There’s no denying affordability is tough right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your plans to buy a home on the back burner.

If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide if this is the right move for you.

What’s a Fixer-Upper?

A fixer-upper is a home that’s livable but requires some renovations. Think cosmetic updates like wallpaper removal and new flooring or more extensive repairs like replacing a roof or updating plumbing.

While fixer-uppers need a little TLC, here’s why they may be worth considering, especially right now:

1. They Usually Have a Lower Price Point. Because of the repairs involved, these homes are usually less expensive up front than move-in-ready options. According to a survey from StorageCafe, fixer-uppers come with price tags that are about 29% lower, making them a solid choice if you’re having trouble finding anything in your budget.

1. Less Competition. When you’re ready to make an offer, you’re less likely to deal with competition from other buyers who are focused on move-in-ready homes.

1. Build Equity Faster. From choosing how to redo the floors to picking which cabinets you want in the kitchen, a fixer-upper allows you to design a space that fits your needs and style. And with smart renovations, you can increase your home’s value faster and potentially see a big return on your investment.

As The Mortgage Reports notes:

“If you’re a house hunter who’s not afraid of sweat equity, buying a fixer-upper could be your ticket to homeownership. Doing so could lead to big savings, even in some of the nation’s largest and most popular housing markets. Plus, adding the right features could help your investment.”

What To Know About Buying a Fixer-Upper

The possibilities that come with a fixer-upper are exciting, but there are a few things to think about first.

• Do You Have a Gameplan? Consider if you have the time, skills, or budget to tackle renovations. Be honest about what you can handle yourself, what you’ll need to hire out, and if a fixer-upper is truly a good fit for your lifestyle. Remember, you’ll likely be living in a construction zone at least for a little while.
• Prioritize the Repairs and Upgrades: Don’t stress yourself out thinking you’ve got to do all the work up front. Space out renovations over time in a way that makes sense for your budget and what’s most important to tackle first.
• Location Matters: You want the money you’re spending to fix up a house to be worth the investment. So, make sure the home is in an area with increasing home values and amenities locals love, like parks and restaurants.
• Get a Home Inspection: Hiring an inspector to do a thorough inspection before you buy is a must. What they find will help you understand what needs to be updated, renovation costs, and if it’s a project you want to take on.
• Budget for Surprises: Renovations rarely go as planned. So, be sure to set aside extra money to cover things like extended repair timelines, an increase in the cost of materials, or other unknowns that may come up.

Talk to a Lender About Financing Options: There are some renovation mortgages designed for homes that need a little work. But they may have requirements like spending and timeline limits, so talk to a trusted lender to understand the fine print.

Bottom Line

Fixer-uppers aren’t for everyone, but if you’re open to doing a bit of work, they can be a great way to overcome today’s affordability hurdles and find something in your budget.

With the right mindset and careful planning, you could turn a less-than-perfect house into the perfect home for you.

If you found a fixer-upper that fits your budget and goals, would you consider taking the plunge? If so, let’s connect to explore what’s out there.

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of waiting for the perfect moment to make your move – especially in today’s market. Maybe you’re holding out and hoping mortgage rates will drop, or that home prices will fall. But here’s what you need to realize: trying to time the market rarely works. And here’s why.

There is no perfect market.

No matter when you buy, there’s always some benefit and some sort of trade-off – and that’s not a bad thing. That’s just the reality of it. If you’re not sure you buy into that, think back to the last 5 years in housing.

Just a few years ago, mortgage rates hit a historic low. To take advantage of that, a ton of buyers rushed to buy a home and lock in those lower rates. The side effect? With such a big increase in how many buyers were purchasing, the homes on the market were snapped up fast. And since that resulted in so few homes left for sale, bidding wars became the norm and home prices went through the roof. Those buyers got a great rate, but they had other things to contend with.

Now, with higher rates and higher prices, it’s more expensive to buy. You can’t argue that. But at the same time, the number of homes for sale is at the highest point in several years. That means you have more options to choose from and you’ll be less likely to find yourself in a pull-out-all-the-stops bidding war. Again, there are benefits and trade-offs in any market.

So, if you have a reason to move and can afford to do so, you’ve got to take advantage of the trends that work in your favor and lean on a pro to help you navigate the rest. As Bankrate says:

“The complexities of the current conditions mean that, now more than ever, it’s smart to lean on the guidance of an experienced local real estate agent. If you want to enter the housing market in 2025, whether as a buyer or a seller, let a pro lead the way for you.”

