Author: indianapolisareahomesforsale

You deserve an advocate in the home selling and buying process who will educate, guide with honesty & integrity your best interest at the core. You deserve to be represented by someone who knows the market, communicates promptly & is not afraid to negotiate. You deserve someone who will understand your expectations, advise throughout the process & market your home to achieve a top dollar offer. It’s my honor & privilege to assist you. When you partner with me, I will provide the best customer care before, during & after the home sells. Using my extensive knowledge of the real estate industry & current markets, I will devote my time & efforts assisting you to make the best long term decision for your personal happiness & financial future. You can depend on me to be well versed in the home selling and buying process & to share my network of professionals for your benefit. My background is in banking, lending, sales and marketing. I'm dedicated to my Husband & two children; volunteering at church & helping my community is important to me. I'm tenacious, a strong communicator and achiever which has contributed to my professional success.
Buyer Tips

Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market

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Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market

Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible.

That’s why experts usually say time in the market is better than timing the market.

In other words, if you want to buy a home and you’re able to make the numbers work, doing it sooner rather than later is usually worth it. Bankrate explains why: 

“No matter which way the real estate market is leaning, though, buying now means you can start building equity immediately.” 

Here’s some data to break this down so you can really see the benefit of buying now versus later – if you’re able to. Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey. It asks over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists what they forecast for home prices over the next five years. In the latest release, experts are projecting home prices will continue to rise through at least 2029 – just at a slower, more normal pace than they did over the past few years (see the graph below):

But what does that really mean for you? To give these numbers context, the graph below uses a typical home value to show how it could appreciate over the next few years using those HPES projections (see graph below). This is what you could start to earn in equity if you buy a home in early 2025. 

In this example, let’s say you go ahead and buy a $400,000 home this January. Based on the expert forecasts from the HPES, you could gain more than $83,000 in household wealth over the next five years. That’s not a small number. If you keep on renting, you’re losing out on this equity gain.

And while today’s market has its fair share of challenges, this is why buying is going to be worth it in the long run. If you want to buy a home, don’t give up. There are creative ways we can make your purchase possible. From looking at more affordable areas, to considering condos or townhomes, or even checking out down payment assistance programs, there are options to help you make it happen.

So sure, you could wait. But if you’re just waiting it out to perfectly time the market, this is what you’re missing out on. And that decision is up to you.

Bottom Line

If you’re torn between buying now or waiting, don’t forget that it’s time in the market, not timing the market that truly matters. Connect with an agent if you want to talk about what you need to do to get the process started today.

Shawna O’Brien
Residential Broker
KW Portfolio Collective, Geist Fishers
317-506-0039
ShawnaOBrienRealtor@gmail.com

Seller Tips

Only an Expert Agent Can Give You an Accurate Value of Your Home

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Only an Expert Agent Can Give You an Accurate Value of Your Home

In today’s digital age, it’s tempting to rely on automated tools for everything — including figuring out how much your house is worth. But be careful. The automated estimates you’re seeing online often miss key details that affect the true market value of your home.

Before you toss a for sale sign in your yard and expect to bring in the number you saw for your house online, you need to understand why these tools generally aren’t spot-on and why working with an expert real estate agent is the best way to get an accurate picture of what your house is really worth.

The Myth: Online Home Value Estimates Are Accurate

Online home valuation tools give you an approximate value for your house based on the data that’s publicly available for your home. While this can give you a rough starting point, the keyword here is rough. As an article from Ramsey Solutions says:

“Online Home Value Estimators Aren’t 100% Accurate . . . The estimates are only as reliable as the amount of public record data the real estate websites can access. The less data gathered for your particular neighborhood, county and state, the less you can depend on this number.”

The Reality: Online Estimates Miss Key Factors

Here’s the biggest issue with online estimates: they don’t take into account the unique aspects of your home or your local market. And that’s why an agent’s expertise can make such a difference when figuring out what your house is really worth. Here’s an example. A real estate agent will also factor in:

  • The Home’s Condition: Online tools can’t tell whether your home has been well-maintained or if it needs significant repairs. The condition of your house plays a huge role in its value, and only an in-person walk-through can account for that.
  • The Latest Neighborhood Trends: Is your neighborhood up-and-coming? Are there new developments or amenities nearby that make your home more desirable? Automated tools often overlook local trends that can significantly affect the value of your home.
  • Accurate Comparable Sales: While online estimates may use past sales data as a baseline, they don’t always reflect the most recent or most relevant comparable sales, or comps. Real estate agents, on the other hand, have access to up-to-date market data and can give you a much more accurate estimate based on real-time sales in your area.

