RAY SHAY BROKER I OWNER DRE
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 our experienced and multi-lingual team of REALTORS © or other industry experts to bring your homeownership vision into focus.
In the last year, high inflation had a big impact on the economy, the housing market, and likely on your wallet too. That’s why it’s critical to have a clear understanding of the current market and what your goals are. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor. com, explains:
“The key to making a good decision in this challenging housing market is to be laser-focused on what you need now and in the years ahead so that you can stay in your home long enough that buying is a sound financial decision.”
Our Professionals Will Guide You Through Every Step of the Process
Buying or selling a home is a big process that takes expertise to navigate. If that feels a bit overwhelming, you aren’t alone. According to a recent Harris Poll survey, one in five respondents says a lack of information or knowledge about the home-buying process as a barrier to owning a home.
Don’t let uncertainty hold you back from your goals this year. We can bridge that gap and give you the best advice and information about today’s market.
A Tale of Two Homes
Each year as the holiday season approaches, I tell our buyers that our goal will be to imagine we are the Grinch and his little dog Max who lives at the very top of Black Mountain and that our goal is to “steal a home” for the holidays!’
Let me describe two recent transactions where it felt like the sellers were chasing down the current market instead of getting in front of it.
The first was a townhome purchase in the Mission Hills area of San Diego, a great neighborhood close to almost everything. I would refer to this as a screen play because even when it looked like we would lose the deal, we ended up getting it. It was everything that our amazing clients wanted.
Here are a few questions you can start thinking through as you fine-tune your goals for 2023.
1. What’s Motivating You?
You’re dreaming about making a move for a reason – what is it? No matter what’s happening in the market, there are still many compelling reasons to buy a home today. Your needs may have changed in a way your current house can’t address, or you could be ready to step into homeownership for the first time and have a space that’s truly your own. Use what’s motivating you as a guidepost in partnership with an expert advisor to help make sure your move will give you a lasting sense of accomplishment.
2. What Does Your Next Home Look Like?
You know you want to move, but how would you describe your dream home? The available supply of homes for sale has grown, and that could mean more options to choose from when you buy. Just be sure to keep your budget in mind and work with a trusted real estate professional to balance your wants and needs. The better you understand what’s essential and where you can be flexible, the easier it can be to find the home that’s right for you.
3. How Ready Are You To Buy?
Getting clear on your budget and savings is essential before you get too far into the process. Working with a local agent and a lender early is the best way to make sure you’re in a good position to buy. This could include planning how much to save for a down payment, getting pre-approved for a home loan, and assessing your current home equity if your move involves selling your existing house.
Mr. Blake Barnett and family in his new Mission Hills Townhome
The beautiful one-bedroom and one-and-a-half bath, top-floor, two-story townhome is located in Mission Hills. It was first listed in September of 2022 at $689,000. Our first offer was about $550,000 and we were willing to increase our offer if the seller would provide a $21,000 credit from the seller to buy down our client’s interest rate.
When my cell phone lit up with her information a few days later, I think I turned a bit dark green and my big toothy smile began to grow as I thought there might be a home available in Whoville. After a few weeks, I loaded up my sleigh, and we flew down to Mission Hills and closed on this terrific home at $600,000 with about a $21,000 dollar lender credit courtesy of the seller.
The second steal for the holiday season was secured by one of our team members, REALTOR © Tina Wu. Here she is below with our clients purchasing a great home near Oak Valley Middle School.
This large home on a cul de sac with over one-quarter of an acre lot was originally listed in July of 2022 at $2,790,000. A comparable home sold for 3 million. The problem this home faced was the backyard had never been completed. With construction costs rising and home prices dipping it presented a great opportunity to negotiate a deal as it seemed the seller was chasing down the market.
There were a lot of details and discussions but ultimately, Tina and her little dog “Max” were able to ride their sleigh down and scoop up this home for around $2,200,000.
The Gandhi family, and our team is so excited they are moving into this fabulous home. Whether we represent a buyer or a seller, we take our responsibilities very seriously, as we are committed to our client’s success.
As luck would have it, I was chatting with my three sons Troy, Raymond, and Ryan at Christmas dinner, and the question came up about how they would act if they crossed that 4” white painted line on the 100-yard football field to score a touchdown in the NFL.
This is a good holiday story because Tina and many of our team members started working with The Gandhi family over a year ago, hoping to pull a “Grinch” for them. Unfortunately, none of us turned green last year, but perseverance and patience won out the day.
They quickly turned toward me and asked what I would do if I made a touchdown. I said I have always liked when a player scores a touchdown and they act like they have been there before. So for me, I would flip the ball to the referee and likely hug my teammates. No dance, just acknowledgment that it was a team effort.
The response from all three of my sons was immediate and quite the opposite. It made me laugh. They would all spike the ball and dance around!
Sports imitate life and if you need help buying or selling a home, we are there for you. We won’t be spiking your keys on the ground, but instead, we’ll simply shake your hand and acknowledge it is a team effort.
On behalf of the whole team of agents at Shay Realtors, we wish you and your family an amazing 2023. Happy New Year!
Go Chargers!!!
Tina Wu and the Gandhi family standing out front of their new home