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Combating Work from Home Fatigue

We may not have control around when things will get back to normal, but we do have control over our mindset and our space. Below we have outlined ways you can make your home and life continue to optimally function while your home is multi-tasking.

Currently, in the middle of October, we find ourselves seven months into the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of the workforce is still working from home and the perks of commuting two minutes down the hall and attending department meetings in pajama pants are starting to wear off.

Who knew our homes would also become a workplace, recreation hub, and in some cases – school? A recent survey by conducted by architecture and design firm, Vocon, found that employers are starting to witness a decrease in productivity with many employees are eager to get back to the office.

We may not have control around when things will get back to normal, but we do have control over our mindset and our space. Below we have outlined ways you can make your home and life continue to optimally function while your home is multi-tasking.

Have a Clear Division of Space

Separate your working areas from the leisure areas if possible. Try to set up a designated home office that serves the purpose of strictly working. If this is not possible, try to pick any space but your bedroom. Your mental health will appreciate the separation of work and relaxation by keeping the office away from where you sleep.

Know When to Stop Working

When your work is right at your fingertips it is tempting to check your email at 10:30 pm as you get into bed with your tablet. Make a conscious effort to disconnect from work outside of your work hours. The reality is that email can most likely wait until the next day and your work performance will benefit greatly when you don’t become resentful about being always plugged in. 

Practice Mindfulness to Make Transitions

One of the difficulties about working from home is the indistinct way the day unfolds. We experience significant brain drain when we move from one task to the next without a clear transition. Before beginning the work day take a couple of minutes to take some deep breaths and set some intentions for your workflow. Additionally, when you finish working take 5 minutes to practice a quick meditation to clear your mind. This will allow you to disengage from work stressors and be ready for home and family life.

The reality is we are all juggling a lot more than we are used to within the confines of our home. Nobody is immune from the inconveniences and irritants of being home 90% of our time. Remember that perfection is unattainable.

However, what do you do when your space is just NOT conducive to all these tasks it is now expected to host? If you have tried various setups, I recommend first asking for an outside opinion who can give you advice on solving your space and function challenges. However, there are some spaces that are just not destined to be functional in the way you are envisioning. If you are ready to think about a big change, give me a call. I would be happy to think outside the box with you and see if there is another space on the market that is a better fit for today’s needs as well as what tomorrow may bring.

Are Your Finances Ready for Homeownership?

Owning real estate is a key component of the American Dream. Are your finances ready for your first homeownership purchase – or an upgrade?

Most people only prepare themselves for the mortgage application and home buying process.

They think about their credit rating and how much they have saved for a down payment and closing costs.

However, it is important to remember there are other expenses that need to be taken into account that are associated with owning a home.

Owning real estate is a key component of the American Dream. Are your finances ready for your first homeownership purchase – or an upgrade? Most people only prepare themselves for the mortgage application and home buying process.

They think about their credit rating and how much they have saved for a down payment and closing costs. However, it is important to remember there are other expenses that need to be taken into account that are associated with owning a home:

Home Maintenance

After the home purchase is complete, homeowners can expect to have ongoing home maintenance. It is recommended that each year homeowners set aside 1% of their home’s value for maintenance costs. That means if you are buying a home for $500,000, having $5,000 in home maintenance is on par. Replacing a room or furnace can take a big chunk out of this budget and need to be prepared for.

Utilities

Utilities are another cost that tend to increase after purchasing a home. People who are used to their landlord footing the bill for these or paying less in a smaller space when upgrading can be surprised when those first bills begin to arrive.  I advise asking the seller for what was paid in utilities in the last year.

HOA

If you are moving to an area with an HOA or Condo Association, the regular payment amount is usually listed front and center. But what about special assessments or if the HOA votes for an increase? When buying in an HOA, I encourage buyers to review the HOA minutes for the last year or so to make sure the HOA is financially sound, is functional, and see if there are clues regarding upcoming assessments.

