, , , , , ,

What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025

, , , , , ,
 
 

Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025?

The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your decisions: mortgage rates and home prices.

Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, here’s a look at what the experts are saying and how it might impact your move.

Mortgage Rates Are Forecast To Come Down

One of the biggest factors likely affecting your plans is mortgage rates, and the forecast looks positive. After rising dramatically in recent years, experts project rates will ease slightly throughout the course of 2025 (see graph below):

 
 

While that decline won’t be a straight line down, the overall trend should continue over the next year. Expect a few bumps along the way, because the trajectory of rates will depend on new economic data and inflation numbers as they’re released. But don’t get too hung up on those blips and reactions from the market as they happen. Focus on the bigger picture.

Lower mortgage rates mean improving affordability. As rates come down, your monthly mortgage payment decreases, giving you more flexibility in what you can afford if you buy a home.

This shift will likely bring more buyers and sellers back into the market, though. As Charlie Dougherty, Director and Senior Economist at Wells Fargo, explains:

“Lower financing costs will likely boost demand by pulling affordability-crunched buyers off of the sidelines.”

As that happens, both inventory and competition among buyers will ramp back up. The takeaway? You can get ahead of that competition now. Lean on your agent to make sure you understand how the shifts in rates are impacting demand in your area.

Home Price Projections Show Modest Growth

While mortgage rates are expected to come down slightly, home prices are forecast to rise—but at a much more moderate pace than the market has seen in recent years.

Experts are saying home prices will grow by an average of about 2.5% nationally in 2025 (see graph below):

 
 

This is far more manageable than the rapid price increases of previous years, which saw double-digit percentage growth in some markets.

What’s behind this ongoing increase in prices? Again, it has to do with demand. As more buyers return to the market, demand will rise – but so will supply as sellers feel less rate-locked.

More buyers in markets with inventory that’s still below the norm will put upward pressure on prices. But with more homes likely to be listed, supply will help keep price growth in check. This means that while prices will rise, they’ll do so at a healthier, more sustainable pace.

Of course, these national trends may not reflect exactly what’s happening in your local market. Some areas might see faster price growth, while others could see slower gains. As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, says:

“Even if the average national home price forecast for 2025 is correct, it’s possible that some regional housing markets could see mild home price declines, while some markets could still see elevated appreciation. That has been, after all, the case this year.”

Even the few markets that may see flat or slightly lower prices in 2025 have had so much appreciation in recent years – it may not have a big impact. That’s why it’s important to work with a local real estate expert who can give you a clear picture of what’s happening where you’re looking to buy or sell.

Bottom Line

With mortgage rates expected to ease and home prices projected to rise at a more moderate pace, 2025 is shaping up to be a more promising year for both buyers and sellers.

If you have any questions about how these trends might impact your plans, connect with a local agent. That way you’ve got someone to help you navigate the market and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

Related Links

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 North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Minnesota

, ,

Where to go trick-or-treating across the Denver metro in 2024

, ,
 
 

There are only a few days until Halloween, and schedules and plans for trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating have been announced across Colorado, including throughout the Denver metro and Interstate 25 corridor.

At one point, scheduling trick-or-treating was not a consideration for parents across the U.S., but it’s no longer advised to send your little ones off into the dark to knock on stranger’s doors. Nor is it wise to seek treats from homeowners who might not be expecting people at their door — let alone ghouls and goblins.

Experts with Children’s Hospital Colorado advise that children under 12 should trick-or-treat with an adult, and advise that mature children should be told to stick to familiar, well-lit areas and to stay with a group.

In fact, with Halloween events largely scheduled these days, several events have already passed, such as trick-or-treating at Broomfield Plaza, which was held on Oct. 12. In light of that, here are a few events that offer a family-friendly environment for trick-or-treating.

Colorado trick-or-treat events 2024 schedule

Arvada: Prepare for a spooktacular night in Olde Town Arvada with Trick or Treat Street 2024. The event is planned for Friday, Oct. 25 from 5-7 p.m. Alongside trick-or-treating, the event will feature a “Thriller” dance mob performance at 5:15 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. in Olde Town Square.

Aurora: It will be a fang-tastic day of trick-or-treating with On Havana Street, which is sponsoring and supporting Rock Fizz Aurora’s Halloween Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treat on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held at The Gardens on Havana, 10441 E. Garden Dr., and the costume contest will have categories for children, adults, groups and pets.

