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Richmond, TX Real Estate News

By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
House Hacks to Keep Cold Air at BayAs summer slowly shifts to autumn, cooler days and chilly nights are just around the corner. While this can be a relief after the summer heat, it won’t be as much of a relief when your heating costs start stacking up. Fortunately, it’s possible to prepare in advance to avoid some of the extra costs of winter while still keeping your home comfortable throughout the season. Though there are countless ways to do so and the right options for you will largely depend on your specific home, here are some little things you can do now that will have a big impact on how well your home keeps out the cold air this winter.Prep for the Cold The first thing that you should do when trying to get ready for the coming cold is to make sure you’ve blocked off many of the ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
It goes without saying that your doors are an important part of your home. They provide security, help to control the temperature, and even play a big part in the overall look of your home. Your front door is one of the first things that people notice when coming to your home, and the state that your door is in can have a noticeable impact on the impression that people have of your house and property. Stop and think about it for a moment: What sort of a message is your front door sending?If you don’t like what your door is saying or aren’t really sure how others view it, you might consider getting an upgrade. There are a few different types of updates you can give to your door depending on what you want and the sort of budget you’re dealing with, so you definitely have options. Here are...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Alarms play an important part in keeping your home safe. Smoke alarms and other fire alarms can give you an early warning in case a fire breaks out somewhere in your house, which is why it’s recommended that you keep your alarms in working order. To make this easier, some homeowners opt for hardwired alarms which don’t require periodic battery changes to stay active; these alarms are powered by your home’s electrical wiring, so they’re always functional as long as you have power.Unfortunately, these alarms sometimes go off when there isn’t a fire threat as well. While you don’t want your smoke alarm or other warning system to miss signs of an actual fire, it can be pretty frustrating if your alarm goes off all the time when there’s no actual danger. If you have issues with an alarm that...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
The financial benefits of buying a home versus renting one are always up for debate. However, one element of the equation is often ignored the ability to build wealth as a homeowner.According to the latest research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR):Homeownership is a key pathway to building wealth and narrowing the racial income and wealth inequality gap. Housing wealth (equity) accumulation takes time and is built up by price appreciation and paying off the mortgage.An increase in equity builds the wealth of the individual that owns it. This wealth can be passed down to future generations. The Federal Reserve in an addendum to their Survey of Consumer Finances explains:There are numerous ways families can transmit wealth and resources across generations. Families can dire...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Affordable Richmond TX 77469 Homes For SalePerhaps you are a first-time home buyer, or working with a limited budget, and have a special interest in finding an affordable home. Or possibly you are a renter fed up with rising rents who wants to investigate the many benefits of owning your own home. You may even be an investor looking for a property that offers good financial returns. All of those in the above categories will find much to consider by browsing the affordable Richmond TX 77469 homes for sale listed below.However, you should be aware that this is very active portion of the Richmond TX 77469 real estate market. There is a lot of competition from other buyers and inventory is limited. Consequently, prices have been rising in response to high demand.If you are interested how th...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
In todays real estate market, buyers shouldn't shop for a home with the expectation they'll be able to negotiate a lower sales price. In a typical housing market, buyers try to determine how much less than the asking price they can offer and still get the home. From there, the buyer and seller typically negotiate and agree on a revised price somewhere in the middle.Things Are Different TodayTodays housing market is anything but normal. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes today are: Receiving an average of 3.8 offers Selling in just 17 days Homes selling quickly and receiving multiple offers highlights how competitive the housing market is right now. This is due, in large part, to the low supply of homes for sale. Low supply and high demand mean homes often sel...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Keeping the climate in your home under control is important throughout the year. Not only do you need to have a reliable way to keep the heat of the summer sun at bay, but you’ll also want some method of keeping toasty and warm on cool autumn evenings and throughout the frigid winter. For many homeowners, this means a forced-air heat pump, usually as part of a combined central heating and cooling system. This isn’t the only option that’s available, however.Though you might think radiator heating is a product of a bygone era, radiator heating systems are actually the second most popular home heating option out there. Depending on where you live and the type of system you use, they can actually be more comfortable than forced-air heating and may even use less electricity to keep running. ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
