Market Update

According to Trend MLS, the Philadelphia region real estate listing service, October saw an overall increase from the previous year. They said that despite the fear the government shutdown would have a negative effect on real estate activity, October closed sales exceeded last year by 18% and year-to-date is now 16% above last year.

In Montgomery county, there were 669 settled units in October 2013 compared to 514 in October 2012. The median sale price also increased from $246,000 in 2012 to $276,000 in October 2014. 

All good signs!

According to Lawrence Yun, the chief economist and senior VP for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), he predicts the housing demand to plateau next year with housing prices to increase by 6% and interest rates hitting 5.4%. The higher interest rate my discourage some buyers, but with the increase in job creation and loosening lending standards, he believes sales should balance out.

I think if you're on the fence on buying (moving up, scaling down, or first time) it's a great time to start the process. Now is the time to speak to a mortgage consultant and Realtor to get yourself in the position to make a move in 2014! 

Online home searching

Did you know that over 90% of buyers look online before getting serious about purchasing a home.

Makes sense, right? Don't we usually go online before buying anything? 

There are a ton of different websites where you can search properties for sale. However, not all websites are the same nor provide the best & most accurate information. 

Below is a snapshot of my Keller Williams online search page. There are a few cool things that it offers:

Save listings you like

You can sign up for listing alerts

Get neighborhood stats, school information, etc. 

Plus if you have questions about a home- you can contact me directly! Not some stranger listed next to the listing 

Downsizing

This year I've had to opportunity to work with a handful of clients looking to downsize. Their current home had become a little too much to manage, both inside and out. Some of these clients lived in their home for almost 20 years, which resulted in 20 years of "stuff." A lot of the "stuff" was sentimental and some was was junk, but digging in and starting the purge phase can be daunting.

Houzz.com (aka my new obsession) recently posted an article "Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Space." A lot of the tips they provide are similar to what I've expressed to clients- prioritize your things, give items to family members so it stays in the family, host garage sales, etc. But the article also focuses on changing your mindset & living habits. It helps you think of different ways to organize your rooms and prioritize what's important.

Enjoy :)

Tips for Moving Into a Smaller Space

General contractors, home builders, and more ∨

Hire an decorator to find that just-right sofa couch and cocktail table for your living room.
Find inspiring decorating ideas, from a tufted headboard to custom window treatments, to help you redesign your bedroom.