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Author: Seth Pfaehler

Why Now Could Be the Sweet Spot for Sellers

Over the past year, a lot of people put their moving plans on hold. Affordability weakened, and it was harder to find a home in budget, especially when inventory was so low. But things are shifting in a big way. Today, a rare balance is emerging — more choices when you buy, but still strong conditions when you sell.

If you stepped back from your plans last year, your trusted REMAX® agent wants you to know: the door is opening again. The only question is, will you walk through it before it closes?

Inventory Is Up — And That Changes the Game

Last year, the lack of options made it hard to make a move. There just wasn’t enough out there. And when something did pop up, it disappeared fast (or it wasn’t at your price point). And why sell your current home if it’s not clear if you can find another one you’d love?

This is why 70% of buyers decided to abandon their search last year.

But today, inventory is on the rise. Builders are building more homes. Sellers are listing their homes and re-entering the market. So, now you have choices that help you go from feeling stuck to maybe feeling ready to move again.

With more listings available and slightly more breathing room, many who paused before are starting to search again. And savvy sellers who act now can still capitalize on that pent-up demand.

The Real Sweet Spot

You might be wondering: if more homes are for sale now, does that mean it’ll be harder to sell your current home? Not quite.

Data from Realtor.com shows inventory is up 30.6% compared to this time last year. But overall inventory levels are still about 16% lower than what’s considered a normal market (see graph below):

a graph of a sales reportBasically, you’re not stuck anymore. But you’re not competing with a flood of listings either. That’s a seller sweet spot.

So, you have more homes to choose from when you move, but there still aren’t too many for sale. 

That means your current home shouldn’t have any trouble attracting a lot of interest, especially if you lean on your REMAX agent to make sure it’s well-priced and well-prepped.

But this sweet spot may not last. Inventory has been climbing for over a year and a half now. And Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, says even more growth is coming:

“The fact that inventory is rising year-over-year . . . strongly suggests that national active housing inventory for sale is likely to end the year higher.”

Basically, if you wait too long, your home will be competing with your neighbors — and that could impact your ability to sell quickly and for top dollar. This is exactly the type of local insight only your REMAX agent can give you.

Bottom Line

This rare balance won’t last forever. The window is open, but it’s closing little by little as more listings hit the market.

Reach out to your trusted REMAX agent. That way, you can decide if this sweet spot in your area is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

What Waiting To Buy Could Cost You

A lot of people want to buy a home, but they feel stuck in “wait and see” mode. Maybe you’re one of them. You’re holding your breath, hoping prices will fall or rates will come back down. But while you’re waiting, the market is moving — without you.

The reality is, trying to time the market rarely works. The longer you sit on the sidelines, the harder it may get to jump in later. That’s why your trusted REMAX® agent is here to share a simple but powerful truth: Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market.

Prices May Continue To Go Up While You Wait

Homeownership is about the long game — and home prices typically rise over time. Even though the days of double-digit price jumps are behind us, steady growth is expected for the foreseeable future.

In fact, each quarter, more than 100 industry professionals weigh in through the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES) from Fannie Mae. And based on that data, home prices will rise nationally through at least 2029. Not runaway growth — just healthy, sustainable appreciation around 3-4% per year (see graph below):

a graph of blue bars with white textAnd that’s exactly what makes the next few years such a critical window for buyers. It means prices will continue to rise nationally. Sure, there will be some areas where price trends vary. Let’s say a local market has a surplus of homes for sale — that could result in prices easing in that market. But even in markets experiencing more modest price growth or slight short-term declines, the long game of homeownership usually wins over time. 

In most areas, prices will only inch higher in the years ahead. And that could cost you more if you wait.

 How Much Waiting Could Cost You

Let’s put this into perspective, because it can add up quickly. In this example, let’s say you’re looking for a $400,000 home. Based on the HPES forecasts, that same home could be worth nearly $80,000 more just five years from now (see graph below):

That’s $80K you could be gaining in home value — or losing out on if you keep sitting on the sidelines. 

Next year’s home prices will likely be higher than this year’s. And that’ll happen each year for at least the next five years. That’s the time in the market piece. Once you buy, the value of your home will likely climb over time, giving you more equity and wealth.

So, here’s what to keep in mind. Even if mortgage rates come down slightly (and that’s a big “if”), you’re still looking at a higher purchase price a few years from now. 

Real estate rewards those who act, not those who wait for the stars to align.

So, When’s the Right Time To Move?

Only you can answer that. If you need to move and you can make the numbers work right now, it may be worth taking the plunge. Waiting could end up costing you far more than jumping in now. And if you have to adjust your price point or look into assistance programs to get your foot in the door, chances are that’s worth doing.

Your trusted REMAX agent and a great lender will help you understand your options and guide you through smart next steps. Because the reality is, there may never be a “perfect” market — but there is a perfect time for you based on your goals.

The key is making a move that sets you up for success, instead of missing out while you wait for a future that may not unfold the way you hope.

