Podcast Summary
Real Estate Inventory Shift: More Homes Listed in Warmer Regions: Inventory levels are rising in warmer regions, especially in Southern California, Florida, Dallas, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and others. Sellers are seeing less competition and listing more homes. Demographics, design hacks, and virtual/in-person viewings insights from Zillow's Amanda Pendleton also shared.
The real estate market is experiencing a shift in inventory levels, particularly in warmer regions of the country where sellers are seeing less competition and are listing their homes in greater numbers. Housing inventory is still down significantly from pre-pandemic levels, but new listings are up in many areas, with notable increases in Southern California, Florida, Dallas, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and others. This trend is expected to continue as the rest of the country warms up and more sellers enter the market. Additionally, during this discussion, Amanda Pendleton from Zillow provided insights on demographics of buyers and sellers, design hacks to increase home value, and ways to capitalize on virtual and in-person viewings of homes. These practical tips can benefit investors, home buyers, and sellers alike.
Spring home shopping season brings more inventory but high rates remain a concern: Elder millennials, married, living in the south with a dog, prioritize affordability and are the typical home buyers in today's market. Correctly priced and marketed homes sell quickly, while those that aren't linger on the market.
The spring home shopping season is expected to bring more inventory online, but high interest rates are still a concern for some homeowners. However, there are signs that rate lock is starting to loosen, and homeowners may be getting used to the current rates, making them more willing to list their homes for sale. Homes that are priced and marketed correctly are selling quickly, while those that aren't are lingering on the market for longer periods. The typical prospective buyer in today's market is an elder millennial, married, lives in the south, and has a dog, with affordability being their top priority. Despite the challenges, there is still demand for homes, and those that meet the market conditions are finding buyers quickly.
Buyers focused on affordability, sellers motivated by personal reasons and equity: Half of buyers seek affordable homes, while sellers sell due to personal reasons and the chance to use equity for next home. Historically low mortgage rates allow sellers to wait.
The current housing market is driven by affordability for buyers, while sellers are primarily motivated by life events and the ability to leverage their equity for their next home. Half of buyers are looking for more affordable options, while sellers, who have built up significant equity over the years, are selling due to personal reasons and the opportunity to transfer that equity. The historically low mortgage rates make it less necessary for sellers to rush back into the market unless they absolutely have to. This dynamic creates a unique opportunity for those looking to buy or sell in today's market.
Securing financial stability through passive income and home security: Investing in passive income sources like commercial real estate and notes, and ensuring home security with professional monitoring can bring financial stability and peace of mind.
Investing in passive income sources and ensuring home security are effective ways to secure financial stability and peace of mind. Dave and his team at PPR Capital Management offer a proven track record of passive income through commercial real estate and notes, while SimpliSafe provides top-notch home security systems with professional monitoring and a money-back guarantee. In today's real estate market, selling a property can still yield a strong price, but sellers must be savvy and work with an expert listing agent to accurately price and market their homes.
Choose cost-effective home improvement projects for a higher sale price: Dark charcoal gray interior painting and landscaping can increase a home's value by around $25,100 and offer a good return on investment.
Strategic home improvements can significantly boost a home's sale price, but it's essential to choose the right projects. Two cost-effective suggestions are interior painting with dark charcoal gray and landscaping. Dark charcoal gray paint, whether on walls or cabinets, can increase a home's value by around $25,100. Landscaping, making the outdoor space functional and appealing, also offers a good return on investment. These trends have shifted from light colors to darker ones in recent years, with dark navy blue and charcoal gray performing well. Additionally, minor updates without any cost, such as decluttering and proper staging, can also benefit sellers in today's market.
Maximizing a home's sale price with minimal investment: Improve online presence with high-quality media and highlight desirable features in listing descriptions to increase appeal and potentially boost sale price
Maximizing a home's sale price doesn't always require significant investments. Two effective strategies are enhancing online presence and highlighting desirable features in the listing description. Firstly, prioritize screen appeal by investing in high-quality virtual tours, professional photography, and interactive floor plans. This media package can significantly increase a listing's appeal to potential buyers. Secondly, mentioning specific desirable features in the listing description can generate excitement and potentially increase the selling price. Examples include soapstone countertops, outdoor showers, and beverage centers. However, it's essential to remember that these features don't necessarily guarantee a return on investment but can create a desirable perception of the property. Avoid overdeveloping or over-improving personalized projects, especially if considering resale. The biggest potential risk lies in kitchen remodels, which may not always deliver the expected ROI.
