One truism about the housing market is that it changes constantly to favor sellers or homebuyers. Seldom does a balanced market exist where buyers and sellers are more evenly matched except for summertime, when schools are out. That’s why it’s the busiest of homebuying seasons.
To be a better prepared buyer, you should get prequalified for a mortgage loan, and if costs are too high, you should lower your debts and pump up your savings for a down payment until you’re ready to buy.
If you’re looking to sell, you should get your homes in top condition so you can command the highest price possible. But the most important step is to build a strong relationship with your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network professional.
Your broker or agent can help you, whether you’re a buyer or seller. With a vast amount of data at their fingertips, they can keep you abreast of any changes in your local market. This spring, for example, the share of homes with price reductions was the highest since January 2017 and mortgage interest rates dropped slightly, which enticed sidelined buyers back into the market.
Freddie Mac predicts that interest rates won’t drop by much before June 2024, so homebuyers and sellers should be aware of the importance of having good credit. As banks tighten lending standards for unsecured loans like credit cards, they’ll favor purchase mortgages for borrowers and home improvement loans for sellers who’ve protected their credit without high balances, late payments or defaults. Mortgages are also secured by the borrower’s home.