West + Main Homes Announces Minnesota Expansion

Twin Cities Metro, Minnesota

For immediate release:

West + Main Homes, Inc. is happy to announce its expansion into Minnesota. We will now be serving the Twin Cities Metros + surrounding areas. West + Main Agent and Minnesota native Allie Carlson will serve as the branch’s owner + employing broker. Carlson is a member of West + Main Homes Managing Broker program, and leads the New Agent Mentorship Program.

“I’m thrilled to bring the culture and ingenuity of West and Main Homes to the Minnesota real estate market,” said Carlson. “As a Minnesota native, my roots run deep and I can’t wait to share this real estate experience here.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have one of our first + most established agents, Allie Carlson, starting the Minnesota branch of West + Main Homes,” said Stacie Staub, CEO of West + Main Homes. “Allie embodies everything that we love about the West + Main Homes brand. She cares about her clients, is passionate about serving her community, and loves educating other agents so they can be the best version of themselves.”

West + Main Homes is excited to bring a fresh update on the traditional real estate brokerage, with a culture that celebrates collaboration, education, thoughtful + intentional marketing and excellent service to the Minnesota market.

---

About Allie Carlson: As a long time fan of people and exceptional experiences, I have found the harmony of both of those things in real estate. For me, being a part of a real estate experience with my clients is more than simply closing on a home – it is a life experience that deserves the utmost care and attention. With savvy market knowledge, and clear + consistent communication, my clients find comfort in knowing that I’ve likely seen it all – and if I haven’t, I know where to find the answers.

Having grown up in Minneapolis, and the southern suburbs, my passion for the Twin Cities area runs deep. I am thrilled to bring my real estate experience from the Denver Front Range to the cities I love so much. Clear client understanding, cunning negotiation skills, strong anticipatory strategies and continual market education are just a few of my favorite things.

My biggest passion of all is laughing and adventuring with my husband, our 2 sons, and bulldog. We love cozy fires during a snow storm, and backyard barbeques on those perfect Minnesota summer nights. We’re always ready to try a new restaurant, or enjoy a fun nature walk. Looking for playground recommendations in your neighborhood, or need help picking finishes for your investment property? I'd love to assist!

About West + Main Homes: Founded in 2017, West + Main is an independently owned and operated boutique Real Estate brokerage specializing in residential and commercial properties in Downtown Denver and across Colorado’s Front Range, as well as greater Oklahoma City, and Oregon.

---

We're hiring new and experienced agents!

Let us tell you how West + Main Homes can help you transform your real estate business.

---

Ready to start your home search?

Let's talk about how we can make your real estate dreams come true.

---

Buying Your Forever Home vs. Buying a Home That Fits You Now

You might think buying you forever home and buying a home that fits you now are two ways of saying the same thing.

After all, doesn’t everyone want to buy a home that will be their perfect long-term abode? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Thinking about buying your forever home means considering your future needs as well as your present circumstances. It’s an important distinction because not everyone is in a position to buy a house that they can stay in for decades to come. 

When you consider buying a home that fits you now, on the other hand, it means identifying what you need right now and how much you can afford to spend on rent or a mortgage in the short term while you continue saving for a down payment on your forever home.

What’s the Difference?
The key difference between buying your forever home and buying a home that fits you now is the timeline. You’re thinking about your future self and your future needs when you’re buying your forever home. When buying a home that fits you now, you’re thinking about your present circumstances. Forever home buyers often have a mortgage broker or real estate agent help them identify how much home they can afford to buy based on their current situation while keeping their future needs in mind. This might include looking at their income, expenses, debt and savings to see how much they can put towards a down payment and how much they can comfortably afford each month. If you’re buying a home that fits you now, you’re still thinking about your finances, but you’re also thinking about how long you’re likely to be in this home and how much mortgage you can afford while you save enough for a down payment on a home you can comfortably afford in the long term.

