Experts project an optimistic year for the 2021 housing market. With mortgage rates forecasted to remain low, high buyer demand is expected to fuel more home sales and continue to increase home prices. Call Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® at (866) 742-5732 or email us at ClientCare@RealtyExecutives.com.

In the second half of this year, the housing market surged with activity. Today, real estate experts are looking ahead to the winter season and the forecast is anything but chilly. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), notes:

“It will be one of the best winter sales years ever.”

The typical winter slowdown in the housing market is simply not on the radar. Here’s why.

While today’s historically low mortgage rates are expected to remain low, they won’t be this low for much longer. This could be the last chance for homebuyers to secure such low rates, and they’re ready to take action. In a recent article, Bankrate explained:

“If you’re looking to buy a home…expect mortgage rates to remain low into 2021. However, the possibility of rates falling to 2.5 percent or lower has faded as the U.S. economy has rebounded.”

As long as we continue to see low interest rates, we’ll see hopeful buyers on the hunt for their dream homes. Yun confirmed:

“The demand for home buying remains super strong…And we’re still likely to end the year with more homes sold overall in 2020 than in 2019…With persistent low mortgage rates and some degree of a continuing jobs recovery, more contract signings are expected in the near future.”

The challenge, however, is the lack of homes available for sale. With that in mind, all eyes are on homeowners to see if they’ll sell this winter or wait until spring. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, says it’s best for sellers to capitalize on this moment sooner rather than later:

“We currently see buyers sticking around in the housing market much later than we usually do this fall. If that trend continues, we will see more buyers in the market this winter, too. So, this winter is likely to be a good time to sell.”

With buyers ready to stay active this winter, sellers who want to close a deal on the best possible terms shouldn’t wait until spring to put their homes on the market.

Experts agree the winter housing market could potentially be bigger than ever. Whether you’re ready to buy or sell, contact our real estate professionals today so you can be in your dream home by the new year. Call Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® at (866) 742-5732 or email us at ClientCare@RealtyExecutives.com.

Around this time each year, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to sell their houses. Similarly, others who already have their homes on the market remove their listings until the spring. Let’s unpack the top reasons why selling your house now, or keeping it on the market this season, is the best choice you can make. This year, buyers want to purchase homes for the holidays, and your house might be the perfect match.

Here are a few great reasons not to wait to sell your house this holiday season:

1. Buyers are active now. Mortgage rates are historically low, providing motivation for those who are ready to get more for their money over the life of their home loan.
2. Purchasers who look for homes during the holidays are serious ones, and they’re ready to buy.
3. You can restrict the showings in your house to days and times that are most convenient for you, or even select virtual options. You’ll remain in control, especially in today’s sellers’ market.
4. Homes decorated for the holidays appeal to many buyers.
5. Today, there’s minimal competition for you as a seller. There just aren’t enough houses on the market to satisfy buyer demand, meaning sellers are in the driver’s seat. Over the past year, inventory has declined to record lows, making it the opportune time to sell your house (See graph below):
6. The desire to own a home doesn’t stop during the holidays. Buyers who have been searching throughout the fall and have been running into more and more bidding wars are still on the lookout. Your home may be the answer.
7. This season is the sweet spot for sellers, and the number of listings will increase after the holidays. In many parts of the country, more new construction will also be available for sale in 2021, which will lessen the demand for your house next year.

More than ever, this may be the year it makes the most sense to list your house during the holiday season. Reach out to our local real estate professionals to determine if selling now is your best move. Call Realty Executives Exceptional Realtors® at (866) 742-5732 or email us at ClientCare@RealtyExecutives.com.

If you’re thinking of buying a home and not sure where to start, you’re not alone. Here’s a map with 10 simple steps to follow in the homebuying process. Be sure to work with our trusted real estate professionals to learn the specific path to take in your local area.

Written by Danny Margagliano
30a Local Properties | DestinPropertyExpert.com

You may have been taught not to judge a book by it's cover but if that book is your home and you are renting or selling it, people will judge based on how the exterior looks even before they step inside. The exterior of your home sets the stage for what is inside and if your target audience doesn't like what they see you will struggle to sell it. Curb appeal is one of those things every homeowner should take seriously. You don't have to spend thousands of dollars to get the perfect curb appeal (you can though if you have enough money to cater to that). There are some DIY hacks you should try to improve the curb appeal like upgrading your mailbox or even lighting up the exterior. However, the advanced ones will require a professional to execute the plans for the best outcome. Here are some great curb appeal hacks that you can try:

A fresh coat of paint
If you want to transform the front yard, a little paint job can go a long way in giving you a great outcome. Some people might discourage you from bold colors but don't hold back if you are sure you can make that work. Bold colors will make your house stand out which is what you should be aiming for. Nonetheless, bold doesn't equal dull. Bold colors blended well can be a work of art. Don't just slap paints around because that can end up having the opposite outcome.
It's important to ensure the paint color you have chosen is in line with the HOA regulations, if applicable. It would be a huge disappointment and costly to have to repaint your house just because the HOA doesn't approve the paint colors you had done. For a better outcome, consider a contrasting color for the shutters, doors, and the trim of the home. You can repaint your home on your own or get a professional painter to do the work.

