Keys to the Market

Unlocking Insights, One Door at a Time

Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for the Housing Market?

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, you’re at an exciting decision point. And anytime you make a big decision like that, one thing you should always consider is timing. So, what does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here’s what experts have to say.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Bright Days Are Ahead When You Move Up This Summer

Warmer weather and longer days mean summer is almost here. Celebrate by upgrading to the home of your dreams so you can enjoy all the season has to offer.

When you list your house, you can capitalize on today’s sellers’ market to fuel your upgrade. Then, you can move to a home with the features you want, like space to entertain or rooms for work and play.

If you’re ready to upgrade to a home that matches your changing needs, let’s connect.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Why Summer Is a Great Time To Buy a Vacation Home

You may be someone who looks forward to summer each year because it gives you an opportunity to rest, unwind, and enjoy more quality time with your loved ones. Now that summer is just around the corner, it’s worthwhile to start thinking about your plans and where you want to spend your vacations this year. Here are a few reasons a vacation home could be right for you.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits the Economy and Your Community

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, chances are you’re focusing on the many extraordinary ways it’ll change your life. But do you know it has a large impact on your community too?

To measure that impact, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) releases a report each year to highlight just how much economic activity a home sale generates. The chart below shows how the sale of both a newly built home and an existing home impact the economy:

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Sellers Have an Opportunity as Home Prices Re-Accelerate

As mortgage rates started to rise this year, many homeowners began to wonder if the value of their homes would fall. Here’s the good news. Historically, when mortgage rates rise by a percentage point or more, home values continue to appreciate. The latest data on home prices seems to confirm that trend.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Work With a Real Estate Professional if You Want the Best Advice

Because buying or selling a home is such a big decision in our lives, the need for clear, trustworthy information and guidance is crucial. And while no one can give you perfect advice, when you align yourself with an expert, you’ll get the best advice for your situation.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Don’t Let Rising Inflation Delay Your Homeownership Plans

If recent headlines about rising inflation are making you wonder if it’s still a good time to buy, here’s what experts have to say.

Housing is an asset that typically grows in value. Plus, your mortgage helps stabilize your monthly housing costs, and buying protects you from rising rents.

Experts say owning a home is historically a good hedge against inflation. Let’s connect if you’re ready to start the homebuying process today.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

The One Thing Every Homeowner Needs To Know About a Recession

A recession does not equal a housing crisis. That’s the one thing that every homeowner today needs to know. Everywhere you look, experts are warning we could be heading toward a recession, and if true, an economic slowdown doesn’t mean homes will lose value.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

How Homeownership Can Bring You Joy

If you're trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home, you're probably weighing a few different factors. The financial benefits of homeownership might be one of the reasons you want to make a purchase if you’re a renter, but the decision can also be motivated by having a place that’s uniquely your own.

If you want to express yourself by upgrading and customizing your living space but are feeling held back by your rental agreement, it might be time to consider the perks of owning your home.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Why Rising Mortgage Rates Push Buyers off the Fence

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you’ve probably heard mortgage rates are rising and have wondered what that means for you. Since mortgage rates have increased over two percentage points this year, it’s natural to think about how this will impact your homeownership plans.

Today, buyers are reacting in one of two ways: they’re either making the decision to buy now before rates climb higher or they’re waiting it out in hopes rates will fall. Let’s look at some context that can help you understand why so many buyers are jumping off the fence and into action rather than waiting to buy.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

If You’re a Homeowner, You Have Incredible Leverage When You Sell Today

In today’s housing market, homeowners have a great opportunity to sell their house and receive the best terms for their personal situation. That’s because there’s a limited number of homes for sale, which is creating competition among buyers. Right now, homebuyers want three things:

To be the winning bid on their dream home

To buy before mortgage rates rise more

To buy before home prices go even higher

These buyer needs give you an amazing advantage – also known as leverage – when you sell.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Should You Update Your House Before Selling? Ask a Real Estate Professional.

If you’re deciding whether you should make updates before you sell your house, lean on your trusted real estate advisor to be your guide.

In today’s sellers’ market, buyers have limited options and may be more willing to take on repairs themselves.

If you’re thinking about selling your house, let’s connect so you have expert advice that’s customized to your home and our local area.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

What You Actually Need To Know About the Number of Foreclosures in Today’s Housing Market

While you may have seen recent stories about the volume of foreclosures today, context is important. During the pandemic, many homeowners were able to pause their mortgage payments using the forbearance program. The goal was to help homeowners financially during the uncertainty created by the health crisis.

When the forbearance program began, many experts were concerned it would result in a wave of foreclosures coming to the market, as there was after the housing crash in 2008. Here’s a look at why the number of foreclosures we’re seeing today is nothing like the last time.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Are There More Homes Coming to the Market?

According to a recent survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), one of the top challenges buyers face in today’s housing market is finding a home that meets their needs. That’s largely because the inventory of homes for sale is so low today.

If you’re looking to buy a home, you may have noticed this yourself. But there is good news. Recent data shows more sellers are listing their houses this season, which may give you more options for your home search.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Will Home Prices Fall This Year? Here’s What Experts Say.

Many people are wondering: will home prices fall this year? Whether you’re a potential homebuyer, seller, or both, the answer to this question matters for you. Let’s break down what’s happening with home prices, where experts say they’re headed, and how this impacts your homeownership goals.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

How Today’s Mortgage Rates Impact Your Home Purchase

If you’re planning to buy a home, it’s critical to understand the relationship between mortgage rates and your purchasing power. Purchasing power is the amount of home you can afford to buy that’s within your financial reach. Mortgage rates directly impact the monthly payment you’ll have on the home you purchase. So, when rates rise, so does the monthly payment you’re able to lock in on your home loan. In a rising-rate environment like we’re in today, that could limit your future purchasing power.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

2022 Housing Market Forecast

What does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here’s what experts have to say about what lies ahead.

Home prices are projected to rise and so are mortgage rates. Experts are also forecasting another strong year for home sales as people move to meet their changing needs.

Let’s connect so you can make your best move this year.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Three Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

Buying your first home is a major decision and an exciting milestone. Even though it can feel daunting at times, it has the power to change your life for the better. If you're looking to purchase your first home, you may be wondering what's happening in the housing market today, how much you need to save, and where to start.

Here are three things that can help give you the information you need to confidently pursue your dream of homeownership.

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