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5 Tips for Starting Your Home Search

Monday, October 21, 2019
by Christie Cannon

5 Tips for Starting Your Home Search

5 Tips for Starting Your Home Search | MyKCM
 

In today’s market, low inventory dominates the conversation in many areas of the country. It can often be frustrating to be a first-time homebuyer if you aren’t prepared. Here are five tips from realtor.com’s article, “How to Find Your Dream Home—Without Losing Your Mind.”

1. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Before You Start Your Search

One way to show you’re serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage. Even if you’re in a market that is not as competitive, understanding your budget will give you the confidence of knowing whether or not your dream home is within your reach. This will help you avoid the disappointment of falling in love with a home well outside your price range.

2. Know the Difference Between Your ‘Must-Haves’ and ‘Would-Like-To-Haves’

Do you really need that farmhouse sink in the kitchen to be happy with your home choice? Would a two-car garage be a convenience or a necessity? Before you start your search, list all the features of a home you would like. Qualify them as ‘must-haves’, ‘should-haves’, or ‘absolute-wish list’ items. This will help you stay focused on what’s most important.

3. Research and Choose a Neighborhood Where You Want to Live

Every neighborhood has unique charm. Before you commit to a home based solely on the house itself, take a test-drive of the area. Make sure it meets your needs for “amenities, commute, school district, etc. and then spend a weekend exploring before you commit.”

4. Pick a House Style You Love and Stick to It

Evaluate your family’s needs and settle on a style of home that will best serve those needs. Just because you’ve narrowed your search to a zip code doesn’t mean you need to tour every listing in that vicinity. An example from the article says, “if you have several younger kids and don’t want your bedroom on a different level, steer clear of Cape Cod–style homes, which typically feature two or more bedrooms on the upper level and the master on the main.”

5. Document Your Home Visits

Once you start touring homes, the features of each individual home will start to blur together. The article suggests keeping your camera handy and making notes on the listing sheet to document what you love and don’t love about each property you visit.

Bottom Line

In a high-paced, competitive environment, any advantage you can give yourself will help you on your path to buying your dream home.

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The District Concert Series - Blaze of Glory

Tuesday, October 15, 2019
by Christie Cannon

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Existing-Home Sales Report Indicates Now Is a Great Time to Sell

Monday, October 14, 2019
by Christie Cannon

 

Existing-Home Sales Report Indicates Now Is a Great Time to Sell | MyKCM
 

The best time to sell anything is when demand for that item is high and the supply of that item is limited. The latest Existing-Home Sales Report released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), reveals that demand for housing continues to be strong, but the supply is struggling to keep pace. With this trend likely continuing throughout 2020, now is a great time to sell your house.

THE EXISTING-HOME SALES REPORT

The most important data revealed in this report was not actually sales. In reality, it was the inventory of homes for sale (supply). The report explained:

  • Total housing inventory at the end of August decreased 2.6% to 1.86 million homes available for sale.
  • Unsold inventory is lower than the 4.3-month figure recorded in August 2018.
  • This represents a 1-month supply at the current sales pace.

According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR,

“Sales are up, but inventory numbers remain low and are thereby pushing up
home prices.”

In real estate, there is a simple guideline that often applies here. Essentially, when there is less than a 6-month supply of inventory available, we are in a seller’s market and we will see greater appreciation. Between a 6 to 7-month supply is a neutral market, where prices will increase at the rate of inflation. More than a 7-month supply means we are in a buyer’s market and can expect depreciation in home values (see below):Existing-Home Sales Report Indicates Now Is a Great Time to Sell | MyKCMAs we mentioned before, there is currently a 4.1-month supply of homes on the market, and houses are going under contract fast. The Existing Home Sales Report also shows that 49% of properties were on the market for less than a month when they were sold. In August, properties sold nationally were typically on the market for 31 days. As Yun notes, this should continue,

“As expected, buyers are finding it hard to resist the current rates…The desire to take advantage of these promising conditions is leading more buyers to the market.” 

Takeaway: Inventory of homes for sale is still well below the 6-month supply needed for a normal market, and supply will fail to catch up with demand if a sizable supply does not enter the market.

Bottom Line

If you are going to sell, now may be the time to take advantage of the ready, willing, and able buyers who are out there searching for your house to become their dream home.

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What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Process

Friday, October 11, 2019
by Christie Cannon

 

What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Process [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM
 

Some Highlights:

  • Many buyers are purchasing homes with down payments as little as 3%.
  • You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don’t have perfect credit.
  • Your local professionals are here to help you determine how much you can afford, so take advantage of the opportunity to learn more.
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The District Concert Series - Petty Theft

Tuesday, October 8, 2019
by Christie Cannon

Come out this Friday and see The Christie Cannon Team at The Shops at Willowbend.  Petty Theft a Tom Petty tribute band will be there providing tunes and fun!  There are also some great places to eat and shop!

 

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Frisco Racks Up a 'Surprising' and Envious New No. 1 Title

Monday, October 7, 2019
by Christie Cannon

By Victoria V. Valdez of The Dallas

Frisco is laying claim to a new No. 1 title.

It's the nation's top city in terms of the gap between residents' median household income and the rest of the state, according to an analysis by personal finance website GoBankingRates.

Frisco’s median household income of $120,701 is more than twice as much as Texas’ $57,051. That $63,650 difference makes it the highest among 188 U.S. cities studied.

The website called its analysis: “Most surprising cities to live in if you want to make a lot of money.” It examined cities with more than 50,000 households.

“Frisco is the best city to live in if you have your sights set on big bucks but want to avoid living in an urban center,” GoBankingRates said.

 

So who are Frisco’s top competitors? Just look south and east.

Neighboring cities McKinney and Plano rank second and third, respectively. McKinney’s $87,608 median household income is $30,000 more than the state’s. Plano’s difference of $31,527 is actually higher than McKinney’s, but it was dinged for being a more expensive place to live.

“McKinney ... manages to nab the No. 2 spot because it offers cheaper homes for sale and is slightly less expensive to live in compared to Plano,” according to the analysis.

Frisco's median home value is $396,500, according to real estate site Zillow.

Besides median household income, GoBankingRates examined each city’s cost of living, median home prices, labor force participation rates and state income taxes. Cost of living and median home prices were given extra weight in the ranking.

Other North Texas cities earning spots in the top 25 are Grand Prairie (7th) and Fort Worth (13th). Austin was the only other Texas city to make the list, coming in 11th.

Frisco can stack its new trophy next to one it received last year, when Money named it the best place to live in the U.S.

Morning News

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3709 Ladybank Open House

Friday, October 4, 2019
by Christie Cannon
YOU ARE INVITED TO:
An Open House
When: Saturday, October 5th
Time: 2PM - 4PM
Where: 3709 Ladybank The Colony, TX 75056
Located in The Tribute
 
About the Home:
4 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3689 SQ FT
 
Exquisite water view home in the award-winning master-planned community, The Tribute. Located in the highly desirable Lochs Village, this 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath, 3 car tandem garage + study & game room property features window seats & breathtaking stack stone accent walls. High-end laminate wood floors throughout. Functional open living areas & a designer-inspired kitchen features a large island, wine grotto, SS appliances, gas cooktop & granite counters. The living room has soaring ceilings & a massive cast stone gas log fireplace accented with stack stone surround & a wall of windows overlooking the backyard paradise & water views. Relax by the sparkling pool with water feature, built-in grill & outdoor fridge.
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Harvest Fun in the DFW Area!

Tuesday, October 1, 2019
by Christie Cannon

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How Does the supply of homes for Sale Impact Buyer Demand?

Monday, September 30, 2019
by Christie Cannon

How Does the Supply of Homes for Sale Impact Buyer Demand?

How Does the Supply of Homes for Sale Impact Buyer Demand? | MyKCM
 

The price of any item is determined by supply, as well as the market’s demand for the item. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) surveys “over 50,000 real estate practitioners about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions” for their monthly REALTORS Confidence Index.

Their latest edition sheds some light on the relationship between seller traffic (supply) and buyer traffic (demand).

Buyer Demand

The map below was created after asking the question: “How would you rate buyer traffic in your area?”How Does the Supply of Homes for Sale Impact Buyer Demand? | MyKCMThe darker the blue, the stronger the demand for homes is in that area. The survey shows that in 3 of the 50 U.S. states, buyer demand is now very strong; only 2 of the 50 states have a ‘weak’ demand. Overall, buyer demand is slightly lower than this time last year but remains strong.

Seller Supply 

The index also asked: “How would you rate seller traffic in your area?”How Does the Supply of Homes for Sale Impact Buyer Demand? | MyKCMAs the map below shows, 18 states reported ‘weak’ seller traffic, 29 states and Washington, D.C. reported ‘stable’ seller traffic, and 3 states reported ‘strong’ seller traffic. This means there are far fewer homes on the market than what is needed to satisfy the buyers who are looking for homes.

Bottom Line

Looking at the maps above, it is not hard to see why prices are appreciating in many areas of the country. Until the supply of homes for sale starts to meet buyer demand, prices will continue to increase. If you are debating listing your home for sale, let’s get together to help you capitalize on the demand in our market now.

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Should You Fix Your House Up or Sell Now?

Thursday, September 26, 2019
by Christie Cannon

Should You Fix Your House Up or Sell Now?

What will you likely to recoup from your project? Find out here with the COST VS Value Report 2019:
 

Should You Fix Your House Up or Sell Now? | MyKCM
 

With the fall season upon us, change is in the air. For many families, children are growing up and moving out of the house, maybe leaving for college or taking a jump into the working world. Parents are finding themselves as empty nesters for the first time. The question inevitably arises: is it finally time to downsize?

If you’re pondering that thought, you may also be wondering if you should fix-up your house before you sell it, or go straight to the market as-is, allowing a potential buyer to do the updates and remodeling. If you’re one of the many homeowners this camp, here are a few tips to help you decide which way to go.

1. Analyze Your Market

A real estate professional can help you to understand your market and the potential level of buyer interest and demand for your home. Are you in a seller’s market or a buyer’s market? This can change based on the price range of your home, too. A professional can also give you some insight on what you can change or remodel, and how to declutter your house to make it attractive to buyers in your area.

2. Get an Inspector

Right now, the average length of time a family stays in a home is between 9-10 years. That’s a little longer than the historical average, so if you’ve been living in your home for a while, it might be time to make some significant improvements. Think: electrical system, HVAC units, roof, siding, etc. An inspector can give you a better idea of the condition of your home, if it is up to current code standards, and recommendations on how to have your house ready before you put it on the market.

3. Decide If You Need to Remodel

You may also be thinking about driving buyer appeal with something like a kitchen or a bathroom remodel. If so, first dig into the market value of your home, and compare it to the actual cost of the remodel. A local real estate professional can help you determine your home’s market value, and you’ll want to get a few quotes from contractors on the potential remodel pricing as well. Once you have those two factors narrowed down, you can to decide if a remodel will give you a return on your investment when you sell. Oftentimes, it is actually more advantageous to price your house to sell, list it competitively, and then let the buyer pick the colors they want for their bathroom tiles and the type of countertop they prefer. The 2019 Cost vs. Value Report in Remodeling Magazine compares the average cost for remodeling projects with the value those projects typically retain at resale.

Bottom Line

Nationwide, inventory is low, meaning there is less than the 6-month housing supply needed for a normal market. This drives buyer demand, creating a perfect time to sell. If you’re considering selling your house, let’s get together to help you confidently determine what will be the best choice for you and your family.

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Displaying blog entries 151-160 of 266

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Photo of Christie Cannon Real Estate
Christie Cannon
Keller Williams Realty
5933 Preston Road #300
Frisco TX 75034
972-215-7747
Fax: 972-215-7748
Send an Email
Keller Williams Frisco - The Christie Cannon Team - http://www.christiecannon.com

 

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