Buyers and sellers are feeling the uncertainty in the housing market. With rising interest rates and a slower selling pace, it may seem overwhelming. If you are planning to both sell your home and buy a new one, the current environment may be even more frustrating.

Where do you start? Sell first? Buy first? The good news is with the right strategy, you can take the risk out of this kind of move by working with us and utilizing contingencies. Most people assume that they must sell their home before they make an offer on the replacement property. This can feel risky in any market, but when we’re facing higher interest rates, variable home inventory, and market uncertainty, you may feel this puts you out on a limb.

What if you sell your home and don’t find a good replacement? What if interest rates rise even more and you are stuck renting? We can help with this. There are contingencies in every real estate transaction. Most people know they can make an offer contingent upon selling their current home. In this case, the buyer makes an offer and asks for 45-60 days typically to get an offer on their existing home. The reverse is also true. If you are unsure of the value of your current home in this market, you can list, accept an offer to sell contingent on you finding your home of choice.

Both options protect you in the event that you are unable to find the right home or loan. Working with us, it is possible to buy and sell in this uncertain market, while controlling the situation; making the process as smooth as possible and removing unnecessary risk.

Memorial Day is more than a day off from work to have cookouts and pool parties. Memorial Day is the day we pause to remember the brave men and women who gave their lives protecting our country. The Civil War claimed the lives of 620,000 American soldiers, more than any conflict in our nation’s history. When the war ended in 1865 there was a need to establish the nation’s first national cemeteries for the fallen. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day, was a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers and flags from the Civil War.

Beginning in the late 1860’s many towns and cities began holding parades and tributes. Although, the true origination is still unclear Waterloo, New York was declared the official birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966. General John A Logan on May 5, 1868 called for a nationwide day of remembrance stating “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

After World War 1, Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day and the holiday expanded to commemorate all American military personnel who died in any war. In 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to establish Memorial Day at the last Monday in May. This created a 3 day weekend for federal employees going into effect in 1971 and declaring Memorial Day a federal holiday.

As we prepare to enjoy Memorial Day we are encouraging everyone at 3 pm local time on Memorial Day to pause in a moment of silence to remember and honor all those who have died in service to our great nation. This moment is a small step that we can do to help remember the importance of Memorial Day and the lives of more than 1.1 million men and women who had died in service.

What the New Credit Score Models Mean for Homebuyers Starting in 2025, new credit scoring models will be used by lenders to determine the creditworthiness of potential homebuyers. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will mandate the adoption of the new FICO Score 10T and VantageScore 4.0 by the end of the year. For those interested in buying a home, these changes will impact their ability to purchase. The good news is that these scores aim to be more inclusive and to show a fuller picture than the old classic FICO scores did. These new scores have been noted to have better accuracy, and consider alternative credit data, as well as traditionally reported credit cards and car payments. For example, VantageScore 4.0 allows borrowers to add on-time payments for rent, utilities, and telecom bills. For those with limited debt or who prefer to use cash, this is a big advantage when seeking credit. The introduction of these new credit scoring models offers more opportunity and accessibility to credit for more individuals. This is particularly true for those with limited credit history or strong alternative credit data. Additionally, the VantageScore 4.0 only requires one month of credit history to generate a score, while FICO 10T still requires at least six months. Overall, the launch of these credit scores is a significant step towards hopefully allowing access to homeownership to more Americans. By considering alternative credit, these scores may provide lenders a truer picture of the ability of a potential homebuyer to pay their loan and extend credit to those previously unable to qualify.

Spruce Up Your Backyard by Adding Interesting Features and Spaces With the warmer weather on the horizon, it is natural to turn your attention to the backyard. The backyard has become central to the modern lifestyle and a functioning extension of the home. If you’ve been staring longingly at the latest home magazine display of the “perfect” backyard, your own may seem lacking. The good news is that with simple projects and a little cash and elbow grease, you can add interest and function to any yard. · Add Visual Interest – The first and easiest change is to add some interest; something that grabs the eye. This can be a simple fountain or a bright planter. Consider varying shapes and sizes as well. · Create New Spaces – Use simple, and inexpensive, materials to carve out a new space. Lumber can be stacked to create a raised surface for a couch or chair or arrange gravel in a section of the yard for a small bistro dining set. · Build a Planter – Buy a pre-made raised planter or container and add some bright seasonal flowers. Another idea is to use blocks to build your own. Stand-up planters filled with herbs or vegetables can also be placed to create a sense of well-being. The key to an interesting and functional backyard is not the dollars but the way you use the space. By adding interesting features, spaces, and colors, you will build a yard that is inviting to guests and family alike.