Bottom Line

When it comes to buying a home, the saying still holds true: yesterday was the best time to buy, but the next best time is today.

Are you curious about what home prices are doing in our local market? Reach out to your trusted REMAX agent for the latest data. Let’s take a look together, talk about what’s possible, and see if moving now makes sense for you.

More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It’s Your Buying Opportunity

Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash.

But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place.

What’s Going on With Inventory?

Based on the latest data from Realtor.com, inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below.

But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray):

a graph of different colored linesThat means there are more homes for sale now than there have been in quite some time.

And while it’s true inventory is up significantly compared to where it was over the last few years, the number of homes on the market is still well below typical levels. And that’s important context.

Why This Isn’t the Problem A Lot of People Think It Is

Some people hear inventory’s rising and immediately think about 2008. Because back then, inventory spiked just before the market crashed. But today’s situation is very different.

Here’s the key reason why. We don’t have a surplus of homes; we have a deficit to climb out of. What we’re dealing with is a long-term housing shortage – and it’s a big one.

The red bars in the graph below show all the years where housing starts (new builds) didn’t keep up with household formation, going all the way back to 2012. The deeper the bars in the graph, the more the housing deficit grew (see graph below):

a graph of a graph showing the value of a housing deficitAnd one of the reasons this housing shortage kept growing is because new home construction just didn’t keep up with the number of people who need to buy homes. In fact, the U.S. is actually short millions of homes at this point, and it will take years to overcome that gap. Realtor.com says:

“At a 2024 rate of construction relative to household formations and pent-up demand, it would take 7.5 years to close the housing gap.”

That means, in most areas, there isn’t a risk of having too many houses on the market right now. It’s quite the opposite – a vast majority of markets actually need more homes.

Which is why, even though inventory is rising, it’s not a problem on a national scale. It’s just helping to fill a gap that’s been growing for years.

Bottom Line

Don’t let the headlines scare you. Rising inventory isn’t a sign of a crash. It’s a step toward a more normal, stable housing market.

What Buyers Need To Know About Homeowners Association Fees

When buying a home, you’re probably thinking about mortgage rates, home prices, your down payment, and maybe even your closing costs. But you may not be thinking about homeowners association (HOA) fees. While you won’t necessarily have these, you should know it’s a possibility, depending on where you decide to live.

A homeowners association is basically an organization that oversees a housing community (including shared spaces) and sets and enforces rules for things like upkeep. Some buyers love the perks that come with an HOA, others may see the fees as an extra expense. The key is knowing what they cover and whether the benefits outweigh the costs for you.

The Benefits of Having an HOA

Think about this. If you’ve fallen in love with a home because of how beautiful the community is – maybe it’s the landscaping, the well-maintained streets, or the overall curb appeal – there’s a good chance the HOA is one of the reasons why it looks so good. Here are some of the biggest perks:

  • Neighborhood Maintenance: Many HOAs cover landscaping, snow removal, and upkeep of common areas. This helps maintain the neighborhood’s overall appearance.
  • Amenities: Depending on the neighborhood, an HOA could also include access to perks like a pool, clubhouse, fitness center, or even private security. In these cases, while you have to pay an HOA fee, you’re also saving money in some ways because you don’t need to have separate gym or pool memberships anymore.
  • Property Value Protection: Since HOAs enforce community standards, they prevent homes from falling into disrepair. So, you don’t have to worry about nearby eyesores hurting your property value.
  • Less Personal Upkeep: In some communities, HOAs even take care of exterior maintenance, roof repairs, or other shared responsibilities, reducing the work for homeowners.

HOA Fees: More Common, Especially in Newer Neighborhoods

Does every house have HOA fees? No, not all homes have them. But they are common, especially in newer communities. In fact, over 80% of newly built single-family homes are now part of an HOA, according to the Wall Street Journal (see graph below):

a graph with a line going upBut it’s not just new builds that have homeowners associations. Homes that were previously lived in may have an HOA fee too. According to Axios roughly 4 out of every 10 homes had an HOA in 2024.

HOA Fees and Your Home Search

Ask your agent about which homes do and do not have HOA fees as part of your search – and how much the fees are. Some neighborhoods have quarterly dues, some have monthly, some don’t have any at all. To give you some sort of baseline though, the median HOA fee rose last year to $125 per month, based on a report from Realtor.com.

But remember, the costs vary and sometimes these fees give you access to great perks. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, explains:

“When considering a home with an HOA, buyers should work to understand what benefits it provides like maintenance, security, or communal amenities, and how the HOA fees factor into their overall budget.”

Bottom Line

Before buying a home in an HOA community, it’s a good idea to review the rules and fees so you know exactly what’s included, how that fits into your overall budget, and what restrictions may apply.

Would you rather pay an HOA fee for added perks, or skip it and have full control over your property? Connect with an agent to talk about what’s best for you.

Stay informed