Cheryl Bower's Real Estate Blog

Pre-Approval Makes All the Difference When Buying a Home

By Cheryl Bower | June 22, 2021

You may have been told that it’s important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today’s market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand…

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5 Things Homebuyers Need To Know When Making an Offer

By Cheryl Bower | June 21, 2021

When it comes to buying a house, you’re looking for the perfect place to call home. The problem is, in today’s market there just aren’t that many homes available to purchase. With inventory hovering near record lows and sky-high buyer demand, a multi-offer scenario is the new normal. Here are five things to keep in…

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Owning a Home Has Distinct Financial Benefits Over Renting [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | June 18, 2021

Some Highlights When you rent, you build your landlord’s wealth, your monthly payment depends on ever-rising rents, and you don’t benefit from home price appreciation. On the other hand, when you own your home, you build your own wealth, your monthly payment is locked in, and you benefit directly from home price appreciation. If you’re…

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Housing Wealth: The Missing Piece of the Affordability Equation

By Cheryl Bower | June 17, 2021

The real estate market is soaring today. Residential home values are rising, and that’s a big win for homeowners. In 2020, there was a double-digit increase in home values – a trend that’s expected to head toward similar levels this year. However, skyrocketing prices are causing some to start questioning affordability in the current housing…

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Don’t Wait To Sell Your House

By Cheryl Bower | June 16, 2021

We’re in the ultimate sellers’ market right now. If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling, you have a huge advantage in today’s housing market. High buyer demand paired with very few houses for sale makes this the optimal time to sell for those who are ready to do so. Whatever the move you want to…

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Hope Is on the Horizon for Today’s Housing Shortage

By Cheryl Bower | June 15, 2021

The major challenge in today’s housing market is that there are more buyers looking to purchase than there are homes available to buy. Simply put, supply can’t keep up with demand. A normal market has a 6-month supply of homes for sale. Anything over that indicates it’s a buyers’ market, but an inventory level below…

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The Right Expert Will Guide You Through This Unprecedented Market

By Cheryl Bower | June 14, 2021

In a normal market, it’s good to have an experienced guide coaching you through the process of buying or selling a home. That person can advise you on important things like pricing your home correctly or the first steps to take when you’re ready to buy. However, the market we’re in today is far from…

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Have Your Day in the Sun by Moving Up This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | June 11, 2021

Some Highlights Longer days and sunny weather mean summer is upon us, and what better conditions than right now to upgrade to the home of your dreams? If your needs have changed, it’s a great time to upgrade – there’s likely high demand for your current house, and today’s low mortgage rates can help you…

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Why This Is Not Like 2008 Again

By Cheryl Bower | June 10, 2021

During the Great Recession, just over a decade ago, the financial systems the world depended on started to collapse. It created a panic that drove some large companies out of business (ex. Lehman Brothers) and many more into bankruptcy. The financial crisis that accompanied the current pandemic caused hardship to certain industries and hurt many…

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Home Price Appreciation Is as Simple as Supply and Demand

By Cheryl Bower | June 9, 2021

Home price appreciation continues to accelerate. Today, prices are driven by the simple concept of supply and demand. Pricing of any item is determined by how many items are available compared to how many people want to buy that item. As a result, the strong year-over-year home price appreciation is simple to explain. The demand…

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