Boulder: The Munchkin Masquerade in downtown Boulder will welcome hordes of costumed children to trick-or-treat along Pearl Street. Scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 31, the event will last from 3-6 p.m. and is best suited for children 12 and under. You can check out the downtown Boulder website to see what businesses are participating.

Broomfield (Butterfly Pavilion)

Is your child a fiend for the natural world? Then perhaps Bug-A-Boo at the Butterfly Pavilion is the place to go. The annual event allows kids to roam the facility freely, going from station to station where toys and candy will be offered, while parents enjoy some peace of mind. The event is free with the price of admission.

The event is scheduled for several times throughout the month: Friday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Castle Rock

Join the Downtown Merchants Association for booth-to-booth trick-or-treating at Festival Park on Friday, Oct. 25 from noon to 3 p.m. The event will feature Halloween music, vendor booths and, of course, plenty of candy.

However, if you’re looking for something more low-key, perhaps Spooktacular at Philip S. Miller Park on Saturday, Oct. 26 is more your speed. The event is designed to provide family fun for the whole family, with sensory-friendly activities planned from 1-2 p.m., and Castle Rock kiddos will be able to access the rest of the event based on the first letter of their last name. Last names starting with A through L are scheduled to play games, win prizes and get candy from 2-3 p.m. Kids with last names starting with M through Z will be scheduled from 3-4 p.m.

Denver

As to be expected with a city as large as Denver, several events are going on throughout the county that offer candy to youngsters (and adults). Some require an entry or participation fee, so here are a few that are free to attend.

The Mile High Trunk or Treat, presented by the Far East Center, will be held at Empower Field at Mile High on Oct. 25 from 5-9 p.m. in Parking Lot C. The family-friendly event will have a variety of live entertainment, including a haunted house, fire eaters and over 150 organizations that plan to hand out treats.

Young and old alike are invited to the 10th Annual BOOnion Station Trick-or-Treat Parade on Thursday, Oct. 24 beginning at 5 p.m. The event will be held at Denver’s Union Station and will feature a costume contest, mini-train rides, balloon artists and more.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, businesses at 37th and Navajo Street in Denver are planning their Fifth Annual Trick or Treat on Navajo Street, organized by students at Embark Education. The event is planned from 5-7 p.m. at businesses on Navajo Street between 36th and 37th. Candy, treats and other surprises are promised to attendees.

Fort Collins: Prepare to be frightened — by how cute Tiny Tot Halloween 2024 in downtown Fort Collins will be. This event provides a morning of trick-or-treating with photo opportunities and lots of candy provided by nearly 90 businesses. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a full list of participating businesses, visit the event page here.

Golden: Young candy-seekers can trick-or-treat along Washington Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 31. Businesses will be providing candy from 11th Street to 14th Street from 3-5 p.m.

Greeley: Visit Trick-or-Treat Street in downtown Greeley on Friday, Oct. 25 from 4-6 p.m. The event welcomes thousands of families to collect treats from various downtown businesses. The city promises that there will be props set up for Halloween photo opportunities, and free Halloween-themed kids’ crafts.

Read more at KDVR.com

Related Links

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 North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Minnesota

, , , , , ,

10 Things a Stylist Avoids in Her Own Home—And You Should, Too

, , , , , ,
 
 

Stylist Dorcia Kelley is no stranger to picture-perfect interiors.

As a seasoned pro in the design world, she’s spent countless hours preparing homes for photo shoots, turning already beautiful spaces into magazine-ready masterpieces. Over the years, Kelley has developed an eye for what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to creating a home that feels both stylish and personal. “Your taste is your taste,” she explains. “All I’m here to do is elevate it a little bit. I never want anybody to feel bad for something they’re doing from their heart.” In her own home, Kelley takes a more personal, mindful approach. Below, she shares the 10 things she would never do—plus her thoughtful advice on creating a space you love while staying true to your own style.

Buy Fake Plants

“Faux plants attract a lot of unnecessary dust,” Kelley says. “Meanwhile real plants clean the air in your home. I don’t think people talk about that enough. Between the beauty products being soaked into our skin and the processed food we eat, are we gonna do one thing right? Let’s put some real plants in our houses.”

Put Out a Welcome Mat

“You shouldn’t need a mat or sign to tell people that your home feels welcoming,” says the stylist. “Your home should embody that through the styling, the design, and the colors.” 

