John Watts's (zwatts1) Blog

Homeowners over 55 are seeking solutions in their daily lives that will help them maintain and provide their safety and security.   Smart technology is part of the answer to help older people to age in place.  This will improve their quality of life and allow them to be independent longer.  Such ...

National Association of Realtors (NAR) says in a report that we are in an unusual housing market.  Existing home sales have fallen recently, but buyers are still anxious to purchase a home.  Mortgage rates and sales prices are higher, and currently experiencing low inventory of existing homes for...

The housing market is beginning to show signs of getting back to normal.   This is indicated by fewer contract signings and decrease in pending home sales recently.  The only area that has seen an increased number of sales is the northeast.  With fewer contract signings this is an indication that...

Income required to meet the new home affordability standard is growing at a faster rate.  This is resulting in less potential home buyers being able to afford higher median home prices and high mortgage rates.  At same time, there are sellers that are recognizing some buyers are being priced out ...

This coming year home sellers will hold the upper hand, especially through the spring.  As we go into the year buyers will be more sensitive to home price increases.  This is caused by higher home prices, mortgage rates and cost of other products which will cause potential buyers to tighten their...

Competition for buying a home has been unseasonably hot this past year.  Buyers faced bidding wars with low inventories.  NAR reported that January 2022 had the fewest number of homes available for sale on record with most of these homes sold under a month.  Mortgage rates are anticipated to rise...

Buyers are desiring larger homes so they can spread out.  Home builders are responding by increasing the average size of homes during this COVID pandemic.  While increasing the size of homes, number of four or more bedrooms and 3 and more bathrooms has risen.  Millennials and Generation X are loo...

In 2021, home buyers viewed the fewest number homes prior to buying.  According to National Association of Realtor (NAR) this was a record. Low housing inventory and technology are causing buyers to decrease the number of homes they are physically touring. Buyers are first going online to view ho...

At the end of 2021, the housing market remains in frenzy with more buyers than there are available houses.  Realtor.com indicates buyers are eager to purchase a home to protect themselves from potential interest rate hikes. The past year buyers were making offers quickly since homes were remainin...

After home inspection, settling on what needs to be repair usually is the last major hurdle for the transaction. Bypassing a home inspection not recommended in most situations. This is the best time prior to closing to discover flaws in the property that could become expensive to correct after be...