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  Looking to buy a home but feeling like almost everything is out of reach? Here’s the thing. There’s still a way to become a homeowner, even when affordability seems like a huge roadblock – and it might be with a fixer upper. Let’s dive into why buying a fixer upper could be your ticket to homeownership and how you can make it work.   What Is a Fixer Upper? A fixer upper is a home that’s in livable condition but needs some work. The amount of work varies by home – some may need cosmetic updates like wallpaper removal and new flooring, while others might require more extensive repairs like replacing a roof or updating plumbing.   Because they need some elbow grease, these homes typically have a lower price point, based on local market value. In fact, a survey from StorageCafe explains that fixer uppers generally cost about 29% less than move-in-ready homes.   And that’s why, according to a recent survey, more buyers are considering homes that need a little extra work right now (see below):   If you're looking for an option to get your foot in the door, and you're willing to roll up your sleeves and do a bit of work, a house with untapped potential may be a good option.   Tips for Buying a Home That Needs Some Work Before you buy a home that may need a makeover, here are a few things to keep in mind:   Choose a Good Location: You can repair a house, but you can’t change where it is. Make sure the home is in a neighborhood you like or one with increasing property values and a growing number of local amenities. This way, even after you spend money fixing it up, the house will be worth more later. Budget for Surprises: Fixing up a house can take more time and money than you might think. Make sure you save room in your budget for unexpected repairs or other unknowns that might come up while you're working on the house. Get a Home Inspection: Before you buy, hire an inspector to check out the house. They’ll help you determine the necessary repairs, so you don’t end up with expensive surprises later. Plan Your Priorities: When deciding what to tackle first, it helps to categorize your goals. Think of your home in three ways: the must-haves (essential repairs), the nice-to-haves (upgrades that would make life easier), and the dream-state features (luxuries you can add later). This will help you prioritize and stick to your budget. Remember, the perfect home is the one you perfect after buying it. By starting with a fixer upper, you have the opportunity to customize a home to your liking while saving money on the initial purchase price. With careful planning, budgeting, and a little bit of vision, you can turn a house that needs some love into your perfect home.   Real estate agents are great at finding homes with potential. We know the local market and can guide you to homes where smart upgrades can add value. With our help, you’re more likely to find a house that fits your total budget and has room for worthwhile improvements.   Bottom Line In today’s market, where the cost of homeownership can be intimidating, finding a move-in-ready home that fits your budget can feel like a real challenge. But if you’re open to putting in a little work, you can transform a fixer upper into your ideal home over time. Let’s explore what’s possible and find a place that'll work for you. Give us a call at (515) 329-4667 or email us at zelda@zealtynow.com

  As you’re getting ready to sell your house, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is, “how long is this going to take?” And that makes sense—you want to know what to expect.   While every market is different, understanding what’s happening nationally can give you a good baseline. But for an even more detailed look at real estate conditions in your area, connect with a local real estate agent like us at Zealty Home Advisors. They know your local market best and can explain what’s happening near you and how it compares to national trends.   Here’s a look at some of the things a great agent will walk you through during that conversation.   More Homes Are on the Market, and That’s Affecting How Long They Take To Sell According to Realtor.com, the number of homes for sale has been going up this year. That means there are more options for buyers, which is great news for anyone looking to buy a home. But as a seller, it also means homes are staying on the market a bit longer now that buyers have more options to choose from (see graph below):   One of the big reasons homes sold so fast in recent years is because there were so few of them for sale. And now that there are more houses on the market, it makes sense that they aren’t selling at quite the same pace. Right now, according to Realtor.com, it takes 55 days from the time a house is listed for it to be officially sold and closed on.   But keep this in mind. While homes might not be selling as quickly as they did last year at this time, they’re still selling faster than they did in more normal years in the housing market, before the pandemic.   If you look back at 2017-2019 in the graph above, you’ll see that it was typical for a house to take 60 days or more to sell. So, today’s process is still faster than the norm.   That’s because, even with more homes for sale, there are still more buyers than homes for sale. So, homes that show well and are priced right are selling fast. As NerdWallet explains:   “Overall, though, demand still outpaces supply. This is hardly a mellow market: Good homes sell quickly . . .”   Your Agent Can Help Your Home Stand Out If you’re looking for ways to make your move happen as quickly as possible, partnering with a great local agent is the key. Your real estate agent will help you with everything from setting the right price to staging your home so it looks its best. They’ll even create a marketing plan that grabs buyers’ attention and will give you key insights about what’s happening in your specific area, so you can plan accordingly and make the process go as smoothly as possible.   At Zealty Home Advisors, we have a team of real estate professionals with many years of combined experience not only in real estate but in additional home-related industries. We are the experts in our field and can answer any and all of your real estate related questions.   So, while homes might be on the market a little longer than before, they’re still selling faster than the norm. If you have the right agent and the right strategy in place, your house may even sell faster than you’d expect.   Bottom Line If you’re planning to sell your house, knowing how long it might take is a big part of planning your next steps. Let’s connect so you’ll be able to price, market, and sell your home with confidence. Give us a call at (515) 329-4667 or email us at zelda@zealtynow.com.   Follow us on Socials! Facebook Instagram YouTube

  Even though there are more homes available for sale than there were at this time last year, there are still more buyers than there are houses to choose from. So, know that if you’ve got moving on your mind, your house can really stand out.   There are several key reasons why there aren’t enough homes to go around and understanding them will help you see why the market is working in your favor if you’re ready to make a move.   What’s Causing the Shortage? 1. Underproduction of Homes: For years, the industry hasn’t built enough homes to keep up with demand. As Zillow explains:   “In 2022, 1.4 million homes were built — at the time, the best year for home construction since the early stages of the Great Recession. However, the number of U.S. families increased by 1.8 million that year, meaning the country did not even build enough to make a place for the new families, let alone begin chipping away at the deficit that has hampered housing affordability for more than a decade.”   2. Rising Costs: Building materials, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic have all made it harder and more expensive to build homes. This can either limit or stop new home construction in some areas.   3. Regional Imbalances: Some markets are more affected by the shortage of homes than others. Popular and more desirable areas have more people moving in faster than new homes can be built. The number of new building permits issued doesn’t always keep pace with job growth in these regions, and that leads to even tighter markets and higher prices.   How Big Is the Problem? According to estimates from Real Estate News, the U.S. is facing a housing shortfall of roughly 3.3 million homes, based on an average of several expert insights (see graph below):   This shows there’s a significant number of homes that need to be built just to meet current demand from buyers. But what about future demand?   According to John Burns Research and Consulting (JBREC), over the next 10 years, the U.S. will need about 18 million new homes to meet projected demand, including homes for new households, second homes, and replacements for aging or unusable homes.   So, even though more homes are on the market compared to last year, there still aren’t enough of them to go around. This is where you can really win if you’re ready to sell your house.   What You Need To Remember If you’re thinking about selling, the shortage of homes for sale means your house is likely to get some serious attention from buyers. It’ll take years to climb out of this inventory deficit, and the market is still very tight. So, when buyers are competing for relatively few homes like they are right now, that creates more interest in the houses that are on the market, putting upward pressure on prices and ultimately working in your favor.   And since every market is different, it’s important to work with a real estate agent who understands local trends. They can help you price your house right and create a strategy to attract the right buyers.   Bottom Line While there are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, there’s still a shortage overall. And this puts you in the driver’s seat as a seller. Let’s connect so you have someone who can help you take advantage of today’s market. Give us a call today at (515) 329-4667 or email us at zelda@zealtynow.com. We’re happy to help!