Beautiful 2016 New England Cape 3 bedroom 1.5 bath Air B&B sleeps 6 guests. Book with airbnb.com.
Planning to buy your first home? It helps to start with a solid savings plan.
Set a budget, track your expenses, and focus on cutting down on any unnecessary spending. And, if you can automate your savings, that can go a long way to speeding up the process.
With the right strategies and planning, your dream home may be closer than you think.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Your Equity Could Make a Move Possible
Many homeowners looking to sell feel like they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. Today’s mortgage rates are higher than the one they currently have on their home, and that’s making it harder to want to sell and make a move.
What Is Equity?
Think of equity as a simple math equation.
Your equity grows as you pay down your loan over time and as home prices climb. And thanks to the rapid home price appreciation we saw in recent years, you probably have a whole lot more of it than you realize.
The latest from the Census and ATTOM shows more than two out of three homeowners have either completely paid off their mortgages.
That means the majority of homeowners have a game-changing amount of equity right now.
How Your Equity Can Help Fuel Your Move
• Be an all-cash buyer
• Make a larger down payment
The First Step: Determine How Much...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Many homeowners looking to sell feel like they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place right now.
Thinking about buying a home? Consider the long-term wealth-building benefits.
Homeownership isn't just about having a place to live—it's a key to building wealth. As you pay off your mortgage, your equity grows, and any increase in your home's value adds to your net worth.
Just check out how home values have grown since 1991.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Dreaming of a high-end home? Now’s your moment.
The selection of luxury homes has grown compared to last year.
So, if you’re looking for things like a modern kitchen, the latest smart home tech, high-end features, and more, this is your chance to find the home that matches your style.
Looking for expert help? That's what I'm here for.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
How Owning a Home Builds Your Wealth over Time
If you’re trying to decide if buying a home is worth it, consider the long-term benefits. Homeownership pays off in the long run as you gain equity. If you want to learn more, let’s connect.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Thinking of selling but feeling stuck with today’s mortgage rates?
Here’s something to consider: your home equity could be the solution.
So, how can equity help? Depending on how much you have you could:
- Buy your next home in cash.
- Make a larger down payment and finance less.
If you’re curious about finding out about your equity, let’s connect for a free equity assessment.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
The Sweet Spot for Buying Luxury Homes
If you’ve been looking for a home at the high end of your market, but haven’t found the right one, you may have put your search on hold. But according to recent data, now may be the time to jump back in. Here’s why.
There Are More Luxury Homes To Choose From
What’s considered the top-end of the market, or a luxury home, will always vary by location. But generally speaking, they’re homes that are valued in the top 5% of any given market. According to a recent report from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing, the selection of luxury homes is increasing.
There are considerably more single-family luxury homes available now than there were a year ago. In fact, there are even more than there were just a month ago. This means you should have a wider variety of top-of-the-line homes to choose from, each with unique features and styles.
Rising Luxury Home...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
If you’ve been looking for a home at the high-end of your market, but haven’t found the right one, you may have put your search on hold.
What To Expect if You Buy or Sell a Home This June
June is a busy month in the housing market because a lot of people buy and sell this time of year. So, if you’ve got a move on your mind and you’re looking to make it happen this month, here’s a snapshot of what you need to know to make sure you’re ready.
If You’re Buying This June
A lot of homebuyers with children like to move after one school year ends and before the next one begins. That’s one reason why late spring into summer is a popular time for homes to change hands. And whether that’s a motivator for you or not, it’s important to realize more buyers are going to be looking right now – and that means you’ll want to be ready for a bit more competition. But there is a silver lining to a move this time of year. This is also when more sellers will list – so you should find you have more options.
During this busy season, it’s...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
June is a busy month in the housing market because a lot of people buy and sell this time of year.
![Top Reasons To Own a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]Buying a home has powerful financial and non-financial benefits. It creates more ...](https://img5.travelagents10.com/825/154/972125098251541.jpg)
Top Reasons To Own a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
Buying a home has powerful financial and non-financial benefits. It creates more stability, helps grow your net worth, and gives you an undeniable sense of pride. While today’s market can be challenging for buyers, use these reasons to remind you of why homeownership is so worthwhile. When you’re ready to enjoy all the amazing advantages that come with owning a home, let’s get in touch.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Buying a home has powerful financial and non-financial benefits.
The Biggest Mistakes Buyers Are Making Today
Buyers face challenges in any market – and today’s is no different. With higher mortgage rates and rising prices, plus the limited supply of homes for sale, there’s a lot to consider.