Agents have a deep understanding of the local market, and they can provide insights that automated tools simply can’t match. As Bankrate explains:

“Online estimation tools determine pricing using algorithms that rely on publicly available information. These algorithms can vary widely from one tool to the next and typically don’t account for a home’s current condition or any upgrades or renovations that are not reflected in public records. So they are not as accurate as in-person methods, like a real estate agent’s comparative market analysis . . .”

Bottom Line

While online home value estimates can be a helpful tool to get a rough idea of what your home is worth, they aren’t foolproof. The true value of your home depends on a range of factors that automated tools just can’t account for.

To get the most accurate estimate, work with a local real estate agent. That way you have expert guidance and up-to-date market insights to set the best possible price for your home.

Shawna O’Brien
Residential Broker
KW Portfolio Collective, Geist Fishers
317-506-0039
ShawnaOBrienRealtor@gmail.com

Buyer Tips

Why an Agent Is Essential When Buying a Newly Built Home

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Why an Agent Is Essential When Buying a Newly Built Home

For some buyers, there’s a misconception that newly built homes aren’t made to last or fall short of the quality you can find in older homes. Unfortunately, this is turning some buyers away from what may be one of their best options in today’s housing market. As Builder Online says:

“As resale inventory remains limited and the price spread between new and resale homes narrows, new homes are increasingly an attractive value proposition for buyers, with incentives such as rate buydowns a way to help address ongoing affordability challenges.”

So, is there any merit to the myth? Let’s break down the best way to make sure you feel good about looking into new home construction. That way, you’re not missing out on such a great option today.

Choosing the Right Builder

The key to making sure you get a quality newly built home is to choose a good builder. Reputable builders adhere to strict building codes and standards, use advanced construction techniques, and often offer warranties that cover structural issues for several years. That’s why the Mortgage Reports offers this advice:

“When embarking on the journey of buying a new construction home, one of the most important steps is selecting the right builder. This decision can significantly impact the quality and satisfaction you derive from your new home.”

And while you could dig into research about all the builders in your area, there’s an easier option to get the job done: lean on a pro. When you work with a local real estate agent, they already know about the builders and the new home communities under construction in your area.

Beyond that, maybe they’ve even worked with other buyers who opted for a home in one of those neighborhoods. Here are just a few of the things your agent will help you with:

1. The Builder’s Reputation: Your agent will help point you toward builders with strong reputations and positive reviews from previous buyers. Additionally, your agent will make sure the builder is licensed and insured. Membership in professional organizations, such as the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), is also a good sign of a builder’s commitment to industry standards.

2. Their Model Homes: Your agent will also be able to tell you if the builders have model homes you can tour. And when your agent walks through the model with you, they’ll draw your attention to the little details that matter most. Things like the quality of finishes, layout, and overall feel of the home.

3. Builder Warranties: Your agent will also be able to help you navigate any builder offers or incentives. Reputable builders often provide warranties to cover major structural elements of the home for a significant period of time. This is a testament to their confidence in the quality of their construction.

4. Getting Inspections: Even with new homes, inspections are crucial. Your agent will coordinate the inspections with licensed professionals to ensure the home meets safety and quality standards before you move in.

Agents Are the MVP When You’re Buying a Brand-New Home

Maybe that’s why data shows homebuyers unanimously scored their agents higher than their builders when looking back on their recent purchase:

So, you don’t need to worry that they just don’t make them like they used to. By working with a knowledgeable real estate agent to choose a reputable builder, you can feel confident when buying a newly built home today. As Realtor.com says:

“If you are interested in buying a new construction . . . You need your own real estate agent from the get-go. Even if it seems like plug and play to sign up with the builder’s on-site agent, you’re going to want someone representing your side of the deal.”

Bottom Line

If you’re considering buying a brand-new home, don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Work with a local real estate agent to find a home you’ll love and be proud to call your own.

Shawna O’Brien
Residential Broker
KW Portfolio Collective, Geist Fishers
317-506-0039
ShawnaOBrienRealtor@gmail.com

Seasonal Advice & Tips, Seller Tips

Why Your House Will Shine in Today’s Market

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Why Your House Will Shine in Today’s Market

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 REALTOR who understands local trends. I 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. I can help you take advantage of today’s market.

Shawna O’Brien
Residential Broker
KW Portfolio Collective, Geist Fishers
317-506-0039
ShawnaOBrienRealtor@gmail.com

Buyer Tips, Market Update

Why Buying Now May Be Worth It in the Long Run

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Why Buying Now May Be Worth It in the Long Run

Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a question a lot of people have these days. And while what’s right for you is going to depend on a lot of different factors, here’s something you’ll want to consider as you make your decision.

