Hot Tips for Home Buyers and Sellers Right Now

A couple of home buyers talk with a real estate agent in the front room of a vacant house. — (Image credit: Getty Images)

The peak season for real estate sales typically hits its stride from April to June, and this year there’s more pent-up demand than usual. Even with mortgage rates dancing around the 7% mark, compared to two years ago when lenders offered 3% home loans, buyers tired of sitting on the sidelines and waiting for interest rates to settle are ready to make a move. At the same time, sellers used to 3.5% mortgages can afford to sit tight and wait to get their ideal price.

If you want to make a move this spring or summer, now is the time to sharpen your pencil. The combination of elevated mortgage rates, sky-high home prices and record-low housing supply are the thorns among the roses for home buyers this spring — and possibly for the foreseeable future. Hotter-than-expected inflation and robust payroll figures could prop up mortgage rates.

In the face of these obstacles, Fannie Mae forecasts offer a glimmer of hope, predicting an uptick in home sales transactions compared to last year as impatient buyers and sellers adjust to the reality of mortgage rates between 6% and 7%. It’s important to remember that becoming emotionally attached to a transaction can lead to financial loss. It’s easy to feel discouraged or frustrated by factors beyond your control, which underscores the importance of managing what you can.

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Here are the essential insights that will help you navigate the potentially tumultuous housing market this spring and early summer.

Buying: First-timers, investors and flippers

Given the uncertainty surrounding interest rates and home prices, the most pressing question for most buyers is: Is now the right time to buy?

Maybe. Maybe not. But it doesn’t hurt to explore your options. Dave Rowan, president of Rowan Financial, a fee-only financial adviser and housing expert who’s part of the Wealthramp network, tells clients, “It may not always be the best time to buy, but it’s always time to look, whether you’re a first-time buyer or an investor.”

For first-time buyers and investors, he stresses the importance of getting educated on how to purchase your first home or investment property. In addition to considering home prices and mortgage rates, Rowan advises paying close attention to four additional expenses: taxes, insurance, maintenance and utilities.

Taxes and insurance can vary significantly by location, and it’s crucial to be aware of potential insurability crises in areas like Florida and California. A useful guideline for annual maintenance costs is 0.5% to 0.6% of the home’s purchase price. However, for older properties, such as buildings over 150 years old, annual maintenance expenses can rise to 1% to 1.5%. Utilities, on the other hand, can be estimated more straightforwardly based on the property’s square footage.

You should also identify your buyer profile and any associated advantages. For example, if you’re a veteran, you can benefit from the VA home loan program, which typically offers no down payment requirement, competitively low interest rates and no need for private mortgage insurance (PMI).

However, with housing prices tripling in absolute terms since 2000 and more than doubling when adjusted for inflation, finding a “forever home” on the first try has become increasingly challenging.

Rowan says a potential solution for first-time buyers or those eager to delve into real estate investing is “home hacking.” This approach involves purchasing a property, residing in part of it and renting out the other parts. One of the significant benefits is the ability as an occupant to qualify for an FHA loan with as little as 3% down. In areas with high rental costs, the financials could be more favorable than renting.

Basically, it allows you to occupy the property for a few years, make improvements, then rent it out entirely and move on to your next home hack, effectively becoming a serial investor. “It’s a win-win from the standpoint of getting into a home earlier than you might otherwise, reducing your monthly cash outlay compared to renting and starting your path as a real estate investor,” Rowan explains.

Look for deals elsewhere

Investors should also look beyond the MLS for deals by collaborating with national or local wholesalers or forming connections with banks eager to offload properties, perhaps through a short sale rather than the foreclosure process.

While house flipping remains a favored investment strategy, especially at the market’s bottom, current conditions — high prices and slowing price acceleration — make it an inopportune time to start flipping. Despite the FOMO induced by social media and TV shows, Rowan highlights a crucial consideration: Success in these ventures often depicted on HGTV is typically due to one partner having construction expertise and the other design skills, allowing them to eliminate these costs from their budget.

From an investment perspective, it’s also important to recognize real estate returns have historically lagged behind the stock market. Although real estate can present lucrative opportunities, it shouldn’t be regarded as a guaranteed long-term, safe investment.

When considering a purchase, affordability is key to avoid becoming house-poor. Keep in mind, in real estate you make your profit when you buy. The true profit in real estate comes from purchasing at the right price, not from selling.

Selling: Market drivers

What about selling in this market?

Many homeowners, having secured ultra-low interest rates or hesitant to sell amidst soaring home prices, find themselves in a tight market where demand consistently outstrips supply.

That means if you’re a seller, you're mostly in the driver’s seat.

But even for those prepared to sell, such as retirees looking to relocate or downsize, the era of effortlessly attracting buyers with mere listings, reminiscent of times with rock-bottom rates, has passed. Despite the low supply, high rates and home prices have led to a more cautious and discerning buyer base.

Strategic thinking is essential for sellers in this environment. Rowan suggests “partnering with a Realtor who has in-depth knowledge of your local market (and neighborhood) and understands the specifics of your home and the type of buyer it will appeal to.” He emphasizes “the importance of pricing the home correctly — not too high to scare buyers away, yet not so low that it undervalues the property.”

A significant trend that sellers, particularly on the East Coast, should note is the burgeoning demand for historical homes. Buyers are seeking properties with character and are willing to pay for that unique charm.

Different expectations for historical homes

Rowan highlights a crucial distinction in preparing homes for sale: While newer constructions must be updated, immaculate and well-maintained, historical homes are treated differently. They should be presentable and show well, but it’s not necessary to fix everything, as they do not require the same level of perfection for listing.

This spring and early summer real estate market, whether as a buyer or a seller, requires a nuanced understanding of current trends, strategic planning and a bit of savvy.

The main thing to keep in mind is that the right time to buy or sell is not dictated by the market alone, but by your personal circumstances and the thoroughness of your preparation. Real estate is one very important financial asset. Just keep in mind how it fits into your larger financial picture. It may be smart to collaborate with a fee-only financial adviser to get unbiased advice and guidance on how your next real estate transaction impacts your whole financial life.

Disclaimer

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.

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With more than 25 years in investor advocacy, Pam Krueger is the founder and CEO of Wealthramp, an SEC-registered adviser matching platform that connects consumers with rigorously vetted and qualified fee-only financial advisers. She is also the creator and co-host of the award-winning MoneyTrack investor-education TV series, seen nationally on PBS, and Friends Talk Money podcast.