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"But it makes a lot of sense especially when you think about how traditional healers and shamans have worked, they haven't felt that separation from nature like Western medics do. And so to rely on the knowledge of other species actually makes a lot of sense. It's probably a lot more than we know at the moment." - Jaap de Roode Jaap de Roode is a biology professor at Emory University, and he is the author of an astonishing new book called Doctors by Nature How Ants, Apes, and Other Animals Heal Themselves . I say astonishing because I had no idea about so much of what he explores in his book. It never occured to me to consider that other species use medicine and have been healing themselves forever. Jaap tells stories of animals across nature, from bumblebees to chimpanzees, how they use plants and natural substances to treat infections, to ward off parasites, to self-medicate. There's so much that we have learned from them, and there's so much more that we still can.β¦
Content provided by Blaine Moore. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Blaine Moore or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
What benefits do sellers get by listing in the winter? Today I wanted to outline the top three for you.
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your family and loved ones. Now that 2017 is in full swing, I wanted to take a moment to talk about selling your home during the off-seasonβthe wintertime and the springtime. If you're selling your house, you need to know that interest rates are rising. This means there will be a smaller buyer pool to purchase your home and less competition to get you a better sales price. However, you will face less competition as a seller during the off-season. There will be fewer homes similar to yours in your neighborhood for sale for you to compete against due to the winter season. Thirdly, sellers need to remember that the people looking to buy this time of year are motivated buyers. They aren't kicking tires or looking at houses during the holiday season because they lack motivation. These are the top reasons for sellers to be on the market this time of year, but if you're looking for more reasons or you're ready to sell your house, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to help you out!
Content provided by Blaine Moore. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Blaine Moore or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
What benefits do sellers get by listing in the winter? Today I wanted to outline the top three for you.
Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your family and loved ones. Now that 2017 is in full swing, I wanted to take a moment to talk about selling your home during the off-seasonβthe wintertime and the springtime. If you're selling your house, you need to know that interest rates are rising. This means there will be a smaller buyer pool to purchase your home and less competition to get you a better sales price. However, you will face less competition as a seller during the off-season. There will be fewer homes similar to yours in your neighborhood for sale for you to compete against due to the winter season. Thirdly, sellers need to remember that the people looking to buy this time of year are motivated buyers. They aren't kicking tires or looking at houses during the holiday season because they lack motivation. These are the top reasons for sellers to be on the market this time of year, but if you're looking for more reasons or you're ready to sell your house, give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to help you out!
What does it take to be ready to act in this market? Michelle from New American Funding is here to discuss. Today, Iβm here with Michelle Piccinini from New American Funding to talk about market inventory. How can you be offer-ready in this market? According to Michelle, being offer-ready refers to the low amount of inventory weβre seeing in the market. Houses are going fast, and multiple offers are more and more common. If youβre offer-ready, it means that youβre pre-approved, you have a letter in hand, and youβre ready to go. When youβre offer-ready, you're prepared to take immediate action when the right home comes on the market. Because of the multiple offers weβve seen, many of those offers are coming in over asking price. "When youβre offer-ready, if that perfect home becomes available on the market, youβll be ready to write an offer on it right away." On the lending side of things, weβve seen many appraisals come in low. Yes, you got into contract, you won, and it is your home, but now you still have the financing contingency. When the appraisal is done, properties are increasing in values, but we arenβt seeing homes closing at a fast enough rate to justify the value. From a lending perspective, we just want to make sure that youβre prepared. If thereβs a situation in which a home comes in $10,000 under what youβve agreed to offer, we now have a situation on our hands: will the seller agree to drop the price? Do we have the money from the buyer to make up that difference, or does the whole thing fall apart? In this crazy market, itβs wise to work with an experienced agent and lender who can help you navigate situations. That's why we are here. If you have any questions, please reach out to us. We would love to help you.β¦
