Cheryl Bower's Real Estate Blog

People Want Less Expensive Homes – And Builders Are Responding

By Cheryl Bower | August 17, 2023

In today’s housing market, there are two main affordability challenges impacting buyers: mortgage rates that are higher than they’ve been the past couple of years, and rising home prices caused by low inventory. To overcome those challenges, many people are working with their agents to find less expensive homes. And with newly built homes making…

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Don’t Expect a Flood of Foreclosures

By Cheryl Bower | August 16, 2023

The rising cost of just about everything from groceries to gas right now is leading to speculation that more people won’t be able to afford their mortgage payments. And that’s creating concern that a lot of foreclosures are on the horizon. While it’s true that foreclosure filings have gone up a bit compared to last…

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Equity Is a Game Changer for Homeowners Looking To Sell

By Cheryl Bower | August 15, 2023

If you’re a homeowner, you might be torn on whether or not to sell your house right now. Maybe that’s because you don’t want to take on a higher mortgage rate on your next home. If that’s your biggest hurdle, understanding your equity may be exactly what you need to help you feel more comfortable…

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Where Are People Moving Today and Why?

By Cheryl Bower | August 14, 2023

Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market and wondering what you can do to help offset those. A new report from Gravy Analytics provides insight into where people are searching for homes…

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Home Prices Are Back on the Rise [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | August 11, 2023

Some Highlights Looking at monthly home price data from six expert sources shows the worst home price declines are behind us, and they’re rising again nationally. If you’ve put your plans to move on pause because you were worried about home prices crashing, this rebound is good news. Connect with a local real estate agent…

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About 11,000 Houses Will Sell Today

By Cheryl Bower | August 10, 2023

Some homeowners have been waiting for months to put their house on the market because they don’t think people are buying homes right now. If that’s you, know that even though the housing market has slowed compared to the frenzy of a couple of years ago, it isn’t at a standstill. Contrary to what you…

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The Value of an Agent When Buying Your New Construction Home

By Cheryl Bower | August 9, 2023

Buying a new construction home can be an exciting experience. From being the very first owner, to customizing your home’s features, there are a lot of benefits. But navigating the complexities of buying a home that’s under construction can also be a bit overwhelming. This is where a skilled real estate agent can make all…

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There’s Only Half the Inventory of a Normal Housing Market Today

By Cheryl Bower | August 8, 2023

Wondering if it still makes sense to sell your house right now? The short answer is, yes. Especially if you consider how few homes there are for sale today. You may have heard inventory is low right now, but you may not fully realize just how low or why that’s a perk when you go…

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Four Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity

By Cheryl Bower | August 7, 2023

If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years. Equity builds over time as home values grow and as you pay down your home loan. And, since home prices skyrocketed during the ‘unicorn’ years, you’ve likely gained more than you think. According to the latest Equity Insights Report…

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Housing Market Forecast for the Rest of 2023 [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | August 4, 2023

Some Highlights Want to know what experts say will happen in the rest of 2023? Home prices are already appreciating again in many areas. The average of the expert forecasts shows positive price growth. Where mortgage rates go for the rest of the year will depend on inflation. Based on historical trends, rates are likely…

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