Furnishing

A survey on consumer spending data conducted by the National Association of Builders found that new homeowners spend $4,500 more per year on appliances, furnishing, and home improvements than a similar non-moving homeowner. In fact, a non-moving homeowner will spend about $7,568 per year on furnishings and upgrades, where new homebuyers will spend $12,023.

To be comfortable in your new home and to avoid surprises, take all of these factors into account to determine the true cost of owning a house and make sure it is affordable. Overall, the costs of homeownership are well worth the sense of pride in calling something your own. And don’t forget about how homeownership builds your net worth! If you are thinking about a purchase or an upgrade, let’s talk! We can discuss your goals and I can help you determine if your dreams fall in line with your finances.

Real Estate Market on Track for Strong Summer

Despite the current state of our world being what it is, the real estate market is showing no signs of slowing down as we head into summer.

Kittitas county in particular appears to be healthy as ever — home values grew an astonishing 2.9% from April 2019 to April 2020. Read our latest blog post to learn more!

The coronavirus pandemic created an economic freefall experienced across the country this spring, causing a lot of uncertainties in the real estate market.

At a time when the real estate is gearing up for its hottest season of the year, the country was experiencing record unemployment claims. Some sellers have cancelled their listings, while many opted to wait to list their homes until things settled down.

Here’s the good news: stay-at-home orders are being lifted across the nation and we are finding our new normal as the real estate market shows promise for a strong resurgence this summer.

Summer Will Pick Up Spring’s Slack

Experts predict that the summer will be hotter than usual as it picks up some of traffic that the spring season would have seen.

Chief Economist Danielle Hale, from Realtor.com, told Yahoo Finance, “There are a lot of indicators showing that the summer is going to be a good period for the housing market. I think we’re going to see some of the buying that would have happened in the spring shift into the summer.”

Housing prices and mortgage applications support these predictions.

Mortgage Applications

Heading into the month of March, mortgage rates were starting to rise, making a promise for a spring market with a lot of pent up demand as buyers tried to lock in rates before seeing any additional increases.

However, as the pandemic set in, mortgage rates dropped to a 30 year low. This, in combination with Americans who are ready to resume life despite the pandemic, has caused a surge in mortgage applications.

Data from the Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey conducted by the Mortgage Bankers Association shows that mortgage applications have increased in the beginning of June by 13% higher than June of 2019.

Housing Prices

Throughout the pandemic, housing values have shown resiliency. In April the median home value in the Cle Elum area increased by 2.9% of the year prior and by mid-May values had increased by 1.8% year over year. Even June saw growth over last year’s performance, finishing the month with a current median home price of

Rising home values coupled with historically low rates and lower available inventory indicate an active and busy summer real estate market.

Here’s a look at how our local market is shaping up:

 May 2019May 2020
Homes Sold91
Median Home Value$338,000$342,000
Avg. Days on Market29

During an unprecedented time, it is reassuring the see the real estate market recovering in this strong of a manner. If you were planning to make a move in real estate this year, the summer is looking to be a great season to do it.

Why the Housing Market Will Remain Strong Despite Social Distancing

A lot has changed in our world over the past couple of months and we are facing an unprecedented situation unlike anything the world has ever seen. Everyday life has changed tremendously for nearly everyone in the world and naturally, people are examining the short-term and long-term implications of these changes.

Despite the major impact on our global economy, the real estate market in the United States is showing promising signs that it will weather this storm

A lot has changed in our world over the past couple of months and we are facing an unprecedented situation unlike anything the world has ever seen. Everyday life has changed tremendously for nearly everyone in the world and naturally, people are examining the short-term and long-term implications of these changes.

Despite the major impact on our global economy, the real estate market in the United States is showing promising signs that it will weather this storm.

Business is Being Conducted Virtually

The real estate industry is responding to the coronavirus crisis just like the rest of the world — it is adapting. We are seeing many new ways to conduct business while maintaining social distancing. Title companies are performing drive-through closings that allow both buyers and sellers to sign required documents without going into the office. Mortgage lenders are relying on their already-established virtual capabilities for accepting applications and receiving documentation.