Putting Off Pre-approval
As part of the homebuying process, a lender will look at your finances to figure out what they’re willing to loan you for your mortgage. This gives you a good idea of what you can borrow so you can really wrap your head around the financial side of things before you start looking at homes. Make sure you get your pre-approval first.
Holding Out for Perfection
While you may have a long list of must-haves and nice-to-haves, you need to be realistic about your home search. Even though your ideal state is you find a home that checks every box, you may need to be willing to compromise – especially since inventory is still low.
Buying More...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Buyers face challenges in any market – and today’s is no different.
Trying to figure out how much house you can afford? Here’s something to remember.
While it can be tempting to stretch your finances a bit further than you’re really comfortable with to try to make sure you get the house, you want to avoid overextending your budget.
Instead, focus on what you can afford monthly and make sure the numbers will really work for you.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Top Reasons To Become a Homeowner
Trying to decide if you want to buy a home right now? There are many reasons homeownership is worth it. Let’s connect to talk more about how homeownership can change your life.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Questions You May Have About Selling Your House
There’s no denying mortgage rates are having a big impact on today’s housing market. And that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house and make a move.
1. Should I Wait To Sell?
If you’re thinking about waiting to sell until after mortgage rates come down, here’s what you need to know. So are a ton of other people.
And while mortgage rates are still forecasted to come down later this year, if you wait for that to happen, you may be dealing with a lot more competition as other buyers and sellers jump back in too.
That means if you wait it out, you’ll have to deal with things like prices rising faster and more multiple-offer scenarios when you buy your next home.
2. Are Buyers Still Out There?
But that doesn’t mean no one is moving right now. While some people are holding off, there are still plenty of...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
There’s no denying mortgage rates are having a big impact on today’s housing market.
Ready to sell your house? One of your top priorities may be getting help marketing your home.
Partnering with a great agent can make all the difference.
These are just a few strategies we can use to get your house more visibility.
Ready to maximize your home's exposure and potential? Let's connect.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
How VA Loans Can Help You Buy a Home
For over 80 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own homes. If you or someone you know has served in the military, it's important to learn about this program and its benefits.
Here are some key things to know about VA loans before buying a home.
Top Benefits of VA Home Loans
VA home loans make it easier for veterans to buy a home, and they're a great perk for those who qualify. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, some benefits include:
• Options for No Down Payment: Qualified borrowers can often purchase a home with no down payment. That’s a huge weight lifted when you’re trying to save for a home. The Associated Press says: “. . . about 90% of VA loans are used to purchase a home with no money down.”
• Don’t Require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Many other loans with down payments under 20%...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
For over 80 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own homes.
Veterans, did you know VA home loans can help you buy a home with no down payment, no PMI, and limited closing costs?
Over 24 million service members have become homeowners thanks to this loan option. Learn more and make your American Dream come true.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Sellers, are you worried buyers aren’t out there? Just check out the data.
They may not be as active as they were during the ‘unicorn’ years, but buyer traffic is well above what we’d see in a normal market.
This means there are still people out there looking for homes. So, let’s get yours listed and in front of them.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Wondering about the future of home prices? Here's the scoop.
Experts forecast a steady rise in home prices until at least 2028.
That means buying now sets you up to gain equity as values climb. But, if you wait, the price of a home will only be higher later on.
If you want to chat about what this means for you, I’m here and happy to help.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
It Takes Expertise To Price a House Right
It takes expertise to price a house right. Let’s connect to make sure you’re setting a price that attracts buyers and helps your house sell fast.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
How Many Homes Are Investors Actually Buying?
Are big investors really buying up all the homes today?
If you’re trying to find a house to buy, this may be something you’re wondering about. To clear things up, here's the scoop on what's really happening. A lot of the big investor activity is actually in the rearview mirror already.
The key here is investor activity has slowed significantly, and even during the peak of investor buying, 3 out of every 4 single-family homes purchased were by regular, everyday buyers – not investors. And of the investors who bought over the past few years, most weren’t the big investors you may be hearing about. The vast majority were small mom-and-pop investors – people like your neighbors who own only a couple of homes, maybe even just their main residence and a vacation home.
But let’s focus on the giant, mega-investor firms since that's what is...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Are big investors really buying up all the homes today?
Let’s separate fact from fiction.
Despite some recent buzz, mega investors aren’t buying up all the homes.
