Posts in category 'Market Insight'

Real estate listings take a lot of heat for using certain "code words." Words like cozy, charming, and potential are no longer seen as simple descriptors; they're seen as warnings. As if every agent is slyly slipping in a translation: Cozy = cramped, Charming = slanted floors, Potential = run.

Yes, some words are tired. Some are clearly doing damage control. Some are working a little too hard to distract you from the fact that the washer is in the kitchen and the bathroom window opens into the garage.

And yet…at least these words say something. They're concise. They paint a picture—however cliché it may be. And let's be honest, they're a step up from calling it "a structure with four walls, a roof, and a mailing address."

But if we must retire the classics, let's have some fun with the...

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For years, many people have been waiting for the right moment to finally score a deal in the housing market. Well, according to a recent yahoo!finance report, now may be a good time to get yourself a better deal!

Prices for new homes dropped in nearly one-third of the country's largest cities last quarter — a sign that the premium buyers have long paid for new construction may finally be easing in some areas.

So if you've been eyeing new construction, this might sound like great news. But as with most housing market stories, there's more to it than meets the eye.

There are opportunities out there, especially in certain markets and situations. But finding a genuine "deal" on a new build may take more effort, strategy, and local knowledge than simply scrolling the latest listing prices.

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When people start imagining their next home, their "wish list" of what they want it to have usually includes things like the number of bedrooms and baths, a particular style of home, maybe a yard…or definitely not a yard for those who'd rather avoid mowing. Some buyers dream about fully updated kitchens and bathrooms, while others are perfectly happy with a fixer-upper so they can make it their own.

Having an actual list of wants and must-haves is smart. It keeps you (and the process) focused, and helps you know where you can bend and where you need to draw the line.

There are common themes, but no two lists are exactly alike. Even couples buying together often have wildly different visions—which is one of the many reasons why real estate agents joke about being part-time therapists as they help partners negotiate their wishlists.

But one thing the vast majority of buyers agree on and tops the list of must-haves might surprise you—it's safety.