Solutions Luxury Assets

12/11/2024

For some buyers, there’s a misconception that newly built homes aren’t made to last or fall short of the quality you can find in older homes. Unfortunately, this is turning some buyers away from what may be one of their best options in today’s housing market.

Choosing the Right Builder
The key to making sure you get a quality newly built home is to choose a good builder. Reputable builders adhere to strict building codes and standards, use advanced construction techniques, and often offer warranties that cover structural issues for several years.

Beyond that, maybe they’ve even worked with other buyers who opted for a home in one of those neighborhoods. Here are just a few of the things your agent will help you with:

1. The Builder’s Reputation: Your agent will help point you toward builders with strong reputations and positive reviews from previous buyers. Additionally, your agent will make sure the builder is licensed and insured. Membership in professional organizations, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is also a good sign of a builder’s commitment to industry standards.

2. Their Model Homes: Your agent will also be able to tell you if the builders have model homes you can tour. And when your agent walks through the model with you, they’ll draw your attention to the little details that matter most. Things like the quality of finishes, layout, and overall feel of the home.

3. Builder Warranties: Your agent will also be able to help you navigate any builder offers or incentives. Reputable builders often provide warranties to cover major structural elements of the home for a significant period of time. This is a testament to their confidence in the quality of their construction.

4. Getting Inspections: Even with new homes, inspections are crucial. Your agent will coordinate the inspections with licensed professionals to ensure the home meets safety and quality standards before you move in.

Bottom Line
If you’re considering buying a brand-new home, don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Let’s work together to find a home you’ll love and be proud to call your own.

08/11/2024

Our newest team listing is special. Click below for more information including photos, 3D Interactive tour, video, floorplan and more. No need to register. Contact me directly if you or someone you know would love to see this spectacular home.

LUXURY LIVING AT ITS FINEST! This stunning custom-built home offers over 4,839 square feet of refined elegance in the prestigious Montana Dorada community. Nestled on a premium cul-de-sac lot, this 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath masterpiece boasts spectacular mountain and city light views from every room! Step through the impressive iron and glass entry doors into a world of sophistication, where high-end finishes and custom details abound. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring built-in fridge, double ovens, gas range, granite countertops, a vegetable sink, and exquisite cabinetry. Enjoy indoor-outdoor living with surround sound wiring, perfect for entertaining inside or by the resort-style heated pool and spa, complete with a waterfall, built-in table, and patio fireplace

The opulent master retreat includes a cozy fireplace, sitting area with built-in desk and mini fridge, and a spa-like bath with a large whirlpool bath tub and a walk-in shower with six showerheads. Step out onto your private balcony to take in breathtaking views or unwind in your own serene space.

The exterior has been freshly repainted, and the home is equipped with three new A/C units (2024), two water heaters, and an air-conditioned workroom in the garage. With luxury upgrades too numerous to list, this home truly has it all, including an inviting backyard oasis with a built-in BBQ, fireplace, and lush green lawn.

Our newest team listing is special. Click below for more information including photos, 3D Interactive tour, video, floorplan and more. No need to register. Contact me directly if you or someone you know would love to see this spectacular home. LUXURY LIVING AT ITS FINEST! This stunning custom-built....

08/11/2024

Listed at $1,700,000

LUXURY LIVING AT ITS FINEST! This stunning custom-built home offers over 4,839 square feet of refined elegance in the prestigious Montana Dorada community. Nestled on a premium cul-de-sac lot, this 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath masterpiece boasts spectacular mountain and city light views from every room! Step through the impressive iron and glass entry doors into a world of sophistication, where high-end finishes and custom details abound. The gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream, featuring built-in fridge, double ovens, gas range, granite countertops, a vegetable sink, and exquisite cabinetry. Enjoy indoor-outdoor living with surround sound wiring, perfect for entertaining inside or by the resort-style heated pool and spa, complete with a waterfall, built-in table, and patio fireplace

The opulent master retreat includes a cozy fireplace, sitting area with built-in desk and mini fridge, and a spa-like bath with a large whirlpool bath tub and a walk-in shower with six showerheads. Step out onto your private balcony to take in breathtaking views or unwind in your own serene space.

The exterior has been freshly repainted, and the home is equipped with three new A/C units (2024), two water heaters, and an air-conditioned workroom in the garage. With luxury upgrades too numerous to list, this home truly has it all, including an inviting backyard oasis with a built-in BBQ, fireplace, and lush green lawn.

Listed at $1,700,000 LUXURY LIVING AT ITS FINEST! This stunning custom-built home offers over 4,839 square feet of refined elegance in the prestigious Montana Dorada community. Nestled on a premium cul-de-sac lot, this 5-bedroom, 5.5-bath masterpiece boasts spectacular mountain and city light views....

04/11/2024

Did you know? Homeowners are often able to put more money down when they buy their next home. That’s because, once they sell, they can use the equity they have in their current house toward their next down payment. And it’s why as home equity reaches a new height, the median down payment has too.

According to the latest data from Redfin, the typical down payment for U.S. homebuyers is $67,500—that’s nearly 15% more than last year, and the highest on record.

Here’s why equity makes this possible. Over the past five years, home prices have increased significantly, which has led to a big boost in equity for current homeowners like you. When you sell your house and move, you can take the equity that gives you and apply it toward a larger down payment on your new home. That’s a major opportunity, especially if you’ve had concerns about affordability.

Now, it’s important to remember you don’t have to make a big down payment to buy your next home—there are loan programs that let you put as little as 3%, or even 0% down. But there’s a reason so many current homeowners are opting to put more money down. That’s because it comes with some serious perks.

