http://fgallegos.cbdistinctive.com/blog/archive_202011/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ In the second half of this year, the housing market surged with activity. Today, real estate experts are looking ahead to the winter season and the forecast is anything but chilly. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), notes:“It will be one of the best winter sales years ever.”The typical winter slowdown in the housing market is simply not on the radar. Here’s why.While today’s historically low mortgage rates are expected to remain low, they won’t be this low for much longer. This could be the last chance for homebuyers to secure such low rates, and they’re ready to take action. In a recent article, Bankrate explained:“If you’re looking to buy a home…expect mortgage rates to remain low into 2021. However, the possibility of rates falling to 2.5 percent or lower has faded as the U.S. economy has rebounded.”As long as we continue to see low interest rates, we’ll see hopeful buyers on the hunt for their dream homes. Yun confirmed:“The demand for home buying remains super strong…And we’re still likely to end the year with more homes sold overall in 2020 than in 2019…With persistent low mortgage rates and some degree of a continuing jobs recovery, more contract signings are expected in the near future.”The challenge, however, is the lack of homes available for sale. With that in mind, all eyes are on homeowners to see if they’ll sell this winter or wait until spring. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, says it’s best for sellers to capitalize on this moment sooner rather than later:“We currently see buyers sticking around in the housing market much later than we usually do this fall. If that trend continues, we will see more buyers in the market this winter, too. So, this winter is likely to be a good time to sell.”With buyers ready to stay active this winter, sellers who want to close a deal on the best possible terms shouldn’t wait until spring to put their homes on the market.Bottom LineExperts agree the winter housing market could potentially be bigger than ever. Whether you’re ready to buy or sell, contact a local real estate professional today so you can be in your dream home by the new year. http://fgallegos.cbdistinctive.com/blog/8678/winter-will-bring-a-flurry-of-activity-to-the-housing-market/ Tue, 24 Nov 2020 04:33:50 -0700 Note: Please be sure to follow COVID-19 safety recommendations for your local states and areas.Thanksgiving Day is a wonderful time to gather, give thanks and share in the joy of family and friends, so make it a memorable occasion by putting your own signature style on the event. Surprise your guests with unique touches you bring to your food and table that will make them feel extra special and make them sigh with contentment.Don’t forget the kiddos. Kick up the fun at the kids’ table and keep them amused while waiting to dig into dinner. Get them to eat their vegetables by placing a dollop of yummy dip inside a small cup along with colorful, dunked veggie spears that are ready to munch on. And strategically keep the peace by using place cards tucked on top of Tom Turkey cupcakes (for after dinner). Seat older children next to younger ones that need a little help passing and serving family style. Lastly, spare your fine linens and lay down a tablecloth of craft paper. Arm each child with a bundle of colored crayons and let them have at it. What’s better than scold-free table drawing?Set a perfectly appointed table. This is the time to channel your inner-most Emily Post. Follow the proper etiquette for utensil and glassware placement and bring out the fine china. Pick one main color and sprinkle it throughout your table setting – in the napkins, table runner and serving platters. Tie the whole look together with petite, colorful bouquets in the same themed hue and set them in front of each guest in individual bistro glasses for rows of beautiful, cohesive color.Best wishes and thank you notes. Not the typical kind, but new and special ways to share at the Thanksgiving table. Break the ice with the person seated next to you by having some fun with handmade napkin rings made of raffia twine and breakable novelty wishbones. For deeper bonding, put in your two cents of thankfulness on a note and then into a gratefulness jar that gets passed around the table. Let each guest pick out a note of thanks and read it aloud to emphasize the true meaning of the day.Bring out the best of the holiday and spread a table of good cheer, great food and an abundance of love and kindness. Happy Thanksgiving to all!—–Guest Post written by Tracy Ellison.Tracy Ellison is a creative content writer for The Studio, providing insightful information and ideas to enhance the art of living, with a background as an advertising photo stylist, designer, artist and copywriter. http://fgallegos.cbdistinctive.com/blog/8587/shake-up-your-turkey-feather-festivities/ Fri, 20 Nov 2020 10:42:16 -0700 Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties is thrilled to announce that its virtual Homes for Dogs Project, October 19-30, helped find forever homes for 107 pets! We partnered with local animal shelters in each of the markets we serve throughout Colorado, Idaho and Montana to raise awareness for adoptable pets and collect food and toy donations.This annual event, which is typically held in person, took place virtually this year. It reached over 18,500 people on social media, and featured collection boxes in each office for supply donations.“We are blown away by  how our communities have come together in support of this amazing cause, and are grateful to each and every person who joined in by raising awareness on social media, donating to the local shelters, and providing loving homes to these pets,” said Todd Conklin, Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties CEO. “This program really brings to life the ‘culture of awesomeness’ that’s at the heart of all we do.”For over 100 years, Coldwell Banker has helped people find homes. This project extends that mission to man’s best friend; because we believe there's nothing like coming home - especially when there's a furry friend waiting on the other side of the door!To learn more, please visit cbdistinctive.com/homes-for-dogs http://fgallegos.cbdistinctive.com/blog/8584/coldwell-banker-distinctive-properties-helps-find-furever-homes-for-107-pets!