Bellingham Homes & Real Estate

Here are five reasons listing your home for sale this winter makes sense. 1. Demand Is Strong The latest  Buyer Traffic Report  from the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase… and are in the market right now! More often than not, multiple buyers are competing with each other to buy a home. Take advantage of the buyer activity currently in the market. 2. There Is Less Competition Now Housing  inventory  is still under the 6-month supply that is needed for a normal housing market. This means that, in the majority of the country, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers in the market. This is good news for homeowners who have gained equity as their home values have increased. However, additional inventory could be coming to the market soon. Historically, the averag...

Just like our clocks this weekend in the majority of the country, the housing market will soon  “spring forward!”  Similar to tension in a spring, the lack of inventory available for sale in the market right now is what is holding back the market. Many potential sellers believe that waiting until Spring is in their best interest, and traditionally they would have been right. Buyer demand has seasonality to it, which usually falls off in the winter months, especially in areas of the country impacted by arctic temperatures and conditions. That hasn’t happened this year. Demand for housing has remained strong as mortgage rates have remained near historic lows. Even with the recent increase in rates, buyers are still able to lock in an affordable monthly payment. Many more buyers are jumping off the fence and into the market to secure a lower rate. The  National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently reported ...

It is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the spring-buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off on putting their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that will be a good strategy this year. The other listings that do come out in the spring will represent increased competition to any seller. Do a greater number of homes actually come to the market in the spring as compared to the rest of the year? The  National Association of Realtors  (NAR) recently revealed the months in which most people listed their homes for sale in 2017. Here is a graphic showing the results: The three months in the second quarter of the year  (represented in red)  are consistently the most popular months for sellers to list their homes on the market. Last year, the number of homes available for sale in January was 1,680,000. That number spiked to 1,970,000 by Ma...

7 Reasons to List Your Home This Holiday Season Every year at this time, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to put their homes on the market for the first time, while others who already have their homes on the market decide to take them off until after the holidays. Here are seven great reasons not to wait: Relocation buyers are out there. Many companies are still hiring throughout the holidays and need their employees in their new positions as soon as possible. Purchasers who are looking for homes during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy now . You can restrict the showings on your home to the times you want it shown. You will remain in control. Homes show better when decorated for the holidays. There is less competition for you as a seller right now. Let’s take a look at listing inventory as compared to the same time last year: The desire to own a home doesn’t stop when the holidays...

Top Real Estate Social Media Accounts To Follow by Surge Realty Solutions Want to know how the best real estate agents use social media? Below, we have compiled a list of the best social media accounts in the real estate industry from around the web. Whether you’re looking for industry data, home-buying tips, or lead-generation strategies, these real estate accounts have got you covered. It doesn’t matter if you’re just starting out, or have decades of experience - there’s something for everyone here. Be sure to check out each featured post to really get a feel for their writing style. Our list is always expanding, so check back frequently! Jack Otto |  LinkedIn  |  Twitter  |  Google+ Jack Otto knows the value of utilizing social media for real estate firsthand.  As the most popular real estate agent in Washington ranked by social media activity (according to Mondinion), he makes extensive use of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Goog...

                 So, you’ve been searching for that perfect house to call a ‘home,’ and you finally found one! The price is right, and in such a competitive market, you want to make sure that you make a good offer so that you can guarantee that your dream of making this house yours comes true! Freddie Mac  covered  “4 Tips for Making an Offer” in their latest  Executive Perspective. Here are the 4 tips they covered along with some additional information for your consideration: 1. Understand How Much You Can Afford “While it's not nearly as fun as house hunting, fully understanding your finances is critical in making an offer.” This ‘tip’ or ‘step’ should really take place before you start your home search process. As we’ve mentioned  before , getting pre-approved is one of many steps that will show home sellers that you are serious about buying, and will allow you to make your offer with the confide...

Do You Know the Cost of Waiting? [INFOGRAPHIC]  

Buying a Home? Do You Know the Lingo? Buying a home can be intimidating if you are not familiar with the terms used during the process. To start you on your path with confidence, we have compiled a list of some of the most common terms used when buying a home. Freddie Mac has compiled a more exhaustive glossary of terms in their “ My Home ” section of their website. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) – This is a broader measure of your cost for borrowing money. The APR includes the interest rate, points, broker fees and certain other credit charges a borrower is required to pay. Because these costs are rolled in, the APR is usually higher than your interest rate. Appraisal – A professional analysis used to estimate the value of the property . This includes examples of sales of similar properties. This is a necessary step in getting your financing secured as it validates the home’s worth to you and your lender. Clos...