Load Up Shelves With Tchotchkes

A crowded display leaves no room for a focal point, Kelley says: “Your eye is trying to capture every book, every little accessory, every photograph.”

Use White Felt Furniture Pads

“Do people realize that they carry this padding in various colors to match your wood or whatever color your furniture is?” she asks. Now you know. 

Paint Every Room a Different Color

Kelley is more of a neutrals fan, but if she were going to play with color, she’d make sure there was a transition between each room. “So say you have a blue living room. You should put 50% to 30% white paint in that same blue, and paint the wall in the hallway or going up the adjacent staircase,” she says. 

Hang a Gallery Wall

“What happened to people putting really curated artwork or even photographs on a wall?” Kelley asks. “Blow a photograph up and make one focal point.”

Put Too Many Pillows on the Sofa

“I have two pillows on each couch, and they are there to prop you up. When the pillows cover the entire couch, you have to take them off to sit down anyway. And that’s a pet peeve,” she reveals.

Live With Contractor Lighting

“Lighting can tell the story of your entire home. Change your lighting. It’s going to solve a lot of your problems. And I’m not just saying change the bulb—add a beautiful fixture,” Kelley says. 

Install a Regular-Length Shower Curtain

“Always buy an extra-long shower curtain. It should go all the way up toward the ceiling as far as it can, and then it should drop long so that you can’t see the tub,” she advises.

Burn a Bunch of Scented Candles

“I think you should try to have a signature scent for your home or even just stick to a particular brand that you like, so you won’t have all these random candles sitting around your house,” Kelley says.

Read more at Domino.com

Related Links

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 North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Minnesota

, , , , , ,

Why an Agent Is Essential When Buying a Newly Built Home

, , , , , ,
 
 

For some buyers, there’s a misconception that newly built homes aren’t made to last or fall short of the quality you can find in older homes.

Unfortunately, this is turning some buyers away from what may be one of their best options in today’s housing market. As Builder Online says:

“As resale inventory remains limited and the price spread between new and resale homes narrows, new homes are increasingly an attractive value proposition for buyers, with incentives such as rate buydowns a way to help address ongoing affordability challenges.”

So, is there any merit to the myth? Let’s break down the best way to make sure you feel good about looking into new home construction. That way, you’re not missing out on such a great option today.

Choosing the Right Builder

The key to making sure you get a quality newly built home is to choose a good builder. Reputable builders adhere to strict building codes and standards, use advanced construction techniques, and often offer warranties that cover structural issues for several years. That’s why the Mortgage Reports offers this advice:

“When embarking on the journey of buying a new construction home, one of the most important steps is selecting the right builder. This decision can significantly impact the quality and satisfaction you derive from your new home.”

And while you could dig into research about all the builders in your area, there’s an easier option to get the job done: lean on a pro. When you work with a local real estate agent, they already know about the builders and the new home communities under construction in your area.

Beyond that, maybe they’ve even worked with other buyers who opted for a home in one of those neighborhoods. Here are just a few of the things your agent will help you with:

1. The Builder’s Reputation: Your agent will help point you toward builders with strong reputations and positive reviews from previous buyers. Additionally, your agent will make sure the builder is licensed and insured. Membership in professional organizations, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is also a good sign of a builder’s commitment to industry standards.

2. Their Model Homes: Your agent will also be able to tell you if the builders have model homes you can tour. And when your agent walks through the model with you, they’ll draw your attention to the little details that matter most. Things like the quality of finishes, layout, and overall feel of the home.

3. Builder Warranties: Your agent will also be able to help you navigate any builder offers or incentives. Reputable builders often provide warranties to cover major structural elements of the home for a significant period of time. This is a testament to their confidence in the quality of their construction.

4. Getting Inspections: Even with new homes, inspections are crucial. Your agent will coordinate the inspections with licensed professionals to ensure the home meets safety and quality standards before you move in.

Agents Are the MVP When You’re Buying a Brand-New Home

Maybe that’s why data shows homebuyers unanimously scored their agents higher than their builders when looking back on their recent purchase:

 
 

So, you don’t need to worry that they just don’t make them like they used to. By working with a knowledgeable real estate agent to choose a reputable builder, you can feel confident when buying a newly built home today. As Realtor.com says:

“If you are interested in buying a new construction . . . You need your own real estate agent from the get-go. Even if it seems like plug and play to sign up with the builder’s on-site agent, you’re going to want someone representing your side of the deal.”

