Suzanne's Blog

Barbara Corcoran’s Take on the Current Real Estate Market

By Suzanne Volkman | Aug 28, 2023

Thinking about buying a home can be tough right now. Some people want to wait for lower interest rates, but here’s the problem – if you wait too long, home prices might go up. That’s where Barbara Corcoran, a real estate expert and “Shark Tank” star, comes in. She recently shared her thoughts on what’s […]

Read More

5 Reasons the Housing Market is Reversing

By Suzanne Volkman | Aug 17, 2023

In 2023, the housing market is undergoing a peculiar phenomenon — a reverse crash. The rise in mortgage rates, surprisingly, hasn’t instigated a significant decrease in home prices. This perplexing trend can be attributed to a complex interplay of economic, demographic, and market determinants. Today, a significant proportion of homeowners — 92% of those with mortgages — enjoy rates below […]

Read More

The Downsides of Moving to a Cheaper City

By Suzanne Volkman | Aug 17, 2023

The pandemic led to a shift away from expensive cities as people sought financial relief in more affordable suburbs. However, this migration trend has seen a reversal. Many individuals who moved for cost savings have returned after realizing that cheaper living comes with its own challenges. Economic Opportunity vs. Affordable Living: While relocating to save […]

Read More

Mortgage Myths Debunked: What You Should Know

By Suzanne Volkman | Aug 4, 2023

In the world of mortgages, misconceptions abound, but it’s essential to separate fact from fiction. Here are some common mortgage myths debunked: Myth #1: A 20% Down Payment is Mandatory While the 20% down payment rule is widely known, it’s not an absolute requirement for buying a home. While making a larger down payment can […]

Read More

Avoid These Common Mistakes That Could Derail Your Mortgage Closing

By Suzanne Volkman | Aug 4, 2023

Are you on the verge of closing on your dream home? It’s crucial to be mindful of certain financial decisions that could potentially jeopardize the closing process or even prevent you from obtaining a mortgage altogether. To ensure a smooth closing, here are five common mistakes you should steer clear of: 1. Refrain from Major […]

Read More

Migration from the Bay Area to Sacramento is creating a ‘megaregion’

By Suzanne Volkman | Aug 4, 2023

Tessa McLean, SFGATE July 31, 2023Updated: July 31, 2023 11:24 a.m. At least three people in Jose Medina’s Sacramento neighborhood have moved there from the Bay Area in recent years. And those are just the ones he knows of. Medina, too, is a transplant — and since relocating from Oakland in 2021, he said he’s had an additional […]

Read More

Packing to Move – 7 Amazing Tips & Tricks

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 27, 2023

1 – Use The Correct Boxes Even if you’re on a budget, make sure to purchase specialty boxes. Just one wardrobe box per bedroom will help tremendously. Your clothes will not arrive at your new home wrinkled and you won’t have to worry about packing your hangers. TV and art boxes are also worth the […]

Read More

Buy a home now and refinance it later? Here’s what experts think

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 21, 2023

For some buyers, it may make sense to buy a home now and refinance it to a lower rate in the future. GETTY IMAGES While inflation is cooling, interest rates remain high, which puts a damper on Americans’ plans to buy a home or refinance their existing mortgages. The natural question many homeowners are asking themselves […]

Read More

Just 1% of U.S. Homes Have Changed Hands This Year, the Lowest Share in at Least a Decade

By Suzanne Volkman | Jul 21, 2023

SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– (NASDAQ: RDFN) — Roughly 14 of every 1,000 U.S. homes changed hands during the first six months of 2023, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s down from 19 of every 1,000 during the same period of 2019 and the lowest turnover rate in at least a decade. […]

Read More