They’re only buying less than 1% of the single-family homes. And that’s down from the 2% in 2022.
So, don't believe the hype – and if you have questions, I’m here.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Worried About Home Maintenance Costs? Consider This
If one of the main reasons you’re hesitant to buy a home is because you’re worried about the upkeep, here’s some information you may find interesting on both new home construction and existing homes (a home that’s been lived in by a previous owner).
Newly Built Homes Need Less Upfront Maintenance
If you can afford it, you may find a newly built home could help ease your worries about maintenance costs. Think about it, if everything in the house is brand new, it won’t have the wear and tear you may see in an existing home – and that means it’s less likely to need repairs. Plus, many builders also have warranties on their homes that would cover some of the more major expenses that could pop up.
Existing Homes Can Still Have Great Perks
But it’s worth mentioning, that it’s not just newly built homes that can have warranties. It’s an option...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
If one of the main reasons you’re hesitant to buy a home is because you’re worried about the upkeep, here’s some information you may find interesting on both new home construction and existing homes.
Why a Condo May Be a Great Option for Your First Home
Having a hard time finding a first home that's right for you and your wallet? Well, here's a tip – think about condominiums, or condos for short.
They're usually smaller than single-family homes, but that's exactly why they can be easier on your budget.
So, if you're comfortable with a smaller space and want to buy your first home this year, adding condos to your search might be easier on your wallet.
Besides giving you more options for your home search and maybe fitting your budget better, living in a condo has a bunch of other perks, too. According to Rocket Mortgage: “From community living to walkable urban areas, condos are great options for first-time home buyers and people looking to enjoy homeownership without extensive upkeep.”
Let’s dive into a few of the draws of condos for first-time buyers from Bankrate:
• They...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Having a hard time finding a first home that's right for you and your wallet?
Renting or buying: which is right for you?
While renting may be cheaper in some areas right now, homeownership offers stability and equity growth over time.
Want to learn more about the perks of homeownership? Let's talk.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Two Benefits of Buying a Home over Renting
There are two big benefits of buying a home over renting. Want to learn more? Let’s connect to compare the two options.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
![Should I Rent or Buy a Home? [INFOGRAPHIC]While renting may be less expensive in some areas right now, there are two big...](https://img3.travelagents10.com/615/250/959782086152509.jpg)
Should I Rent or Buy a Home? [INFOGRAPHIC]
While renting may be less expensive in some areas right now, there are two big benefits homeownership provides that renting can’t. Owning a home means you get to say goodbye to rising rents and hello to stability. It also gives you the chance to gain equity as home values rise over time. If you’re ready to learn more about the perks of owning a home, let’s chat.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
While renting may be less expensive in some areas right now, there are two big benefits homeownership provides that renting can’t.
Considering buying or selling? Here's the latest on home prices nationally.
After being virtually flat in January – which is normal for that time of year – prices are climbing again. And experts project this rise will continue.
Want to find out what’s happening in our area? DM me.
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
The Top 2 Reasons To Consider a Newly Built Home
When you’re planning a move, it’s normal to wonder where you’ll end up and what your future home is going to look like. But unless you came into this process knowing you want to buy a newly built home, you may not have pictured new home construction.
1. Adding Newly Built Homes Could Give You More Options
There are two types of homes on the market: new and existing. A newly built home refers to a house that was just built or is under construction. An existing home is one a previous homeowner has already lived in. Right now, the inventory of existing homes is tight. But there may be options for you on the new home side of things.
2. Newly Built Homes May Be More Affordable Than You’d Think
You may still be wondering if a new build could really be an option for you. If you’ve previously written them off because you thought they...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
When you’re planning a move, it’s normal to wonder where you’ll end up and what your future home is going to look like.
Home Prices Are Climbing in These Top Cities
Thinking about buying a home or selling your current one to find a better fit? If so, you might be wondering what's going on with home prices these days. Here's the scoop.
Home prices were rising for most of 2023. But over the course of December and January, they were virtually flat – which is pretty normal for that time of year.
But here's what you need to know now. As of February, when the spring market kicked off, prices were on the rise again.
Home Prices Are Going Up in Most of America's Top Cities
After seeing a jump in home prices nationally in February, you might be wondering if they’re going up in your area, too. While it depends on where you live, prices are rising in 18 of the top 20 cities Case-Shiller reports on in the monthly price index.
Most experts also think home prices will keep rising and end the year on a high note. Forbes...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Thinking about buying a home or selling your current one to find a better fit?
