If you’re planning to buy or sell a home in 2024

It wasn’t that long ago that we were
talking about 8% mortgage interest rates.

HOWEVER… we’ve gotten an early Christmas present for 2024. Rates are finally back under 7%, allowing buyers and sellers to start making plans for next year. All indications are that we’ll be seeing multiple rate cuts in the months to come.  It’s been 18 months since the Federal Reserve made the 11 rate hikes faster than anyone expected, but that’s now in our rearview mirror.

So let’s talk about what you should do if
you’re planning to buy or sell a home in 2024

Buyers:

• First things first – Call me to discuss a plan and the steps to buying a home or finding a different home that meets your current needs.
  
  
• Second – Get your financial plans in order.  The preapproval process is something you should do before you start looking at homes. This will tell us what payment you’re comfortable with and determine the home we can be searching for. You’ll know when you find the right home, but if you don’t have your loan ready to go, you could miss out so do it now.  If you need a referral for a lender, I have a great mortgage broker who will guide you through the process.  This is the least exciting part of the process but when you’re done, like paying your taxes, you can breathe a sigh of relief and get on with the fun part of finding a home.
  
  
• And finally – Let’s start looking!  I look at homes every day and would love to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.  Why would you want to wait until the spring market comes and there’s more competition!  Let’s start soon so that you can beat the rush.

Check out my BUYER services at WhyBuyWithCarol.com

Sellers:

• Buyers are just waiting for homes like yours to come on the market.  They’re excited about the recent rate cuts and are searching every day to find your home.  Do you need to have somewhere to go??  We can help you coordinate that, too.
  
  
• When the available homes for sale are sparse, you may think it’s not a good time but actually, that’s the time that you’ll get the most for your home AND be able to sell contingent on finding your next home in the process. We do it all the time!  Most sellers, unless you’re moving out of town, need to have a replacement home but can’t without the sale of their current home.  That’s called ‘selling contingent’.  It simply means that the buyer we find has to be willing to give you time to negotiate your purchase.
  
  
• The best time to sell is when there’s less on the market – less homes on the market can mean more buyer interest in your home.  That time is typically in the first quarter of the year AND with interest rates coming down, buyers are more excited than ever at the prospect of owning a home in 2024.  Be one of the smart sellers who doesn’t wait for spring when everyone else sells.  Get ahead of the game and take advantage of the fact there are many buyers on the sidelines just waiting for a home like yours to come on the market.
  
  
• Not sure what your options are?  Call me to discuss a plan and the steps we can take now to get you ready for the market.

Check out my SELLER services at WhyHireCarol.com

Spring Selling Season is going to be a crazy time.  Get ahead of the curve and be settled into your new home before the rest of the buyers and sellers wake up from their long winter’s nap.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024

  Carol Kellogg, REALTOR®
   Coldwell Banker Realty

   (916) 390-2437
   CarolKellogg.com
   Cal DRE# 01150953