Even Through Real Estate We Can Help Support Our Environment

 

The environment is precious to us and if we respect it, it will respect us. When we think of ways we can improve our footprint, most real estate transactions do not come to mind. Most realtors and those that are involved in some way with the National Associaton of REALTORS® (NAR) are familiar with the Preamble of the Code of Ethics.

"Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization. REALTORS ® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment."

“REALTORS® will have to make sustainability a primary focus — because our customers and our planet demand it,” states NAR 2022 President Leslie Rouda Smith.

Every way we can, we should think about how it affects the Earth. Real estate transactions should not only focus on the clients but on the impact, they will have on the land itself. Here are three aspects to think about when respecting our environment.

First, governance.

Decision-making is the first step to take when thinking about how a real estate transaction will affect the earth. The National Associaton of REALTORS® under the 2022 NAR Leadership Team has created the Sustainability Advisory Group. The group consists of all Chairs who sit on the Public Policy Coordination Committee and the National Association of REALTORS®' Vice Presidents of Advocacy and Association Affairs. They are currently working on joining in a partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help keep those in the real estate industry up-to-date on how weather events affect housing and markets.

Second, resilience.

The National Associaton of REALTORS® is working on how it can change and sustain the environment. An example of what they are currently working in is the Flood Factor on realtor.com. This provides flood risk data on each listing, allowing property owners to accurately assess their risk and better prepare for future flooding events.  Another great example is NAR's Smart Growth Grants and Placemaking Program. This program supports both state and local associations giving them the resources to build parks, trails, and community gardens. NAR is backing FEMA's Risk-Rating 2.0 which helps with rating individual homes when it comes to flooding rather the rating flood zones. By doing this, homebuyers will have a better perspective on how flooding will affect the specific property they are looking to buy.

Third is environmental stewardship.

Data has shown that homebuyers will pay a premium for homes that are certified Energy Star or the National Green Building Standard. Realtors are also encouraging healthy green communities for homebuyers of all income levels and backgrounds.

If you are in the market for a new home, contact a Realtor who can help navigate the green housing market. Everything we do from the products we use to the homes we live in can impact the beautiful earth we live in.

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Follow These Two Suggestions When Purchasing A New Home

Springtime is a time when many home buyers come into the housing market. This spring, the housing market is still going strong with tons of competition. If a homebuyer finds a home they like, there is no time to think if you want to compete for an accepted offer. Here are two important things you should take action on before purchasing a home.

Bulk Up Your Credit Score

A homebuyer's credit score can either hinder or boost your chances of purchasing a home. Credit scores determine whether a homebuyer can get approved for a loan. Before starting the home buying process, a homebuyer needs to make sure their credit score is 650 or higher.

Lower Your Debt-To-Income Ratio

A homeowner's debt-to-income ratio is very important. It can not only affect getting a mortgage but can also affect the price of a home a homebuyer can purchase. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than 43% according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. For example, if a homebuyer's monthly income is $5,000 and monthly expenses are $1,000, then the debt-to-income-ration is 20%.

If you are considering purchasing a home, make sure to not only follow these two things but also contact a Realtor. A Realtor can help you with the process from start to finish. They will find the perfect home for the perfect price.

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The Pontchartrain Vineyards Has New Owners

 Monica Bourgeois and Neil Gernon, a New Orleans couple, decided to purchase Pontchartrain Vineyards last November after they visited the winery's Jazz'n the Vines events featuring Charmaine Neville. The wine spot was put up for sale last summer.

“You could see every star, it was one of the most charming things I’ve ever seen,” Bourgeois said.

The couple will plan to reopen the vineyard under the new name Wild Bush Farms & Vineyards. They love the vineyard but want to put their own stamp on it. They have painted the tasting room walls and replaced the furniture. That will add a ping pon table, frisbee golf and a movie screening area. The couple will keep the traditional Jazz'n the Vines events every spring and fall.