Why a Bigger Down Payment Can Be a Game Changer
1. You’ll Borrow Less and Save More in the Long Run

When you use your equity to make a bigger down payment on your next home, you won’t have to borrow as much. And the less you borrow, the less you’ll pay in interest over the life of your loan. That’s money saved in your pocket for years to come.

2. You Could Get a Lower Mortgage Rate

Providing a larger down payment shows your lender you’re more financially stable and not a large credit risk. The more confident your lender is in your credit score and your ability to pay your loan, the lower the mortgage rate they’ll likely be willing to give you. And that amplifies your savings.

3. Your Monthly Payments Could Be Lower

A bigger down payment doesn’t just help you reduce how much you have to borrow—it also means your monthly mortgage payment may be smaller. That can make your next home more affordable and give you a bit more breathing room in your budget.

4. You Can Skip Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)

If you can put down 20% or more, you can avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which is an added cost many buyers have to pay if their down payment isn’t as large. Freddie Mac explains it like this:

“For homeowners who put less than 20% down, Private Mortgage Insurance or PMI is an added insurance policy for homeowners that protects the lender if you are unable to pay your mortgage. It is not the same thing as homeowner's insurance. It's a monthly fee, rolled into your mortgage payment, that’s required if you make a down payment less than 20%.”
Avoiding PMI means you’ll have one less expense to worry about each month, which is a nice bonus.

Bottom Line
Down payments are at a record high, largely because recent equity gains are putting homeowners in a position to put more money down.

If you’re thinking about selling your current house and moving, let’s work together to figure out how much home equity you have right now, and how it can boost your buying power in today’s market.

28/10/2024

Homeowners typically slow down their moving plans as the summer months wrap up, and as a result, fewer homes are listed for sale in the fall. It’s a predictable, seasonal trend in real estate. But this year, mortgage rates came down at the same time the number of homes on the market usually starts to decline. So, what happened? More homeowners decided to sell, so more homes came to the market.

The most recent data from Realtor.com reveals that in September, the number of homes put up for sale increased by 11.6% compared to this time last year.

Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, explains why there was an unseasonable rise:

“This sharp increase is largely due to the decline in mortgage rates in mid-August, enticing homeowners to sell.”
So, as rates came down at the end of the summer, more people jumped into the market and decided to make their move.

What Does This Mean If You’re Looking To Buy a Home?
It means more fresh options to choose from than you’ve had in a while – not the ones that have been sitting around, unsold.

But keep in mind, mortgage rates have been volatile lately, ticking up slightly in recent weeks, which could limit the number of people who feel comfortable with the idea of selling in the months ahead. And in this market, it’s mortgage rates that are largely driving homeowner decisions.

With that in mind, now might be your moment, while more homes are available – if you’re ready, willing, and able to buy this fall.

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

“The rise in inventory – and, more technically, the accompanying months’ supply – implies home buyers are in a much-improved position to find the right home and at more favorable prices.”

Bottom Line
As rates came down at the end of the summer, sellers started to trickle back into the market, which means buyers have more choices right now. Let’s connect to make sure you have a trusted advisor to help you navigate the new options before they’re all scooped up.

21/10/2024

Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025? The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your decisions: mortgage rates and home prices.

Whether you're thinking of buying or selling, here’s a look at what the experts are saying and how it might impact your move.

Mortgage Rates Are Forecast To Come Down
One of the biggest factors likely affecting your plans is mortgage rates, and the forecast looks positive. After rising dramatically in recent years, experts project rates will ease slightly throughout the course of 2025.

While that decline won’t be a straight line down, the overall trend should continue over the next year. Expect a few bumps along the way, because the trajectory of rates will depend on new economic data and inflation numbers as they’re released. But don’t get too hung up on those blips and reactions from the market as they happen. Focus on the bigger picture.

Lower mortgage rates mean improving affordability. As rates come down, your monthly mortgage payment decreases, giving you more flexibility in what you can afford if you buy a home.

This shift will likely bring more buyers and sellers back into the market, though. As Charlie Dougherty, Director and Senior Economist at Wells Fargo, explains:

“Lower financing costs will likely boost demand by pulling affordability-crunched buyers off of the sidelines.”
As that happens, both inventory and competition among buyers will ramp back up. The takeaway? You can get ahead of that competition now. Lean on your agent to make sure you understand how the shifts in rates are impacting demand in your area.

Home Price Projections Show Modest Growth
While mortgage rates are expected to come down slightly, home prices are forecast to rise—but at a much more moderate pace than the market has seen in recent years.

Experts are saying home prices will grow by an average of about 2.5% nationally in 2025. This is far more manageable than the rapid price increases of previous years, which saw double-digit percentage growth in some markets.

What’s behind this ongoing increase in prices? Again, it has to do with demand. As more buyers return to the market, demand will rise – but so will supply as sellers feel less rate-locked.

More buyers in markets with inventory that’s still below the norm will put upward pressure on prices. But with more homes likely to be listed, supply will help keep price growth in check. This means that while prices will rise, they’ll do so at a healthier, more sustainable pace.

Of course, these national trends may not reflect exactly what’s happening in your local market. Some areas might see faster price growth, while others could see slower gains. As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, says:

“Even if the average national home price forecast for 2025 is correct, it’s possible that some regional housing markets could see mild home price declines, while some markets could still see elevated appreciation. That has been, after all, the case this year.”

Even the few markets that may see flat or slightly lower prices in 2025 have had so much appreciation in recent years – it may not have a big impact. That’s why it’s important to work with a local real estate expert who can give you a clear picture of what’s happening where you’re looking to buy or sell.

Bottom Line
With mortgage rates expected to ease and home prices projected to rise at a more moderate pace, 2025 is shaping up to be a more promising year for both buyers and sellers.

If you have any questions about how these trends might impact your plans, let’s connect. That way you’ve got someone to help you navigate the market and make the most of the opportunities ahead.