Homes sold faster than ever during the four weeks ending February 13, as a record 57% of homes that went under contract did so within two weeks of being listed.
44% of homes that went under contract had an accepted offer within one week of hitting the market, an all-time high, and 41% of all homes sold over asking price. The average sold price is 100.3% of list price.If you are shopping for a home right now, here are 5 strategies that may better equip you to navigate this incredibly competitive market:
Work with an agent experienced in this market. In this fast paced and competitive market, you need someone who knows what it will take to win.
Shop for homes that are $75,000-$100,000 less than your max budget. You'll need the wiggle room to write an offer over list price yet under the top of your budget.
Be ready to write appraisal gap coverage. if you're writing an offer over asking price, appraisal gap coverage is must-have for your offer to be considered.
Shop on Wednesdays. Mid-week listings may allow you to get ahead of the weekend showing crowd. If a home made it through its first weekend on the market, it will still be on the market the following Wednesday, which means your offer is more likely to be accepted.
Get pre-approved with a local lender. Listing agents want to ensure the contract their Seller accepts will close. Large, out of state lending institutions do not have a good reputation in the industry, and listing agents may push back on financing approvals from these institutions. If you're looking for a lender, please DM me and I'll send you three people who will knock it out of the park for you.
TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR 2021 HOMEBUYERS
If you bought or sold a home in 2021, you may qualify for some or all of the following tax deductions:
Real estate taxes paid at settlement or closing. Real estate taxes are generally divided so that you and the seller each pay taxes for the part of the property tax year you owned the home. Your share of these taxes is fully deductible if you itemize your deductions. If you need your settlement statement from 2021, please email me!
Mortgage Interest. If you took out a mortgage (loan) to finance the purchase of your home, you probably have to make monthly house payments. The interest you pay each month on your home is tax deductible. You lender should send you Form 1098 which shows the total amount of interest paid in 2021.
Loan Origination fees, or Points. You may be able to deduct some portion of the money you paid to buy down your rate (if applicable) when you bought a home, refinanced, or took out a home equity line of credit.
Be sure to consult your own Accountant for further guidance on deductions you may qualify for. You can also review real estate deductions on the IRS website. HOW TO AVOID WRITING A CONTINGENT OFFER
If you’re getting your finances in order to purchase a new home, you may run into one common lender requirement (also called a condition): that you must sell your current home prior to buying your replacement property. This is often a condition as homeowners need the equity out of their current home to have the downpayment for a replacement home.
In an extremely competitive market, it is rare for sellers to agree to a contract being contingent on selling your house. But, there are options:
ASK FOR A POST-CLOSING OCCUPANCY AGREEMENT (PCOA). Also known as a rent back" agreement, this option allows a Seller to close on their home and "rent it back" from the Buyer for anywhere from one week to three months after closing. In today's competitive market, most Buyers will allow Sellers to stay in the property at no cost. Once the home sells, the Seller has their downpayment funds and can close on a replacement property.
USE A BRIDGE LOAN. Consumers use bridge loans to tap into a current home’s equity and use that loan to pay for the down payment on a new home. For example, let’s say you have $100,000 in equity in your current home, but you are looking for a new primary residence. You can obtain a bridge loan, tap into their existing equity, and use this for a down payment on their new place. Utilizing a bridge loan is a great option for clients who want to make a strong offer on a new home and do not want to have a contingency to sell a property first.
USE A HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT (HELOC). A HELOC also allows you to borrow money by using your home's equity as collateral. Generally, a HELOC is more flexible than a home equity loan and works more like a credit card. You only borrow what you need, and you can typically go back for more money when you need it (as long as you stay below your maximum credit limit). Unlike a home equity loan, there is a variable interest rate and there is typically a specially issued credit card or checks for the “account.”
RECIPE OF THE MONTHCHICKEN KHAO SOI NOOODLE SOUP
This recipe from Half-Baked harvest was insanely delicious. It comes together easily and highlights amazing Asian flavors. I like to think of it as "Asian Chicken Noodle Soup." INGREDIENTS:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup Thai red curry paste
2 large carrots, sliced
2 (14 oz) cans full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 Tbsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp honey
2 cups baby spinach or chopped baby bok choy
8 oz egg or Pad Thai noodles
Cilantro, sliced chiles, bean sprouts, red onion, and limes, for garnish (as desired)
DIRECTIONS:
Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot over high heat. When the oil shimmers add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides. Add the curry paste and carrots, and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in the coconut milk, chicken broth, fish sauce, and honey. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the chicken is cooked through, 12-15 minutes. Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the pot. Stir in the greens.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the noodles according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain and add to the stock pot.
Divide the soup among four bowls and top each bowl with cilantro, chiles, and limes to taste.
Thinking of Buying or Selling? Know someone who is?We are NEVER too busy for your referrals!
FiveFour Real Estate is the one-stop shop for those who are ready to take their home or investment to the next level. Our name FiveFour derives from 5.4%: the average annual home appreciation rate in the US over the last 50 years. We know that your real estate investment is one of the largest and most important purchases of your life. With that in mind, our focus and strategy revolves around you. We hold our licenses at the brokerage Five Four Real Estate. If you buy a home and put 20% down, you are leveraging your money 5X. A 5.4% increase in your home's value means a 27% ROI.
Thinking of Buying or Selling? Know someone who is?We are NEVER too busy for your referrals!
OUR PROMISE TO OUR CLIENTS
This could be one of the largest and most important financial decisions you will make in your lifetime, and you deserve an experienced partner that understands the intricacies of Colorado real estate.
We promise to always keep you informed about the rapidly changing market and educate you throughout the entire process. We promise to protect your best interests and treat your home or investment like it’s one of our own. We promise to work our hardest to find the perfect home for you and your family with as little stress as possible.
We value your trust and hope to continue supporting you in your lifetime even after your sale or purchase is complete. This goes beyond real estate to us, it’s the beginning of a lifelong friendship.