When Buying Your Forever Home Makes Sense
A few conditions must be met before buying a house that you plan to live in forever makes sense. Mostly, you need to be sure that buying a home is affordable in terms of the down payment and the monthly mortgage payments. You also need to be sure that the neighborhood you’re planning to buy in is safe and stable. Beyond that, you need to be sure that you’re ready to settle down and commit to one place for the long term. If you’re not sure you’re ready for that kind of commitment, buying a home that fits you now is better than buying you forever home.

When Buying a Home That Fits You Now Makes More Sense
There are several scenarios when buying a home that fits you now makes more sense than buying you forever home. First, if you’re not yet ready to settle down in one place, a home that fits you right now gives you flexibility. If you’re hoping to move around in your profession or change cities or even countries, you might be better off in a home that fits you now that you can sell easily when you’re ready to move on. If you don’t yet have enough saved for a down payment on a forever home, you may be better off buying a smaller home that fits you now and allows you to wait until you’re ready to buy yours forever home with a small down payment.

How to Decide if You Should Buy Your Forever Home or a Home That Fits You Now
The good news is that there are no wrong answers here. It all comes down to what you’re most comfortable with and what makes the most financial sense for you now. Start by asking yourself what you can afford and looking at homes for sale to see what your budget allows you to buy. If your forever home is still out of financial reach, buying a home that fits you now is better. You should also consider how firm your plans are. What if you have more or fewer kids than you’re planning? What if you change careers or your employer moves their offices to another city? What other things might impact your future and how would those things impact your ability to continue to live in your forever home?

The bottom line is that there’s no wrong answer when deciding between buying you a forever home and buying a home that fits you now. You just need to understand the differences between the two and which one is right for you. These are both great ways of approaching the home-buying process and ensuring that you’re prepared to commit to one place for the long term while still being financially responsible enough to make the most of your money.

Get more like this on RISMedia.

Related Links

• Cozy Corners: How To Add Warmth to Your Home in Tiny Ways

• These Interior Design Trends Will Take Off in 2023

• Expensive regions see the biggest dip in home sales

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

Cozy Corners: How To Add Warmth to Your Home in Tiny Ways

Hygge may be so 2017, but it’s the vibe you want when the temperatures start to dip. Even hygge haters have to admit there’s nothing better than a warm and cozy look at home to fight the bitter wind outside.

But not every person loves this curated Danish look—and it’s a ton of work to create a new design when the seasons change. Instead, we’re here to suggest small ways to infuse your rooms with the best parts of hygge, the little details that really matter when you’re feeling a bit chilled.

To guide you to your best and coziest life this fall and winter, check out these genius ways to add warmth and softness just where you need it most.

Layer your blankets

Summer bedding is lightweight and cool. But when frigid temps roll around, get out those layers. An extra throw at the end of the bed is one way to add warmth.

Want to really amp up the coziness in your bedroom? Then pick up a faux fur blanket or chunky knit. The layering technique also works on the back of your couch, your favorite reading chair, and even on the floor with a second soft rug topping your main one.

“My favorite spot for coziness is a bedroom corner near a window that lets in the afternoon sun,” says Lindsay Roselle, a lifestyle and design coach.

Like many of us, Roselle works from home and has created a cozy area in her home office so she can step away from her computer to take a break to read or write in her journal.

Noelle Isbell, principal and founder of Noelle Interiors, recommends “lush fabrics such as linens and chenilles over a chair for extra softness as well as visual interest.”

Swap out your lighting

Roselle prioritizes lighting when it comes to creating pockets of coziness in the home. Adding more task lighting in the form of table lamps, rather than relying on harsh overhead fixtures, is a good start. And don’t forget about window treatments.

“Soft window coverings to filter sunlight in my bedroom and office feels warm and inviting,” says Roselle.

Lisa Davis, content creator at RetailMeNot, also suggests an inexpensive color-changing smart bulb.___

“They come in every size for any lamp, and they allow you to change the scene right from your phone so can instantly bring warmth to your rooms,” she says.