There's a common misconception that, as a homebuyer, you need to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. In fact, a recent survey by Lending Tree asks what is keeping consumers from purchasing a home. For over half of those surveyed, the ability to afford a down payment is the biggest hurdle.That may be because those individuals assume a 20% down payment is necessary. While putting more money down if you're able can benefit buyers, putting 20% down is not mandatory. As Freddie Mac puts it:The most damaging down payment myth since it stops the homebuying process before it can start is the belief that 20% is necessary.If saving that much money sounds overwhelming, you might be ready to give up on the dream of homeownership before you even begin but you don't have t...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
An important metric in todays residential real estate market is the number of homes available for sale. The shortage of available housing inventory is the major reason for the double-digit price appreciation we've seen in each of the last two years. Its the reason many would-be purchasers are frustrated with the bidding wars over the homes that are available. However, signs of relief are finally appearing.According to data from realtor.com, active listings have increased over the last four months. They define active listings as:The active listing count tracks the number of for sale properties on the market, excluding pending listings where a pending status is available. This is a snapshot measure of how many active listings can be expected on any given day of the specified month.What no...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Some Highlights When it comes to the current housing market, there are multiple misconceptions from what the current supply of available homes looks like to how much houses are selling for. It takes professionals who study expert opinions and data to truly understand the real estate market and separate fact from fiction. Trust the pros. If you want to understand why its still a good time to buy, lets connect today.  
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Its economy 101 when supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally rise. That's what's happening in todays housing market. Home prices are appreciating at near-historic rates, and that's creating some challenges when it comes to home appraisals.In recent months, its become increasingly common for an appraisal to come in below the contract price on the house. Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser for CoreLogic, explains it like this:Recently, we observed buyers paying prices above listing price and higher than the market data available to appraisers can support. This difference is known as the appraisal gap . . . .Why does an appraisal gap happen?Basically, with the heightened buyer demand, purchasers are often willing to pay over asking to secure the home of their dreams. If you've ever t...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Some Highlights Pricing your house right takes market experience and expertise. To find the best list price, your agent balances current market demand, values of homes in your neighborhood, where prices are headed, and your homes condition. If you're ready to sell, don't guess on the price. Lets connect today so we price your house to attract multiple offers and maximize your return on investment.   
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Mortgage rates are hovering near record lows, and that's good news for todays homebuyers. The graph below shows mortgage rates dating back to 2016 and where today falls by comparison.Generally speaking, when rates are low, you can afford more home for your money. That's why experts across the industry agree todays low rates present buyers with an incredible opportunity. Here's what they have to say:Sam Khater, Chief Economist at Freddie Mac, points out the historic nature of todays rates:As the economy works to get back to its pre-pandemic self, and the fight against COVID-19 variants unfolds, owners and buyers continue to benefit from some of the lowest mortgage rates of all-time.Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, talks about how rates impact a buyers bottom line:Mortgage...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Air filters serve a wide range of purposes in your home. They remove dust and dander from the air, eliminate other allergens, keep some odors under control, and even reduce the wear and tear that your HVAC system experiences throughout the year. Depending on the filters you use, you may even be able to remove some viruses and bacteria from the air to keep the people in your house healthier. With all of the benefits that good air filters provide, the only real downside is that you have to replace them every few months to keep your home’s filtration system filtering at its best.There are a few other options available when it comes to filter types, however. One air filter that’s increasingly popular with homeowners is the electrostatic filter, which not only provides excellent filtration b...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
 Some Highlights When it comes to selling your house, you want it to look its best inside and out. Its important to focus on tasks that can make it inviting, show its cared for, and boost your curb appeal for prospective buyers. Lets connect to make sure your house shows well and catches a buyers eye.   
