(Pictured above: Gull Lake Waterfront Home For Sale | Click Here to view 19 Labelle Terr Richland, MI)
Is It Time?
Is it time to move?
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What do you need to know about the current market?
If you've been considering a move, then YES, there is no better time to start the listing process.
Steps to List a Home in SW Michigan:
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Decide it's time to move...CHECK!
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Reach out to a Local REALTOR® - simply hit REPLY to this email
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List and discuss your goals and priorities with your agent: selling for top dollar or price to sell quickly, searching for the next home based on schools, area, investment, etc...
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Schedule a home visit with the agent to discuss current condition, projects, and overall home value
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Let your Local REALTOR® take it from there! Professional photos, marketing, required documents, negotiations, title work....all of the details we handle from start to finish.
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MOVE and check a goal off your 2025 list!
What do you need to know about the Current Market?
While mortgage rates may have climbed slightly in recent days, experts such as the Mortgage Bankers Association and Fannie Mae predict no drastic changes in rates: a slight and slow drop of anywhere from -0.3% to -0.6%, but as a friendly reminder that we cannot stress enough: rates are still NOT historically high.
Home prices aren't going to suddenly drop either. Year over year, home values in our area have been increasing and are predicted to continue this trend throughout 2025, although at a slower rate.
Local Stats
Year over year, our SW Michigan region has shown a healthy, steady hold on real estate. New listings coming on the market stayed an even course from the previous year while the median sales price increased 4-6% across the area. The number of homes sold in each county held with only a slight dip. The sale price compared to a home's original list price made a slight adjustment; sellers listed slightly high at first but once corrected, their home's sale price remained right near their final asking price.
Check out the stats and graphs below for a visual of how our 2024 compared to 2023.
Let us know how we can help you with your real estate goals this year!!
Put Team Clancy's Years of Experience to work.
We've been Selling Real Estate since 1988.
Team Clancy | 269-629-4186 | TeamClancy.com
Market Stats
Kalamazoo, Barry, Calhoun, & Van Buren Counties.
Buying a Home in a Traditional Market
The lack of competition on both sides of the for sale sign offers a slight relief for buyers, creating a little more wiggle room to shop. Although finding a home that fits your needs and budget can still be a challenge (some price points and ready-to-move-into homes are moving quickly) higher interest rates are keeping some home buyers browsing online making the competition a little lighter. With the right real estate team behind you, you can find value in our current homes for sale.
Buying a home in a seller's market can be a frustrating process if you aren't prepared. The market may be shifting to a more traditional style but you still have to be prepared. Here are some tips to get you ready to buy in today's fast-moving seller's market:
Price: Be Ready to Make a Strong Offer
Chances are, you will already have a price range in mind when you start your home/property search. In a normal market, you leave room for negotiation, your initial offer is often at the bottom of that range. However, in a seller's market, one can’t expect to go about it that way. Since you’re going to have a lot of competition, the price you initially offer may be your only shot at that property. In a seller's market, we tell our clients to be prepared NOT to get a 2nd opportunity to make an offer or negotiate. Make certain your offer is a strong contender, free of unnecessary contingencies as well as risk & uncertainties that will make the sellers uncomfortable. MAKE YOUR OFFER EASY TO SAY YES TO!
Pre-Approval
If you don't want to miss out on a property you love, make sure you are pre-approved for a loan BEFORE beginning your home search. Seller's will take you, and your offer, more seriously if you are pre-approved.
Contingencies
Most offers have 3 contingencies: loan approval, appraisal acceptance and satisfactory inspection results. These contingencies, if not fulfilled, allow a buyer to terminate a contract to purchase and retain all of their deposit money. There’s nothing worse for a seller than having their property tied up for a long period only to have things fall apart. Not having additional or high risk contingencies, minimizes the seller’s exposure and makes your offer look all that much better.
Also, ensure that your offer is NOT contingent on selling your current home. With buyer competition strong and multiple offer situations prevalent, sellers will likely choose to pass on your offer (even if it is higher than the others).
Bridge Loans Available
A bridge loan can help ease the transition from one home to another.
While today's market favors sellers, NOW is still a great time to buy! Real Estate is still a good investment and fixes your shelter costs while rental rates go up.
Featured Homes For Sale
