals