Spring is Here! How to Prep to Buy or Sell a Home

Spring has sprung, which means the housing market is in full bloom.  Each year, roughly 40 percent of real estate transactions occur between the months of May and August.  If you're feeling inspired to buy or sell a home soon, make sure you're prepared.
When You're Ready to Buy a Home:
* Calculate what you can afford.  Use a home affordability calculator to make sure you're ready for the mortgage payments.
*  Check your credit score and fix any in accuracies you discover ASAP.
*  Save up for a down payment.  Most lenders require 5 to 20 percent.
*  Be ready for additional closing costs. Plan to have approx 4 percent of the home's purchase price     on hand to cover taxes and fees.
*  Re-evaluate your insurance coverage and update all your policies.
When It's Time to Sell:
*  Declutter and clean your home ready to show.
*  Take inventory of what needs to be fixed, such as roof work, paint and landscaping.
*  Decide on a selling price---pull the comps in your area. For more info and help with all your real     estate needs, call FRITZ.

Looking for More Living Space? Look Up!

From the Pacific Union blog:
Many homeowners feeling cramped in their current quarters may be overlooking some extra living space that is right above their heads -- in the attic.  Homeowners with an unfinished attic have a viable option when they want more room.  Remodeling an attic may be easier and more cost-effective than renovating a basement and it's a lot simpler than building an addition.
Read more: http://bit.ly/2mXdDVe

Real Estate Roundup: Spring Homebuying Season Starts Early This Year

From the Pacific Union blog:
Spring has officially arrived, but U.S. real estate activity was already heating up in February.  Also, your credit score might soon get a boost, as the major reporting agencies are relaxing a standard.  Get a quick rundown of the latest headlines in Pacific Union's Real estate roundup.  It's on line at http://pacunion.us/2mYGBCo .  For more on this and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.

The Federal Reserve Sizes Up the Economy: All Quiet on the Western Front

From the Pacific Union blog:
In a new Straight Talk column, Pacific Union Economist Selma Hepp weighs in on the Federal Reserve's decision to raise interest rates earlier this week and what it might mean for home sales activity.  Read all about it at http://pacunion.us/2mXYXDD
For more information about interest rates and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.

Bay Area Home Sales Continue to Decline in February, but Signs Point to Strong Spring

From the Pacific Union blog:
Bay Area home sales declined year over year in February, though recent open-house activity in one local county suggests another busy spring.  Pacific Union Chief Economist Selma Hepp offers an expert, in-depth analysis of the latest real estate statistics in a new Straight Talk column.  http://pacunion.us/2maidGe   

Pets Have a Big Say in the Homes We Buy, Sell and Remodel

From the Pacific Union blog:
Eight out of 10 respondents to a recent National Association of Realtors survey said that pet-related considerations play a role when deciding on their next living situation.  The full story is on Pacific Union's blog at http://pacunion.us/2l17ggG .  For moe information on buying or selling your home, call FRITZ.

First-Time Buyers Overestimate Down-Payment Size

From the Pacific Union blog:
The vast majority of Americans who don't own a home want to purchase one in the future, although affordability is a primary concern.  The down payment, however, may not be as big of a hurdle as many first-time buyers believe.  Read more at http://pacunion.us/2lbk3vt .  For more information about this and all your real estate needs, call FRITZ.

Forecast: U.S. Home Sales and Prices to Rise in 2017

From the Pacific Union blog:
U.S. home sales volume and prices should continue to increase this year, although rising mortgage rates and declining affordability will prove challenging - particularly in expensive markets like the Bay Area. For the outlook, go to http://pacunion.us/2k4hdJN .  For more information contact FRITZ.