Every day is a gift

So as I sat down to write this month’s blog, I struggled a little deciding what to talk about.  There’s a lot going on in the market now with interest rates approaching 8%.  With high interest rates comes a challenging market for buyers. For sellers who want to make a move into a more appropriate home, their obvious concern is about finding a replacement property with so few homes on the market.  Every situation is different but through it all… we are grateful for every opportunity to help those who do want (or need) to buy and sell.  That’s why I continue to remind myself that every day is a gift!


How’s the market??

Surprisingly, or maybe I shouldn’t be too surprised, home values continue to increase.  Not because we’re in what would be considered a ‘normal market’, but because the supply of homes is so sparse.  People are still needing to purchase housing and don’t seem to be too phased by the cost.  I may be a little tainted because I remember not that long ago when a normal house payment for a first-time buyer was around $2,000; today it’s almost double that, but rents are high so the benefits of homeownership outweigh the cost.

I’m not one who likes to make predictions because those who do, many times are wrong.  I will say that I’m keeping a close (daily) eye on the real estate market. From what I’m seeing right now, I don’t expect interest rates to come down anytime soon.  If anything, they’re expected to take one more tick up before the end of the year - although there’s a lot of people pleading with the Feds to stop.

Here’s a look at this month’s sales activity in the four-county region.  Notice that there are still a lot of sales!!  September closings were 1,438 - down 23% from this same time last year; however if you look at how many homes buyers had to choose from, we have 34% fewer homes on the market than at this same time last year.  The question is this - If we had more homes on the market, would we have more sales??  Maybe our market isn’t struggling because of the cost of money.  Maybe it’s struggling because sellers aren’t selling!!  Just a thought…



Whatever the market conditions are, we’re here to help you and those you know who are thinking or needing to buy and sell real estate.  We consider it a privilege to be of service to you, your friends and family!  As we approach the holiday season, we want to wish you nothing but the best and appreciate all that you do for us.  Don’t forget… Every day is a gift.