Kitchen renovations may not yield good resale value: Focusing on bathroom renovations instead of kitchens could result in better return on investment
Kitchen renovations may not be the best investment for home sellers. According to research from Zillow, kitchen renovations typically only yield 50¢ on the dollar in resale value, and fewer than 1 in 5 recent sellers felt that their kitchen renovation helped sell their home. This is likely due to the fact that kitchens are highly personal spaces, and buyers have varying preferences. On the other hand, a mid-grade bathroom remodel can yield a return of $1.70 for every dollar spent. Bathrooms are used in similar ways, and upgrades to a guest or powder room are less likely to turn off buyers. Therefore, if you're considering home renovations for resale value, it may be more worthwhile to focus on bathrooms instead of kitchens.
Simplifying vacation rental property ownership and mortgage processes: Vacasa provides full-service vacation home management, increasing revenue by 20%. Host Financial simplifies mortgage applications using rental income, and 1031 Pros help save on capital gains taxes through tax-deferred exchanges. Functional outdoor spaces boost property value and appeal to buyers.
Vacasa and Host Financial can help simplify the process of owning a vacation rental property and obtaining a mortgage for real estate investments, respectively. Vacasa offers full-service vacation home management, including property maintenance, a hospitality-driven booking platform, and around-the-clock support, helping homeowners earn an average of 20% more revenue. Host Financial, on the other hand, offers easy qualifying for loans by taking the hassle out of financial requests and tax returns, allowing the use of rental income for qualification. Additionally, 1031 Pros can help investors save on capital gains taxes through 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. In the realm of selling a property, focusing on functional outdoor spaces, such as patios, outdoor dining areas, and fire pits, can increase the property's value and appeal to buyers.
Adding a fire pit boosts home appeal and value: Fire pits increase desirability, functionality, and potential sale price. External renovations, like fire pits, have a strong ROI and cater to current trends. Enhance listing appeal through professional photos, decluttering, and optimizing layout.
Installing a fire pit in your outdoor space can be an affordable and effective way to increase the desirability and functionality of your home, potentially leading to a higher sale price when it's time to sell. Fire pits provide an area for relaxation and entertainment, making them a sought-after feature for buyers. External renovations, such as adding a fire pit, can have a strong ROI as they cater to the current trend of prioritizing affordability and functionality over style. To maximize the appeal of your listing, focus on enhancing its curb appeal through professional photos, drone photography, virtual 3D home tours, and interactive floor plans. Declutter, clean, depersonalize, and let in natural light to make your home look more open and appealing in photographs. Additionally, consider optimizing your layout for the camera and replace all light bulbs with warm LED bulbs to ensure your home is well-lit and bright.
Maximize home sale value through visual appeal: Adjust furniture, consider virtual staging, hire a skilled agent for competitive edge and potential price boost
Optimizing the visual appeal of your home for potential buyers can significantly increase its sale value. This can be achieved through adjusting furniture placement for better photography, considering virtual staging, and hiring a skilled real estate agent. While virtual staging uses software to digitally add furnishings, a skilled agent can help you capitalize on interested buyers by understanding the market and presenting your home in an appealing way. When choosing an agent, do thorough research, check customer reviews, and interview top candidates to ensure a good fit. Additionally, contacting your title company for recommendations can lead you to a savvy agent. These steps can give you a competitive edge and potentially boost your bottom line.
Finding an investor-friendly agent for real estate success: Connect with local market experts through BiggerPockets Agent Finder to secure an agent, secure deals, and progress towards financial goals in real estate investing. Remember, consulting with qualified advisors is crucial before making any investment decisions due to inherent risks.
Navigating the changing real estate market can be challenging, but the best investors focus on the importance of time in the market rather than trying to time the market. If you're looking to get started or expand in real estate investing, finding an investor-friendly agent can help guide you through the process and bring you closer to financial freedom. With BiggerPockets Agent Finder, you can easily connect with local market experts who can assist you in getting an agent, securing a deal, and making progress towards your financial goals. Remember, investing in real estate involves risk, so be sure to consult with qualified advisors before making any investment decisions. To get started, visit biggerpockets.com/deals and enter your preferences to instantly match with a suitable agent. The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only, and past performance is not indicative of future results. BiggerPockets LLC disclaims all liability for any damages arising from reliance on the information presented.