Consumers Agree: It’s a Good Time to Sell a Home in West Hills, CA
In today’s sellers’ market, many homeowners are weighing their options and trying to decide if they should sell their house. If you’re in that group who wants to sell a home in West Hills, you may be balancing things like the ongoing health crisis, rising mortgage rates, and your own changing needs to determine your best time to make a move.
However, recent data shows that time may already be here. According to the latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) by Fannie Mae, 76% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell.
Looking back over the past few years, it’s clear consumers are incredibly optimistic today. The graph below shows the percent of survey respondents who say it’s a good time to sell a house, and their positive outlook is on the rise. The big dip near the middle of the chart indicates how consumer sentiment about selling dropped at the beginning of the pandemic as uncertainty about the health crisis and its impact grew. The good news is, the trend today shows a continued, drastic improvement, and people are feeling more and more confident with time about selling a home.
In fact, survey respondents think it’s an even better time to sell a house today than they did in the lead-up to the health crisis. The latest survey results indicate we’re at one of the strongest peaks in seller sentiment since March of 2019, hitting highs when 77% of people thought it was a good time to sell only twice before in June and October of 2021.
Why Are Consumers So Optimistic About Today’s Housing Market?
From record-high equity gains to record-low housing supply and significant buyer demand, homeowners have more motivation than ever to sell. There are more buyers in today’s market than there are homes for sale, and that’s driving home prices up, making it a great time to sell a home in West Hills.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the current supply of homes for sale today is at a 1.8-month supply, which is an all-time low. According to local data from Infosparks, there is less than a 1 month supply here in West Hills. When the supply of homes for sale is low, sellers will likely see more offers, which is exactly what’s happening right now. As NAR notes:
“The average home for sale is receiving 3.8 offers today, up from 3.3 offers just one year ago.”
With the inventory of houses for sale so low today pushing home prices in an upward direction, it’s no wonder consumers think it’s a good time to sell. If you’re ready to take advantage of today’s favorable sellers’ market, let’s connect today to explore your opportunities to sell a home in West Hills, CA.
How to Think Strategically as a Buyer In Today’s Market
The game of chess can provide incredible lessons to apply to all aspects of life, including the homebuying process. Chess requires you to plan and think about your strategy from the very beginning of the game.
The homebuying process, like chess, requires strategy and planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your plan is as strong as possible when you begin your home search.
Pre-Approval: the Best Opening Play To Make as a Homebuyer
It’s important to have a great opening play when you’re buying a home. And the best move you can make when you begin your home search is getting pre-approved by a lender. You’ve probably already heard this is an important step, but what exactly is pre-approval and what benefits does it provide you?
As Freddie Mac puts it:
“The pre-approval letter from your lender tells you the maximum amount you are qualified to borrow. Getting a pre-approval letter is not a loan guarantee, it simply states how much your lender is willing to lend you. . . .”
And while determining how much you can afford at the start of your search is critical, the pre-approval letter also serves another important purpose. Freddie Mac also notes:
“This pre-approval allows you to look for a home with greater confidence and demonstrates to the seller that you are a serious buyer.”
In the game of chess, a strong opening move signals to your opponent that you’re a serious competitor. As a homebuyer, your pre-approval letter signals to the seller that you’re a serious, interested buyer.
Homebuying: It’s a Team Game, Not a Single-Player Experience
Every step you take to create your strategy as a buyer is important in today’s market. Why? Mortgage rates are still low, but increasing. Prices are going up. There’s a limited supply of homes for sale. These are just a few key variables in today’s market you need to be prepared for.
That means leaning on expert guidance as you plan every move is more important than ever. Have a team of professionals – like your trusted real estate agent and a loan officer – every step of the way to make sure you make the right moves.
Getting a pre-approval letter isn’t just good strategy, it can be game-changing. It allows you to get a full understanding of what you can afford, and it signals to sellers that you’re serious. Let’s connect today to ensure you’re playing chess and being strategic during the home buying process.
Don’t Let Student Loans Delay Your Homeownership Dreams
If you’re looking to buy a home, you may be wondering how your student loan debt could impact those plans. Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off your student loans before you can buy your first home? Or could you qualify for a home loan with that debt?
To give you the answers you’re searching for, let’s take a look at what recent data shows. That way, you know what to expect and what to do next to achieve your dream of becoming a homeowner. While everyone’s situation is unique, your goal may be more within your reach than you realize.
Do you have to delay your plans because of student loans?
If you’re worried your student loans mean you have to put your homeownership goals on hold, you’re not alone. In fact, many first-time buyers believe they have to delay their plans. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“When asked specifically about purchasing a home, half of nonhomeowners say student loan debt is delaying them from purchasing a home (51%).”
When asked why their student loans are putting their plans on the back burner, three key themes emerged:
- 47% say their student loans make it harder to save for a down payment
- 45% say they think they can’t qualify for a home loan because of existing debt
- 43% say they believe the delay is necessary even though they’ve never applied for a mortgage
No matter which reason resonates most with you, you should know a delay may not be necessary. Here’s why.
Can you qualify for a home loan if you have student loans?
In the same NAR report, data shows many current homeowners have student loan debt themselves:
“Nearly one-quarter of all home buyers, and 37% of first-time buyers, had student debt, with a typical amount of $30,000.”
That means other people in a similar situation were able to qualify for and buy a home even though they also had student loan debt. You may be able to do the same, especially if you have a steady source of income. Apartment Therapy drives this point home:
“. . . buying a home with student loans is possible, experts say. The proof is in the numbers, too: Some 40 percent of first-time homebuyers have student loan debt, according to the NAR study.”
The key takeaway is, for many people, homeownership is achievable even with student loans.
The best way to make a decision about your goals and next steps is to talk to the professionals. A real estate advisor can walk you through your specific situation, your options, and what has worked for other buyers like you. They can also connect you with other professionals in the industry who can help. You don’t have to figure this out on your own – lean on the experts so you have the information you need to make an informed, confident decision.
Many other buyers with student loan debt are already achieving their homeownership dreams. Maybe it’s time to take the next step toward making yours a reality. Let’s connect to discuss your options and find out how close you are to achieving your goal.
Bottom Line
If you are thinking about selling or buying a home in West Hills, or refinancing a home throughout California this year, there are opportunities for you to reach your goals. When you rely on a trusted professional for information and allow me to be your guide, you can make the best decisions for you and your family. Let’s start the conversation now for your 2022 plan to sell a home in West Hills, CA.
For more articles like this, visit https://www.chasitylousteau.com.
Chasity Lousteau is a licensed Real Estate Broker and Mortgage Loan Originator based at Huntington Group. She provides residential real estate services to homeowners and home buyers in the West San Fernando Valley cities of West Hills, Woodland Hills, Topanga, Calabasas, Bell Canyon, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Hidden Hills, and surrounding areas throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. She also provides residential home loan financing throughout California. CA Dept of Real Estate Broker, Lic #01765025. Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #236646.
Huntington Group is a registered DBA of Masterman Roche Inc, which is licensed by the CA Dept of Real Estate, Lic #01180575 NMLS #359061. Main office: 305 Pasadena Ave, South Pasadena, CA 91030. SFV branch: 17337 Ventura Blvd #300, Encino, CA 91316.