Realtors are finding creative ways of showing properties without having buyers physically present by relying on “virtual tours” and utilizing tools like Facebook Live to conduct open houses. Sellers are opting for “touch free” showings by leaving cabinets and closet doors open.

Buyers Eager to Purchase

Despite the current coronavirus outbreak, buyers are still showing many signs of urgency within the market. Mortgage rates still hover around all-time lows, and those in favorable economic conditions want to buy a home now to take advantage of these rates.

The number of video tour requests for showings has been steadily rising. A recent poll conducted by RedFin showed that many buyers are opting to make an offer on a property sight unseen. They are making offers after seeing properties through virtual tours. Last week 12% of offers made were by customers who had toured the home only by video, up from 6% last week and nearly 0% at the beginning of March. 

Pent-Up Housing Demand

Historically, spring has been the hottest season for real estate. Currently, the number of listings on the market has decreased from last year. However, it is promising that once the social distancing has finished, there will still be a great number of homeowners that need to sell, and buyers who want to move forward.

Before social distancing was implemented, the real estate market throughout much of the country was experiencing low inventory. In many areas new construction builds were not considered essential services, therefore drastically decreasing the number of new builds available for purchase. This will create an even greater shortage of inventory and retain value for the existing homes being listed for sale.

Ultimately, the majority of Americans still feel like it is a good time to buy or sell a property. Although it feels like the world has come to a halt, there are still houses being listed, buyers looking to purchase and real estate professionals ready to help.

How to Find a Home With Good Resale Value

What if we gave you advice to think about selling your home while you are buying it? Most buyers look at potential homes with a very narrow lens based on their personal taste.

While it is smart to make sure that a home will fit your wants and needs, you should also consider what the average home buyer will be looking for when buying a house.

A home purchase is an investment and it is wise to consider resale value while making a purchase.

What is Resale Value?

Resale value is a term used in real estate defined as the estimated value a house would sell for at market in the future. Some things that affect resale value are home improvements, location, and the age and condition of the home.

Location & Amenities

One of the biggest factors that affects resale value is one you cannot change about it, the location. Proximity to local amenities such as shopping, healthcare, and restaurants is appealing to many buyers.

Consider its distance from major routes and highways that can give owners ease of commute.

Conversely, make sure the street itself that the house sits on is nice and quiet. Although buyers want to get to a highway quickly, they don’t want it next to their backyard.

Good School District

A well-esteemed school district is another great selling point for homes on the market. Many buyers are looking for homes where they know they have access to quality public education for their children.

While this isn’t important to every buyer, it is non-negotiable for many. Buying a home in a good school district will make it easier to sell when it is time.

Major Systems in Good Repair

One of the biggest turn-offs for buyers are major systems that need to be replaced in a home.

When they see major maintenance that will need to be addressed within the first 3 years of living there, they also see dollar signs that they don’t want to spend.

Having heating and cooling units that are updated and properly maintained will go a long way. A roof that is under 10 years old will also help you sell your property quicker.

An Appealing Floor Plan

Purchase a home that can work for a variety of home buyers. If you are considering making renovations, don’t make them so personal that they will dissuade buyers from purchasing your house.

Do not close off rooms; keep an open floor plan. Avoid home improvements like putting a master bedroom in the basement.

Even if you feel you have found your forever home it is still prudent to think about how well your house would sell in the real estate market. Unforeseen life events may result in a need for you to sell your home quickly.

Consider resale value while purchasing your next home. A home that retains resale value will allow your real estate investment to make money. Ready to make a good investment? Contact us today!

Tips for Buying a Home in a Low Inventory Market

Many real estate markets across the United States are currently experiencing low inventory. Several factors contribute to low inventory in markets, but the largest driving factor right now are low-interest rates — buyers want to take advantage of these rates before they rise and are eager to enter the housing market.

