Buying Property

There have been a lot of shifts in the housing market recently. Mortgage rates rose dramatically last year, impacting many people’s ability to buy a home. And after several years of rapid price appreciation, home prices finally peaked last summer. These changes led to a rise in headlines saying prices would end up crashing.

Though the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy of a year ago, buyers are showing their interest in purchasing a home. According to U.S. News:

More homes are anticipated to hit the market this year, but still below pre-pandemic levels. Home price appreciation is slowing from the recent frenzy, mortgage rates are coming down, and inflation is easing. All great news for buyers. However, you will still need a competitive strategy to come out ahead. Here’s how to get started:

Residential listings are still too expensive for most island budgets, even though Maui home prices have dropped 13% since May 2022. Higher interest rates have pushed out many potential buyers, according to a  report by the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) released at the end of December.

If buying or selling a home is part of your dreams for 2023, it’s essential for you to understand today’s housing market, define your goals, and work with industry experts to bring your homeownership vision for the new year into focus.

Retirement often brings many life changes, including a lifestyle not centered around work. As your daily life changes, your housing needs may change too. The space may not fit your needs, or maybe you want to move to a different location. So, one of the key factors in planning your retirement is deciding where you will live, and whether you want to sell your home.

You may have heard how owning real estate is a key part of building generational wealth. Even if you are single or without children, there’s no denying the long-term financial benefits of owning a home. But if today’s housing market has you wondering if now’s still the time to buy, consider the non-financial and emotional reasons too.

With the rapid shift that’s happened in the housing market this year, some people are raising concerns that we’re destined for a repeat of the crash we saw in 2008. But in truth, there are many key differences between what’s happening today and the bubble in the early 2000s.

For over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes of their own. If you or a loved one have served, it’s important to understand this program and its benefits. Here are some things you should know about VA loans before you start the homebuying process.

While the Federal Reserve is working hard to bring down inflation, the latest data shows the inflation rate is still high, remaining around 8%. This news impacted the stock market and added fuel to the fire for conversations about a recession.

Knowing which financial weaknesses raise red flags for lenders, and avoiding them, can strengthen your chances of loan approval. Lenders are trained to spot financial mismanagement so they are careful to review your finances before they take you on as a mortgage client. A bad risk isn’t good for their business.

When looking for a new home, be sure to tally all the costs of buying and the ongoing costs associated with home ownership. This will help you make a realistic budget for the purchase and related costs to make the place your own. And, it’s best to have an idea of the costs before you even start looking for a new home.

Record prices in the housing market are easing up, but bidding wars continue in competitive areas. Silly misunderstandings or misinterpretations of real estate language can cost you the house of your dreams and you could find yourself back at square one in your search.

Your house has sold, and you have a new home to move into. Check that off your list. But that’s only part of the moving process. You can save money on the move and have extra cash for new accessories to make this home your own. Plan ahead and take advantages of freebies offered when moving to a new home.

Homebuyers looking for a bargain will have better luck finding deals on home décor at the dollar store than in housing this year. In some cases, even if a home needs major repairs, seller’s have the upper hand and can ask what they want. That’s because available houses are lagging far behind the demand.

When selling your home, you can expect the buyer to request a home inspection. It’s to the buyer’s benefit to identify any potential problems that owners have not already disclosed.

Members of the real estate industry are vigorous advocates for creating and maintaining the tax benefits of homeownership. When the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the standard deduction for taxpayers a few years ago, far fewer people itemized their expenses, missing out on deductions. However, even if you don’t itemize, there are tax benefits you’re entitled to as a homeowner.

Would you like to buy a new home, or first home, this year? Getting your finances into shape and a couple other key strategies will help you improve your home-buying odds. It’s a competitive market, so do everything you can to come out on top.

Last year was a robust for real estate sales for homes and condominiums. The number of single-family homes sold on Maui increased 30.1% in 2021 compared to the prior year, according to a recent report from the Realtors Association of Maui.

When the home buying process gets to the point of a serious offer, it is kind of an exciting thrill ride of ups and downs until closing. One of the big variables that can throw a monkey wrench in the works is when the appraisal comes in lower than the accepted offer. This can leave a seller feeling like they paid more for a home than it’s worth, or they must scramble to make up the difference with extra funds or the deal may fall through.