How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits Your Community
If you're thinking of buying or selling a house, it's important to know it doesn't just impact you—it helps out the local economy and your community, too.
When a house is sold, it really boosts the local economy. That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains how the housing industry adds jobs to a community: “. . . housing is a significant job creator. In fact, for every single-family home built, enough economic activity is generated to sustain three full-time jobs for a year . . .”
It makes sense that housing creates a lot of jobs because so many different kinds of work are involved in the industry.
Think about all the people involved with selling a house—city officials, contractors, lawyers, real estate agents...
Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
If you're thinking of buying or selling a house, it's important to know it doesn't just impact you—it helps out the local economy and your community, too.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Raphael's Roost posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Send a message to Raphael's Roost:
How Owning a Home Builds Your Wealth over Time If you’re trying to decide if buying a home is worth it, consider the long-term benefits. Homeownership pays off in the long run as you gain equity. If you want to learn more, let’s connect. #homeequity #powerfuldecisions Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Top Reasons To Become a Homeowner Trying to decide if you want to buy a home right now? There are many reasons homeownership is worth it. Let’s connect to talk more about how homeownership can change your life. #homeownership #firsttimehomebuyer Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
It Takes Expertise To Price a House Right It takes expertise to price a house right. Let’s connect to make sure you’re setting a price that attracts buyers and helps your house sell fast. #sellyourhouse #priceitright Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Two Benefits of Buying a Home over Renting There are two big benefits of buying a home over renting. Want to learn more? Let’s connect to compare the two options. #homeownership #firsttimehomebuyer Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
The Sun Is Shining on Sellers Thinking of selling your house soon? Let’s work together to get your house listed, so we can find your dream home. #sellyourhouse #moveuphome Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Smaller Homes Are Coming to Market Looking for smaller, more budget-friendly options? To find out what’s available locally and in other areas nearby, let’s connect and explore your options together. #homeowneship #realestatetips Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Do You Know How Much Equity You Have? Do You Know How Much Equity You Have? To find out what your number is, let’s connect. #sellyourhouse #realestatetips Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
2024 Housing Market Mythbusting There are a number of myths out there about the 2024 housing market. Need help separating fact from fiction? Let’s connect. #realestatetips #realestateadvice Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
The Perks of Downsizing for Retirees Just retired or about to soon? Let’s talk about your goals and explore the latest options that fit your changing needs. #downsizing #sellyourhouse #retirement Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Reasons To Work with an Agent When Buying a Home There are a lot of reasons to work with an agent when buying a home. Let’s connect to go over why this expertise is priceless. #realestateagent #realestateexperts Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Outdoor Upgrades To Wow Homebuyers Want to move, but trying to decide what to tackle before selling? Let’s connect to go over the best ways to spend your time and money. #outdoorupgrades #wowbuyers Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Helpful Tips for First-Time Homebuyers Trying to buy your first home right now? Let’s connect so you’ve got a pro who can help. #firsttimehomebuyer #homeownership Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
This Spring Is the Sweet Spot for Selling Your House This spring is the sweet spot for selling your house. Let’s connect to start planning your move. #springsweetspot #sellersweetspot Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Spring Buyer and Seller Guides Are Here Spring Buyer and Seller Guides are here. Let’s connect so you can get the latest copies today. #keepingcurrentmatters Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
4 Tips for Selling Your House This Spring If you’re planning to move, check out these four easy tips. Let’s connect to sell your house this spring. #sellyourhouse #priceitright Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Home Equity Makes All the Difference When You Sell If you own a home, chances are you have a significant amount of equity in it. Let’s connect to find out how much. #homeequity #equityrich Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Are More Homeowners Selling This Year? There are more homes for sale this year. Let’s connect to find the perfect one for you. #newlistings #homes #perfecthome Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Why You’ll Love Being a Homeowner You’ll love being a homeowner. Let’s connect and make it happen. #homeowner #dreamhome Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Experts Project Home Prices Will Go Up in 2024 Experts project home prices will go up in 2024. Let’s connect to go over what’s happening with home prices in our local area. #homeprices #buyahome Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
How Owning a Home Can Really Increase Your Wealth If you're choosing between renting or buying a home this year, consider that homeownership can be a significant wealth-building tool. Let’s connect so you can learn more about how buying a home can increase your net worth over time. #homeownership #wealth #networth Let us Sell or Find your Roost!
Want your business to be the top-listed Travel Agency?