Whatβs been going on in our local market? Itβs time to take a look at our latest market update . Whatβs been going on lately in our Reno/Sparks area real estate market? Itβs time for another market update. Last month, there were 439 sales at a median price of $370,000. There are currently 526 homes on the market. This constitutes about 1.25 monthsβ worth of supply. In other words, if no other homes came on the market it would take 1.25 months for us to run out of listings . "In todayβs hot market, buyers and sellers must be strategic." This means buyers and sellers must be strategic. Buyers need to be offer-ready. So, if you have plans to purchase a home, make sure you get pre-approved and get in touch with an agent. As for sellers, those looking to list need to be careful about pricing. The best way to sell your home is by pricing it correctly from the start. Overpricing your listing would be a costly mistake . If you have any other questions about our current real estate market, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you.β¦
Letβs talk about whatβs going on with interest rates today. As always, the subject of interest rates is something thatβs on everyoneβs minds. So today, weβd like to bring you an update on whatβs going on. There has recently been a steady rise in interest rates. When the government shut down in 2013, we actually saw a positive impact on rates. This is because the market is very, very emotional. After chaos happens, people pull money out of stock and put it into bonds. However, this hasnβt been the case since our government shut down earlier this year. The stock market is thriving and bonds are essentially in a free fall. This is leading to a steady increase in rates. "Home inspections can benefit buyers as well as sellers." The bottom line is that consumers need to be informed. We may not see rates back in the 3% range again. Right now, rates are sitting within the higher end of the 4% range. This is especially true of investment properties. For grant-based products, weβre seeing rates between 5% and 6%. We can never be absolutely sure what the future will hold, but it does appear that rates will continue to rise through the first part of 2018. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.β¦
Interest rates, the new tax plan, inventory levels, and rate increases for both vacancies and rentals will all have a significant impact on our market in 2018. There are a few factors that will impact how our market performs in 2018 that you need to be aware of. The first is interest rates. If the Federal Reserve raises interest rates four times like theyβre predicting, it will reduce buyersβ purchasing power and reduce the steady price increases weβve been seeing. With this reduced affordability among buyers, home values may dip a little bit. The second factor is the tax plan that was approved last December. It will be especially interesting to see how this will affect Californians in the move-over market. "If youβre a buyer, you have to be ready to write an offer on something you like as soon as you come across it." The third and most important factor is the inventory levels. Currently, we have a 1.5-month supply, which means if youβre a buyer, you have to be motivated and ready to write an offer on something you like as soon as you come across it. You might also find yourself in a multiple offer situation, so make sure you work with an agent whoβs experienced in that scenario. Lastly, you have rate increases for both vacancies and rentals. There is very low inventory in the rental market. Back in November 2017, we had the fourth-largest price increase for rentals in the entire country. If you have any more questions about our market or youβre interested in buying or selling, donβt hesitate to reach out to me. Iβd be happy to help you.β¦
Loan limits are being increased in Washoe County, which is good news for both buyers and sellers. Hereβs why. Big changes are happening with loan limits in Washoe County this year. Basically, these changes will give you more of an opportunity to secure an FHA, VA, or conventional loan at higher price points. Currently, the maximum loan limit for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is sitting at $424,100, and theyβre increasing that limit to $453,100. Now, you can start looking for homes in the $475,00 price range and still only put 5% down. If you donβt have as much to put down as you like, youβll be able to get into a market youβll be happy with. The FHA loan limit will increase from $345,000 to $370,300, so theyβre starting to build back up to that $403,000 price point they were at in 2008 and 2009. If you need an FHA loan to get back into the market because youβve perhaps had a foreclosure or a short sale in the past, this will help get you a home youβre happy with. "These changes give buyers more options on the loan side." With the direction of home prices trending upward, these changes give you more options on the loan side. If youβre a seller, this is also good news because it increases buyersβ affordability. If youβd like to get pre-approved for a loan or you have any questions regarding any of these changes, donβt hesitate to reach out to us. Weβd be happy to help.β¦
