If you're a first-time homebuyer or simply worry about being able to afford a down payment on a home, you're not alone. Reaching the suggested 20% down payment mark can be a tall task, and seem like an insurmountable obstacle to some. If you live in the St. Louis or St. Charles area, you no longer have to worry about finding enough money in your budget to put down a healthy down payment for a house you're interested in buying.
Can you go to an open house without an agent? Yes. But there are many implications to consider if you choose to tour a home without a licensed agent to represent your interests.
Good news! The housing market is still active! Agents and brokers alike are finding new and creative ways to accommodate social distancing. A lot of what you've been reading about the impact of COVID-19 is negative, so we wanted to start shining some positive light and commend our network of agents and brokers for their hard work. The good news? There could be some long-term benefits from the innovations made to the home-buying process that can carry over into the post-COVID era!
Congratulations! You've decided to begin your journey to becoming a homeowner. We know this cab be a stressful process, and are providing some information to help you along the way.
HomeTraq has several key services that for giving you a positive foundation for your home-buying experience. We will be assisting in your home search, and our network of lenders will be helping you through the financial process. The best part? Our network of real estate agents is ready to start showing you a home on your terms!
Here's what you should know if you're planning to buy a house.
Finding a home to tour
Searching for the right home is one of the most exciting parts of buying a house. It can be stressful at times, too. You can go in with certain expectations or with an open mind. Either way, you are making a huge decision, and it can carry a lot of stress.
That's why we are making it easy! Simply begin by visiting HomeTraq to view a home at your convenience! Start by choosing the property you want to see and when you want to see it. Once you click "SEE IT NOW," we will coordinate the rest. Most importantly, you can tour the home at a time that fits your busy schedule!
We also want to be sure that you find the home that is fitting your requirements. That is why HomeTraq is pulling houses from your local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) 24/7. This gives you several options for when you start your search.
Finally, it is important that you are surrounding yourself with people who have been through the home buying process. It is a long process, involving a lot of decisions. Having someone you trust in your corner with experience buying a home can help answer any questions you may have or advise you along the way.
Good news! The housing market is still active, and agents and brokers are finding new and creative ways to accommodate social distancing! A lot of what you read about the impact of COVID-19 is negative, so we wanted to shine some positive light and commend our network of agents and brokers for their hard work. The good news? There could be some long-term benefits from the innovations made to the home-buying process that can carry over into the post-COVID era!
|
St Louis Region Escapes the Housing Crisis of 2020 Despite what the news media may imply, the pandemic and protests HAVE NOT severely damaged the St. Louis area real estate market. Home Showings are increasing as the stay-at-home orders are lifted. Sales Prices continue to rise as the number of Homes for Sale sinks to historically low levels. Additionally, Homes Under Contract are similar to Sold Homes during the same timeframe last year. Scroll down for more local housing info & stats and check out current for-sale, recently sold and open houses in your neighborhood. |
Pent-up housing demand during the shutdowns is about to be unleashed as many coronavirus-related restrictions to daily life are lifted or relaxed and consumers return to the real estate market. Home sales are bouncing back from their bottom during the COVID-19 pandemic and many buyers are moving quickly amid the return of bidding wars.
Looking forward, the market is ripe for robust activity. Mortgage applications are defying economists’ expectations, rising 54% since April, the Mortgage Bankers Association reported recently. Mortgage rates for 30-year loans have broken through record lows three times in as many months, making borrowing costs favorable for prospective buyers who are looking to get off the fence and purchase. Meanwhile, home prices continue to rise, even as uncertainty around the pandemic persists.
Kicking off at the end of March, spring signals the start of homebuying season…at least it used to. As you know, the coronavirus pandemic has changed everything about this spring—including the real estate market.
The months of April through July traditionally account for more than 40% of all housing transactions. 2020 has been much different. This year's homebuying season started in January due to record low mortgage rates, low inventory and high demand. In fact, just prior to the pandemic, the housing market was hot—with sales at their best levels in over a decade and multiple offer situations part of the norm.
