Keys to the Market

Unlocking Insights, One Door at a Time

Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Ways To Use Your Tax Refund If You Want To Buy a Home

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a number of expenses involved – from your down payment to closing costs. But did you also know your tax refund can help you pay for some of these expenses?

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

The Perks of Downsizing When You Retire

If you’re about to retire, or just did, downsizing can be a good way to try to cut down on some of your expenses.

Smaller homes typically have lower energy and maintenance costs. Plus, you may have enough equity built up to fuel your move.

If you're thinking about moving to a smaller home, let’s go over your goals and look at your options in our local market.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Builders Are Building Smaller Homes

There’s no arguing it, affordability is still tight. And if you’re trying to buy a home, that may mean you need to look at smaller houses to find one that’s still in your budget. But there is a silver lining: builders are focused on building these smaller homes right now and they’re offering incentives. And that can help give you more options that fit the bill.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Should I Move with Today’s Mortgage Rates?

When mortgage rates spiked up over the last few years, some homeowners put their plans to move on pause. Maybe you did too because you didn’t want to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate for your next home. But is that still the right strategy for you?

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

The Top 5 Reasons You Need a Real Estate Agent when Buying a Home

You may have heard headlines in the news lately about agents in the real estate industry and discussions about their commissions. And if you’re following along, it can be pretty confusing. But here’s the thing you really need to know – expert advice from a trusted real estate agent is priceless, now more than ever. And here’s why.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Don’t Let Your Student Loans Delay Your Homeownership Plans

If you have student loans and want to buy a home, you might have questions about how your debt affects your plans. Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt? Here’s a look at the latest information so you have the answers you need.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Top 5 Reasons To Hire an Agent When Buying a Home

Hiring an agent when buying a home helps you understand the buying process and the local market.

They’ll also go over contracts and fine print with you, so you understand what you're agreeing to. Plus, they're good at negotiating, making sure you get the best deal.

Expert advice from a trusted real estate professional is priceless. Let’s connect today.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Boomers Moving Will Be More Like a Gentle Tide Than a Tsunami

Have you heard the term “Silver Tsunami” getting tossed around recently? If so, here’s what you really need to know. That phrase refers to the idea that a lot of baby boomers are going to move or downsize all at once. And the fear is that a sudden influx of homes for sale would have a big impact on housing. That’s because it would create a whole lot more competition for smaller homes and would throw off the balance of supply and demand, which ultimately would impact home prices.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Newly Built Homes Could Be a Game Changer This Spring

Buying a home this spring? You’re probably navigating today’s affordability challenges and dealing with the limited number of homes for sale. But, what if there was a solution that could help with both?

If you’re having a hard time finding a home you love, and mortgage rates are putting pressure on your budget, it may be time to look at newly built homes. Here’s why.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Why Overpricing Your House Can Cost You

If you’re trying to sell your house, you may be looking at this spring season as the sweet spot – and you’re not wrong. We’re still in a seller’s market because there are so few homes for sale right now. And historically, this is the time of year when more buyers move, and competition ticks up. That makes this an exciting time to put up that for sale sign.

But while conditions are great for sellers like you, you’ll still want to be strategic when it comes time to set your asking price. That’s because pricing your house too high may actually cost you in the long run.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Outdoor Projects Can Boost Curb Appeal When You Sell

In real estate, a good first impression is key. If the outside of a house looks welcoming, more people will want to come in and see it.

Your agent helps you by giving advice on what you may want to prioritize, finding easy fixes that make a big difference, knowing what buyers in your area like, and showing off your updates in your listing.

Let’s connect so you have expert advice on what'll have the biggest impact in our area.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Single Women Are Embracing Homeownership

In today's housing market, more and more single women are becoming homeowners. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 19% of all homebuyers are single women, while only 10% are single men.

If you're a single woman trying to buy your first home, this should be encouraging. It means other people are making their dreams a reality – so you can too.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

What’s the Latest with Mortgage Rates?

Recent headlines may leave you wondering what’s next for mortgage rates. Maybe you’d previously heard there were going to be cuts this year that would bring rates down. That refers to the Federal Reserve (the Fed) and what they do to their Fed Funds Rate. While cutting, or lowering, the Fed Funds Rate doesn’t directly determine mortgage rates, it does tend to impact them. But when the Fed met last week, a cut didn’t happen — at least, not yet.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

What Every Homebuyer Should Know About Closing Costs

Before making the decision to buy a home, it's important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you're busy saving for the down payment, don't forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too.

Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

3 Helpful Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

Trying to buy your first home? If you’re worried about affordability today or the limited number of homes for sale, these tips can help.

Look into homebuyer programs, expand your search area, and consider a multi-generational home.

Let’s connect so you have an expert on your side to help you make your dream a reality.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

What Are Experts Saying About the Spring Housing Market?

If you’re planning to move soon, you might be wondering if there'll be more homes to choose from, where prices and mortgage rates are headed, and how to navigate today’s market. If so, here's what the professionals are saying about what’s in store for this season.

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Chris Fosgate Chris Fosgate

Does It Make Sense To Buy a Home Right Now?

Thinking about buying a home? If so, you're probably wondering: should I buy now or wait? Nobody can make that decision for you, but here's some information that can help you decide.

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