Judy Sells The Shoals

  Buy now or wait! This is the question on all potential homebuyers’ minds this fall. Over the past few weeks, the mortgage interest rates have soared to a 14-year high. Excessive government spending combined with surging energy costs and rising inflation has caused many would-be homebuyers to lean toward the wait side of that argument. But is this really a bad time to purchase a new home? Maybe not. First, there is no way to predict the bottom of home prices for any recession. If the economy continues to struggle, it’s likely that home prices will continue to drop, offering better sales prices. But at the same time, inflation is still rising, and the Federal Reserve has clearly indicated they will raise interest rates as needed to cool this trend. This means that while home prices may come down some, the cost to borrow money will also rise; for homebuyers on the fence, they are hoping that the lower sales price will outpace the rising interest rates. The truth is there is no way t...

  Your home is typically the largest financial investment you’ll ever make. Over time, we expect the equity to increase through increasing property values and a decreasing mortgage balance. While homeowners recognize the need to maintain the home in good condition, one of the best ways to maximize your home equity is to create a plan for ongoing improvements and updates. Often the interest in a remodeling project results from either an unexpected windfall or financing for a specific project but by planning for ongoing improvements, any homeowner can engage in updates to stay current with market trends. As tastes change, homebuyers are attracted to new features. Outdoor kitchens, great room configurations, and home offices are just a few of the trends from the past few years. More timeless desires include more square feet, chef’s kitchens, and spacious bathrooms. To stay ahead of trends and build equity, smart homeowners should build a plan for continuous improvements. In addition t...

  World events and government spending has led to soaring inflation. The Federal Reserve has only one tool in its arsenal to curb and reduce this trend – raising interest rates. While contemporary home buyers are accustomed to interest rates in the 2-4%, older homeowners remember being excited to get one as low as 8%. As yet, we have no indication such a drastic increase is necessary, home mortgage interest rates are creeping up and potential home buyers may be asking if they should still try to buy a home. One of the first things to consider is affordability. A higher interest rate will impact the amount of the loan each buyer can qualify for, potentially reducing their spending power. Yet, home prices are also beginning to soften, so it’s possible that this correction will reduce any possible impact from rising rates. Secondly, home ownership has been a strong hedge against inflation historically. Buying a home locks in the cost of the largest budgetary portion of your expenses –...