“It’s going to be this really cool viticulture playground out here,” she said. “There are hardly any wineries in Louisiana and I don’t know anyone that’s trying to do what we are going to attempt to do out here. We're going to do the style of wines we would enjoy drinking from around the world: thoughtful, honest, sustainable wines and that’s what we want to focus on, building an ecosystem, producing things of nutritional value that are beautiful.”

Monica and Neil are no strangers to the wine industry. Both worked in the wine distribution and retail industry on Magazine Street in New Orleans. In fact, in 2009 the couple, along with a vineyard owner in Napa, founded Vending Machine Wines. The results were nice red blends with California grapes and Louisiana flare.  There was a Double Shotgun, a Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot blend, and a Cabernet Sauvignon called Crooked Mayor, which she said “speaks for itself.”

"We'll have a lot of different offerings for a lot of different people," Bourgeois said.

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Five New Rules To Follow When Purchasing A Home In This Current Red-hot Market

 The COVID-19 pandemic played a large part in the current strong housing market. Bidding wars have been predominant for the past year and a half. Now that the interest rates are starting to rise, the competition is getting even stronger. Here are five new rules to follow when buying a home in 2022.

1. Lock in a mortgage before you start your search

In the past, homebuyers would find a home and then get pre-approved. This is not the case in 2022 because of the strong demand. This fast-paced market makes it essential to get pre-approved before you start the homes search process.

“You should be pre-approved by a lender and knowledgeable about your finances before you even begin your home search,” says Beverly Burris, an agent with William Means Real Estate in Charleston, SC. “With houses going under contract as quickly as they are right now, often within days or sometimes hours of going to market, there is no sense in going to see a property before speaking to a lender and learning what you can afford.”

2. Shop for homes priced below what you can afford

Once you get pre-approved you then know how much you can afford. Homebuyers in the past have purchased a home on the high end of their mortgage approval and that resulted in a recession. Today, homebuyers are encouraged to purchase a home below the top of their price range.

“These days, houses are selling for more than their list price and, as a buyer, you’re more than likely going to end up in a bidding war,” Lori Ozley, a manager with Birmingham HomeBuyers explains. “If you look at properties that are under your budget, you’ll have room to submit a competitive offer that goes above the asking price.”

3. If you love a property, act fast

Purchasing a home is a big deal so most homebuyers want to think on it before they make the big leap. Today's market does not afford homebuyers this luxury.

“If you are interested in a property, you must act quickly or you risk losing out to another offer. When you really like a property, you should sit down with your real estate agent, go through the comp research, and work on putting together an offer the very same day,” says Bill Samuel, the agent and investor behind Blue Ladder Development.

4. Put your big number out there from the start

When it comes to purchasing property, negotiations have always been part of the process. This is not the case today in this hot market. Homebuyers need to put their best offer forward at first.

“Be prepared to make your best and final offer from the beginning,” advises Jodi Dougherty, a luxury broker at Downtown Realty Company in Chicago. “Since sellers often receive multiple full-price offers, you may not get an opportunity to counteroffer if you come in too low.”

5. It will probably take multiple tries before you succeed

Don't give up, there are tons of other homebuyers looking at the same homes in the same market. It might take more than once to put your best foot forward and have your offer accepted.

‘You can almost plan on having several offers not go through before one is accepted,” explains Brian Chinn, leader of the Brian Chinn Team at Newberry Real Estate in Tyler, TX. “While that isn’t always the case, it happens more often than not in this market.”

If you are interested in purchasing a new home, contact a Realtor who can help you through the process. “It’s easy to get frustrated,” Chinn adds, “but having patience is key.”

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Last Three Months of 2021 Saw Growth for U.S. Builders

 

December 2021 date shows that the construction of new homes climbed for the third consecutive month. Reports find that new construction homes are at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.7 million units. Close to 1.6 million housing units were started at a 15.6% increase over 2020.

