Real Estate News
Get the latest news and trends as it relates to today's real estate market.
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2/1/2021
Housing Market's Momentum
Last week’s Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows sales have dropped by 3.7% compared to the month before. This is the second consecutive month that sales have slumped. Some see this as evidence that the red-hot real estate market may be cooling. However, there could also be a simple explanation as to why existing home sales have slowed – there aren’t enough homes to buy. There are currently 410,000 fewer single-family homes available for sale than there were at this time last year.
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, explains in the report: “The sales for March would have been measurably higher, had there been more inventory. Days-on-market are swift, multiple offers are prevalent, and buyer confidence is rising.” Yun’s insight was supported the next day when the Census Bureau released its Monthly New Residential Sales Report. It shows that newly constructed home sales are up 20.7% over the previous month. Buyer demand remains strong. With more of the adult population becoming vaccinated and job creation data showing encouraging signs, existing-home inventory is expected to grow in the coming months. What will this mean for home sales going forward?Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) have all forecasted that total home sales (existing homes and new construction) will continue their momentum both this year and next. Here’s a graph showing those projections: 
Bottom Line Living through a pandemic has caused many to re-evaluate the importance of a home and the value of homeownership. The residential real estate market will benefit from both as we move forward.
1/20/2021
Owning vs Renting 2021
If spending more time at home over the past year is making you really think hard about buying a home instead of renting one, you’re not alone. You may be wondering, however, if the dollars and cents add up in your favor as home prices continue to rise. According to the experts, in many cases, it’s still more affordable to buy a home than rent one. Here’s why.
12/11/2020
Winter Seller's Guide Experts agree, the winter housing market could potentially be bigger than ever. While today’s historically low mortgage rates are expected to remain low, they won’t be this low for much longer. This could be the last chance for homebuyers to secure such a low rate, and they’re ready to act. The challenge, however, is the lack of homes available for sale. With that in mind, all eyes are on homeowners to see if they’ll sell this winter or wait until spring.
With buyers ready to stay active this winter, sellers who want to close a deal on the best possible terms shouldn’t wait until spring to put their homes on the market. If you’re considering selling your house, this is the perfect time to discuss how you can benefit from the market trends in our local area. Download our FREE Winter 2021 Seller's Guide or schedule a consultation with one of our real estate agents to explore selling your home this winter.
12/9/2020
Winter Buyer's Guide Today, Americans are purchasing homes for a variety of different reasons. The current health crisis has truly re-shaped our lifestyles and needs, prompting many of us to think more about what we truly want in a home.
Spending extra time where we currently live is enabling many people to re-evaluate what homeownership means and what they find most important in a home. Today, many peoples’ needs have changed. If you’ve been trying to decide if now is the right time for you to buy a home, download our FREE Winter 2021 Buyer's Guide or schedule a consultation with one of our real estate agents.
12/7/2020
5 Ways to Give Locally
With the holidays right around the corner, December offers the perfect opportunity to give back to the place you call home.
It truly “takes a village” to keep a community functioning effectively, whether that’s by keeping our waterways clean, feeding the hungry, teaching our kids, or supporting small businesses. SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSESOur community has been impacted by the pandemic, with many businesses being forced to limit capacity, instill social distancing efforts, and even shutter entirely in some cases. Help keep money in our local economy by shopping local instead of relying on online shopping from national chains.
Ideas:
Take action: If you’re concerned about shopping in person right now, many of these businesses, though small, offer online shopping, with options for in-store pick-up, curbside delivery, and/or mail options. CLEAN UP YOUR COMMUNITYBesides beautifying the area, picking up trash keeps it out of our local waterways, which means a cleaner water supply for all of us.
Ideas:
Take action: Check with your local municipality to learn about environmental clean-up efforts in our community, as well as recycling and composting. 
VOLUNTEERDepending on your schedule and your preferences, you might be able to volunteer in-person or from home, whether it’s a one-time effort or ongoing project. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people in your community as you make a positive impact together for a shared cause.
Ideas:
Take action: Start with your local community to see where its needs are the greatest. Make a point to help this holiday season, perhaps extending your commitment throughout 2021. PERFORM RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESSDon’t think you need to “go big or go home” in your give-back efforts. You can make a big difference one small act at a time.
Ideas:
Take action: Need more ideas? Visit randomactsofkindness.org for hundreds of inspiring ways to make someone’s day a little brighter. DONATE TO LOCAL CHARITIESNonprofits could always use your financial support, so consider making a monetary donation to help them carry out their mission in our community. But if money is tight (or you want to support in other ways), think beyond just donating dollars. Ideas:
12/4/2020
The Path to OwnershipIf you’re thinking of buying a home and not sure where to start, you’re not alone. Here’s a map with 10 simple steps to follow in the homebuying process. Click here to schedule a consultation to discuss the specific steps along the way in your local area.  11/12/2020 Winter Market Activity
In the second half of this year, the housing market surged with activity. Today, real estate experts are looking ahead to the winter season and the forecast is anything but chilly. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), “It will be one of the best winter sales years ever.” The typical winter slowdown in the housing market is simply not on the radar. Here’s why. |
Realty Executives Integrity (Northshore)
4655 N. Port Washington Rd., Suite 300
Glendale, WI 53212
(414) 906-4500
4655 N. Port Washington Rd., Suite 300
Glendale, WI 53212
(414) 906-4500