Plant some trees
A well-kept yard will attract a lot of people to your home. Add some trees to give the property a homely feel that will be a magnet to potential buyers or renters. This is a simple curb appeal project that will not only bring your home to life but also increase the longevity of the home. Trees protect the home from adverse weather conditions which would otherwise have damaged the home. You don't need a lot of space to plant trees. Even one or two trees can go a long way in transforming your homes landscaping. You just have to pick the right trees depending on the climate of the region and plant them. Consult a tree specialist for help in picking the best ones if you are not sure. The actual tree planting process shouldn't take more than a couple of hours. Just remember to water them until they can survive on their own.

Lawn maintenance
A lawn can be a selling point or a drawback depending on how well it has been kept. Lawn care is a huge part of maintaining curb appeal. Ensure you are mowing your lawn regularly, pulling weeds and raking off leaves. You ought to keep the lawn well-watered as well to prevent brown spots. As long as you adhere to a lawn maintenance timetable lawn care won't be a huge project every time. In case you are living in a dry area where maintaining green grass is a hustle you can consider some lawn alternatives like artificial turf or shrub beds.

Add flower boxes
Flowers not only lift the mood of a place, whether inside or outside but also make people happy. Adding flowers to your home is a low-commitment, easy, and quick way to bring color to your property. Flowers of different colors in full bloom are some of the best sights and they will draw people in from miles away. They not only look great but also smell great which is a great mood lifter. The best part is that you don't even need a garden to plant flowers. You can add flower boxes at random places like the front porch, the windows, or even at the gate.

They bring with them delightful colors as well as loads of curb appeal. Flower boxes are quite cheap and besides that, you just need the soil and, of course, the flowers. Note that dead flowers will be a sore sight and it is better not to have any if you will leave them to wither and die. They are easy to maintain because all you have to do is water them and they will reward you by blooming and improving the curb appeal of your home. You can even do drip irrigation if you don't have a lot of time to water them in person every day.

Light up the exterior
Great lighting can have a dramatic effect, especially at night. When everything goes dark and the lights come on in your house people will be drawn to it if the exterior is properly lighted. It gives off a romantic vibe which many homebuyers and even guests love. When choosing new lighting fixtures for your home you ought to look for more than functionality. Consider the style as well. You need to ensure the entryway is properly lit but also appealing. To enjoy a hassle-free installation, you should go for fixtures that mount to the wall just like the existing fixtures. This saves you the cost of having the whole place remodeled to accommodate the new lighting fixtures.

Upgrade your mailbox
The mailbox might only cross your mind when you are picking your mail but it can also have a huge effect on the curb appeal. If you want to make the exterior of your home look attractive you have to start thinking of it as an important part of the house exterior. You can have one standing by the road or it can be mounted to your house. It is crucial to remember that the installation of the mailbox has to be in line with the set regulations in your city. A fresh coat of paint and a few upgrades should have it looking new and appealing.

Stain the garage door
If you don't have enough money to have a new garage door installed you can just stain the existing one. It will cost way less and give you an attractive end product. However, make sure you have washed the garage door before staining it for the new paint to look great and last long. Power washing the door will give much better results than just using soap and water.

Outdoor furniture
If you have an outdoor space designed for relaxing or a patio, the kind of furniture you decide to add can make or break the curb appeal you are going for. Few furniture pieces will make the space look neglected and scarce while too much of it will give the space a cluttered appearance. You ought to get a good balance when adding outdoor furniture. In addition, ensure the pieces are always clean and well maintained. If you have a small yard, huge outdoor furniture pieces will make the space look cramped. You can add simple ceramic stools and a small table with a pretty planter as a centerpiece. You can never go wrong with these.

Power wash your compound
Unless the outdoor space is entirely made of gravel, you have to power wash it on a regular basis. Concrete surfaces, if left unattended for a long time will look dull and make the entire space look unkempt. Therefore, plan to have the place power washed regularly. Watching a few before and after videos when it comes to power washing will have you running to complete these tasks. It is more than giving the home a curb appeal. You will also benefit from living in a clean place not to mention how much this simple task can do towards preserving the value of your property. Keeping the home clean also reduces the expenses of maintaining it as well as the repair work that will be needed. Therefore, this is one of the things you need to work on to improve the curb appeal of the property.

Upgrade the house numbers
House numbers are crucial in helping people find your property quickly. You can pick a design of your choosing as long as the number is clearly indicated and the design doesn't violate the HOA regulations. A font that aligns with the home architecture is great for curb appeal. Make it distinctive in order to have people looking back to get a second look. Replacing the house number is one of the easiest jobs and even people who are not super handy can complete the task.

You don't need much to improve your curb appeal. You can start with the simple hacks that don't require any money or just a few bucks as you plan for more advanced home improvement measures. Go ahead and get started now!