Team Theisen, Realtors

In sellers’ markets, increasing demand for homes drives up prices. Here are some of the drivers of demand: • Economic factors – the local labor market heats up, bringing an inflow of new residents and pushing up home prices before more inventory can be built. • Interest rates trending downward – improves home affordability, creating more buyer interest, particularly for first time home buyers who can afford bigger homes as the cost of money goes lower. • A short-term spike in interest rates - may compel “on the fence” buyers to make a purchase if they believe the upward trend will continue. Buyers want to make a move before their purchasing power (the amount they can borrow) gets eroded. • Low inventory - fewer homes on the market because of a lack of new construction. Prices for existing homes may go up because there are fewer units available.

A home purchase takes about 10 to 12 weeks from beginning to end (from searching online to closing escrow). Once an offer has been accepted and a home has been selected, escrow usually takes 30-45 days (under normal market conditions).Home buyers who pay cash have been known to purchase properties more quickly. How fast a home sells depends heavily on market conditions.Buying a home may take a little longer in hot markets where there is a lot of sales activity.It happens because several parties involved in the transaction get behind when business suddenly picks up. When home sales increase, the demand for appraisals and home inspections increases, but the number of appraisers and inspectors available to perform the work does not increase.Loan underwriting turn-around times can also be slow. The entire process gets delayed if each party takes a day or two longer to complete their work.

The first step to buying a home is getting pre-approval for a mortgage. Getting pre-approval in writing from a lender begins the process. Here's why: In order to find a home that fits your budget, you need to know how much you can borrow. This narrows down your online home search to suitable properties, meaning no time is wasted considering homes that are beyond your budget. Your lender's loan estimate will reveal how much money you will need to cover the closing costs and down payment. You may have more time to save the money, liquidate assets or ask family and friends for help with the down payment. You will have a clear picture of what is financially needed. Last but not least, getting pre-approved for a mortgage shows both your real estate agent and the seller that you are a serious buyer. Many agents require buyers to obtain a pre-approval before they can view homes - this is especially true when viewing luxury homes; the sellers will only allow pre-screened buyers.