When you're searching for a new home would you spend much time looking at a listing with poor quality photos? No? We wouldn't either because these days everyone has higher expectations when it comes to images in marketing. Its vitally important to make sure you use the best pictures available when marketing your home, but if using quality photos is the new standard what can you do to really set your listing apart? Video!
So, when is the best time of the year to buy a house? Spring and summer, when inventory is at its peak? Fall, when the market starts slowing down and sellers are getting desperate? Or winter, when inventory is at its lowest?
When is the best time to sell a house? Most real estate agents will say the best time to sell a home is in the spring and summer. Many real estate agents will go on vacation over the November and December months because the inventory of available homes drops to a seasonal low in December and January. This leads many people to not buy or sell homes in the winter months.
Is a mortgage pre-approval letter necessary to make an offer on a house? The short answer is no. However, if you want your offer to be taken seriously and to stand out from any competing bids, this little piece of paperwork can really give you the edge.
Children like Keira Stout, a 10-year old girl who lived her life spreading joy and laughter to everyone she met. Her one wish was for the world to know that "Kind is the New Cool" and that children like her deserve #MoreThan4.
USA Mortgage gathered silent auction items, raffles, and donations all benefiting the cause! I had a blast participating in the tournament and besides supporting local families, the tournament provided a great atmosphere for professionals from all facets of the real estate world to network and get to know each other. It's important in any transaction for your realtor, lender, or contractor to have a good rapport with the other professionals involved.
While golf may not be our strongest suit, moving lives forward it!
Jerrod Nash, Account Executive
USA Mortgage - Mueller Branch
Six CityPlace, Suite 150
Saint Louis, MO 63141
Direct:(314) 628-2028
Cell:(314) 669-1313
Email:jnash@usa-mortgage.com
If you’ve recently started your new home search, you may have been asked several times already if you’ve been pre-approved. It’s something that I usually ask all my clients, typically before we even start looking at homes. I’m not asking because I’m rude or nosy, I’m asking because it’s important for my clients that they are pre-approved for a mortgage before they start viewing homes. Let me tell you why.
If you’re planning on applying for a conventional mortgage, you’re going to need a decent credit score before applying. Generally speaking, anything over 620 is needed to get approved for a conventional mortgage, though a lower score is fine for other types of government-backed home loans.
Ever thought about leasing a home? Many of our clients are owners, but we also do tenant agency. If you're interested in looking at our properties we can help, but we help with other properties as well.
If you're looking for a home for lease, there's plenty of them out there from $1,000/month to $10,000/ month. The link below will show you all the homes available for lease today.
Homes for Lease by Avenue
Fall is approaching with cooler temps, Friday night lights, and pumpkin spice everything! This is also the perfect time of year to tackle a few home maintenance issues.
St. Louis often gets a bad wrap, and while the media tends to love the struggles of our city, ask any St. Louisian and they’ll paint a much brighter picture. The housing market also shows a much brighter future than is often portrayed for our slice of the Midwest.
This past weekend we hosted Friends and Family Appreciation tent at the 2017 Wildwood BBQ Bash. We had a great time catching up, enjoying drinks and great BBQ with everyone. Thanks to everyone who made it out. If you weren't able to make you can check out our highlights video below. Hope to see you next year!
Justin Hansen and Greg Abel take us on a tour of a beautiful home in Town and Country, MO at 359 Pebble Acres. For more info give us a call at (314) 665-2010 or check us out online at AvenueSTL.com.
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending an event at Throwbacks Bar and Grill in St. Peters Missouri.
In just under a week, we'll celebrate our Country's independence by waving flags, wearing red-white-blue, and watching colorful firework displays. And there's no better place to do so than in the heart of the nation!
So, what's going on this weekend and over the 4th?
Fair St. Louis runs from July 2 through July 4th in Forest Park, kicking things off Saturday July 1 with a parade downtown beginning at 9:30AM. This is one of America's biggest birthday parties, with Free Admission and a firework show 3 different nights.