While achieving your goals may feel like an uphill battle in today’s complex market, it is doable. But you’ll need the help of a trusted real estate agent and a lender.

Your agent will help you explore creative solutions – like looking into different housing types (like smaller condos), considering homes that need a little elbow grease, or casting a wider net for your search area. And your lender will walk you through different loan options and down payment assistance programs, so you know what you need to do to make the numbers work for you. As Yahoo Finance says:

“Buying a house at a time when both mortgage rates and home prices are favorable is a challenge. You probably shouldn’t try to time the housing market . . . Buy when it makes sense for you personally.”

Bottom Line

There’s no perfect time to move – every market has its pros and cons. The key is knowing how to make the most of the factors working in your favor. If you need to move and can afford to do it, let’s connect so you’ll have the guidance and tools to make it possible.

There’s one big mistake you need to avoid when you sell your house this year: setting your price too high. It might seem like overpricing gives you room to negotiate or could really boost your profit, but the reality is, it usually backfires.

In fact, Realtor.com says almost 20% of sellers — that’s one in five — have to reduce their price to get their house sold. And you don’t want to be one of them. Here’s why starting too high can lead to trouble, and how to avoid it.

Overpricing Pushes Buyers Away

With mortgage rates and home prices where they are right now, buyers are already stretching their budgets to make a move. So, when they see a house that’s priced too high, they’re not thinking, “I can negotiate.” They’re more likely to think, “next” and skip over your house entirely. An article from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“Some sellers are pricing their homes higher than ever just because they can, but this may drive away serious buyers . . .”

And if they skip over your listing, you’ll miss out on the chance to get them through the door. That’s the last thing you want because fewer showings mean fewer chances to receive an offer.

The Longer Your House Sits, the More Skeptical Buyers Will Get

Here’s the other issue. An overpriced house tends to sit on the market longer. And the longer a house lingers, the more buyers start to wonder what’s wrong with it. Is there a problem with the house itself? Are you difficult to work with? Even if the only issue is the price, that extra time creates doubt. As U.S. News says:

“. . . setting an unrealistically high price with the idea that you can come down later doesn’t work in real estate . . . A home that’s overpriced in the beginning tends to stay on the market longer, even after the price is cut, because buyers think there must be something wrong with it.”

At that point, you’ll have no choice but to lower your price to drum up interest. But that price reduction comes with its own downside: buyers may see it as another red flag, that there’s an issue with the house.

The Key To Finding the Right Price for Your House

So, what’s the secret to avoiding all these headaches? It’s simple. Work with a local real estate agent who knows the market inside and out, and who’s going to be honest with you about how you should price your house.

You don’t want to partner with someone who just agrees to whatever number you throw out there. That’s not an expert who’s going to get you the best results.

You want an agent who recommends a price based on their expertise. The right agent will use real-time data from your local market to help you land on a price that makes sense — one that grabs attention, attracts buyers, and still helps you walk away with a great return. Someone who has been there and done that – and done it well. That’s the agent you want to work with.

Bottom Line

Remember, if the price isn’t compelling, it’s not selling. Instead of shooting too high and scaring off buyers, work with a local agent who knows how to price it right.

Let’s team up and make sure your house hits the market with the right price, gets noticed, and gets sold.

There’s one essential step in the homebuying process you may not know a whole lot about and that’s pre-approval. Here’s a rundown of what it is and why it’s so important right now.

What Is Pre-Approval?

Pre-approval is like getting a green light from a lender. It lets you know how much they’re willing to let you borrow for a home. To determine that number, a lender looks at your financial history. According to Realtor.com, these are some of the documents a lender may ask you for during this process:

• W-2s from the last two years
• Tax returns from the last two years
• Pay stubs from the last 30 days
• Bank statements from the last 60 days
• Investment account statements (if applicable)
• Two years of history of where you’ve lived

The result? You’ll get a pre-approval letter showing what you can borrow. Keep in mind, that any changes in your finances can affect your pre-approval status. So, after you receive your letter, avoid switching jobs, applying for new credit cards or other loans, or taking out large sums of money from your savings.

How It Helps You Determine Your Borrowing Power

This year, home prices are expected to rise in most places and mortgage rates are still showing some volatility. So, since affordability is still tight, it’s a good idea to talk to a lender about your home loan options and how today’s changing mortgage rates will impact your future monthly payment.