In some markets like Bellingham and Whatcom county, homes are selling in a matter of days. Are you thinking of selling? Call me to learn how I leverage social media to get you maximum exposure!! Jack Otto eXp Realty Bellingham, WA 206-388-6102 #1 Agent in Social Media in Washington (ranked weekly by Mondinion.com)

Some Highlights: ‘Millennials’ are defined as 18-36 year olds according to the US Census Bureau. According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers , the median age of all first-time home buyers is 31 years old. More and more ‘Old Millennials’ (25-36 year olds) are realizing that homeownership is within their reach now!

Every homeowner wants to make sure they get the best price when selling their home. But how do you guarantee that you receive maximum value for your house? Here are two keys to ensuring you get the highest price possible. How to Get the Most Money When Selling Your Home   

The real estate market is crazy right now and 2017 is going to be another banner year. With inventory at all time lows, buying power remaining high, and an overall high demand for homes, we will see a similar market to 2016. So what does all this mean to you? Take a look at the infographic and then call me to get your game plan in place! Home Sales at Highest Pace in 10 Years! [INFOGRAPHIC]   Jack Otto eXp Realty #1 Agent in Social Media in Washington (mondinion.com) Jack.otto@exprealty.com Jackottohomes.com

As we say goodbye to 2016, it's time to look forward to 2017! Last year was a great year for home sellers. Sellers were getting asking price, if not more, and selling homes in sometimes a matter of hours. 2017 may be the last blockbuster year to sell your home. Sure values will continue to rise but buyer demand is going to taper off. Rates have already gone up, and the question is how much will they rise in 2017? If you've been on the fence, take a look at some of the reasons now is the time to list.  Start 2017 Off Right… List Your House for Sale   For a Free Home Value and Sellers Guide, email me at Jack.otto@exprealty.com Jack Otto eXp Realty #1 Agent in Social Media in Washington (mondinion.com)

Shopping for a home this winter? Don't fall for these common mistakes buyers face this time of year! Home Shopping Mistakes to Avoid in Winter  

There are some great homes on the market right now just looking for their next owner! Check out this list of the homes with recently reduced asking prices.  Recently Reduced Homes Around Bellingham/Whatcom county How about listing alerts that are sent to you the minute a home matching your criteria hits the market? YES PLEASE. Just sign up and I can help you.  Don't wait for 2017 to sneak up on you, be ready!

The holiday season may be in full swing and selling your home may be the last thing on your mind. Are you thinking "I'll sell in the Spring"? If so, you may want to rethink your strategy. If you list now, you'll be moving in January at the earliest, which will mean the holidays will be over. Rates have already ticked up and buyers are eager to buy homes.  Not convinced? I just sold a home in less than 2 weeks in November. Who says winter isn't home selling season? Check out why you should be listing now! The #1 Reason to Sell Now… Not Next Spring.  

Hot Off The Press! Get My FREE Winter 2016/17 Home Selling Guide And Take Advantage of A Great Winter To Sell! Housing inventory as at all time lows. Buyers are still taking advantage of low rates and hoems are selling in less than a few weeks, sometimes a few days. YES even in October and November. Even if you aren't ready to sell until Spring time, take advantage of my FREE Selling Consultation to get your questions answered early.  Want your own copy? Just email me at Jack.otto@exprealty.com Jack Otto eXp Realty Bellingham, WA #1 Agent in Social Media in Washington

Thinking of selling your home but your kitchen could use some updating? The money you spend on the remodel could bring you 100 to 150% return. Just don't go too wild with appliances and colors. Check out some more tips in this blog post. Thinking of Selling? Don’t Overlook an Outdated Kitchen, Buyers Won’t

Fall is in full swing and soon enough Winter will be here. While most people think the housing market is as cold as some of the winter nights, that's simply not true. With housing inventory at historic lows, check out this blog post on why selling this Winter will benefit you! Winter Is Coming… 5 Reasons to Sell Now!