Jim Carlson Real Estate Discovery Bay Brentwood

We were on the market only 5 short days With the right marketing plan and targeted advertising we received multiple offers with very favorable terms for these clients!!

As we move into the latter half of the year, questions about what’s to come are top of mind for buyers and sellers. Near record-low mortgage rates coupled with rising home price appreciation kicked off a robust housing market in the first half of 2021, but what does the forecast tell us about what’s on the horizon? Mortgage Rates Will Likely Increase, but Remain Low Many experts are projecting a rise in interest rates. However, even as mortgage rates rise, the anticipated inc...rease is expected to be modest at most, and still well below historic averages. Rates remaining low is good news for homebuyers who are looking to maximize their purchasing power. Home Price Appreciation Will Continue, but Price Growth Will Likely Slow Experts remain optimistic about home prices, too. Joe Seydl, Senior Markets Economist at J.P. Morgan, shares, Homebuyersinterest rates are still historically low, though they are inching up. Housing prices have spiked during...

In today’s real estate market, low inventory and high demand are driving up home prices. As many as 54% of homes are getting offers over the listing price, based on the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser at CoreLogic, elaborates: The frequency of buyers being willing to pay more than the market data supports is increasing. While this is great news for today’s sellers, it can be tricky to navigate ...if the price of your contract doesn’t match up with the appraisal for the house. It’s called an appraisal gap, and it’s happening more in today’s market than the norm. According to recent data from CoreLogic, 19% of homes had their appraised value come in below the contract price in April of this year. That’s more than double the percentage in each of the two previous Aprils. If an appraisal comes in below the contract price, the buyer’s lender won’t loan them...

A 17 year 4th of July tradition! My favorite marketing piece I look forward to. Thank you to the always loyal and dependable neighborhood kids (and parents) that make this happen

It's a common misconception that you have to have a 20% down payment to buy a home. Let's connect to make sure you have all the right facts and information you need if you're buying a home this year.

Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home right now? You may be eager to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the brakes. Today, there’s still a common myth that you have to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. This means people who could buy a home may be putting their plans on hold because they don’t have that much saved yet. The reality is, whether you’re looking for your first home or you’ve purchased one before, you most likely don’t need to put 20% down. Here’s why. According to Freddie...

Every year, households across the country make the decision to rent for another year or take the leap into homeownership. They look at their earnings and savings and then decide what makes the most financial sense. That equation will most likely take into consideration monthly housing costs, tax advantages, and other incremental expenses. Using these measurements, recent studies show that it’s still more affordable to own than rent in most of the country. There is, however, another financial advantage to owning a home that’s often forgotten in the analysis the wealth built through equity when you own a home. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for...

As we approach the anniversary of the hardships we’ve faced through this pandemic and the subsequent recession, it’s normal to reflect on everything that’s changed and wonder what’s ahead for 2021. While there are signs of economic recovery as vaccines are being issued, we still have a long way to go. It’s at times like these we want exact information about anything we’re doing. That information brings knowledge, and this gives us a sense of relief and comfort in uncertain times. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home today, the same need for information is very real. But, because it’s such a big step in our lives, that desire for...

Some Highlights If you’re on the fence about selling your house, now is a great time to take advantage of sky-high demand, low supply, and fierce buyer competition. With buyer demand rising and historically low inventory for sale, if you’re in a position to move, your house may really stand out from the crowd. Let’s connect today to get your listing process underway.