Home Buyers Cheer Up Slightly
Earlier this week, the Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI) September numbers were released. The main index increased 1.8 points to 73.9, which is the highest level in more than two years. Around 42% of survey respondents were optimistic that mortgage rates will fall during the next 12 months, which is up from 39% in August and 24% in June.
However, most respondents don't describe the market in a positive manner, as only 19% considered September a good time to buy a home. On the flip side, 65% of respondents thought it was a good time to sell.1
How To Claim Zillow Listings
Claiming your listings on Zillow enhances visibility for your clients and your business, as it's currently the most popular real estate site in the nation. Claiming listings confirms that you're the official representative for their owners. Best of all...claiming is free. Here's what you need to do.
Create Your Profile
Your Zillow profile introduces you to leads while serving as a landing page to direct visitors to your other platforms. You can add links to your social media and even include videos of client testimonials and neighborhood tours.
Locate Your Listings
Easy! Start on the home page and type in the address. When you find a listing, click on it and look for a link with three dots and the word "More" on the upper right side. Click that link and choose "Claim this listing" from the drop-down box. You'll be taken to the claim form.
Verify Ownership
Fill out the claim form and click "Claim this listing". You'll be taken to a form to verify it's yours. Your contact details and agent profile will then be automatically added to the listing.2
Options For Supporting Hurricane Recovery
Last month's Hurricane Helene left thousands of people homeless and without life's essentials. If you're planning to make a donation to help the recovery effort and want to ensure it goes to the best possible charity, your first stop should be Charity Navigator. This site provides details of local and national nonprofits.
While the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are providing disaster relief to communities, there are also smaller, local organizations who have received little media attention such as these:
North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund
The Florida Disaster Fund
One SC Fund
Caring For Others, Inc.
If you would like to donate to the care of pets made homeless by the hurricane in Asheville, North Carolina, visit the Asheville Humane Society online.3
Are Student Loans Keeping Buyers in Rentals?
It's one of the ironies of life: choosing to pursue higher education to increase one's earning power has sometimes done just the opposite, especially where student loans are concerned.
From 1992 to 2022, average student loan balances increased from $12,600 to $40,600 when adjusted for inflation.
However, the situation is gradually improving with the introduction of student loan refinancing with longer repayment terms and lower interest rates, making them considerably easier to handle.
Currently, college graduates have an edge over those who entered the workforce after high school, with around $250,000 more in house-buying power and a 12.8% higher home ownership rate in 2022.
If you're discussing home buying prospects with prospects concerned about their student loan balances, feel free to refer them to me. They may be pleasantly surprised to learn that their plans for home ownership can proceed sooner than later.4
Programmable Thermostats a Must Have with Buyers
Programmable thermostats came in first place, with 29% of buyers saying it's a "gotta have" while 49% described them as desirable.
The other most popular technology features:
- Security cameras
- Video doorbell
- Wireless home security system
- Multi-zone HVAC system
- Lighting control system
- Energy management displays
- Wired home security system
Sources: 1fanniemae.com, 2theclose.com, 3kiplinger.com, 4blog.firstam.com, 5eyeonhousing.org
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