What's up with Housing?

After a crazy few years for the housing market, everybody wonders, "What's this year going to be like?" Is it a buyer's market? Is it a seller's market? Will prices come down? Here are three national predictions that might help answer your questions.

Will Home Prices Come Down?

One of the biggest questions I get is about prices. Many are wondering if and when they'll come down. Much of this concerns inventory or the number of homes on the market. Which is still low, so for now, home prices are predicted to stay up and increase this year.

What About Mortgage Rates?

Mortgage rates steadied and dropped slightly at the end of the year. Although they may dip a bit throughout the year, mortgage rates are expected to stay higher than in the last few years. This will likely be the case until the federal government meets its inflation goal.

Will Buyers or Sellers Have an Advantage?

With high mortgage rates, low inventory, and higher prices, it will remain a seller's market in 2024. There are more buyers than homes on the market.

These predictions are based on national opinions. I'd love to explain more about our local market predictions. Homeownership continues to be one of the best investments you can make. There are always opportunities for you to buy and sell. If you're considering a move this year, these market conditions require expert help. I'm here to help. Text, or call with any market questions.

Is Your Home Heart Healthy?

 

February is heart month! In addition to eating healthy, it's essential to get plenty of exercise. If you don't like going to a gym, creating your own workout space at home is the answer. Here are five steps to planning for a home gym that you’ll consistently use and that won't cost much.

Let Your Fitness Goals Guide Your Planning

When considering your home gym, consider your fitness goals and what exercises you like. Then, organize your space around that.

Find Your Space

​Find a suitable space by determining which exercises you’ll be doing and the equipment you'll be using. If you have more equipment, consider converting a spare bedroom or a place in your basement or garage to your gym. If you use less equipment, you could get by with a small corner in your bedroom or living room. Either way, dedicate this space so that you won't get distracted.

Create a Motivating Space

​When creating your gym, ensure it's where you like to be. Add speakers, a TV, inspiring quotes, and the proper lighting. If you enjoy being in the space, you’re more likely to use it more often.

Keep a Variety of Equipment

​Start with relatively inexpensive equipment like an exercise mat, resistance bands, stability balls, and a jump rope. Then, move on to larger equipment like a treadmill, punching bag, weights, and a bench.

Stick to Your Plan

​You have so many distractions that could make it challenging to stay focused and block out time to use your gym. If you need to stay focused, organize your workouts by subscribing to a workout routine that you can do at home. A set routine will help you stay with it.

Take these ideas to help you build your gym and work towards a heart-healthy lifestyle in your home. If you need more space for a home gym, I'd be happy to help guide you to your new house. Let's talk about your real estate needs. Give me a call to set up a time to meet.

Celebrate Love - Today and Every Day

 

On Valentine's Day, gestures of love come easily. The ambiance, awash in red and pink, encourages even hesitant hearts to speak up. Streets brim with flowers, chocolates, and myriad gifts, tempting us to demonstrate our feelings in tangible ways. And that's a heartwarming tradition.

But let's not forget: Valentine's Day is not solely about the affection between couples. It's a tribute to every bond we cherish, to the families we're born into, and to the families we choose.

Consistent love, however, isn’t just about the grand gestures on one special day. It’s about the thousand little things we do throughout the year. Anyone can pick out a bouquet or a card, but navigating the stormy seas of disagreement, or understanding when to give space, that's where the depth of a relationship truly shines.

Sometimes, it's wiser to let the dust of conflict settle before attempting a resolution. As opposed to the age-old advice of "never going to bed angry," many have found clarity in taking a moment of pause. A break can often offer perspective, turning mountains back into molehills. But once you have that clarity, approach the issue head-on and seek understanding.

Embrace your loved ones — literally. When words fall short, a heartfelt hug or a tender kiss can bridge gaps like nothing else can. We're beings driven by emotions and chemistry, not just logic. When stress levels peak, our bodies produce stress hormones. But a simple embrace? It floods us with feel-good chemicals, soothing frayed nerves and melting away trivial disagreements.

The essence of growing in a relationship is not to sidestep conflicts, but to understand which battles are worth fighting and which aren't. To differentiate between the fleeting moments of discord and the enduring love that's worth nurturing.

As the years go by, love evolves. The ways you've celebrated it in the past may not resonate now. And that's okay. Keep rediscovering love, and keep celebrating it in ways that are authentic to you.

Wishing you a Valentine’s Day filled with love, today and always!