Ellisville Independence Day Celebration & 5K the day kicks off at 7:30am with a 5k and Kids Fun Run. Evening events feature food, games, bounce house, a giant slide, and a firework display.
St. Charles Riverfest runs from July 1-4th and will host a parade, live music, a carnival, food & craft vendors, and a firework display along the historic streets and riverfront.
And if you'd like to celebrate America by watching America's favorite pastime, don't forget the Cardinals play at home! The team hosts Washington over the weekend and Miami over the 3rd and 4th: https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/schedule/2017-07
Of course if you're planning your own 4th of July celebration, here are some great holiday themed recipes: http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/4th-of-july guaranteed to please your guests...and firework safety tips: http://www.fireworkssafety.org/safety-tips/
Hope you have a happy and safe 4th of July!!!
We’ve all heard how crazy the real estate market is these days, and who even wants to try to deal with that chaos? Should you just wait until things slow down later this year?
This week, mortgage rates sank to their lowest level of the year, but still much higher than where they were six months ago. As of Thursday, the 30-year fixed-rate average dropped to 3.95 percent.
If you are in the market to buy a home, you may want to look sooner rather than later. As the Feds just raised the interest rate, the cost of a home loan will become increasing more expensive. Last week the average interest rate on a 30-year mortgage was 4.21%. Economists are forecasting within the next month, this rate could rise to as high as 4.5%. This trend is expected to continue through 2018 with interest rates potentially reaching 5.5% by next summer.
According to Zillow, home prices on average will appreciate 4.6% in 2017. If you wait even a few months, you face the risk of higher home prices and higher borrowing rates. To avoid spending more on your monthly payment, let’s start putting together a game plan and get you pre-approved before it’s too late!
Please don’t hesitate to reach me if you have any questions. Happy Hunting!
paul@avenuereg.com
314.384.9335
West County - What’s the market like right now?
You’re probably hearing all over social media and the news that it’s no doubt a seller’s market - multiple offers, over asking sale prices, it’s do or die out there. But, then you’re also hearing that interest rates are going up, and if you’re going to buy a new home, you need to lock that in like yesterday. How do you even begin to make sense all of this, and decide what is best for you?
Well, let me be completely honest with you. It’s not THAT bad. I promise! I’ve been running numbers on the first quarter, and they speak for themselves. In the West County area, the average sale price is actually down in Q1 of 2017 vs Q1 in 2016. In fact, the average sale price is down a whopping 6%!
Inventory is lower, though, and houses are selling much faster than last year. Inventory is down 2% in 2017’s first quarter compared to first quarter in 2016, and houses are selling about 21% faster than last year at this time.
This is why it’s so important, now more than ever, to have an experienced Realtor representing you. Call me - let’s get started!
danielle@avenuereg.com
314-307-1254
In Real Estate transactions there are different types of agents who represent different parties in a transaction. As a buyer, especially if this is your first purchase, it is important you find a knowledgeable and persistent expert who will advocate for your best interests. This person is called a Buyer’s Agent. Here are 10 reasons why you need to hire one!
St. Louis Real Estate, real numbers
All over the St. Louis metro we’ve experienced warm winter temps and little-to-zero snow or ice, all of which has been great for the local housing market! Looking back to this time last year, the number of closings are up over 5% and homes are selling quickly, almost 10% faster.
Despite the market being what most would consider a “seller’s market”, prices remain mostly stable, only up 2.5% over recent years. So, is now the right time to buy?
Definitely! In fact, St. Louis housing affordability remains excellent, way better than the national average. In a recent report, it was stated that a person only needed an annual salary of $38,000 to afford a median priced home in the St. Louis region.
If you are considering purchasing a home, it is more important than ever to select a qualified realtor to help you navigate this market and negotiate competitively. Please call me at the number below with questions about the market or to start your home search!
kelsi@avenuereg.com
217-377-7700
