February 2022 Newsletter

WHY SELLING NOW COULD BE A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY

Demand Is Very Strong

According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 6.18 million homes were sold in 2021. This was the largest number of home sales in 15 years.

Demand isn’t expected to weaken this year, either. In addition, the Mortgage Finance Forecast, published last week by the Mortgage Bankers’ Association (MBA), calls for existing-home sales to reach 6.4 million homes this year.

Supply is Very Limited
In the case of homeowners who are thinking about selling, there may never be a better time than right now. While demand is this high and inventory is this low, you’ll have leverage in all aspects of the sale of your house.

Today’s buyers know they need to be flexible negotiators that make very competitive offers. Many Buyers are writing offers:

• Significantly over list price
• With minimal or no contingencies (inspection, appraisal)
• With quick or flexible close dates
• With the potential for a leaseback (at no cost to you)

If you're considering selling a home, please DM me for an in-depth market and home analysis to see what your home might sell for. BUYER FOMO DRIVING DEMAND

As rates creep north of 3.6%, hitting their highest levels since March 2020, buyers are also ramping up with some lenders reporting more first-time applications in the last couple of weeks than they’ve seen in 20 years. The frenzied pace of the market may be driven by Buyers who have a Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) and are trying to lock in a home before rates increase.

The Federal Reserve has signaled an end to ultra-low rates, which observers expect to start climbing as soon as March. Mortgage rates tend to follow long-term bond yields, which also are expected to increase due to the Fed’s tightening of its monetary policy and its efforts to control inflation.

Economists foresee a 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 3.7% by the end of 2022, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. That still reflects a historically low rate compared to year's past.

TOP DESIGN TRENDS OF 2022

Home design is reflecting much more personality, from black accents to textures galore.

‍WHAT'S OUT:

1. The gray and white color palette. For the past several years, grays and whites where considered the new "neutrals". Today, the color schemes feel cold and plain.
2. Single-purpose rooms. COVID taught us that rooms don't need to serve just one purpose. Instead they can and should be multi-use.
3. Word-based Decor. "Live, Laugh, Love" and other such word-based prints and pictures are on their way out.
4. Single accent walls. Once considered to create 'visual interest' new trends are pushing color and patterns across the entire room, not just one wall.

‍WHAT'S IN:

1. Textures and Patterns - Textured fabrics and interesting material patterns are going to be huge in 2022, especially on walls, surfaces, and paint.
2. Black Accents - Versatile and classic black hardware, lighting, paint, and even tile is hot and adds contrast against natural wood pieces
3. Green is the new neutral - Sherwin-Williams, Behr, and Benjamin-Moore have picked shades of green as their 2022 colors of the year. They believe green hues can bring tranquility and rejuvenation into a space.
4. Multi-functional spaces - Spaces are being transformed and molded for different activities. Entertaining has moved outdoors. Dining tables and kitchen islands are doubling as a desk or crafting station.

Want to learn more about 2022 design predictions? See the article from the National Association ofo Realtors here.  RECIPE OF THE MONTHCHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

Tieghan Gerard from Half-Baked Harvest has some killer recipes. Her Chicken Tortilla Soup is easy and delicious. You'll find yourself enjoying it for days. INGREDIENTS:

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced or grated
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 3/4 C brown rice OR quinoa
• 3 C enchilada sauce
• 3 C salsa verde
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 C cilantro

For Serving (Optional):  2 C lightly crushed tortilla chips, 1 avocado, sliced, 1 C shredded cheese, 1/2 C full-fat plain Greek yogurt.DIRECTIONS:

1. In a slow cooker pot, layer the onion, garlic, chicken, salt, and a pinch of pepper. Pour the enchilada sauce, salsa verde, and 3 cups of water over the top. Stir in the brown rice OR quinoa. Cover and cook until the chicken is falling apart, 6-7 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high.
2. Transfer chicken to a plate. Leet cool slightly and shred it using 2 forks.
3. return the chicken to the slow cooker and stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
4. Divide the soup among bowls. Top with the garnishes of your choice.

Thinking of Buying or Selling?  Know someone who is?We are NEVER too busy for your referrals!

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FiveFour Real Estate is the one-stop shop for those who are ready to take their home or investment to the next level. Our name FiveFour derives from 5.4%: the average annual home appreciation rate in the US over the last 50 years. We know that your real estate investment is one of the largest and most important purchases of your life. With that in mind, our focus and strategy revolves around you. We hold our licenses at the brokerage Five Four Real Estate.  If you buy a home and put 20% down, you are leveraging your money 5X. A 5.4% increase in your home's value means a 27% ROI.

Thinking of Buying or Selling?  Know someone who is?We are NEVER too busy for your referrals!

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OUR PROMISE TO OUR CLIENTS

This could be one of the largest and most important financial decisions you will make in your lifetime, and you deserve an experienced partner that understands the intricacies of Colorado real estate.

We promise to always keep you informed about the rapidly changing market and educate you throughout the entire process. We promise to protect your best interests and treat your home or investment like it’s one of our own. We promise to work our hardest to find the perfect home for you and your family with as little stress as possible.  

We value your trust and hope to continue supporting you in your lifetime even after your sale or purchase is complete. This goes beyond real estate to us, it’s the beginning of a lifelong friendship.