Today, Michelle from New American Funding will discuss both rates and what items youβll need in order to get pre-approved to purchase a home. Today I have with me a special guest, Michelle from New American Funding, to talk about rates and the items youβll need in order to get pre-approved. Michelle, how are the rates? The rates are good! I feel like every time Iβm here, Iβm always talking about how rates should be going up, but weβre still not seeing that. Rates are still trending in the mid-to-low fours. For a buyer right now, itβs amazing to say that weβre almost to the end of 2017 and rates arenβt in the 5% range as was predicted. I donβt know if weβre going to see a drop into the low threes like I know everybody wants, but take advantage of the fact that weβre still in the fours. A first-time homebuyer with good credit can still get a really good rate right now. "The standard deduction has increased to $12,000." What items will a potential buyer need in order to get pre-approved? Basically, weβre going to require your first-born and a blood sample. Iβm kidding! But it does feel very, very intrusive. The reason is that we are now in a mortgage arena that we have to document every piece of information that is relevant to your file. Weβre looking at your income, your assets, and any properties you may own . Weβre going to need pay stubs, tax returns, and similar documents to make sure that you can qualify to pay the mortgage , and we need to check your bank statements to make sure you have the funds available. A lot of people confuse pre-approval with pre-qualification. Pre-qualification is essentially where you tell someone your information and thatβs it. They donβt verify it. A seller and their listing agent will need to know that Iβve verified everything the buyer has given me and that Iβm not just saying, βOkay, letβs go!β We want you to understand that weβre here every step of the way, and weβre going to ask you these questions and collect this documentation so that you are a truly qualified buyer and youβre ready to go. If you have any questions about buying, selling, or getting pre-approved, feel free to contact us. Weβd love to help you.β¦
Today, Iβll be talking about things move-up buyers will need to know when undergoing the process of selling their house in order to buy a new one. The topic Iβd like to discuss today is about selling a home in order to buy a home. Realtors call this kind of buyer a move-up buyer. There are a lot of reasons why someone would want to sell their home and immediately buy a new one: growing families, switching school districts, downsizing, and more. Youβll need a real estate professional to assist you in this process because there are a lot of moving parts in the transaction. The first step you should take is getting an evaluation of your house βhow much is your current property worth? What are you going to do with the profit from the sale of your home? Are you going to get financing, or are you going to take the profit and pay cash? Once you know whether or not youβll take the financing or cash route, then we can get your house on the market. "The first step you should take is getting an evaluation of your houseβhow much is your current property worth?" In our current market here in Reno, nobody is going to take a look at an offer from someone whoβs current home isnβt on the market . You have to be on the MLS for another seller to take a contingent offer. Once you get your home on the market and youβve found a home you want to purchase, then there are timelines, contingencies, and home inspections (both for your own property and the one you want) to consider. You really will need a real estate professional to help manage that process for you. There are a lot of moving parts that a professional will be equipped to handle. If youβre thinking about moving up, moving down, or changing school districts, please reach out to me and Iβd love to help you with the process.β¦
When buying a new construction home, donβt let the builderβs agent automatically talk you into letting them represent you and using their lender. There are a couple important things you should know about new home construction and the lending process that goes with it. The agents who represent the builders donβt represent you. If you were to use them, you wouldnβt have anybody looking out for your best interest. This stipulation is actually stated in their contract. "Donβt just walk into a pretty sales office without representation." The builderβs agent also would prefer you to use the builderβs lender, but you still have a choice, and you still deserve a choice. Itβs no different than if you were working with a normal sellerβjust make sure youβre looking for financing options that suit your needs. Understand that the builderβs agent will make the builderβs lender very appealing. Theyβll give you credits and make it look like theyβre throwing money at you. They also might scare you into thinking you might not close on time and that it will cost you more not to use them. You need to double-check, though, to verify that the fees youβre being charged relate to what you should actually pay and youβre not getting βcreditsβ that only cover the added fees being charged by the builder. Talk to your own lender, compare apples to apples with them, and make sure you do your due diligence. If you have any questions about new home construction or you want to talk more about new home financing, donβt hesitate to reach out to us. Weβd be happy to speak with you.β¦
