Not unlike the stock market, real estate has its ups and down and thankfully, the real estate market has made a dramatic turnaround. Once again, most folks have positive equity in their homes. In the last year alone, depending on your area of the country, there have been some very substantial gains in value.
If you have been thinking about a change in lifestyle – perhaps having more freedom with a downsized home or even condo to escape the chores and maintenance expense that go along with home ownership – maybe it is time to look at selling your home and investing that appreciation. Your home equity can open doors for your next lifestyle choice!
Parent minus children equal empty nesters. Is that you? What to do becomes the question. You could remodel to the needs of your current lifestyle however, you seldom recover the cost and may make changes that will lower the value of your home. Selling now in a seller’s market is another option and one that will probably bring you the greatest return on your investment.
Sometimes, moving on makes more sense. It is an opportunity to redefine your lifestyle and your needs. Closing doors simply means opening new ones. Time to enjoy life.
We have been talking about appreciation and improved equity – and how to best utilize it to provide what is right for you now. Have a look at the chart and then talk to your favorite real estate agent to find out the value of your home today. Curious?
Ride the wave of the seller’s market – repurpose your investment – enjoy life and all it has to offer! Up to you to decide if you really need the big home or if selling it nets out to more monthly cash available to do what you want to do. Think about it – a change that gives you $500, $1000, $1500, or more a month that is no longer needed to maintain a home. What does that do for you?
I am working with someone right now – not as her agent, but as her friend and letting a local agent actually handle the transaction for her. When we are finished, she will have around $2000 a month in more spendable cash! She can do what she wants, visit her kids and the grands – and quite simply, not have to stress over what is going to need fix’n next. Thank on it. My point in sharing that with you is simple. I live what I share here, this is not hype!
To buy or to rent – and that IS the question. It requires your personal answer. If you are staying in your hometown, the decision is less risky. You look at your situation and decide if financially and freedom of responsibility is better one way or the other. If you are relocating, then I strongly urge you to rent the first year. Make sure you have chosen the right area (vacations there do not necessarily give you an informed decision making background) – and if it is the right area, a year to explore will let you make a comfortable choice about neighborhood. You do want to get it right – right?
So why hire a professional? Well, for one thing – that is how we make a living. OK, just kidding here – while that is true, this article, this blog is about you. And, now may be a good time to answer the question about why I write this blog in the first place and the reason is the same one at the top of the list on why you should hire an agent.
To help the Sellers and the Buyers understand the process! To educate. To facilitate.
Now, enough about me. You can find the benefits described in the article – just click on the green link above. If there are other subjects you would like me to write about, let me know. You can even call me if you want. I did not used to be an agent – my background is business. Let’s do business now in real estate!