However, many homeowners already have low-interest rates on their homes and may not be keen on selling and moving. Navigating a market with limited inventory can be an extra challenge, but it can be done successfully when following this advice:

1- Be Financially Secure

Take the appropriate steps to have your financing secured before you go to look at houses. Get a mortgage pre-approval and have all the necessary documentation ready to send into your lender. Do not enter the housing market until you are fully financially prepared with a solid down payment and a reputable loan. This will help you stand out to sellers when you make an offer on a house. 

2- Be Realistic About What You Can Afford

Most homebuyers do not buy the perfect house. The truth is the average home buyer does not have an unlimited budget and therefore must make compromises on their home purchase. Keep an open mind while looking at houses and understand that the goal is to find a home that meets all of your needs and most of your wants. Be open to making changes to a home to create the exact home you are looking for. 

3- Avoid Looking at Houses at the Very Top of Your Budget.

In low inventory markets, houses tend to sell over asking price due to competition amongst buyers. Therefore, it is wise to stay away from homes that are at the absolute top of your price range. If you are approved for $350,000 it is wise to look at home $340,000 or less which will allow you to bid a little higher on a house. Also, you won’t fall in love with a house that ultimately, you won’t be able to buy. 

4- Put Your Best Offer Forward

In low inventory markets, it is critical that you put your best offer forward. Most likely, you will be competing against other offers, therefore, there typically isn’t a lot of negotiating that goes on. 

5- Be Ready To Move

Real estate markets with low inventory turn over quickly. Most buyers and sellers have contingencies on other contracts that restrict the amount of time before they can close. The average contract length is shorter and requires you as a buyer, to be ready to move quickly. Start packing and researching your moving options while you are looking for options, so the moving process is as seamless as possible once you’re under contract. 

Purchasing the home you want is possible even in a market with limited inventory. Be prepared and manage your expectations throughout the process and ultimately you will find a home that you love. 

Tax Write-Offs For Homeowners

According to Benjamin Franklin, there are two things certain in life: death and taxes. The good news is that there are many tax benefits associated with homeownership. The below tax benefits may be utilized by homeowners, but you should ask your accountant how these may be applied to your situation. 

Home Owner Tax Deductions

Each year homeowners are allowed to deduct the interest payments made on their mortgage loan from their federal taxable income as well as the amount paid in property taxes. Under the new Tax Reform and Jobs Act, there is no longer an income elimination for mortgage interest deductions. However, there is a cap of $10,000 on the amount of property taxes that can be deducted from federal taxable income. 

Another possible deduction is your mortgage insurance premium. This also can be deducted from your taxable income if your adjusted gross income is less than $109,000 married filing joint, or $54,500 filing separately. 

Taxes and Selling Your Home

Purchasing real estate is often called one of the best financial investments because the equity you gain on a personal residence is tax-free…with restrictions. Homeowners do not need to pay tax on income received from a home sale as long as they’ve lived in the home for the past 2 years, or have resided in the home for 2 out of the last 5 years and if they have made less in profit than $250,000 if filing single, $500,000 if filing jointly. If sellers meet these requirements, it means they do not have to pay taxes on the profits from selling their house, although there is additional math involved to verify if anything is owed. 

Tax Deductions While Buying a Home

Many new homebuyers question whether or not they can itemize closing costs on their tax return. Most closing costs are not tax-deductible. Pre-paid interest and discount points are the only two that can be deducted. The pre-paid mortgage interest can be deducted all at once, but under the new Tax Reform and Jobs Act, discount points must be prorated over the term of the loan. 

Home Repairs and Renovations

The expenses from home renovations and repairs are not tax-deductible. You may be able to deduct these expenses from your business income if you operate a business out of your home and hang onto those receipts as expenses for improvements may be deducted when determining capital gains. Additionally, the interest paid on a home equity loan can be deducted on your tax return, but only if the proceeds from the loan were used for repairs and renovations on the home. 

