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How To Continue Practicing Balance After The Pandemic

August 4, 2021

The past year and a half has consisted of a whirlwind of change and emotions. Together, we’ve adapted to an “at-home” lifestyle and now, as we transition out of the pandemic, are adjusting to our “new normal.” Stanford psychologist Jamil Zaki believes,  “the harrowing experience of the past year is a unique opportunity to reset people’s expectations about many aspects of society. Instead of simply returning to life before the pandemic, what if we could institute new personal and social norms that are more balanced, just and equitable?”


Spending more time at home has given many an opportunity to acquire new skills and hobbies. For those of you working remotely, your communication skills were put to the test. We had to adapt quickly to incorporating new technology into our daily routines. From using Zoom as a primary way to meet with others, to using social media platforms to promote our businesses. You may be starting to transition back to working in the office and feeling the need to hit the reset button...or do you? Think of this as a great opportunity to reconnect with your co-workers, and as a team, come out stronger than before. Create new goals and incorporate what you’ve learned into your daily routine.


Are there any big lifestyle changes you made during the pandemic? Did you increase exercise or learn new cooking recipes? Online workouts and cooking videos became two of the biggest trends across social media over the past year. But maybe you didn’t pick up either of these, and that’s okay! As we’re starting to get busier again, it’s so important to find time in your day that you can dedicate to focusing on yourself. Whether this means keeping up with exercise routines, reading a book, or cooking a new recipe, we all need a little time for our mental health. Never underestimate the need to focus on yourself and reflect on changes you’ve made, or still want to make. 


As restaurants, stores, and other businesses are opening back up, you may find yourself spending more money than you were before the pandemic. It’s been a long year and maybe you missed going out to eat at your favorite restaurant or shopping at the mall. If you’re struggling to balance your financials during this reset period, you are not alone. Try to create a budget and set aside some money for yourself to enjoy these activities, or if you’re considering buying a house in the future, don’t let this time take away from saving up for a down payment. Stick to your budget so you don’t have to go through the anxiety of over-spending. But every once in a while a splurge is okay! 


This is the time to grow as an individual in all aspects of your  life. Your “new normal” doesn’t need to be a complete reset but a happy medium between old and new routines.

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Q1 Recap

By Mikaylah Collins • April 12, 2023
We've begun to see signs that the Spring Market is here and could be robust! Here is what we know: According to NAR, home sales were up 14% in February over the previous month which marked the biggest monthly increase since July 2020. While March results are not yet published, the mortgage industry saw an increase in purchase applications for the 3rd straight month; a great sign for the housing market. Driving much of this activity is the stabilization of rates in January & February and lower interest rates this past month. We’re starting to see signs of a slowing economy and the markets are now pricing this in. This week we saw the 10-yr Treasury drop under 3.4%, a level it has not reached for quite some time and the lowest it’s been since September 9, 2022. This is great news for consumers as decreasing rates mean more home affordability. Over the past year, most markets have seen home prices stabilize if not even decline, albeit by a very small amount. This stabilization was still a relief for homebuyers as it helped to offset higher interest rates. As rates continue to decrease, we would expect home prices to again increase due to demand increases. In addition to increased demand, there is still a shortage of homes for sale nationwide and that will continue to worsen as more and more homebuyers enter the market.  So what does it all mean? Now is a GREAT time to buy a home! Rates and home prices are stable, there is not as much competition as there will be when rates do decrease, and buying a home is still extremely affordable for most. Once rates fall, we will likely see home prices rise and the competition for the shortage of homes will increase alongside it making the window of a buyer-dominated market very small.

Q1 2023 Market Outlook

By Sarah Rubin • February 10, 2023
We are well into Q1 and feel confident saying that the market appears to be stabilizing. Before we start looking forward, let’s quickly look back at the end of 2022.

Finding The Right Listing Agent For You

By Sarah Rubin • December 15, 2022
Buying a home is a huge investment and one we talk about often - BUT the flipside is that you have an opportunity to cash in on that investment when you’re ready to sell your home! While you do have the chance to cash-in, a lot more work goes into selling a home than you might think! If you are considering selling your home, working with a listing agent will help you market your home, negotiate with potential buyers, work through paperwork, and ultimately close on your home! So what is a listing agent? In its most basic terms, a listing agent is a real estate professional who represents the seller in a real estate transaction. The listing agent lists the home for sale and works on behalf of the seller to sell the home at the best price and terms for their client. Listing your home is a BIG deal and it is not a place to try and DIY. But why can’t you just grab a sign at Home Depot and try and sell yourself? Well, there are lots of reasons some of which include: Professional consultation: A listing agent will walk you through each step and tell you what to expect along the way! They should understand the specific community you’re in and the current market environment and will help you determine a competitive but realistic asking price for your home. Marketing and selling your home: Your listing agent will list your home on the multiple listing service (MLS) in order to better market your home to potential buyers. They also can make staging recommendations and hire a photographer to best show off your home and its features. They’ll schedule house showings, and can be present to answer any questions. Communication and negotiation: Communication is key to both buying and selling a home in order to minimize stress and misunderstandings. Listing agents take care of this important task, by staying in touch with interested buyers and their agents, fielding questions, handling paperwork, and negotiating the final sale price and terms. Recommendations: Seasoned listing agents might come with a list of professionals who they have worked with in the past that they enjoy working with in order to make the selling process smoother for you! Some of these professionals include: real estate attorneys or title companies, inspectors, stagers, those who specialize in home improvement AND of course trusted Loan Officers. How do I find the right listing agent for my situation? In order to find the right listing agent for you, make sure your agent is licensed and has experience, references, and a professional website where you can learn more about them and their qualifications. Most real estate agents work with both buyers and sellers, but some might specialize in one or the other. Once you find a few agents through referrals or online research, meet with them in person to ensure they meet your needs and work well with your personality. It is also important to ask questions during your meeting with them and it’s imperative that you determine what you’re looking for in an agent so you make sure you are happy with the product being delivered. Selling a home can be stressful, especially for first-time sellers. A listing agent can help by taking on some of the burden and providing the information and resources needed to help sellers make informed decisions. We work with agents on both sides of the transaction – if you have any questions or would like a recommendation for an agent in your area, please reach out to us!
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