Hereβs what you can expect from the Reno market this fall whether youβre buying or selling. Our market typically peaks in July and August, and 2017 was no different. Right now, the Reno market is starting to slow down. Hereβs what that means for buyers and sellers. For sellers, it means that youβll have much less competition if you list your home this fall than if you would have listed in the summer. This makes it more likely youβll receive more (and higher) offers from potential buyers. As far as buyers are concerned, the low inventory is going to make things competitive. "Low inventory will make things more competitive for buyers." In July, we sold over 600 homes. However, last October we sold 550. As you can see, there is still plenty of activity in the market during fall. If youβre thinking about buying or selling a Reno home in the next few months, thereβs a great opportunity out there for you to do that. If you have any questions for me or youβre interested in buying or selling a Reno home, donβt hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.β¦
Itβs time for a market update. But, what do these numbers mean for you? Itβs time to take a look at whatβs going on in our local market. To start, Reno/Sparks has about 895 homes for sale right now. This number has closely to do with months of supply, which can greatly influence the market. Last December, 523 homes sold in our areaβwhich translates to about a 1.7 months of supply. Months of supply are important because they signify the amount of time it would take for the marketβs supply to totally deplete if no new homes were to come on the market within that time frame. In order for a market to be well-balanced in terms of months of supply, the number should sit between four to six months. To put this in perspective, thatβs about 2,000 to 3,000 homes for sale. "Buyers should be prepared to seize opportunities." Median sales price has also risen. In December of 2015 it was $291,000 and last year it was $307,000βroughly a five to 6% increase. Smaller increases like this one are a good sign for the health of the market. These numbers also indicate less competition for sellers, since buyers have fewer choices. Conversely, buyers should expect a degree of competition. With less to choose from on the market, buyers should be prepared to seize opportunities. Itβs important to be pre-approved and ready to write an offer. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.β¦
New American Funding has just announced an amazing new home loan option designed for first-time homebuyers in the Reno area who don't have as much money for a down payment as they'd like. New American Funding has a new home buying program hot off the press that we wanted to share with you today. This program is designed for first-time homebuyers and those who need some help with a down payment. The program is a 1% down option for first-time homebuyers here in the Reno area. Fannie Mae requires a 3% minimum, so what we love about this program is that New American Funding is actually offering a 2% grant to offset the requirement. "New American Funding offers a 2% grant to offset Fannie Mae's requirement." This is an amazing option for first-time homebuyers who don't have the savings for a down payment currently or don't qualify in a home buying threshold that they want to. It's also a great opportunity for those who want to take advantage of this great market and are excited to buy a home. There are some income limitations so that they can assure the program is tailored to those who truly need the assistance. If you're interested or just want to learn a little bit more about this loan option, give us a call or send us an email. We'd love to tell you more!β¦
Thinking about selling your house this season? Youβll want to consider these three things before listing it for sale. As we reach the time of year when it gets warmer, you might be thinking about listing your house for sale. When preparing your house for the market, consider these three things: 1. Curb appeal: This includes everything from the front yard to the entryway to the sidewalk and the driveway. This is especially important because according to the National Association of Realtors, 63% of buyers will drive by a house they first saw online before setting up a showing. Itβs good for the house to look like what they saw online. "63% of buyers will drive by a house they first saw online before setting up a showing." 2. Decluttering: Clear the kitchen countertops, tidy up the bathrooms, and even consider bringing in a professional cleaner. You can usually hire someone for a couple hours for about $200, which will get you a thorough cleaning and really make a difference in the showing of your house when buyers come through. 3. Professional photos: You get 120% more viewings online when itβs showcased with professional photos, and more viewings mean more potential buyers. It has also been shown to make your home sell faster. Additionally, homes with professional photos average a sales price closer to asking price than homes without them. You want your home to pop and make a great first impression because you only have about 45 seconds to capture a buyerβs attention. Your agent should be able to recommend a photographer to take care of this part for you. If youβre thinking about listing your house or you have any other questions about preparing it to sell, donβt hesitate to give me a call or send me an email. Iβd be happy to help!β¦
