McBride Kelly Real Estate News & Advice

Buying a home is likely to be the largest purchase you make in your lifetime.  Helping you every step of the way is our job and we will perform it as efficiently and effectively as possible.  Our blog is intended to provide you with as much helpful background information and advice as possible.  Please reach out if you have any questions at all. We would love to talk with you!

Sept. 28, 2023

Why Your House Didn’t Sell



If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, you’re likely feeling a little frustrated. Not to mention, you're also probably wondering what went wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next.

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Posted in Seller Information
Sept. 28, 2023

The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price Appreciation



If you’re thinking of making a move, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? Despite what you may be hearing in the news, nationally, home prices aren’t falling. It’s just that price growth is beginning to normalize. Here’s the context you need to really understand that trend.

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Posted in Market Updates
Sept. 25, 2023

Beginning with Pre-Approval



If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some competition among buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there are ways to navigate these waters. The first thing you’ll want to do is get pre-approved for a mortgage. That way you’ll know your numbers and can set yourself up for success from the start of your home search.

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Posted in Home Buying Tips
Sept. 25, 2023

The Many Non-Financial Benefits of Homeownership



Buying and owning your own home can have a big impact on your life. While there are financial reasons to become a homeowner, it's essential to think about the non-financial benefits that make a home more than just a place to live.

Here are some of the top non-financial reasons to buy a home.

According to Fannie Mae, 94% of survey respondents say “Having Control Over What You Do with Your Living Space” is a top reason to own.

Your home is truly your own space. If you own a home, unless there are specific homeowner association requirements, you can decorate and change it the way you like. That means you can make small changes or even do big renovations to make your home perfect for you. Your home is uniquely yours and by buying, you give yourself the freedom to tailor it to your style. Investopedia explains:

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Posted in Home Buying Tips
Sept. 25, 2023

Remote Work Is Changing How Some Buyers Search for Their Dream Homes



The way Americans work has changed in recent years, and remote work is at the forefront of this shift. Experts say it’ll continue to be popular for years to come and project that 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025. To give you some perspective, that's a 417% increase compared to the pre-pandemic years when there were just 7 million remote workers.

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Posted in Market Updates
Sept. 15, 2023

Plenty of Buyers Are Still Active Today



Some Highlights

  • Holding off on selling your house because you believe there aren’t any buyers out there?
  • Data shows buyers are still active, even with higher mortgage rates. This goes to show, people still want to buy homes, and those who can are moving now.
  • Don’t delay your plan to sell for fear no one is buying. The opposite is true and buyer traffic is still strong today. Let’s connect to get your house in front of these buyers.
Posted in Market Updates
Sept. 15, 2023

Why Is Housing Inventory So Low?



One question that’s top of mind if you’re thinking about making a move today is: Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why.

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Posted in Market Updates
Sept. 15, 2023

Planning to Retire? Your Equity Can Help You Make a Move



Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities. As the door to this exciting chapter opens, one thing you may be considering is selling your house and finding a home better suited for your evolving needs.

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Posted in Market Updates
Sept. 8, 2023

Get Ready for Smaller, More Affordable Homes



Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options? If so, here’s some good news – based on what Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda, has to say – smaller, more affordable homes are on the way:

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Posted in Market Updates
Sept. 8, 2023

Mortgage Rates: Past, Present, and Possible Future



If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates. Since mortgage rates impact what you can afford when you take out a home loan – and affordability is a challenge today – it’s a good time to look at the big picture of where mortgage rates have been historically compared to where they are now. Beyond that, it’s important to understand their relationship with inflation for insights into where mortgage rates might go in the near future.

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Posted in Market Updates