Finally, hanging curtains on windows will filter and warm the light streaming through.

Amp up the pillows

Swapping out bright summer florals and stripes for more muted tones and textures (think velvet, corduroy, and tweed) is already top of mind when fall rolls around.

Pamela O’Brien, the principal designer of Pamela Hope Designs, loves a window seat.

“When it’s filled with comfy throw pillows and a pretty window treatment, it looks beautiful and welcoming,” she says. “And even if you don’t have time to hang out there, it still makes you happy as you pass by.”

But as you change your accessories, design experts urge homeowners to increase the number of pillows and cushions, even to the brink of overload.

The reason? More is more when it comes to softness here, whether your pillow pile is on the bed, a book nook, or a sweet window seat where you take your tea.

Make a warm beverage station

See ya, iced latte! Speaking of your morning cuppa or java, coziness this fall and winter relies heavily on having a warm mug in your hand whenever you feel the need. To make this easier, set up a little cubby for cups, tea, a sugar bowl, and small spoons.

No designated nook? Clear a shelf in the kitchen or place a tray on your counter or kitchen island, and arrange your beverage station.

Hang up fiber arts

Your walls need warmth, too. And artful hangings made from yarn, fabric, raffia, or other natural materials is a fun way to create the perfect fall vignette. You can even help bring back a fad by mounting woven designs like macrame.

Hanging tapestries on walls not only adds visual interest, it also eliminates any chilly drafts and lonely echoes in your rooms, notes Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer with Trendey.

Use natural materials

Wooden bowls for fruit, cutting boards arrayed on your backsplash, and pretty green plants lining the window still are just a few ways to bring warm, natural elements to the kitchen.

When you’re ready to shift into hygge gear, use these materials instead of brightly colored melamine and plastic. You can even take this step into the dining room or bar area if you have one by bringing out dishes in autumnal shades and colored glassware for cocktails.

Scent your rooms

Davis craves a warm fragrance around the house and leans on extracts like vanilla, peppermint, or cinnamon simmering in a small pot on the stove.

“Or turn your room into a cozy, intimate sanctuary by lighting candles or even using candles on timers at the same hour every day,” she says.

Get more tips like this.

Related Links

• Pre-Approval Is a Critical First Step on Your Homebuying Journey

• These Interior Design Trends Will Take Off in 2023

• Expensive regions see the biggest dip in home sales

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

Pre-Approval Is a Critical First Step on Your Homebuying Journey

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, one of the first steps on your journey is getting pre-approved.

Especially in today’s market when mortgage rates are higher than they were just a few months ago, getting a mortgage pre-approval can be a game changer. Here’s why.

What Is Pre-Approval?

To better understand why pre-approval is key, it’s important to know what pre-approval is. The Mortgage Reports explains it like this:

“When you’re ready to take the leap into homeownership, your first step is mortgage preapproval. . . . A mortgage preapproval is when a lender determines you’re qualified for a home loan. Your preapproval letter shows the maximum loan amount you’re approved for (your home buying budget), as well as the specific interest rate and loan term you can expect.”

As part of the pre-approval process, a lender will look at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand your true price range and how much money you can borrow. That can make it easier when you set out to search for homes because you’ll know your overall numbers. And with mortgage rates rising and impacting affordability, a solid understanding of your numbers is even more important.

Pre-Approval Can Signal You’re a Serious Buyer

Another added benefit is that pre-approval lets the seller know you’re qualified to buy their house. A recent article from realtor.com notes:

“. . . getting pre-approved can actually improve your chances of falling into the sellers’ good graces, and you’ll want to get it done as early as you possibly can in the home-buying process.”

Even though bidding wars are easing this year as the market shifts, preapproval is still an important part of making a strong offer. It can help a seller feel more confident because it shows you’re serious about their home and that you’re a qualified buyer.

Bottom Line

Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is critical. It helps you better understand what you can borrow and shows sellers you’re serious about purchasing their home. Connect with a local real estate professional and a trusted lender so you have the tools you need to succeed as a homebuyer in today’s market.

