Finding your next home in your community can be challenging. When you add hundreds or even thousands of miles to the equation, it becomes significantly more complicated. Though long-distance house hunting has its unique challenges, it’s not impossible. In fact, we help people with it every day. With modern technology, it’s never been easier to buy a house remotely. Here are a few critical factors to keep in mind when you find yourself in a home search from afar.
We saw mortgage rates stay essentially flat last month after a rapid rise to start this year. Average U.S. rates for 30-year fixed rate mortgages are currently at 4.55%. At the end of last month, they were sitting at 4.56%. While it is great to see upward momentum reverse for the time being, the general forecast continues to be for a slow continued rise over the rest of the year.
The Sarasota and Manatee county markets for condos & townhomes remain disconnected for properties between $600k and $1M. In Manatee, it is better to be a buyer; however, the market is balanced in Sarasota. While the $1M+ condo market in Sarasota has favored sellers all year, this is just the second month that we have also seen it happening in Manatee.
Whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate, it is important to understand market conditions. Real estate is hyper-local, with market dynamics changing from subdivision to subdivision. However, county trends will give you a good idea of what to expect.
Home ownership and home maintenance are joined at the hip, so I am sure you are aware that there’s plenty of work you should be doing. Sorry to lengthen your list, but there are a few more things to add that aren’t likely yet on it. Here are some important, but lesser known maintenance activities.