Home Sellers Archives - SkyBlue Portland

Three Reasons Why This Is Not a Housing Crisis

In times of uncertainty, one of the best things we can do to ease our fears is to educate ourselves with research, facts, and data. Digging into past experiences by reviewing historical trends and understanding the peaks and valleys of what’s come before us is one of the many ways we can confidently evaluate any situation. With concerns of a global recession on everyone’s minds today, it’s important to take an objective look at what has transpired over the years and how the housing market has successfully weathered these storms. 1. The Market … Continue reading...

Strength of the Economy Is Surprising the Experts

We’re currently in the longest economic recovery in U.S. history. In response, experts are projecting when the next economic slowdown (recession) could occur. Two years ago, 67% of the economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) for the Economic Forecasting Survey predicted we would have a recession no later than the end of this year (2020). The same study conducted just three months ago showed more than one-third of the economists still projecting an economic slowdown right around the corner. Naturally, this news caused concern among … Continue reading...

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home

It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces, but we can have deep sentimental attachments to the homes we’re leaving behind, too. Growing emotions can help or hinder a sale, depending on how we manage them. When it comes to the bottom line, homeowners need to know what it takes to avoid costly mistakes. Being mindful of these things and prepared for the process can help you avoid some of the most common mishaps when selling your house. 1. Overpricing Your Home When inventory is low, like it is in the current market, … Continue reading...

Forget the Price of the Home. The Cost is What Matters.

Home buying activity (demand) is up, and the number of available listings (supply) is down. When demand outpaces supply, prices appreciate. That’s why firms are beginning to increase their projections for home price appreciation going forward. As an example, CoreLogic increased their 12-month projection for home values from 4.5% to 5.6% over the last few months. The reacceleration of home values will cause some to again voice concerns about affordability. Just last week, however, First American came out with a data analysis that explains how price is not … Continue reading...

This is Not 2008 All Over Again: The Mortgage Lending Factor

Some are afraid the real estate market may be looking a lot like it did prior to the housing crash in 2008. One of the factors they’re pointing at is the availability of mortgage money. Recent articles about the availability of low-down payment loans and down payment assistance programs are causing concern that we’re returning to the bad habits of a decade ago. Let’s alleviate the fears about the current mortgage market. The Mortgage Bankers’ Association releases an index several times a year titled: The Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to their … Continue reading...

Thinking of Selling Your Home? The Waiting Is The Hardest Part.

Tom Petty famously penned the words, “the waiting is the hardest part” in his early 80’s hit song The Waiting, and his thought process can surprisingly also be applied to individuals considering selling their homes today. Traditional thinking would suggest it may be best to wait until the spring to sell when there is a flood of buyers in the market, but right now may in fact be an even better time to list your home. We can see the overall economy is good: wages are rising, there are near record-low unemployment rates, and mortgage interest rates are still very low too. … Continue reading...

The Impact Staging Your Home Has On Your Sale Price

Have you ever wondered what impact staging your home for sale could have on the length of time it takes to attract the right buyer and the eventual price you get for your home? Wonder no more! The National Association of Realtors surveyed their members & released the findings of their Profile of Home Staging. Here are ttheir findings: Highlights: 62% of seller’s agents say that home staging decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market. 50% of staged homes saw a 1-10% increase in dollar-value offers from buyers. … Continue reading...

To Stage or Not to Stage Your Home for Sale

To stage or not to stage your home, that’s the BIG QUESTION on the minds of many home sellers today. Seriously? There is no question. You can’t afford NOT to stage your home for sale. In fact, there is no more affordable way to boost the value of your home. But let’s be clear about what staging actually is. It’s not decorating. It’s not personal. It’s not real life. Staging is marketing. Staging is dream making. It turns YOUR home into a home that will appeal to a large number of today’s prospective buyers. It turns your home into a showroom that incites the … Continue reading...

How to Prepare Your Home for Sale

When you're ready to prepare your home for sale, remember this: Most people think that buying a home involves a rational decision. It doesn’t. Human beings rarely make purely rational decisions. We make emotional decisions, almost instantaneously—and then justify them with a bunch of mental gobbledygook that sounds logical. We can't help it, it's how we roll. So now that you have decided to prepare your home for sale, you need to look at it from the perspective of your emotional potential buyers. Today’s buyers are design savvy thanks to mega taste makers like … Continue reading...

Sellers: Now Is the Time to Buy!

Falling interest rates coupled with increasing inventory create the ideal market to find the home of your dreams. There's no time like the present to move up! Let's get together to discuss your options. … Continue reading...