Give Thanks!

As we kick off the holiday season, it’s that time of year when people gather together and give thanks for all they have. While the hustle and bustle of the season may have you feeling frazzled—especially if your home is on the market—it’s important to take a step back and remember that there’s still plenty to be thankful for. 

First off, the economy is recovering. According to the inaugural Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report from the National Association of REALTORS®, the economic recovery has brought with it significant improvements in the national housing market. In fact, Millennials and Gen Xers who were waiting to move out of their parents’ homes or leave their roommates are more likely to get off the sidelines and buy a home.

And thanks to the rise of social media and mobile marketing, your home is being seen by more house hunters than ever before. Unlike years past when homes were simply listed on websites, today, real estate agents are promoting your home via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and even YouTube.

Plus, thanks to technological advancements, the photos of your home are sharper and better than ever before.

On the flip side, there’s plenty to be thankful for when it comes to buyers, too. Not only have prices on homes remained affordable, but recent studies have shown that now is one of the best times to buy a home in the past decade. In addition to affordable prices, there’s also plenty of inventory available. And for buyers and sellers alike, the fact that the economy is heading in the right direction is certainly something to be thankful for. 

In addition to the economy heading in the right direction, so is the government. Now that the Federal shutdown is over, the government is back on track, which will only mean positive things for the housing industry.

No matter where you are in the house-hunting process, be thankful that issues such as predatory lending, robo-signing and interest rates have come to the forefront, creating a better understanding of the pitfalls that could await.

And of course, mortgage rates are still low and buyers should be thankful that they can more easily shop around for the best rate.

As we make our way through the holiday season, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you have a home. There are plenty of people out there who aren’t as fortunate to have a roof over their head every night, so even if your home is languishing on the market, there’s still a lot to be thankful for. 

For more information about the real estate recovery, contact our office today.