Check out our October newsletter!
Gavin’s HOUSING HIGHLIGHTS
OCTOBER 2024
WINDERMEREGROUPONE.COM | (509) 420-3999
Buy Now Before Prices Rise DON’T DELAY
On Wednesday, Sept. 18, the Federal Reserve — known more commonly as the Fed — lowered interest rates by 0.50%. This was the Fed’s first rate reduction since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and signals a striking change in strategy after years of interest rate hikes meant to combat inflation. This rate cut prompted major credit card companies and lenders to offer lower APRs and to cut the interest rates on their loans accordingly. While this is great news, it is just the beginning of the storm. With further rate cuts announced to follow in the coming months and years, now is the perfect time to have your Realtor negotiate and help you secure a deal before competition really starts to catch up. The Benefits of Buying Now If you have been considering a move, but are hesitant due to the recently higher interest rates, you should at least consider why that may be exactly why you should buy now. With interest rates higher, sellers are more open to lowering the prices of their homes and/or offer concessions in order to get their homes sold. This is because buyers have a harder time affording these homes and, depending on the motivation of the seller, there may be an opportunity to purchase at a discount. However, as interest rates slowly begin to decrease, housing prices will continue to rise accordingly. More affordable borrowing and greater purchasing
power means more consumers will be eager to purchase a property. If you can make something worth it for you now, you will have more opportunity for greater appreciation growth in the near future, which you could then use to upgrade or just continue building your long-term wealth. Buy Now, Refinance Later You can have your cake and eat it, too. Buying at a discounted price, when interest rates are higher, has a great benefit. Once interest rates are lower, you can refinance, lowering your mortgage payments and benefiting from the lower overall purchase price of your home. Depending on your credit rating, the length of your mortgage, and the difference in interest rates when you purchased your home and when you refinanced, you could be looking at a significantly decreased monthly mortgage payment. Before long, you will finally be paying toward your principal, rather than just chipping away at your interest. While this is beneficial for those looking to buy a home for themselves, it is also a critical consideration for real estate investors and second homeowners. While you will be paying higher mortgage rates in the short term, as interest rates decrease, your mortgage payments will become more affordable and your investment properties more profitable as a result. When refinancing, you can also change the term of your loan. Changing from a 30-year mortgage to a 15-year mortgage, for instance, may result in higher monthly payments, but could also significantly reduce the total interest you need to pay. Expert Advice If you would like to discuss more about when and where to buy based upon your specific goals and position, always feel welcome to give me a call or shoot me a text at (509) 420-3999; I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.
—Gavin Vargas
1
WINDERMEREGROUPONE.COM | (509) 420-3999
Cold Weather, Hot Deals Tips for Investing in Real Estate This Winter If you are interested in investing in the real estate market but do not know where to start, don’t worry, we can help. There are some useful strategies that real estate professionals like us are aware of that can be of great use to you. With the proper knowledge, you can start acquiring valuable real estate assets, generating passive income and most certainly build long-term wealth. Here are some helpful tips about the property you should be looking for and when you should be looking to buy. The Right Property When looking for the right real estate to invest in, you should consider what your target market of tenants is and the locations that will appeal more to them. Even if you are a single-person household, you may still want to place importance on investing in a property located in a higher-ranked school district or boundary for families with young children. Another important factor to consider is proximity to the major employers as well as the preferred amenities such as grocery stores, medical, and even recreation such as parks, paths, and the alike. Just like you’ve heard before: Location, Location, Location. The Winter Advantage Historically, housing prices on average rise year after year, but they also fluctuate each month, with higher prices in the hotter seasons
and the lowest prices in the colder. The National Association of Realtors says that the peak buying, or should we say selling season, is April through June with an average of 16,530 homes sold per day nationwide. Fast-forward to October through November, and the average number of homes sold per day nationwide is 13,810, and the typical home for sale is about 5% less expensive than in June. December through February averages 11,380 homes sold per day. As as result of these seasonal trends, less competition results in better pricing. And for you sellers, you have less buyers in your pool; however, you also typically have less properties to compete with. So, if you are pricing your home appropriately and are strategically preparing it for the market, you can still get it sold. Especially if you can point out the features of the property that make it special and can differentiate it from the rest of the market.
