5 Things to Expect When Selling Your Home in Winter

Winter is traditionally a slower time for home sales, but don’t despair. Here are a few ways the timing might play in your favor.

1. Buyers tend to be more motivated Buyers looking for homes are doing so because they really must relocate due to job, family or other unavoidable circumstances. You’ll probably waste less time dealing with real estate tire-kickers.

2. Things move faster Because there are fewer transactions during the winter, mortgage companies, home inspectors and appraisers have less on their plates. You should be able to schedule appointments sooner and expect faster turnaround for reports and approvals than in the busy warmer seasons.

3. You can leverage the smaller inventory With fewer homes on the market, your property’s unique features stand out even more. Are you the only townhome within walking distance of downtown? The only split-level with a pool in your school district? I’ll be sure to mention it in your listing.

4. Summer buyers are looking now Not everyone looking in the winter must move immediately. We can discuss ideas about how to market your home among local businesses and organizations with fluid populations, such as universities, or via school district websites that might attract families moving to the area.

5. You can remind buyers of warmer weather Be sure to include images of your home during greener summer months, including lifestyle shots of your deck, patio, porch and/or yard. Feature these photos in a frame during showings to remind buyers how the home can come alive in the spring.

No matter what time of year you’re looking to sell, I’m here to help. Contact me today to get started.

Just Listed! Wonderful 4 Bedroom home in Beaverton, OR

420 SW Seminole Dr.

Beaverton, OR 97006

Watch this quick video as I walked through this wonderful home to get a feel for the features and space this home has to offer!

Call today for current information on list price, room sizes, home features or to schedule your private showing!

4 Quick Reasons NOT to Fear a Housing Crash

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the real estate market heading into 2019. That uncertainty has raised concerns that we may be headed toward another housing crash like the one we experienced a decade ago.
Here are four reasons why today’s market is much different:

1. There are fewer foreclosures now than there were in 2006

A major challenge in 2006 was the number of foreclosures. There will always be foreclosures, but they spiked by over 100% prior to the crash. Foreclosures sold at a discount and, in many cases, lowered the values of adjacent homes. We are ending 2018 with foreclosures at historic pre-crash numbers – much fewer foreclosures than we ended 2006 with.

2. Most homeowners have tremendous equity in their homes

Ten years ago, many homeowners irrationally converted much, if not all, of their equity into cash with a cash-out refinance. When foreclosures rose and prices fell, they found themselves in a negative equity situation where their homes were worth less than their mortgage amounts. Many just walked away from their houses which led to even more foreclosures entering the market. Today is different. Over forty-eight percent of homeowners have at least 50% equity in their homes and they are not extracting their equity at the same rates they did in 2006.

3. Lending standards are much tougher

One of the causes of the crash ten years ago was that lending standards were almost non-existent. NINJA loans (no income, no job, and no assets) no longer exist. ARMs (adjustable rate mortgages) still exist but only as a fraction of the number from a decade ago. Though mortgage standards have loosened somewhat during the last few years, we are nowhere near the standards that helped create the housing crisis ten years ago.

4. Affordability is better now than in 2006

Though it is difficult to afford a home for many Americans, data shows that it is more affordable to purchase a home now than it was from 1985 to 2000. And, it requires much less of a percentage of your income today than it did in 2006.

Bottom Line

The housing industry is facing some rough waters heading into 2019. However, the graphs above show that the market is much healthier than it was prior to the crash ten years ago.

Courtesy of KeepingCurrentMatters.com

November 2018 Real Estate Market Statistics

The following is the latest Real Estate Market Statistics for November 2018.
Click here for the full report

• Sales:   2,144 in November 2018 vs 2,387 last November  -10.2 %

• Pending Sales:   1,904 in November 2018 vs 2,387 last November:  -19.7%

• New Listings:   2,310 in November 2018 vs 2,416 last November:  -4.4%

• Average Sales Price:   $453,100 in November 2018 vs $429,000 last November:  5.6%

• Total Market Time: 57 days in November 2018 vs 51 days last November:  13.5%

• Inventory in Months: 2.8 months in November 2018 vs 1.9 months last November

Inventory by Area:

• NW Washington County   2.41 months
• Beaverton/Aloha               1.65 months
• Hillsboro/Forest Grove      1.74 months

Why Do a Home Pre-Inspection?

