» 2021 » August | Lee Stillwell

What Buyers and Sellers Need To Know About the Appraisal Gap

It’s economy 101 – when supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally rise. That’s what’s happening in today’s housing market. Home prices are appreciating at near-historic rates, and that’s creating some challenges when it comes to home appraisals. In recent months, it’s become increasingly common for an appraisal to come in below the […]

August 31, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

The Difference in Net Worth Between Homeowners and Renters Is Widening

Becoming financially secure is an important goal for many people today, but some don’t realize just how much homeownership can help them achieve that dream. A recent report, The Journey Toward Financial Freedom, surveys Americans about their perspective on financial wellness and their goals. It shows there may be a significant misconception about the role […]

August 30, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

Your Checklist To Get Ready To Sell [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights When it comes to selling your house, you want it to look its best inside and out. It’s important to focus on tasks that can make it inviting, show it’s cared for, and boost your curb appeal for prospective buyers. Work with your trusted real estate advisor to determine what you need to […]

August 27, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

If Housing Affordability Is About the Money, Don’t Forget This.

There are many non-financial benefits of buying your own home. However, today’s headlines seem to be focusing primarily on the financial aspects of homeownership – specifically affordability. Many articles are making the claim that it’s not affordable to buy a home in today’s market, but that isn’t the case. Today’s buyers are spending approximately 20% […]

August 26, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

Why 2021 Is Still the Year To Sell Your House

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to sell your house, this is the time to think seriously about making a move. Fannie Mae’s recent Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) reveals the number of respondents who say it’s a good time to sell is higher now than it was over the past few summers (see […]

August 25, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

What To Do with Your Vacation Home as Summer Ends

As summer comes to a close, is it time to think about selling your vacation home? Based on recent data and expert opinions, it’s something you may want to consider. According to research from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), vacation home sales are up 57.2% year-over-year for January-April 2021. If you’ve taken your last […]

August 24, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

What Do Experts Say About Today’s Mortgage Rates?

Mortgage rates are hovering near record lows, and that’s good news for today’s homebuyers. The graph below shows mortgage rates dating back to 2016 and where today falls by comparison.Generally speaking, when rates are low, you can afford more home for your money. That’s why experts across the industry agree – today’s low rates present […]

August 23, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

Options for First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights With a housing market this competitive, sometimes you have to think outside the box. Work with your trusted real estate advisors to do things like assess your budget, expand your search radius, look into other options, and determine your true needs. If you’re having trouble finding your first home, explore your options. It’s […]

August 20, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

More Young People Are Buying Homes

There’s a common misconception that younger generations aren’t interested in homeownership. Many people point to the fact that millennials put off purchasing their first home as a reason for this belief. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist for First American, explains why millennials have put off certain milestones linked to homeownership. Those delays led to their […]

August 19, 2021 Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, Bethesda MD, Chevy Chase MD, Gaithersburg MD, Great Falls VA, Kensington MD, Listings, McLean VA, North Bethesda, MD, Potomac MD, Real Estate Topics, News And Events, Rockville MD, Washington DC

Real Estate: It’s Still a Lack of Supply, Not a Lack of Demand

One of the major questions real estate experts are asking today is whether prospective homebuyers still believe purchasing a home makes sense. Some claim rapidly rising home prices are impacting demand and, by extension, leading to the recent slowdown in sales activity. However, demand isn’t the real issue. Instead, it’s the lack of supply (homes […]