Cheryl Bower's Real Estate Blog

Sellers: Make Today’s Home Price Appreciation Work for You

By Cheryl Bower | August 4, 2021

Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that’s good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their home’s potential. If you’re on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this price appreciation last? Here’s what three leading…

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With Rents on the Rise – Is Now the Time To Buy?

By Cheryl Bower | August 3, 2021

According to recent data from realtor.com, median rental prices have reached their highest point ever recorded in many areas across the country. The report found rents rose by 8.1% from the same time last year. As it notes: “Beyond simply recovering to pre-pandemic levels, rents across the country are surging. Typically, rents fluctuate less than…

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Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home

By Cheryl Bower | August 2, 2021

Sometimes it can feel like everyone has advice when it comes to buying a home. While your friends and loved ones may have your best interests in mind, they may also be missing crucial information about today’s housing market that you need to make your best decision. Before you decide whether you’re ready to buy…

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Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | July 30, 2021

Some Highlights If you’re thinking of buying a home but wondering if waiting a few years will save you in the long run, think again. The longer the wait, the more you’ll pay, especially when mortgage rates and home prices rise. Even the slightest change in the mortgage rate can have a big impact on…

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Home Sellers: There Is an Extra Way To Welcome Home Our Veterans

By Cheryl Bower | July 29, 2021

Some veterans are finding it difficult to obtain a home in today’s market. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Conventional conforming mortgages (mortgages that conform to guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), accounted for 74% of mortgages obtained by homebuyers in May 2021, an increase from about 65% during 2018 through…

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4 Reasons Why the End of Forbearance Will Not Lead to a Wave of Foreclosures

By Cheryl Bower | July 28, 2021

With forbearance plans about to come to an end, many are concerned the housing market will experience a wave of foreclosures like what happened after the housing bubble 15 years ago. Here are four reasons why that won’t happen. 1. There are fewer homeowners in trouble this time After the last housing crash, about 9.3…

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A Look at Housing Supply and What It Means for Sellers

By Cheryl Bower | July 27, 2021

One of the hottest topics of conversation in today’s real estate market is the shortage of available homes. Simply put, there are many more potential buyers than there are homes for sale. As a seller, you’ve likely heard that low supply is good news for you. It means your house will get more attention, and…

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3 Hot Topics in the Housing Market Right Now

By Cheryl Bower | July 26, 2021

If you’re a prospective buyer or seller, it’s important to understand the current real estate market conditions and how they affect you. The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) just released its Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate report. Here are three hot topics from the list and how they impact today’s housing market. Technology Acceleration and…

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Pop Quiz: Can You Define These Key Terms in Today’s Housing Market? [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | July 23, 2021

Some Highlights The language of buying and selling a home may sound scary at first, but knowing how key terms relate to today’s market can help you. For example, current low mortgage rates and higher wages positively impact affordability for buyers, while home price appreciation continues to grow home equity, which sellers can use to…

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Today’s Real Estate Market Explained Through 4 Key Trends

By Cheryl Bower | July 22, 2021

As we move into the second half of the year, one thing is clear: the current real estate market is one for the record books. The exact mix of conditions we have today creates opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Here’s a look at four key components that are shaping this unprecedented market. A Shortage…

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