If you’re debating whether or not you want to sell right now, it might be because you’ve got some unanswered questions, like if moving really makes sense in today’s market. Maybe you’re wondering if it’s even a good idea to move right now. Or you’re stressed because you think you won't find a house you like.
To put your mind at ease, here’s how to tackle these two concerns head-on.
Is It Even a Good Idea To Move Right Now?
If you own a home already, you may have been holding off because you don’t want to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on your next house. But your move may be a lot more feasible than you think, and that’s because of your equity.
Equity is the current market value of your home minus what you still owe on your loan. And thanks to the rapid appreciation we saw over the past few years, your equity has gotten a big boost. Just how much are we talking about? See for yourself. As Dr. Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic, explains:
“Persistent home price growth has continued to fuel home equity gains for existing homeowners who now average about $315,000 in equity and almost $129,000 more than at the onset of the pandemic.”
In Centre County we've seen the average appreciation rate tripled in some homes. Those rates are slowing down now, but the rapid growth over the past few years still increased home values rapidly.
Here’s why this can be such a game-changer when you sell. You can use that equity to put down a larger amount on your next home, which means financing less at today’s mortgage rate. And in some cases, you may even be able to buy your next home in cash, avoiding mortgage rates altogether. This is especially true if you're thinking of downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home.
Will I Be Able To Find a Home I Like?
If this is on your mind, it’s probably because you remember just how low the supply of homes for sale got over the past few years. It felt nearly impossible to find a home to buy because there were so few available.
But finding a home in today’s market isn’t as challenging. That’s because the number of homes for sale is growing, giving you more options to choose from. Data from Realtor.com shows just how much inventory has increased – it's up almost 30% year-over-year (see graph below):
And even though inventory is still below pre-pandemic levels, this is the highest it’s been in quite a while. That means you have more options for your move, but your house should still stand out to buyers at the same time. That’s a sweet spot for you.
Bottom Line
If your current home no longer meets your needs & you think it's time to move, it might be easier than you think to sell your home and buy a new one. Reach out today to talk about your options with one of our buyer/seller strategy sessions.