Bottom Line

If you’re considering buying a brand-new home, don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Work with a local real estate agent to find a home you’ll love and be proud to call your own.

Read more at KeepingCurrentMatters.com

Related Links

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 North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Minnesota

, , , , , ,

6 Essential Home Selling Tips for First-Timers

, , , , , ,
 
 

Selling your first home can be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience.

It's a big step in your life, and you want to make sure you do it right. But don't worry if you're not sure where to start—we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll share six essential tips for first-time home sellers that will help you through the process with confidence and ease. So let's get started on making your home selling journey a success!

Research the Market
Before putting your home on the market, you need to do your research and understand the current real estate scene. Look into recent sales in your area to get an idea of how much homes are selling for and how long they stay on the market. This will give you a realistic expectation of what you can expect for your own sale.

You should also research any trends or changes in the housing market that may affect your sale. For example, if interest rates have gone up or down, this could impact buyer demand and ultimately, the price you can sell your home for. Being aware of these factors will help you make informed decisions throughout the selling process.

Consider Hiring a Real Estate Agent
While it's possible to sell your home on your own, it can be a time-consuming task for anyone. Consider hiring a real estate agent who can help guide you through the process and handle all the details for you. They are experts in the field and have experience negotiating, marketing and navigating legal documents.

When looking for an agent, make sure to do your research and find someone who is knowledgeable about your local market and has a proven track record of successful sales. You can also ask for recommendations from friends and family who have recently sold their homes.

Price Your Home Competitively
One of the most critical factors in selling your home is pricing it competitively. Overpricing your home may lead to it staying on the market for longer than necessary, while underpricing means you could be losing out on potential profits.

Your real estate agent can help you determine a fair and competitive price for your home based on market research and the condition of your property. Be open to their advice and consider making adjustments if needed.

Stage Your Home
First impressions are crucial when it comes to selling a home. Staging involves decluttering, deep cleaning and arranging furniture in a way that showcases the best features of your space. A well-staged home can attract more buyers and potentially lead to a higher sale price.

When staging your home, try to create a neutral and inviting atmosphere that will appeal to a wide range of buyers. You can also add some personal touches, such as fresh flowers or scented candles, to make the space feel more welcoming.

While staging can be beneficial, there are also some common mistakes that first-time sellers should avoid. These include over-decorating or personalizing the space too much, not properly decluttering and neglecting to make necessary repairs or updates. If you're not sure what to do with your space, your real estate agent can provide guidance on how to best stage your home for a successful sale.

Be Flexible With Showings
As a first-time home seller, it's easy to get caught up in the stress of having strangers walk through your home. But remember, the more showings you have, the higher chance of receiving an offer. Make sure to be flexible with showing times and keep your home clean and presentable at all times. It may also be helpful to have a plan for where you will go during showings, whether it's taking a walk or going out for coffee.

During showings, potential buyers will schedule a time to view your home with their real estate agent. Your agent will be present to handle the showing and answer any questions that may arise. Try to make sure your home is in top condition for each showing, as this could potentially lead to an offer. Remember to also be open and honest about any known issues or repairs needed in the home.

Don't Neglect Curb Appeal
Curb appeal refers to how attractive your home looks from the outside, and it plays a significant role in making a good first impression on potential buyers. Simple tasks like mowing the lawn, trimming bushes and adding a fresh coat of paint to the front door can make a big difference. If your home is in dire need of a facelift, consider hiring a professional landscaper or investing in small upgrades to boost your curb appeal and make your home stand out.

While improving curb appeal can help attract potential buyers, there are also some common mistakes you should avoid. These include overdoing it with landscaping and adding too many personal touches, like lawn ornaments or excessive decorations. Be sure to create a clean and inviting outdoor space without going overboard. Additionally, make sure to address any major issues like cracked sidewalks or broken fences, as these would deter buyers from even entering your home.

By following these essential tips, you'll be on your way to a successful home selling experience. Remember to stay informed, listen to the advice of professionals and keep an open mind throughout the process. Good luck!

Read more at Rismedia.com

Related Links

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 North Carolina

Search Homes in Oklahoma

Search Homes in Minnesota

 
W+M_Logo (1).jpg
 
Cart (0)