Real Estate March 6, 2014

Buying a Home? How the Serenity Prayer May Help

You may be frustrated while attempting to buy a home in today’s market. You may feel powerless to the process. How could YOU possibly know whether the current good news about housing will continue? There is no doubt that today’s real estate market is extremely difficult to navigate. However, we want you to know that thousands of homes sold yesterday, thousands will sell today and thousands will sell each and every day from now until the end of the year.

It is totally within your power to decide whether it is the right time for you and your family to move. Even in the current market.

“How?” Let’s look at the simplicity of the famous Serenity Prayer and apply it to buying a home in today’s real estate market.

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.”

Accept the things you cannot change

The two main concerns many talk about when discussing the housing market are:

  1. the current lack of inventory impacting housing prices
  2. the impending raise in interest rates

As an individual, there is very little you can do to impact either of those two situations. The best think-tanks in the country are struggling to discover what impact each of these items have on real estate.

Have the courage to change the things you can

Whether you are a first-time buyer or a move-up buyer and you believe now is the right time for your family to purchase a home – DO IT! Prices will only be higher later this year and though interest rates are rising they are still at historic lows. That means that your monthly housing expense will still be lower than almost any time in the last 50 years – and probably lower than your current rent payment.

The wisdom to know the difference

With the winter ending, the outlook on inventory is positive. Sellers will look to come out of hibernation and list their homes. The question is whether or not it makes sense to delay moving on with your life until everything gets ‘better’. Should you not buy a house and enable your kids to attend the school you have already decided is best for them? Should you spend another winter up north even though your doctor recommends you move to a climate better suited to your current medical situation?

This is where your wisdom must kick in. You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of the situation by moving forward. The time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what truly matters.

Considering a home purchase, guve us a call, text or email and let us use our strategy to help you win in multiple offers!

?-Steve and Sandra
 

 

Real Estate February 24, 2014

Should You Buy or Rent a Home?

Here is a simple chart that explains why we think buying a home makes more sense than renting one.  This chart represents national monthly rental rates; currently, the average rental rate near downtown Seattle is $1500/month for a one bedroom apartment.

A mortgage payment on a $250,000 home or condominium would be about the same as renting.  If you are considering a home purchase, give us a call, text or email.

-Steve and Sandra

Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Windermere Real Estate/FN
Seattle-Northwest
122502 Greenwood Ave N, Suite A
Seattle WA 98133
call/text: 206-769-9577
email: stevehill@windermere.com

Check out these useful Home Search Apps:

Windermere for iPad
Windermere for Android

Check out these useful links:

BrennerHill.com
Best In Client Satisfaction
Seattle Real Estate Statistics
Windermere Housing Trends Newsletter

Our Preferred Lenders

George Runnels
Washington First Mortgage
WaFirstMortgage.com
call/text: 206-604-4545

Jackie Murphy
Cobalt Mortgage
CobaltMortgage.com
call/text: 425-260-6834