For Buyers

Is a Newly Built Home Right for You? The Pros and Cons

Is a Newly Built Home Right for You? The Pros and Cons

When searching for a home, you don’t want to skip over new builds as an option. Right now, there are more newly built homes to choose from than there would normally be in the market. And those added choices come with some pretty incredible benefits. Talking to your agent is the best way to see if this type of home makes sense for you. Here’s a quick rundown of some things your agent will walk you...

An infographic titled 'Is It Better To RENT or BUY a Home Today?' compares the long-term effects of renting versus buying a home. A study shows 70% of prospective buyers fear the long-term consequences of renting. Rent Usually Rises Over Time: A bar chart illustrates the median asking rent for vacant units from 1988 to 2024, showing a steady increase. If You Rent: 'You’ll likely pay more each time you renew your lease or sign a new one.' If You Buy: 'You can stabilize your monthly payment with a fixed-rate mortgage.' Home Prices Typically Go Up Over Time: A bar chart shows the average sales price of houses sold since 1988, highlighting long-term appreciation. If You Rent: 'Home prices will continue to climb. That could make buying feel even harder later.' If You Buy: 'Your net worth will go up as your home’s value increases.' The infographic concludes that while renting may be less expensive in some markets, it doesn't match the long-term financial benefits of homeownership. At the bottom, Paul Garrison’s real estate contact information is provided, along with real estate logos. The sources cited include Bank of America, St. Louis Fed, HUD, and Census.

Is It Better To Rent or Buy a Home Today?

A study shows that 70% of prospective buyers fear the long-term consequences of renting. And here’s why. Rent usually rises over time, making it harder to save up to buy a home. But when you buy, you can stabilize your housing expenses and grow your net worth as home values rise. While renting may be the less expensive option in some markets, it can’t match the long-term benefits of homeownership....

Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit Right for You? Here’s What To Know

Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit Right for You? Here’s What To Know

Are you having a hard time finding the right home in your budget? Or maybe you already own a home but could use some extra income or a designated space for aging loved ones. Either way, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) could be the smart solution you’ve been looking for in today’s market. What Is an ADU? According to Fannie Mae, an ADU is a small, separate living space that’s on the same lot as a...

The Return to Urban Living — Why More People Are Moving Back to Cities

The Return to Urban Living — Why More People Are Moving Back to Cities

After years of suburban and rural migration during the pandemic, cities have been making a comeback in the past couple of years. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the percentage of people moving to cities has risen to 16%. While that may not sound like a big number to you, it is the highest level in a decade – and that’s a big deal (see graph...

Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers

Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers

If you’re like a lot of aspiring homebuyers, there’s a major hurdle standing in your way — the cost of living. From groceries to gas, eggs, and just about everything else, prices have gone up. And that rings true for home prices, too. But even when everything feels expensive, there are still ways to make homeownership more than an item on your wish list. You may just need to think about where you...

A Record Percent of Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2025 – Are You?

A Record Percent of Buyers Are Planning To Move in 2025 – Are You?

This could be the year to sell your house – and here’s why. According to a recent NerdWallet survey, 15% of people are planning to buy a home this year. That’s actually a record high for this survey (see graph below): Here's why this is such a big deal. The percentage has been hovering between 9-11% since 2020. This recent increase shows buyer demand hasn’t disappeared – if anything, it...

Home Price Growth Is Moderating – Here’s Why That’s Good for You

Home Price Growth Is Moderating – Here’s Why That’s Good for You

Over the past few years, home prices skyrocketed. That’s been frustrating for buyers, leaving many wondering if they’d ever get a shot at owning a home. But here’s some welcome news: that whirlwind pace of home price growth is slowing down. Home Prices Are Rising at a Healthy Pace At the national level, home prices are still going up, but at a much more moderate, normal pace. For example, in...

An infographic titled 'Why Buying a Home Now Is Your Winning Play' uses a football theme to highlight reasons why purchasing a home before the spring market is beneficial. The background features a football stadium with bright lights. You'll Have Less Competition – Fewer buyers during the winter mean less competition and more time to make decisions. A bar chart titled 'Buying in the Off-Season May Feel Less Rushed' shows the long-term median days on the market by month, with January, February, and March having higher median days compared to other months. You'll Have More Negotiating Power – With fewer buyers in the market, sellers may be more willing to negotiate or cover repairs. A quote from Chen Zhao, Economist at Redfin, states that buying in the off-season means less competition and potentially a better deal. You Can Lock in Today’s Home Prices Before They Rise – Historically, home prices are at their lowest in January, February, and March before rising in the spring. A bar chart titled 'Home Prices Are Usually Lower in the Off-Season' shows median sales prices of existing homes from January to December 2024, with the lowest prices appearing in the first quarter. The infographic concludes with a call to action, encouraging buyers to get ahead of the competition. It includes contact information for Paul Garrison, a JPAR® Real Estate agent, along with his photo, phone number, website, and real estate logos. Sources cited include NAR and Redfin.

Why Buying a Home Now Is Your Winning Play

You may be sitting on the sidelines wondering if it’s better to buy now or wait. But buying before the spring rush may be a game-changing decision. Moving this winter can give you significant advantages, like less competition, more negotiating power, and lower prices. If you’re able to buy now, stay ahead of the game and outrun the competition. To tackle your homebuying plans this year, let’s...

The Perks of Buying a Fixer-Upper

The Perks of Buying a Fixer-Upper

There’s no denying affordability is tough right now. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your plans to buy a home on the back burner. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves (or hire someone who will), buying a house that needs some work could open the door to homeownership. Here’s everything you need to know so you can decide if this is the right move for you. What’s a Fixer-Upper? A...