The uncertainty of selling your home can be stressful. You’re left wondering if the timing of your home sale and your new living arrangements will line up right. Will you be able to get what you deserve for your home? Will the buyer follow through? One thing you can do to alleviate some of these concerns is to have a pre-inspection done before you list your home.

The cost of a pre-inspection will vary based on the age and size of your home. Although it may seem redundant because your buyer will likely insist on a new inspection as well, there are a few benefits to doing a pre-inspection.

- A clean inspection can give potential buyers peace of mind and make them more confident about submitting an offer on your home.

- You’ll know the true condition of your home’s systems and structure, including the heating and cooling, water heater, plumbing, electrical, attic, basement, exterior, and more. This will help you decide on a fair price for your home based on its condition.

-  Even if your pre-inspection reveals significant problems, you’re still a step ahead. If the problems aren’t discovered until after an offer is made, your buyer may back out of the deal. Knowing beforehand allows you to make the necessary repairs or take the issue into consideration when pricing your home.

 If you are considering a move in early 2019, now is the time to arrange for a pre-inspection to allow time to make any repairs that you may want to address prior to putting your home on the market.

Give me a call!  I have several excellent home inspectors I work with and can help you get the home inspection scheduled.  

Predictions From Housing Experts

To find out how these predictions might affect our local market and your ability to buy or sell, 

give me a call!

Keeping Your Home Warm this Winter

Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying it: winter is almost here. Now’s the time to make sure you’re ready to weather the cold and keep your home warm this winter. Here are some things you should consider touching up on in your home to be prepared for winter.

Furnace - The most obvious way to keep your home warm is to make sure the heater is in good working order. Start by changing the air filter to increase the airflow, then schedule a tune-up with a licensed technician who can clean, lubricate, and adjust the furnace for maximum efficiency.

Doors - If you have gaps under doors, you’re going to end up with cold drafts coming in and hot air flowing out. You can add rubber to the bottom of your doors to fill the gap or purchase some temporary draft snakes. You can even use rolled up towels as a short term solution.

Pipes - Water pipes freezing is a common problem during winter. This is because as the water freezes, it expands, causing extensive damage to your plumbing if the pipe bursts. To prevent this, make sure your pipes are insulated, stripped, and caulked. It also helps to keep the heat on in the house.

Fireplace - A fireplace is a great way to keep your family warm…if you’ve taken the steps to use it safely. Part of that is taking time to schedule a deep clean and inspection. Also, always remember to keep pets and children away from the flames and to keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

If you need help finding a contractor to assist in servicing your furnace, pipes or fireplace, let me know and I'll provide you with references to qualified contractors to help you out!

The year is coming to an end, your days are filled with holiday shopping, parties, family and just closing out the year.  It's a busy time, but also important to carve out a bit of time for some essential home maintenance items and preparing for the coming year.

In addition to the home maintenance items listed above, here are 4 small tasks for a bright (and money-saving) new year.

1. Clean light bulbs and fixtures - Get as much light in your house as you can with the shorter days!

2. Evaluate Your Homeowner's Insurance - Call your agent to go over the type of coverage you have, how much you really need and if see if there is a possibility to lower your premiums before the coming year.

3. Pack a Home Emergency Kit - Prepare for a power outage or any weather-related emergency.  Include items such as bottled water, hand-crank radio, flashlight/batteries, a portable charger for your phone, warm blankets and a first aid kit.

4. Buy Holiday Lights - After December 25th!  Take advantage of the after holiday sales to prepare for your holiday decorating next year.