Homeowner Expenses That Are Not Tax Deductible:

  • Closing costs such as Appraisal Fees, Title Insurance, and Credit Report Fees.
  • Down Payments or Earnest Money Deposits
  • Homeowners Insurance
  • Homeowner Association Fees
  • Transfer Taxes
  • Utility Costs

Speak with your tax professional about which deductions you are eligible for and whether or not it is in your best interest to itemize the various homeowner costs on your tax return this year.

2020 Real Estate Predictions

Now that 2019 has officially come to an end, we take a look at what’s ahead for 2020. Our predictions are based on market research, professional insight, and nearly ten years of experience in the industry. Read ahead for an insider’s look at the biggest trends in real estate coming this year.

Now that 2019 has officially come to an end, we take a look at what’s ahead for 2020. Our predictions are based on market research, professional insight, and nearly ten years of experience in the industry. Read ahead for an insider’s look at the biggest trends in real estate coming this year.

2019 Summary:

Our national real estate market had a strong recovery from the recession over the last decade. Our country saw strong economic growth, low unemployment — which reached a 50-year low in September— and strong gross domestic product (GDP). This led to high demand for housing and strong house price growth for several years, an increase from the modest growth seen in the year prior. Demand was also driven by interest rates, which remained at a historically low rate, allowing for more buyers with more buying power to enter the market. However, buyers were also hampered with lack of inventory caused by high demand, lack of new construction, and subsequent high price growth, choking affordability. In other words — buyer demand was already too high for this growth to continue. 

Although inventory levels improved last year in some areas across various types of housing product, lack of affordable housing and a limited inventory of in-demand home styles are both causing an unbalanced inventory situation. To put it simply, some price points and types of housing are seeing extreme demand while other types and prices are lingering on the market.

What can we expect in 2020?:

  1. Housing Inventory – One of the biggest issues our country has is the lack of affordable inventory of the types of housing that are in highest demand. One of the biggest themes in 2020 is what some are calling “The Haystack Crisis”– namely, a continuing lack of inventory that will frustrate buyers because they are continually hard-pressed to find what they are looking for – the proverbial needle in the haystack. Inventory of some types of housing will be sufficient for the demand – such as the high-end market, larger homes, and some rural and suburban areas. In contrast, urban areas, smaller homes in sought-after areas, and affordable homes will experience high demand.   
  2. Housing Starts/New Construction – A new construction shortage began accumulating in 2009,  which has resulted in our country being 3.24 million units short of what we need to meet demand in 2019. Our country currently needs to build 1.62 million units per year to keep up with demand for new construction (not including the deficit), the increase in population, and replacement of old structures. Due to builders leaving the business post-recession, increases in expenses due to lack of qualified tradespeople, rising prices on building supplies and land costs, increased build time, newly-added requirements based on water and environmental issues, and increased permitting time, we expect this situation will continue to worsen and may even result in a shortage of 3.98 million units by 2022.    
  3. Home Price Growth – Nationally,  the October year-over-year median sales price grew 6.2% to $270,900 according to the National Association of REALTORS®. This was the 92nd consecutive month of year-over-year gains. We predict that national median sales prices will continue to grow between 3.6%-5.3% in 2020. 
  4. Interest Rates – Over the last 200+ years, the average interest rate has been 5.18%. We have been spoiled by historically-low rates, which is keeping the wheels of our real estate market nicely greased. Although the Federal Reserve raised rates in 2018, they trimmed them back in 2019, trying to boost slowing global growth. We expect they could actually reduce them again over the next several months. According to Freddie Mac, the average mortgage rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage began the year at 4.51% and has been heading downward, bottoming out at 3.49% as of September 5, 2019. As of 12/12/19 it was 3.73%.  

There are several issues that may affect the real estate market in unforeseen ways in 2020 including potential trade wars, political uncertainty, the level of national debt, the upcoming Presidential election, and growing environmental concerns. However, those unpredictable factors are what make our job so exciting (and important!) We would love to help you navigate the real estate market this year — please reach out if you are interested in learning more about services.
For additional information and predictions on our local market, please call or text: (425) 327-3915 or send an email to colette@therardenteam.com.