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your house, as problems with your roof can end up causing damage to a variety of other parts of your home. While most people are familiar with shingle roofs when it comes to home roofing options, there are actually a few different roof types available. One that is gaining a significant amount of popularity in recent years is metal roofing, due in part to its extreme durability and resistance to environmental factors that can damage traditional shingles.Once upon a time, metal roofing was largely made up of flat panels which seemed more at home on businesses or other non-residential structures. The material has come a long way since then, however. Modern metal roofing often mimics the look of shingles or tile roofs, adding a unique beauty t...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Whether or not you've been following the real estate industry lately, there's a good chance you've heard were in a serious sellers market. But what does that really mean? And why are conditions today so good for people who want to list their house?It starts with the number of houses available for sale. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors(NAR) shows housing supply is still astonishingly low. Today, we have a 2.6-month supply of homes at the current sales pace. Historically, a 6-month supply is necessary for a normal or neutral market in which there are enough homes available for active buyers(see graph below):When the supply of houses for sale is as low as it is right now, its much harder for buyers to find homes to purchase. That creates incre...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
 Some Highlights In todays sellers market, you're set up to win big when you list your house. That's because homes are selling fast, receiving 4.4 offers on average and often selling above the asking price. Then, when you buy your next home, you'll also win by addressing your changing needs and taking advantage of near historic-low mortgage rates. If you're ready to make a move, lets connect so you can capitalize on todays market and find your next dream home.  
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
According to recent data from realtor.com, median rental prices have reached their highest point ever recorded in many areas across the country. The report found rents rose by 8.1% from the same time last year. As it notes:Beyond simply recovering to pre-pandemic levels, rents across the country are surging. Typically, rents fluctuate less than 1% from month to month. In May and June, rents increased by 3.0% and 3.2% from each month to the next.If you're a renter concerned about rising prices, now may be the time to consider purchasing a home.Monthly Rents Are Higher Than Monthly Mortgage PaymentsWhen you weigh your options of whether to buy a home or continue renting, how much you'll pay each month is likely top of mind. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), monthly ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that's good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their homes potential. If you're on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this price appreciation last?Here's what three leading industry experts have to say about what lies ahead: Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors (NAR):At a broad level, home prices are in no danger of a decline due to tight inventory conditions, but I do expect prices to appreciate at a slower pace by the end of the year. Selma Hepp, Deputy Chief Economist, CoreLogic:The imbalance between robust demand and dismal availability of for-sale homes has led to a continual bidding over asking prices, which reached ...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
One of the hottest topics of conversation in todays real estate market is the shortage of available homes. Simply put, there are many more potential buyers than there are homes for sale. As a seller, you've likely heard that low supply is good news for you. It means your house will get more attention, and likely, more offers. But as life begins to return to normal, you may be wondering if that's something that will change.While it may be tempting to blame the pandemic for the current inventory shortage, the pandemic cant take all the credit. While it did make some sellers hold off on listing their houses over the past year, the truth is the low supply of homes was years in the making. Lets take a look at the root cause and what the future holds to uncover why now is still a great time t...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
With forbearance plans about to come to an end, many are concerned the housing market will experience a wave of foreclosures like what happened after the housing bubble 15 years ago. Here are four reasons why that wont happen.1. There are fewer homeowners in trouble this timeAfter the last housing crash, about 9.3 million households lost their home to a foreclosure, short sale, or because they simply gave it back to the bank.As stay-at-home orders were issued early last year, the overwhelming fear was the pandemic would decimate the housing industry in a similar way. Many experts projected 30% of all mortgage holders would enter the forbearance program. Only 8.5% actually did, and that number is now down to 3.5%.As of last Friday, the total number of mortgages still in forbearance stood...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(Champion Real Estate Group)
 Some Highlights If you're thinking of buying a home but wondering if waiting a few years will save you in the long run, think again. The longer the wait, the more you'll pay, especially when mortgage rates and home prices rise. Even the slightest change in the mortgage rate can have a big impact on your buying power no matter your price point. Don't assume waiting will save you money. Lets connect to set the ball into motion today while mortgage rates are hovering near historic lows.  
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