Simple Solutions for a Neat and Inviting Kitchen Create a Culinary Haven
For most people, the kitchen is the most popular room in the home. It’s where you prepare and eat meals, snack on snacks, and make memories with loved ones. However, finding the right aesthetic when items clutter your counter space can be difficult. We have a few ideas to help you tighten your countertop. Remove Small Appliances You don’t need to keep your air fryer, blender, or slow cooker out. Unless you use an appliance daily, stick it in the pantry or a kitchen cabinet. Add Plants and Produce A bowl of fruit or a potted plant can completely change the look of your kitchen and add a pop of color!
Layer Your Decor Keep similar decor together and
condense where possible. To give your kitchen counters more space, you can even install shelves or use pantry doors for more storage.
2 WINDERMEREGROUPONE.COM | (509) 420-3999
ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR A SEASONAL LIFESTYLE SNOWBIRD SURVIVAL GUIDE
Just as birds migrate when the weather shifts, so do snowbirds — the moniker given to retirees who spend their summers and winters in different locations, based on whichever is more suitable that time of year. Snowbirds can say goodbye to shoveling snow, wiping the snow from their windshields, and trotting out into the great white unknown just to get the newspaper. While their neighbors are dealing with winter chores, they can relax in warm weather, reaping the benefits of a hot climate during the colder months of the year. This isn’t just for convenience’s sake; there are physical and mental health benefits to seeking a better climate. If you are looking to become a snowbird, or maybe even a change in climate for the place you call home, here are some things to keep in mind. Health Care and Affordability Having a summer home can provide an escape from the dreary, arduous winter months in a colder climate. However, you are going to want to make sure you have the money to maintain two homes in different areas and live comfortably. A great way to help pay for a home in, say, the lovely Tri-City area, is by renting out your winter and summer homes when they are not in use. Vacation rentals can be a great source of passive income and can help you live the life you have always wanted. This means ensuring you find a place with accessible health care if needed. If you have serious health concerns, you are not going to want to pitch your tent somewhere hours away from the nearest urgent care or hospital. Your health should always be your top priority. Match Your Lifestyle You will want your winter and summer homes to be in places that you are able to settle down in. If you prefer quick access to the amenities of a city to time spent in a more rural outdoor setting, then you are going to want to keep that in mind. For a dream or goal like owning a second home or even relocating to a different part of the world, I would recommend running it by those closest to you and also people who live or have lived in your potential landing spot. Sometimes the people who know you or your desired location best will help you think of possibilities you may have never even considered. For example, you want to move to Hawaii to surf and beach everyday. Great. First question, how long have you been surfing? Well, I’ve never been surfing because I’m afraid of sharks. Okay, maybe we should try surfing first …
WINDERMEREGROUPONE.COM | (509) 420-3999 3
Published by Newsletter Pro | www.NewsletterPro.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
9527 Sandifur Parkway Pasco, WA 99301
2 1 INSIDE Buy a Home Before Interest Rates Fall Further Real Estate Investment Tips
Say Goodbye to Kitchen Counter Clutter
3
Essential Advice for Snowbirds
Local Business Spotlight
4
Celebrity Tips for a Better Night’s Rest
Stars Share Their Sleep Advice
Have you ever struggled to fall back asleep after being awoken by the incessant barking of your neighbor’s chihuahua? How about those nights when your mind is too busy replaying every embarrassing memory of yours on a loop rather than drifting off into unconsciousness? If you sometimes find it hard to get to sleep, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 15% of adults have trouble falling asleep. Some of those adults are celebrities , and they have great tips to help us get to sleep! Oprah Winfrey The entrepreneur and television personality Oprah Winfrey has a tried-and-tested method for ensuring a good night’s rest: a hot bath. Science agrees! According to a study published in Sleep Medicine Reviews, a warm shower or bath can improve sleep duration, efficiency, and quality.
You don’t need Oprah’s billions to help you sleep soundly — just fill that bathtub with warm, sudsy water! Eva Mendes If you want to sleep like a baby — or like Eva Mendes — you might want to pick up a white noise machine. These devices help you drift to sleep on a wave of peaceful background noise. Gwyneth Paltrow We are all guilty of having a late-night snack from time to time. You know you’re in trouble when you are down to just Cap’n Crunch Oops! All Berries cereal in the pantry, and you’re still making yourself a bowl out of sleepy boredom. But that midnight munching impacts your sleep more than you may realize. That is why actress and business owner Gwyneth Paltrow has taken to eating an early dinner to prepare herself for bed. A study published in the
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health shows that eating within three hours of bedtime increases the chance you will wake up in the middle of the night by about 10%. Eating more than three hours before bedtime may be very helpful if you want uninterrupted rest.
4 WINDERMEREGROUPONE.COM | (509) 420-3999
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator