Tag: #NationalAssociationofRealtors

Have You Given Up on Owning a Home?

This isn’t 2021. Or even 2023 or 2024.

If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone.

But the good news today is that things have changed, and you might want to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off in many areas, and mortgage rates easing, today’s market is offering something you haven’t had in a while: options.

Experts agree, buyers are in a better spot right now than they’ve been in quite a long time. Here’s what they have to say.

Affordability Is Finally Improving 

Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says affordability is finally starting to turn the corner:

“Slower price growth coupled with a slight drop in mortgage rates will improve affordability and create a window for some buyers to get into the market.”

Mortgage rates have eased from their recent highs, price growth has slowed, and that one-two combo is making homes more affordable than they’ve been in months.

And please don’t get discouraged when you see what the “median sales price” is. The median is the price in the middle. There are just as many homes for sale below that number as above.

There Are More Homes on The Market

Prices are easing because there are more homes on the market. According to the latest from Realtor.com, there are 17% more homes for sale today than there were at this time last year. That means more options, less competition with other buyers, and a chance to find the space that actually works for you.

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price. Current inventory is at its highest since May 2020, during the COVID lockdown.” 

Take a look at the numbers.

As Yun notes, inventory is up everywhere. Compared to this time last year, every region of the country has more homes on the market than at this time last year (see graph below):

On Cape Cod, there are more homes and condos for sales, too.

So, when you step back and look at the bigger picture, this means more choices for everyone.

And with fewer buyers in the market and more homes for sale, sellers are willing to negotiate to get a deal done.

All of this adds up to a win if you’ve been thinking about buying.

If you stepped away from your search because things felt too competitive, too pricey, you were worried about finding a home, or it was all just too much to process, this could be your moment to take another look.

And if you’re not quite ready to go all in, that’s okay too. You can start by planning ahead. We’re here to work with you. We can help you break down your budget, narrow your search, and make sure you’re prepped and ready when the right home hits the market.

If prices on Cape Cod aren’t for you? Where else would you consider living? We can help you with that, too, as Today Real Estate has realtors throughout New England.

Bottom Line

Let’s talk.

Because this isn’t 2021.

This isn’t even 2023 or 2024.

This is a new market – and you might be surprised by what you could find.

Mari and Hank

Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.

The Best Time to Buy is Here!

Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price. 

If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, now’s the time to lean in. It’s officially the best time to buy this year. According to Realtor.com, this October will have the most buyer-friendly conditions of any month in 2025:

“By mid-October, buyers may finally find the combination of inventory, pricing, and negotiating power they’ve been waiting for—a rare opportunity in a market that has been tight for most of the past decade.”

So, if you’re ready and able to buy this month this means you should see:

  • More homes to choose from
  • Less competition from other buyers
  • More time to browse
  • Better home prices
  • Sellers who are more willing to negotiate

While October 12-18 is the national “best week,” conditions are in place now for buyers who have been waiting to upsize, downsize or right size to find the properties they’ve been looking for at prices that they’re willing to pay.

Here on Cape Cod, inventory is increasing as are days on market for listed properties. This means sellers should be interested in negotiating prices and terms so they can move on with their lives. Mortgage interest rates are also the lowest that they have been in a year helping buyers afford what are still high prices.

And remember home prices are lower elsewhere in other parts of Massachusetts, as well as New England and the country as a whole. So, you don’t have to limit your search to just on Cape. Through the various connections we have with realtors off Cape and elsewhere, we can refer you to a very qualified Realtor who can help you with your search.

What the Experts Are Saying

Realtor.com isn’t the only one saying you’ve got an opportunity if you move now. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

“Homebuyers are in the best position in more than five years to find the right home and negotiate for a better price. Current inventory is at its highest since May 2020, during the COVID lockdown.”

Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, puts it like this:

“Nationally, now is a good time to buy, if you can afford it . . . with falling mortgage rates and significantly more inventory, buyers have an upper hand in negotiations.”

And NerdWallet says:

“This fall just might be the best window for home buyers in the past five years.”

How To Get Ready

To make sure you’re ready to jump, talk to us now. We can give you the information you need to decide if this is the time for you to buy. We can discuss timing, strategy, and how you may be able to buy your new home before selling your current one.

You can find us at 508-388-1994 or msennott@todayrealestate.com. We’re here to help…

BTW…Hank’s new book of short stories will be available soon. Please watch for it. Copies “signed by the author” can be purchased via Venmo. Contact Mari for details. Thanks.

Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.

Buy Now or Wait for Rates to Drop?

Buyers who are holding out for lower mortgage rates may be missing a key opening in the market.

Mortgage rates are always a hot topic – and for good reason. After the most recent jobs report came out weaker than expected, the bond market reacted almost instantly. As a result, in early August mortgage rates dropped to their lowest point so far this year (6.55%).

While that may not sound like a big deal, pretty much every buyer has been waiting for rates to fall. And even a seemingly small drop like this reignites the hope we’re finally going to see rates trending down. But what’s realistic to expect?

According to the latest projections, rates aren’t expected to fall dramatically anytime soon. Most experts project they’ll stay somewhere in the mid-to-low 6% range through 2026 (see graph below):

In other words, no big changes are expected. But small shifts, like the one we just saw, are still likely. 

What Rate Would Get Buyers Moving Again?

The magic number most buyers seem to be watching for is 6%. And it’s not just a psychological benchmark; it has real impact. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says if rates reach 6%:

  • And roughly 550,000 people would buy a home within 12 to 18 months
  • 5.5 million more households could afford the median-priced home

That’s a lot of pent-up demand just waiting for the green light. And if you look back at the graph above, you’ll see Fannie Mae thinks we’ll hit that threshold next year. That raises an important question: Does it really make sense to wait for lower rates?

Because here’s the tradeoff. If you’re waiting for 6%, you need to realize a lot of other people are too. And when rates do continue to inch down and more buyers jump into the market all at once, you could face more competition, fewer choices, and higher home prices. NAR explains it like this:

“Home buyers wishing for lower mortgage interest rates may eventually get their wish, but for now, they’ll have to decide whether it’s better to wait or jump into the market.”

Consider the unique window that exists right now:

  • Inventory is up = more choices
  • Price growth has slowed down = more realistic pricing
  • You may have more room to negotiate = you could get a better deal

These are all opportunities that will go away if rates fall and demand surges. That’s why NAR says:

“Buyers who are holding out for lower mortgage rates may be missing a key opening in the market.”

Bottom Line

Some people have told us that they are holding off on making their next move in order to see “what happens.” If that means if rates are going to drop, you have your answer. They aren’t expected to hit 6% this year.

But when rates drop, you’ll have to deal with more competition as other buyers jump back in. If you want less pressure and more negotiating power, that opportunity is already here – and it might not last for long. It all depends on what happens next in the economy.

If you’re thinking about entering the market but want to talk it through, we’re here to listen. You can find us at 508-388-1994 or msennott@todayrealestate.com. Let us know how we can help.

Mari and Hank

Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.

Think No One Is Buying Right Now??

Think again.

Maybe you’ve seen headlines saying home sales are down compared to last year. You might even be thinking – is it even a good time to sell? 

Here’s the thing. There’s no denying that the pace of the market has cooled compared to the frenzy we saw just a few years ago. Cumulative days on market for 2025 is 61 as opposed to 47 one year ago. But that’s not a red flag. It’s a return to normal. And normal doesn’t mean nothing’s happening. Buyers are still out there – and homes are still selling.

Why? Because real life doesn’t pause for perfect conditions. There are always people who need to buy – and this year is no exception. Buyers who are in the middle of a big change in their lives, a new marriage, a growing family, or a new job still need to move, no matter where mortgage rates are. And they may be looking for a home just like yours.

Every Minute 8 Homes Sell

Let’s break it down using the latest sales from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Based on the current pace, we’re on track to sell 4.03 million homes this year (not including new construction).

  • 4.03 million homes ÷ 365 days = 11,041 homes sell per day
  • 11,041 homes ÷ 24 hours = 460 homes sell per hour
  • 460 homes ÷ 60 minutes = roughly 8 homes sell every minute

That means in the time it takes to read this; another 8 homes will sell. Let that sink in. Every minute, buyers are making moves – and sellers are closing deals.

If you’ve been holding off on selling your house because you think buyers aren’t out there, let this reassure you – there are still buyers looking to buy.

On Cape Cod more than 900 single family homes have closed this year with nearly 1,100 more pending. The median sales price for the year thus far is $756,490.00. That’s 3% higher than last year.

Remember: median sales price is the midway point. There are just as many homes for sales below the median price as above.

But since the market is balancing out, selling today takes more than just putting up a sign in the yard. You’ve got to price your house right, market it well, and know how to reach the buyers who are ready to act. That’s where we come in.

We’ll help you navigate this market, position your home to stand out, and guide you through every step.

We know the market so we also can assist you in finding the right home that meets your goals.

Bottom Line

The market hasn’t stopped. Buyers are still buying. Life is still happening. And if selling your home or buying one (or both!) is part of your next chapter, you can make it happen.

Roughly 11,000 homes are selling every day. When you’re ready to make the change you need to, let’s connect at 508-388-1994 or msennott@todayrealestate.com and we’ll start working on where’s next for you.

Mari and Hank

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.