Living 48 Real Estate Team

We talk about the seasonality of the market quite frequently. I want to thank Chris Butterworth for preparing this chart and explanation to share with you. This shows in a visual way, exactly what we are talking about! Let me know if you have any questions on this or anything else in the real estate subject area. I’m here to be a resource to you! Maricopa County Seasonal Sales Volume The seasonality in the Maricopa County real estate market couldn’t be more obvious, or consistent. Lots of sales in April, May and June; not as many in December, January and February. The highs have risen slightly higher each year, but the lows have gotten lower as well. Overall volume per year has remained relatively level over the last 3 years: up slightly in 2017 and then flat in 2018 and 2019 YTD. - Chris Butterworth * All chart data represents single-family detached homes only. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed.

Over the last several years (ever since the recovery started to happen) we have heard lots of doomsday reports of another recession or economic crisis being right around the corner. Bad news sells of course, but we also know that (at least in real estate) the market is cyclical and it will go up and down. Panic typically comes from being unprepared for unexpected events and so we thought it would be a great idea to discuss some of the financial lessons we learned from several financial cycles that we have experienced. We hope you find this information helpful and would love to have a conversation with you about any of these points should you desire. First point: Your home isn’t always an investment. I think it is important to understand that when you buy a primary residence, you may buy it with the thought that one day this will be a great investment property and chances are that if you hold onto it long enough, it absolutely will be. HOWEVER, when you are buying a primary

Home Viewpoints The Fed Doesn’t Dictate Mortgage Rates Ruben Gonzalez, Keller Williams Chief Economist|Published: Jul. 9 2019 Mortgage rates have dropped since late last year, and that’s good news for consumers. Lower rates mean consumers pay less over the life of their home loan. For agents, taking the time to understand how mortgage rates work is key. As you guide your clients through the homebuying or selling process, it’s a tool you can use to drive informed conversations and help them better weigh their options. So, what’s important to know about mortgage rates? First off, let’s talk about a common myth out there, that the Federal Reserve, also referred to as “The Fed,” sets mortgage rates. That’s not entirely true. What’s the Federal Reserve? It’s the central bank of the United States, and it controls our money supply. If you think about the U.S. economy as a person, money is the blood, the banking system is the heart, and the Fed is our cardiologist. Congress has tasked the Fe

In our “bigger is better” culture, there’s an expectation that each home should be larger and grander than the last. But life changes like divorce, kids leaving for college, or even the simple act of growing older can prompt us to find a smaller home that better suits our shifting needs and lifestyle. In fact, the advantages of downsizing are being increasingly recognized. A “tiny house movement” has gained passionate advocates who appreciate the benefits of living simply at any age and stage of life. Not only does a smaller home typically cost less, it also takes less time and effort to maintain. 1 Whatever your reasons are for downsizing, the process can seem overwhelming. That’s why we’ve outlined five steps to guide you on your journey. And in the end, we hope you’ll find that less is more … more comfort, more security, and more time and energy to spend on the activities and the people that you love. 5 STEPS TO DOWNSIZING SUCCESS Determine Your Goals and Limitations T