Ramilya Siegel

The talk of a housing bubble in the coming year seems to be at a fever pitch as rising mortgage rates continue to slow down an overheated real estate market. Over the past two years, home prices have appreciated at an unsustainable pace causing many to ask: are things just slowing down, or is a crash coming? To answer this question, there are two things we want to understand. The first is the reality of the shift in today’s housing market. And the second is what experts are saying about home prices in the coming year.

According to National Association of REALTORS®, roughly 30% of buyers are waiving their inspection. Here’s why that’s not worth the risk. Getting an inspection ensures you know what condition the house is in to avoid costly surprises down the road. Your inspection is a crucial step in the homebuying process. Having a trusted real estate professional to guide you through the important steps of homebuying helps you have a successful transaction.

Have you spoken with a lender yet to determine how much house payment you will be comfortable with? I work with several good lenders, I can email you their information if you would like it. Let me know how I can be of help. I'm here for you. As your REALTOR® I can provide information and assistance in many areas. Please contact me with your questions or to start working on purchasing your new home.

Make sure your gutters stay clean and clog free. It's best to do this before leaves get wet from rain or snow. Check caulking and weather strips around doors and windows. Trim back tree branches that are too close to your house or other building structures. Check for peeling paint and scrub any mildewed areas you find on your siding. Examine, repair and replace caulk and grout around your bathtubs and showers. Check your fire extinguisher. Refill or replace as needed. Check your driveway for cracks. Fill cracks and reseal as needed.

Can you afford it? How Do You Know If You Can Afford To Buy a House? Do you feel that you’re ready to buy your first home? Tired of paying your landlord’s mortgage? Do you want to put down roots and start building equity for yourself? There are many reasons why people decide it could be time to buy a home. The costs associated with buying and owning a home can feel overwhelming but fortunately there are simple steps you can take to see if you can afford to buy a home. Talk With a Lender The best step you can take to start your home buying planning is to find a good lender and meet to talk about your financial situation. Your lender will look at your income, savings and credit and then talk about your needs. They will help you explore the loan options available to you and the down payment, saving reserves and closing costs requirements.

Many homeowners are surprised when they suddenly realize that “perfect” home of just a few years ago no longer suits their needs. From an expanding family to the empty nest, it’s common for a home to no longer be the right fit. If you’re unsure if you’ve reached the point where a move is warranted, here are a few things to consider. • More Kids than Rooms or More Rooms than Kids • Clutter or Lack of Storage • Home Office • Outdoor Entertaining • Lifestyle Your reasons for moving will be as unique as you are, but these are just a few considerations which indicate you might have outgrown your current home. Make sure your home still meets your needs and wants, then you’ll be able to decide if it’s time to move.

Where do I start when I want to downsize my Guilford County Home? 1. Start with the easy stuff. Eliminate anything that’s broken, damaged, or no longer wanted. Then, go to the out-of-the-way spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and garages. Progress in these "easier" parts of your home will help you build momentum and tackle the harder-to-decide areas. 2. Ask yourself, "If this disappeared tomorrow, would I run out and replace it?" If you wouldn't miss it or need to replace it, it's probably not worth keeping. 3. Don't be a storage unit for others. If friends or relatives have left things for you to store, it's time to ask them to pick up their possessions—or arrange to have them shipped. You may need to be tough and set a firm deadline, after which you will donate the items.