The Top 5 Benefits of Selling Your Home in the Fall

Are you ready to move today? Don’t wait until Spring to list when you can get your house sold NOW! Despite what you may have heard, there are a lot of reasons why fall might actually be the best time to sell your home.

Less Competition

One of the perks of listing your home in autumn is that there is far less competition in the market. Since most home owners decide to list during the spring and summer, you won’t have to try and stand out amongst hordes of homes.

Higher Sales Price

Another bonus to listing your house in the fall is a higher sales price. You will be looking at the summer activity and what homes sold for during those months to determine how to list your house. The homes that sold in the summer will also be used as comparables on your appraisal which can yield a higher value.

More Serious Buyers

Buyers who are purchasing during the autumn typically have a sense of urgency in their home buying process. Often they have been looking through the warmer months and haven’t been able to find the right home for whatever reason. By the time fall comes around they are ready to buy and close on their new home. This also means fewer showings of buyers who are just trying to see “what’s out there” on the market.

Past the Back-to-School Slump

Contrary to what many people believe, August, one of the summer months, is actually one of the worst months to list your house. Many buyers with kids prefer to be settled in August, not go under contract. Their reasoning is so they will have time to unpack and settle in before school starts.

Homeowners who list in August may find themselves surprised by how little traffic they get coming into their home. Listing in the fall allows home owners to avoid the back to school slump in the real estate season.

Home for the Holidays

An added benefit to selling your house in the fall is getting settled into your new home for the holidays. Buying a house in the fall means you’ll start creating new holiday traditions and memories in your home right away.

Don’t let the real estate summer myth dissuade you from listing your house during autumn. You may be pleasantly surprised by all of the benefits to selling your home during the fall months.

Investment Property Expenses: The Basics

If you are considering purchasing an income-producing property, whether to be used as a short-term or long-term rental, it’s important to keep in mind that the rent (potential income) received is usually the most-attractive part of ownership — along with anticipated appreciation. However, your expenses will typically take a huge bite out of that income, so the potential gross income is not as important to your bottom line as the potential net income. 

Below are some of the general expenses that accompany owning both short-term and long-term property rentals. These lists will provide you with a framework to discover everything you can about a property’s historic expenses before purchasing, so you can make sure the real income and expenses fall in line with your expectations: 

Short-Term Property Rentals:

  • Mortgage (if applicable)
  • Property Taxes
  • Insurance
  • Property Management (if applicable)
  • Utilities
    • These are typically covered by the owner in a short-term rental
  • HOA dues – if your home is located in a HOA or condo association
  • Advertising/Booking Service (such as Airbnb or VRBO)
  • Landscaping
    • Includes garden maintenance, lawn-mowing, and tree-trimming
  • Cleaning 
  • Paper Supplies
    • Paper towels, toilet paper, etc.
  • Local Occupancy/Income Taxes
  • Local Permits
  • General Maintenance

Long-Term Property Rentals:

  • Mortgage (if applicable)
  • Property Taxes
  • Insurance
  • Property Management (if applicable)
  • Utilities
    • Some utility expenses might be owner responsibility while others may get passed on to the tenant
  • HOA dues – if your home is located in a HOA or condo association
  • Advertising (when vacant)
  • Landscaping
    • Includes garden maintenance, lawn-mowing, and tree-trimming
  • Local Income Taxes 
  • Local Permits
  • Maintenance

Remember, real vacancy rates will also take a bite out of income! 

Something else we haven’t accounted for here are the tax benefits of owing an income-producing property. Although you will want to form a tax strategy with your accountant, make sure he or she fully understands how to use the tax code to your best interest. 

One other thing to keep in mind as you calculate potential income and expenses is that time is usually on the side of the investor. The amount received in rent usually increases per year, while expenses may not increase as rapidly, and if any mortgage is at a fixed rate, that amount won’t increase at all.

It is important to get the full financial big picture on a property before moving forward. If you are just beginning to think about an investment property, let’s discuss! There are plenty of available opportunities here in the Cle Elum area.