Cheryl Bower's Real Estate Blog

Winning as a Buyer in a Sellers’ Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | December 11, 2020

Some Highlights Buying a home in today’s sellers’ market doesn’t have to feel like an uphill battle. Here are four ways to make sure you’re positioned for success when making a home purchase, even when the scale tips toward sellers. Let’s connect to make sure you’re armed for victory in the housing market this season.

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Why It Makes Sense to Sell Your House This Holiday Season

By Cheryl Bower | December 10, 2020

If you’re one of the many homeowners thinking about taking your house off the market for the holidays, hang on. You definitely don’t want to miss the great selling opportunity you have right now. Here’s why this month is the optimal time to make sure your house is available for holiday buyers. The latest Existing Home…

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Are Home Prices Headed Toward Bubble Territory?

By Cheryl Bower | December 9, 2020

Talk of a housing bubble is beginning to crop up as home prices have appreciated at a rapid pace this year. This is understandable since the appreciation of residential real estate is well above historic annual averages. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), annual appreciation since 1991 has averaged 3.8%. Here are the…

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An Honest Look at Unemployment Numbers

By Cheryl Bower | December 8, 2020

Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the November Jobs Report. It revealed that, though headed in the right direction, the nation’s job recovery has slowed. The consensus reaction is best exemplified by a quote from Glassdoor Senior Economist, Daniel Zhao: “We saw positive job gains, but I think the sentiment is largely negative…

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How Remote Work Can Power Your Vacation Home Sale

By Cheryl Bower | December 7, 2020

This year, the opportunity to work remotely has increased the demand for vacation homes. Gay Cororaton, Senior Economist and Director of Housing and Commercial Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), notes: “Working from home is a positive factor in demand for vacation homes.” Buyers are taking advantage of the fact that working from…

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The Path to Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Cheryl Bower | December 4, 2020

Some Highlights If you’re thinking of buying a home and not sure where to start, you’re not alone. Here’s a map with 10 simple steps to follow in the homebuying process. Let’s connect today to discuss the specific steps along the way in our local area.

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A New Way to Shop for Homes in a Virtual World

By Cheryl Bower | December 3, 2020

In a year when we’re learning to do so much remotely, homebuying is no exception. From going to work to attending school, grocery shopping, and even seeing our doctors online, digital practices have changed the way we live. This year, rather than delaying their home purchases, buyers – alongside their trusted real estate professionals –…

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With Home Values Surging, Is it Still Affordable to Buy Right Now?

By Cheryl Bower | December 2, 2020

Housing inventory is at an all-time low. Realtor.com just reported that there are 39% fewer homes for sale today than there were last year. At the same time, buyer demand remains strong. In a recent newsletter, research analyst Ivy Zelman explained: “Although the headwind of severe supply constraints in most markets has contributed to slight…

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Knowledge Is Power on the Path to Homeownership

By Cheryl Bower | December 1, 2020

Homeownership is on the goal list for many young adults, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly how to get there. From understanding the homebuying process to pre-approval and down payment assistance options, uncertainty along the way can ultimately hold some buyers back. Today, there are over 75 million Millennials and 67 million Gen Z’ers…

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5 Tips for Homebuyers Who Want to Make a Competitive Offer

By Cheryl Bower | November 30, 2020

Today’s real estate market has high buyer interest and low housing inventory. With so many buyers competing for a limited number of homes, it’s more important than ever to know the ins and outs of making a confident and competitive offer. Here are five keys to success for this important stage in the homebuying process.…

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