February 17, 2021
3 Ways Home Equity Can Have a Major Impact on Your Life
Posted by Nisha under Uncategorized | Tags: #homebuyers, cupertino real estate, Home Equity, LOS ALTOS REAL ESTATE, los altos realtor, mountain view real estate, nisha los altos realtor, Nisha Sharma Homes, SELLING YOUR HOME, silicon valley real estate, Sunnyvale |Leave a Comment
There have been a lot of headlines reporting on how homeowner equity (the difference between the current market value of your home and the amount you owe on your mortgage) has dramatically increased over the past few years. CoreLogic indicated that equity increased for the average homeowner by $17,000 in the last year alone. ATTOM Data Solutions, in their latest U.S. Home Equity Report, revealed that 30.2% of the 59 million mortgaged homes in the United States have at least 50% equity. That doesn’t even include the 38% of homes that are owned free and clear, meaning they don’t have a mortgage at all.
How can equity help a household?
Having equity in your home can dramatically impact your life. Equity is like a savings account you can tap into when you need cash. Like any other savings, you should be sensible in how you use it, though. Here are three good reasons to consider using your equity.
1. You’re experiencing financial hardship (job loss, medical expenses, etc.)
Equity gives you options during difficult financial times. With equity, you could refinance your house to get cash which may ease the burden. It also puts you in a better position to talk to the bank about restructuring your home loan until you can get back on your feet.
Today, there are 2.7 million Americans who are currently in a forbearance program because of the pandemic. Ninety percent of those in the program have at least 10% equity. That puts them in a better position to get a loan modification instead of facing foreclosure because many banks will see the equity as a form of collateral in a new deal. If you’re in this position, even if you can’t get a modification, the equity allows you the option to sell your house and walk away with your equity instead of losing the house and your investment in it.
2. You need money to start a new business
We’ve all heard the stories about how many great American companies started in the founder’s garage (i.e., Disney, Hewlett Packard, Apple, Yankee Candle, Keeping Current Matters). What we might not realize, however, is the garage (along with the rest of the home) supplied the start-up money for many of these companies in the form of a refinance.
If you’re passionate about an idea you have for a new product or service, the equity in your home may enable you to make that dream a reality.
3. You want to invest in a loved one’s future
It’s been a long-standing tradition in this country for many households to help pay college expenses for their children. Some have tapped into the equity in their homes to do that.
Additionally, George Ratiu, Senior Economist for realtor.com, notes:
“52% of Americans who bought their first home in 2020 said they got help with their down payment from friends or family. The number one lender? Their parents.”
It’s safe to assume a percentage of that down payment money likely came from home equity.
Bottom Line
Savings in any form is a good thing. The forced savings you can earn from making a mortgage payment enables you to build wealth through home equity. That equity can come in handy in both good and more challenging times.
February 12, 2021
Why It’s Easy to Fall in Love with Homeownership
Posted by Nisha under Uncategorized | Tags: #Buyers, #homeownership, #losaltosrealestageagents, #sellers, #sellingyourhomevirtually, cupertino real estate, LOS ALTOS REAL ESTATE, mountain view real estate, NishaSharmaHomes, silicon valley real estate |Leave a Comment
December 11, 2020
Winning as a Buyer in a Sellers’ Market
Posted by Nisha under Uncategorized | Tags: BUYERS, LOS ALTOS REAL ESTATE, los altos realtor, Los Altos Realtors, NishaSharmaHomes, SELLERS, sellers market |Leave a Comment
December 10, 2020
Happy Hanukkah
Posted by Nisha under Uncategorized | Tags: cupertino real estate, happy hanukkah, LOS ALTOS REAL ESTATE, los altos realtor, Los Altos Realtors, Nisha Sharma Homes, nisha sharma los altos real estaste, silicon valley real estate |Leave a Comment
December 8, 2020
How Remote Work Can Power Your Vacation Home Sale
Posted by Nisha under Uncategorized | Tags: LOS ALTOS REAL ESTATE, los altos realtor, Los Altos Realtors, nisha sharma los altos real estaste, NishaSharmaHomes, silicon valley real estate |Leave a Comment
This year, the opportunity to work remotely has increased the demand for vacation homes. Gay Cororaton, Senior Economist and Director of Housing and Commercial Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), notes:
“Working from home is a positive factor in demand for vacation homes.”
Buyers are taking advantage of the fact that working from home might be someplace other than their primary residence – at the beach, in the mountains, or somewhere in between. NAR explains:
“Sales in vacation-home counties increased 48% on average year over year in the third quarter; overall, 81% of vacation-home counties saw a year-over-year sales increase.”
Is it Time to Sell Your Vacation Home?
If you’ve been thinking about selling your vacation home, putting it on the market now while demand is high might be your best move. Here are two reasons why.
1. Vacation Homes Are Selling Quickly
These homes are not staying in the market for very long. NAR also notes:
“In September, 68% of vacation homes sold in less than a month. Historically, about 30% sell that quickly…It’s a pretty amazing uptick compared to past years.”
2. Home Prices Are Rising
With an increase in demand, prices go up. NAR continues:
“In the third quarter, prices in vacation-home counties rose by about 32% year over year. Seventy-nine percent of these counties experienced year-over-year price gains. NAR defines a vacation-home county as one in which seasonal housing accounts for at least 20% of stock.”
If your vacation home is sitting idle, maybe not attracting as many renters as you usually see, or if you simply want to sell it so you can trade up or take it off your worry list, now may be the time. Demand is high, so you’re in the ideal spot to get a stronger return on your investment today.
Bottom Line
Demand is on the rise, so let’s discuss your next steps when it comes to selling your vacation home.