Tag

first-time buyer

Are First-Time Buyers Diving Into the Deep(er) End of the Housing Pool?

Skipping the Starter Home There’s some anecdotal evidence that first-time Buyers in the Twin Cities are making their mark a rung (or three) higher than you’d normally expect to find them. Namely, they’re disproportionately active in transactions around $500k — especially new construction in some of the more affordable ‘burbs — rather than in the...
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Discounting for Deferred Maintenance: How Much?

Rules of Thumb Veteran Realtors know that $1 in deferred maintenance subtracts much more than that from a home’s sales price. The ratio can be 3:1, 4:1 or even higher. While the exact amount is house and buyer-specific, at least anecdotally, there seem to be two factors that widen the discount. One. Price Point. First-time Buyers are notoriously...
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When It Makes Sense for Home Buyers to Pay a HIGHER Mortgage Rate, Especially in Multiple Offers

The Opposite of Buying Down Rates Wait a second! Isn’t borrowers’ goal to pay the lowest interest rate they can on their mortgage? Yes, but — especially for first-time home Buyers — there’s the added consideration of closing costs. On a $200,000 home, a typical amount would be 3%, or $6,000. Conserving Cash A popular...
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“You Can’t Step Into the Same River Twice” — Housing Market Edition

Fear of Missing Out on “Something Better”:  Buyers Who Fret About What’s Going to Come On the Market After They Buy “He who hesitates is lost.” “Look before you leap.” –Famous — and contradictory — proverbs. While it’s true that “you never step into the same river twice,” that doesn’t mean the river’s overall features...
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Housing Market Culture Clash: “Greatest Generation” vs. Millennials

“Why Should I Help Pay the Buyer’s Closing Costs??” To the “Greatest Generation,” Millennials (roughly ages 18 to 30) can seem spoiled and irresponsible. To Millennials, the “Greatest Generation” — those who were alive during World War II — can appear stubborn and unreasonable. How does that generation gap play out in residential real estate deals?...
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Discounting for Condition: How Much?

Three Key Factors Besides Price Tag, Scope of Work Discounting for a home’s “vintage” condition is inherently subjective. Some Buyers don’t want to tackle anything more challenging than painting a Bedroom (if that). Others — especially if they have contracting skills (or access to them) — are up for remodeling the Kitchen, Bath’s and anything...
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