All Posts By themlsblog

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. Even though we’re no longer seeing the buyer frenzy that drove home values up during the pandemic, …

The Bay East Association of REALTORS®, bridgeMLS® Contra Costa Association of REALTORS®, and the Combined Los Angeles/Westside MLS (The MLS™/CLAW) announced today a data share agreement that will give real estate professionals access to property information from dozens of communities in Southern and Northern California. “This collaboration expands Bay East brokers’ and agents’ access to the most comprehensive listing data for the Greater Los Angeles area,” said Tricia Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of the Bay East Association of REALTORS® …

Even though activity in the housing market has slowed from the frenzy we saw over a year ago, today’s low supply of homes for sale is still a sellers’ market. But what does that really mean? And why are conditions today so good if you want to list your house? It starts with the number of homes available for sale. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of …

Throughout Women’s History Month, we reflect on the impact women have in our lives, and that includes impact on the housing market. In fact, since at least 1981, single women have bought more homes than single men each year, and they make up 17% of all households. Why Is Homeownership So Important to Women? The rise in women pursuing homeownership hasn’t just made an impact on the housing market. It’s also been an asset for those …

If you’re thinking about selling this spring, it’s time to get moving – the best week to list your house is fast approaching. Experts at realtor.com looked at seasonal trends from recent years (excluding 2020 as an uncharacteristic year due to the onset of the pandemic) and determined the ideal week to list a house this year: “Home sellers on the fence waiting for that perfect moment to sell should start preparations, because …

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: “Housing markets have cooled slightly, but demand hasn’t disappeared, and in many places remains strong largely due to the shortage of homes on the market.” That activity can be seen in the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring available homes (see …

One of the benefits of being a homeowner is that you build equity over time. By selling your house, that equity can be used toward purchasing your next home. But before you can put it to use, you should understand exactly what equity is and how it grows. Bankrate explains it like this: “Home equity is the portion of your home you’ve paid off – in other words, your stake in …

You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s better to rent right now than it is to own your home. But before you let that impact your decisions, you should understand what these claims are based on. A lot of the time, these reports are assuming things that aren’t realistic for the average household. For example, the methodology behind one of those reports says that renting is the …

Today’s homeowners are sitting on significant equity, even as home price appreciation has eased recently. If you’re a homeowner, your net worth got a boost over the past few years thanks to rising home prices. Here’s what it means for you, even as the market moderates. How Equity Has Grown in Recent Years  Because of the imbalance between how many homes were for sale and the number of homebuyers in the …

One of the many reasons to buy a home is that it’s a major way to build wealth and gain financial stability. According to Freddie Mac: “Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership that can help you create financial stability.” With spring approaching, now’s a great time to consider if buying a home makes sense for you. The best way to figure that …