Even with the rising interest rates, the housing market is still going strong. The average long-term U.S. mortgage rates rose to the highest levels since March 2020 in January 2022. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors, says economists expect to see an increase in mortgage rates this year. This is due to the Federal Reserve slowing down on purchasing monthly bonds.

Applications for building permits rose 9.1% to a seasonally-adjusted rate of 1.87 million units. This is the strongest month for permits since the beginning of the year in January 2021. Applications for building permits can forecast future building activity. Housing starts in the Northeast and the Midwest rose the most at 20% and 36%.

The National Association of Home Builders and Wells Fargo monthly survey, which gauges builder sentiment, reported that it still remained stable. This is good news since builder sentiment was down slightly to 83 at the beginning of 2022.

“Demand exceeds supply, and builders are working as hard as they can to catch up, a process that was always going to be measured in years, not months, after the massive shift in demand toward single-family homes sparked by the pandemic,” said Stephen Stanley, chief economist for Amherst Pierpont.

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Reason To Purchase A New Home Before Selling Your Current Home

Selling a home and moving are some of life's most stressful events. It is hard to schedule a closing for your new home and current home in order to move in one and out of the other. Flyhomes, a real estate brokerage, says to consider purchasing a home before you sell the one you are currently living in. Here are a couple of reasons to purchase a home before you sell your old one.

It gives you time to find the perfect home

Getting an offer on your current home is exciting but can be stressful because that means you have to find a new home to move into before your closing date. Rushing to purchase a new home will only make you more stressed with the process. A way to take off some of the pressure is to purchase a new home before selling your current one. You will be able to take your time and purchase the perfect home. This is another way to avoid extra expenses from moving and storage and temporary housing.

It can make your offer more competitive to sellers

Many times a buyer has a home they have to sell when making an offer on a new home. It is a competitive market and a buyer has to pull out all the stops. Having a contingency to sell a home on your offer puts limits on it. If you purchase a home without selling your current one, your offer will be much stronger.

Remember using a professional sales agent is a must. If you want to take this approach, choose a Realtor who can help you through the process.

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2022 Trending Home Designs

 With the new year comes new trends in home designs. Glen-Gery, a premier brick and stone manufacturer, says to consider incorporating materials like stone and brick, which bring color, texture and functionality while complementing some of this year’s leading design trends. Here are the trends for 2022 that Glen-Gery shares.

Warm Colors

This year the trend is using warming colors. These include beige, tan, caramel, cocoa and even black. Designers are beginning to take a shift from cool tones like gray to the warmer "coffee-inspired palette." These colors give materials such as brick, stone, siding, doors and shutters a warmer feel.

Textures and Patterns

These are becoming a staple in the 2022 home designs. Texture can draw a person to a room by adding depth and complexity. Using brick or stone is a perfect way to provide visual texture to any space.

Outdoor Inspiration

This year's design elements are nature-inspiring. Homes will have more glass that will bring in the natural light and nature scenes. During the stay-at-home orders from the pandemic, homeowners learned to use their homes for outdoor enjoyment as well as indoor enjoyment. Bringing the indoors outdoors is a big trend for this year. The transitional indoor-outdoor spaces are great for this trend. Indoor kitchens, fireplaces and electronics are popular for outdoor spaces.

Clean Lines

Clean line designs are a designer's best friend this year. These clean lines make a space inviting, comfortable and serene. Glass and brick are great materials for this. They both can transfer light giving a space an illumination from a higher sheen which creates a sense of balanced calm and strength in a space.

Bringing On-Trend Design into Your Home

Brick is a great versatile material that can be added to any home design. Brick comes in tons of different colors, textures and sizes. From modern designs to traditional designs brick brings flexibility. Brick is also a material that is low maintenance, resilient, durable and ascetically pleasing.

If you are planning to build or renovate, these trends are a must to use. Following these trends will not only update your home but add value to your investment.

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