If you went through a bankruptcy, short sale, or foreclosure, Freddie Mac is going to make it easier for you to buy a home starting June 1st, 2017. Today Iβm here with Michelle Piccinini from New American Mortgage to talk about some changing lending guidelines. As you know, 2008 through 2012 were difficult years for our market. If you went through bankruptcy, a short sale, or a foreclosure, itβs been very challenging for you to get into another home thanks to lending restrictions. As of June 1st, 2017, Freddie Mac will make things a little easier for you to buy a home βif you can document extenuating circumstances. "The new guidelines will help you buy a home sooner." Freddie Mac is asking for some documents showing why you had to go through a short sale, foreclosure, or bankruptcy. If you can prove a change of income or job loss, that would be an extenuating circumstance. If you had an adjustable mortgage and your monthly payment went from $1,200 to $3,500, that would be an extenuating circumstance as well. Your approval is up to the lenderβs discretion. Thatβs one thing thatβs great about New American Funding; because they are a direct funder/servicer, they have more control and you will work with the same underwriter throughout the entire process. If you are able to provide documentation and you would like to get a conventional loan instead of using the FHA band-aid, you wonβt have to wait as long to purchase a home, either. If you went through a bankruptcy, youβll only need to wait two years instead of four; foreclosures are three years instead of seven, and short sales will be two years instead of four. If you have any questions about financing, you can reach Michelle at (775) 501-8546 or give me a call. We would be happy to help you!β¦
The perception of the home buying process you get from sites like Zillow is vastly different from the reality of buying a home. When you look at homes on websites like Zillow, unfortunately, there's a big gap between perception and reality. Joining me today to help explain what I mean is Michelle Piccinini from Movement Mortgage. The biggest misconception when looking at homes on Zillow is the "What is my payment?" option you can click on. This mortgage calculator is typically not coded to your specific qualifications, however. Your credit score is probably different than what it factors in, and it can't include things like taxes or private mortgage insurance. "Zillow's mortgage calculators don't know your credit score or financial situation." The average consumer might look at a $300,000 home on Zillow and have the mortgage calculator tell them that the payment will be $1,200. Then when you sit down with a lender to pull your credit and go over the particulars of the home, you'll get an actual payment. Nine times out 10, that actual payment is higher than what Zillow said. It's classic sticker shock. This is one of the most important pieces of the value you get by working with a professional real estate agent. If you have any questions for Michelle Piccinini , you can call her at (775) 501-8546 . As always, give me a call or send me an email if you have any questions about the Reno market or you're thinking of buying or selling a home. I'm here to help.β¦
Inventory is incredibly low in our market right now, which impacts buyers and sellers differently. Inventory in the Reno/Sparks area is incredibly low. Right now, there are 865 homes for sale in all price points, from $14 million to $70,000. The median price is at $440,000, which is pretty high. Low inventory impacts buyers and sellers differently. In this kind of market, buyers need to be pre-approved for a mortgage and ready to go. There are fewer homes available for you to choose from. If you wait until you find a home before you get pre-approved, chances are someone else will snatch it up before your pre-approval is done. You need to be ready to make an offer right away. Sellers are in the driverβs seat right now. As a seller, youβre in the driverβs seat. You have less competition and more buyers looking at your property, so if you price your home correctly from the start, your home will sell quickly and for top dollar. If you wait until June 1st or the end of May, then you will have more competition. Buyers will have more homes to look at and you probably wonβt get the full-price offer that you can expect if you list your home in the next four to six weeks. If you have any other questions about our current market, just give me a call or send me an email. I would be happy to help you!β¦
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