How Homeownership Can Help Shield You from Inflation

How Homeownership Can Help Shield You from Inflation | MyKCM

If you’re following along with the news today, you’ve likely heard about rising inflation. You’re also likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as prices go up for gas, groceries, and more. These rising consumer costs can put a pinch on your wallet and make you re-evaluate any big purchases you have planned to ensure they’re still worthwhile.

If you’ve been thinking about purchasing a home this year, you’re probably wondering if you should continue down that path or if it makes more sense to wait. While the answer depends on your situation, here’s how homeownership can help you combat the rising costs that come with inflation.

Homeownership Offers Stability and Security

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The Orange County housing market in a nutshell: The housing market is still dictated by an acute supply vs. demand problem.   As I write there are only 1,064 homes for sale in all of OC!  That’s down 60% from this time last year, and inventory was already low then.  My buyers are duking it out with 5-10 other buyers on every listing.   Why so few listings?  There are several reasons, but one is some more simple give and take math.   I’ve previously mentioned the increased presence of first time buyers in the 25-40 age range (the millennial generation).  While an older home buyer likely is moving up or downsizing, they are almost always selling a home while also buying one, creating a zero net gain on the inventory problem.  An already tight supply…

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LOW SUPPLY is the #1 reason the market is NOT going to crash anytime soon.

Like many areas of the economy, home prices typically move in relation to the dynamic between supply vs. demand.  As I write this in June 2021, home inventory is at record lows, but home sales are still closing in record numbers, leaving many buyers fighting for each home.  The number of homes on the market now is at just 35% of the 5 year average, while demand is up almost 8%. (source:  Reports on Housing).   I'm witnessing buyers offering 5-15% above list price in some areas to try to secure their home, often waiving key buyer contingencies like inspection and appraisal.  Market absorption is at record highs, with very few few homes left sitting on the market.  Low interest…

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26% of Californians are seriously considering leaving the state (see link to Jonathan Lansner's excellent recent article in the OC Register).  In the past 5 years, more than 50% of my home seller clients have at least left the county, and the bulk of them moved further afield and left the state.  When I speak to neighbors and prospective sellers, I snese that many are unprepared for the move as they aren't considering all factors such as state tax, cost of living, weather patterns, and even local politics.  You may be considering leaving California for any of these reasons, but I urge you to do your research on your destination.  If you're retiring out of state, your deciding factors may differ from to those still working, for instance.

This…

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  Check out some local listings and home design tips from the pros

Seven Gables magazine north tustin homes for sale 

Our latest issue of our online magazine is available at the link below.  Check out homes for sale in Laguna Beach, North Tustin, Anaheim Hills, Newport Beach, and elsewhere.  As always, call me anytime to get your home search started, wherever in Orange County you are considering.  Do you have a home to sell in order to purchase elsewhere?  If so, let's discuss your timing and some strategies to streamline the entire process.  

 

Matthew Fletcher

matthewf@sevengables.com

(949) 677 3618

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Hello friends

I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and well.  My wife and I are well and feeling very fortunate during a challenging year.   

After a pause in March and April, the Real Estate market in Southern California roared back in May and shows no signs of slowing down.  While many sellers have chosen to wait until we can get a handle on the pandemic (causing inventory to remain LOW), buyers are lining up to buy every correctly-priced home to capitalize on low interest rates that are still hovering around 3%! 

I've spoken to many of you about refinancing while rates are so low.  Call me anytime if I can help suggest a lender or run some numbers for you. 

If you're considering moving, low inventory and high buyer demand have…

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First, and most importantly, I hope you’re doing well and staying safe.

To all of you in essential businesses keeping us safe, healthy, and well-fed, I sincerely thank you for your hard work on the front lines, often keeping you away from your loved ones.  I've had the privilege of working with many clients in these fields, and we're all lucky to have you in our lives.

I’d love to know what you’re doing during your newfound spare time?  I’ve been doing lots of organizing, archiving, and learning.  In California, Real Estate has been deemed an essential business, so by taking some precautions, both physical and legal, I am able to assist clients who need to sell or buy a home.  Many clients who can wait are electing to do so, and I think that’s…

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It’s the beginning of the month and almost all of us are paying our rent or mortgages in the coming days.  Many are facing drastic income loss.  Fortunately, many lenders are offering some relief to homeowners.   Some offer postponing up to 6 months of no payments with no credit impact.  Some are tacking the missed payments to the end of the loan while others are requiring repayment by a certain deadline, which may not offer enough relief.  Be sure you get everything in writing before taking them up on their offer.  Call me with any questions and let’s crunch the numbers together.  For those of you who rent, be sure to speak to your landlord as soon as possible.  They may be receiving relief on their loan, which might be passed on to their tenants?    A…

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2019 State Streets Home Sales & My Outlook for 2020

 

I am proud to have sold three State Street homes in 2019:  3202 Iowa, 3209 Michigan, and 3216 New York.  These sales represent the highest 3 prices per sq. foot for the year, and 3 of the 4 highest ever in the State Streets.   Looking back, I appreciate my clients' trust in my pre-marketing preparations, home pricing, and negotiation strategies for each sale.  Each home received multiple offers with 10 total offers received over the three homes.   I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you to show you how I can help you achieve the same with your home sale.  The top sale in the neighborhood according to sales price in 2019 goes to the expanded 1722 Missouri St. at $1,049,900. …

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