Learn more on Keeping Current Matters.

Related Links

• There are only 4 U.S. cities where the average American can afford a starter home

• These Interior Design Trends Will Take Off in 2023

• Expensive regions see the biggest dip in home sales

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon

Expensive regions see the biggest dip in home sales

Existing home sales fell 1.5% in September from the prior month.

Higher mortgage rates continued to impact home sales over the last month, with existing home sales declining in September for the eighth consecutive month, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). 

“The housing sector continues to undergo an adjustment due to the continuous rise in interest rates, which eclipsed 6% for 30-year fixed mortgages in September and are now approaching 7%,” NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said in a statement. “Expensive regions of the country are especially feeling the pinch and seeing larger declines in sales.”

Per the report, existing single-family home, townhome, condominium and co-op sales fell by 1.5% from August to September, with three out of four major U.S. regions experiencing month over month contractions.

The seasonally adjusted sales rate for existing home sales also declined in all regions on a year over year basis. According to the NAR, home sales declined by 23.8% on a year over year basis, dropping to 4.71 million from 6.18 million in September 2021.

This is the 13th consecutive month in which year over year home sales have declined nationwide.

Sales of existing homes are now at the lowest level since 2014, excluding the decline that occurred during the pandemic, and home sales are expected to continue to decline over the next few months.

“Existing home sales are being impacted by higher mortgage rates,” housing analyst Bill McBride of Calculated Risk said in a post Thursday. “Rates have increased sharply in October, and that will impact closed sales in November and December – so I expect further declines in sales later this year.”

According to Freddie Mac, the average rate in September for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage was 6.11%, up from 5.22% the month prior. In contrast, the average rate in 2021 was 2.96%.

While higher mortgage rates have had a clear impact on existing home sales, it’s likely that rising home prices over the last 127 months (10.5 years, roughly) have also played a role. 

As of September, the median home price was $384,800 for existing homes of all types, according to the NAR. That’s an 8.4% increase year over year compared to September 2021, when the median home price was $355,100. The year over year median price change peaked at 25.2% in May 2021. 

The trend of month over month median home price growth has reversed course over the last few months, however. Per the report, September marked the third month in a row in which the median sales price retracted. The NAR cites regular seasonal price trends as the cause of the decline in median home price.

Housing inventory also decreased last month, but just slightly, dropping from 1.25 million available units in September from 1.28 million the month prior. Per the NAR, this drop in inventory was likely due, at least in part, to the seasonal inventory decline that typically occurs during December and January. 

The months of supply remained unchanged from August to September at 3.2 months.

According to the NAR, the region that experienced the most significant decline in existing home sales was the South, with home sales declining by 1.9% from August to September, and by 23.8% from this time last year. 

Existing home sales also declined in the Midwest, dropping by 1.7% from the month prior, and by 19.7% from September 2021. Home sales dropped in the Northeast as well, declining by 1.6% from August to September, and by 18.7% compared to September 2021.

The West was the only region that did not experience a decline in existing home sales month over month. Home sales in the West were identical from August to September, but were down 31.3% from the year prior.

But while home sales and inventory have declined across much of the nation, the trend of homes selling above list price has continued, according to Yun.

“Despite weaker sales, multiple offers are still occurring with more than a quarter of homes selling above list price due to limited inventory,” Yun said. “The current lack of supply underscores the vast contrast with the previous major market downturn from 2008 to 2010, when inventory levels were four times higher than they are today.”

Get more like this on Housing Wire.

Related Links

• There are only 4 U.S. cities where the average American can afford a starter home

• These Interior Design Trends Will Take Off in 2023

• 8 Things That Make Your Living Room Look Outdated By Kathleen Willcox

If there is a home that you would like more information about, if you are considering selling a property, or if you have questions about the housing market in your neighborhood, please reach out. We’re here to help.

Search Homes in Colorado

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Oregon