/ Fri, 13 Nov 2020 04:58:26 -0700 In today’s real estate market, the buzz is all about how it’s a great time to sell your house. Buyer demand is high, and there simply aren’t enough homes available to buy to meet that growing need. This means now is the time to make a move so you can close the deal on your ideal terms.Even in today’s strong sellers’ market, there are homeowners who are choosing not to sell due to ongoing concerns around the health crisis, financial uncertainty, and life in general. According to Zillow, here are the top three reasons homeowners who are thinking of selling sometime in the next three years are not putting their houses on the market right now:34% – Life is too uncertain right now31% – Financial uncertainty25% – COVID-19 health concernsIf you identify with any of these, you’re not alone. Whether it’s the future of your employment situation or simply being uncomfortable having guests in your home for showings, life feels a lot different than it did at this time last year. The good news is, real estate professionals have spent the majority of 2020 figuring out how to sell homes safely, and it’s paying off for those who are choosing to move this year.Real estate agents are doing two things very well to make selling your house possible:1. Agents Are Implementing Technology in the ProcessWhile abiding by state and local regulations as a top priority, real estate agents are making sales happen safely and effectively by leveraging key pieces of technology. Agents know exactly what today’s buyers and sellers need and how to put the necessary digital steps in place. For example, agents have capitalized on the technology buyers find most helpful when deciding on a new home:Virtual toursAccurate and detailed listing informationDetailed neighborhood informationHigh-quality listing photosAgent-led video chatsThey’re listening to their audience and leveraging the tools that help buyers get an initial look at a home without having to step inside. This helps reduce the number of people entering your home, so only those who are very seriously interested need to take the next step: in-person showings.2. Agents Are Facilitating Safe and Effective In-Person ShowingsAfter leveraging technology, if you have serious buyers who still want to see your house in person, agents are following the guidelines set by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and utilizing safe ways to proceed. Here are a few of them, understanding again that the agent’s top priority is always to follow­ state and local restrictions first:Limiting in-person activityR­­­equiring guests to wash their hands or use an alcohol-based sanitizerRemoving shoes or covering them with bootiesFollowing CDC guidance on social distancing and wearing face coveringsGetting comfortable with your agent – a true trusted advisor – taking these steps under the modern-era safety standards might be your best plan. This is especially important if you’re in a position where you need to sell your house sooner rather than later.As Jeff Tucker, Senior Economist for Zillow notes:“Homeowners who feel life is uncertain right now may think they can still get a strong price if they delay selling until they have more clarity. The catch is that waiting to sell may raise the cost of a trade-up. This fall’s record low mortgage rates, which make a trade-up more affordable on a monthly basis, are not guaranteed to last.”Bottom LineIn this new era in our lives, things are shifting quickly, and virtual strategies for sellers may be your ideal option. Opening your doors up to new approaches could be game-changing when it comes to selling your house while the market is leaning in your favor. As always, a trusted real estate professional can help you safely and effectively navigate all that’s new when it comes to making your next move. http://fgallegos.cbdistinctive.com/blog/8582/is-it-safe-to-sell-my-house-right-now?/ Thu, 12 Nov 2020 05:07:15 -0700 As we enter the final months of 2020 and continue to work through the challenges this year has brought, some of us wonder what impact continued economic uncertainty could have on home prices. Looking at the big picture, the rules of supply and demand will give us the clearest idea of what is to come.Due to the undersupply of homes on the market today, there’s upward pressure on prices. Consider simple economics: when there is high demand for an item and a low supply of it, consumers are willing to pay more for that item. That’s what’s happening in today’s real estate market. The housing supply shortage is also resulting in bidding wars, which will also drive price points higher in the home sale process.There’s no evidence that buyer demand will wane. As a result, experts project price appreciation will continue over the next twelve months. Here’s a graph of the major forecasts released in the last 60 days.I hear many foreclosures might be coming to the market soon. Won’t that drive prices down?Some are concerned that homeowners who entered a mortgage forbearance plan might face foreclosure once their plan ends. However, when you analyze the data on those in forbearance, it’s clear the actual level of risk is quite low.Ivy Zelman, CEO of Zelman & Associates and a highly-regarded expert in housing and housing-related industries, was very firm in a podcast last week:“The likelihood of us having a foreclosure crisis again is about zero percent.”With demand high, supply low, and little risk of a foreclosure crisis, home prices will continue to appreciate.Bottom LineOriginally, many thought home prices would depreciate in 2020 due to the economic slowdown from the coronavirus. Instead, prices appreciated substantially. Over the next year, we will likely see home values rise even higher given the continued lack of inventory of homes for sale. http://fgallegos.cbdistinctive.com/blog/8574/home-values-projected-to-keep-rising/ Thu, 05 Nov 2020 04:07:21 -0700