Real Estate Tips, Articles, Statistics, and Resources for Home Sellers brought to you by RE/MAX Whatcom County.

Vegas diaries: on the way to R4!

BELLINGHAM, WA—FEBRUARY 4, 2022

On the RE/MAX Whatcom County leadership crew, he’s a go-to point-person. Every day of the week.

Got a computer virus? Text Michael Shkurat.

Need to boost your customer relationship management systems? Call Michael.

Deleted your email in-box? (It’s happened.) Email Michael (with humility, from your Outlook trash can).

His expertise is not only his ability to address all things tech. His appeal is also in his exceedingly patient (and inscrutable) responses. No matter how badly you’ve tangled your software and hardware, Michael, Chief Marketing Officer & Director of IT, often responds, “Oh, I see!” As if he can see exactly how you got yourself into your mess. No matter the…

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If you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, this is the time to think seriously about making a move. Fannie Mae’s recent Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) reveals the number of respondents who say it’s a good time to sell is higher now than it was over the past few summers (see graph below). Today, the majority of consumers, 75 percent, say it’s a good time to sell a house.

Why is sellers sentiment up year-over-year?

The higher good time to sell sentiment has to do with today’s market conditions, specifically low housing supply and high buyer demand. In the simplest terms, we don’t have enough houses available for sale to meet buyer demand.

According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR),…

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There’s no doubt that 2021 is the year of the seller when it comes to the housing market. If you’re a homeowner thinking of moving to better suit your changing needs, now is the perfect time to do so. Low mortgage rates are in your favor when you’re ready to purchase your dream home, and high buyer demand may give you the leverage you need to negotiate the best contract terms on the sale of your house. Here’s a look at what’s driving this sellers’ advantage and why there’s so much opportunity for homeowners who are ready to move this season.

1. Historically Low Inventory

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

 "Total housing inventory at the end of March amounted to 1.07 million units, up 3.9% from February's inventory... Unsold…

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In a sellers' market, some homeowners might be tempted to try to sell their house on their own (known as For Sale by Owner, or FSBO) instead of working with a trusted real estate professional. When the inventory of homes for sale is as low as it is today, buyers are eager to snatch up virtually any house that comes to market. This makes it even more tempting to FSBO. Let's unpack why that's a big mistake and may actually cost you more in the long run. 

According to the Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers published by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 41% of homeowners who tried to sell their house as FSBO did so to avoid paying a commission or fee. In reality, even in a sellers' market, selling on your own likely means you'll net a lower…

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If you've given even a casual thought to selling your house in the near future, this is the time to really think seriously about making a move. Here's why this season is the ultimate sellers' market and the optimal time to make sure your house is available for buyers who are looking for homes to purchase.

The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the inventory of houses for sale is astonishingly low, sitting at just a 2-month supply at the current sales pace.

Historically, a 6-month supply is necessary for a 'normal' or 'neutral' market in which there are enough homes for active buyers (see graph below): 

When the supply of houses for sale is as low as it is now, it's much harder for…

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Right now, the housing market is full of outstanding opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Whether you're thinking of buying your first home, moving up to a bigger one, or selling so you can downsize this spring, there are perks today that are powering big moves for people across the county. Here are the top two to keep on your radar this season. 

The Biggest Perks for Buyers: Low Mortgage Rates

Today's most compelling buyer incentive is low mortgage interest rates. The 30-year-fixed rate is now averaging just over 3%. While that's slightly higher than the record lows from 2020 and earlier this year, it's still way lower than historic norms, making purchasing a home an ongoing perk for hopeful buyers (see graph below). 

This is a…

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Last year started off with a bang. Unemployment was under 4%, forecasters were giddy with their projections for the economy, and the residential market had the strongest January and February activity in over a decade.

Then came the announcement on March 11, 2020, from the World Health Organization, declaring COVID-19 a global pandemic. Two days later, the White House declared it a national emergency. Businesses and schools were forced to close, shelter-in-place mandates were enacted, and the economy came to a screeching halt. As a result, unemployment in the U.S. has skyrocketed to 14.9%.

A year later, the economy is recovering and the U.S. has regained more than half the jobs that were originally lost. However, some businesses are still closed,…

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When thinking about selling, homeowners often feel they need to get their house ready with some remodeling to make it more appealing to buyers. However, with so many buyers competing for available homes right now, renovations may not be as vital as they would be in a more normal market. Here are two things to keep in mind if you're thinking of selling this season.

1. There aren't enough homes for sale right now.

A normal market has a 6-month supply of houses for sale, but today's housing inventory sits well below that benchmark. According to the National Association of Realtors, there's only a 1.9-month supply of homes today. As a result, buyer competition is high and homes are only on the market for about 21 days, during which time many receive…

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Your Comprehensive Guide for Home Sellers 

Access expert real estate insights on:

-Why you shouldn't wait to sell your house

-The current housing market

-How low inventory is a win for sellers

-What 2021 has in store for home sellers

-Leveraging your equity to make a move

-Why people are moving this season

-Should I renovate my house before selling?

-If I sell now, where will I go?

-Why it pays to sell with a real estate agent

-Selling your house with today's technology

-Why pricing your house right matters

-Reasons to hire a real estate professional

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