The pre-approval process is the perfect time for that. Because it determines the maximum amount you can borrow, pre-approval also helps you figure out your budget. You should use this information to tailor your home search to what you’re actually comfortable with as far as a monthly mortgage payment. That way, you don’t fall in love with a house that’s out of your comfort zone.

How It Helps You Stand Out

Once you find a home you want to put an offer on, pre-approval has another big perk. It not only makes your offer stronger, it shows sellers you’ve already undergone a credit and financial check.

When a seller sees you as a serious buyer, they may be more attracted to your offer because it seems more likely to go through. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says:

“Preapproval carries more weight because it means lenders have actually done more than a cursory review of your credit and your finances, but have instead reviewed your pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements. A preapproval means you’ve cleared the hurdles necessary to be approved for a mortgage up to a certain dollar amount.”

Bottom Line

If you’re planning on buying a home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage should be one of the first things on your to-do list. Not only will it give you a better understanding of your borrowing power, it can put you in the best position possible to make a strong offer when you find a home you love. Connect with a trusted lender to learn more.

Initially, I wasn’t interested in December’s stats, as it really doesn’t tell much of a story (fourth quarter, in general, tends to be wonky), but I was intrigued by the data. First, we saw a month-over-month appreciation in December, and even though I felt it in the market (meaning buyers were gobbling up anything worth buying), I was still surprised. Then I looked at historical data, and sure enough, December closed sales usually are a tad higher than the month before (now I know). Second, inventory feels low, but it’s 22% higher than last year, so that surprised me as well. Interest rates are at the highest they have been in 7 months. The combination of higher rates and higher inventory might mean the market won’t be as bullish as I expected. That said, inventory is still low with only 1.6 months and rates aren’t that much higher (0.25 basis points higher, which is something, but not dramatic), so who knows. Time will tell.

You may have heard that staging your home properly can make a big difference when you sell your house, but what exactly is home staging, and is it really worth your time and effort?

Here are a few quick FAQs that can help you decide how much you should prioritize staging as you prep for your move.

What Is Home Staging?

Staging is the process of arranging and decorating your house to highlight its best features and make it as appealing as possible to potential buyers. It can range from simple touch-ups to more extensive setups, depending on your needs and budget.

How Does It Help Me Sell My House?

Studies show good staging does have an impact on your sale. Staging your house well can help you attract more attention from buyers, which ultimately helps it sell faster and maybe for a higher price than an unstaged home (see visual):

What Are My Staging Options?

Now that you see the value, let’s think through your options. The most common is leaning on your agent for their expert advice. They know what buyers like because they’re in showings all the time and hear that feedback first-hand. That expertise is crucial to getting your house market-ready. Basic staging with an agent usually means they give you insight into how you should:

• Declutter and depersonalize by removing photos and personal items
• Arrange your furniture to improve the room’s flow and make it feel bigger
• Add plants, move art, or re-arrange other accessories

Full-service staging is another option if your house needs more hands-on attention. This is when you hire a staging professional or staging company to come in, make recommendations, and do the work for you. Going this route is more involved and that makes it more costly too. That’s because it can include renting furniture and decor to more fully transform a space.

How Do I Know Which One To Pick?

Not sure which one you need? You don’t have to figure that out on your own. Your real estate agent will help determine what level of staging will make the most impact on your house and market.

They can help you decide if professional staging is worth the investment, or if you can knock it out with their advice alone. And just so you know, here are some of the factors an agent will look at to figure that out:

• Market Conditions: If the market is slower, going all in on staging can make your home look move-in ready and attractive to buyers who may otherwise be hesitant. If your local market is very active and homes are selling fast, you may be able to get by with doing less.
• Your Home’s Condition: If your home is vacant or has a unique layout, using a professional stager who can bring in the right furniture and accessories may help buyers truly visualize its full potential.
• Your Budget: Talk to your agent to get an idea of staging costs in your area, as it can be the difference between your house selling and sitting. But if your budget is tight or your home only needs minor updates, your real estate agent can help you think outside of the box by suggesting simple DIY staging tips to help your home look its best.

Bottom Line

Staging your house properly can make it much more attractive to buyers, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution, and every home shines differently. Let’s connect to talk through what your home really needs to stand out and sell for top dollar.