As soon as you buy, you’ll start gaining equity. And you’d be surprised how quickly that can add up – even with more moderate home appreciation.

Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey. It asks over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists what they forecast for home prices over the next five years. In the latest release, experts project prices will continue to rise nationally through at least 2028 (see the graph below):

While home prices are going to vary from one local area to the next, this shows they’re expected to keep going up nationally. The size of the increase varies from year-to-year, but the important takeaway is that prices are forecast to rise every single year – just at a moderate pace.

And while rising home prices may not sound great right now, once you own a home, that growth will be a big bonus for you. Here’s a look at what you stand to gain equity-wise once you buy. The graph below uses a typical home’s value and those HPES projections to show how much equity is at stake:

If you bought a $450,000 home at the beginning of this year, based on that starting value and the expert forecasts from the HPES, you could gain more than $90,000 in household wealth over the next five years. That’s significant.

So, if you’re ready and able to buy, and growing your wealth is important to you, you’ve got an opportunity in front of you. And now that mortgage rates have fallen, it may be time to consider making a move.

To talk more about your options and what makes sense, lean on a pro. They’ll be able to tell you what home prices are doing in your area and what that means for your move (and your future equity). The Mortgage Reports says:

“Given the intricacies of the current market, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and up to date about housing market conditions. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell in the remaining months of 2024, having a professional guide you through the process can make all the difference.” 

Bottom Line

The decision to buy now or wait is a very personal one, but it’s valuable to have an expert’s perspective. If you want help weighing your options and thinking through how the current market factors in, connect with a local real estate agent.

Shawna O’Brien
Residential Broker
KW Portfolio Collective, Geist Fishers
317-506-0039
ShawnaOBrienRealtor@gmail.com

My REVIEWS

REVIEW! FIRST TIME BUYERS’ OFFER ACCEPTED IN A MULTIPLE OFFER SCENARIO!

by indianapolisareahomesforsaleLeave a Comment on REVIEW! FIRST TIME BUYERS’ OFFER ACCEPTED IN A MULTIPLE OFFER SCENARIO!

8/25/2024 – noahschram52
Bought a Single Family home in 2024 in Fishers, IN.

Local knowledge: *****
Process expertise: *****
Responsiveness: *****
Negotiation skills: *****

“As a first time home buyer Shawna was the perfect realtor. She patiently taught us everything we needed to learn through this new experience for us. She showed us the ropes and led us through potential homes while learning what we do and don’t like. Then once we were ready, she made sure we saw everything and anything that could be our future home! She had wonderful communication and was such a joy to be around. When it came time to make an offer, she was there every step of the way and made sure that we were the most appealing offer to our buyers. Shawna was a perfect realtor and we will be using her on any buying or selling houses! We can’t recommend her highly enough!!! “

My REVIEWS

REVIEW! FIRST TIME SELLERS NEEDED TO SELL QUICK & MOVE TO A NEW HOME WITH MORE SPACE

by indianapolisareahomesforsaleLeave a Comment on REVIEW! FIRST TIME SELLERS NEEDED TO SELL QUICK & MOVE TO A NEW HOME WITH MORE SPACE

8/23/2024 – justin dickey
Bought & Sold a Single Family home in 2024 in Greenfield, IN.

Local knowledge: *****
Process expertise: *****
Responsiveness: *****
Negotiation skills: *****

“Shawna was extremely helpful, responsive, and knowledgeable. She quickly answered any and every question we had. Working with her definitely made the process of buying and selling a home a pleasant experience!”

Seller Tips

The Number One Mistake Sellers Are Making: Overpricing Their House

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The Number One Mistake Sellers Are Making: Overpricing Their House

In today’s housing market, many sellers are making a critical mistake: overpricing their houses. This common error can lead to a home sitting on the market for a long time without any offers. And when that happens, the homeowner may have to drop their asking price to try to re-ignite buyer interest.

Data from Realtor.com shows the number of homeowners realizing this mistake and doing a price reduction is climbing (see graph below):

If you’re thinking about making a move yourself, here’s what you need to know. The best way to avoid making a costly mistake is to work with a trusted real estate agent to find the right price. Here’s a look at what’s at stake if you don’t.

Not Paying Attention To Current Market Conditions

Understanding current market conditions is key to accurate pricing. You don’t want to set your asking price based on what happened during the pandemic. The market has moderated a lot since then, so it’s far better to align your price with today’s reality.

Real estate agents stay updated on market trends and how they impact the pricing strategy for your house.

Pricing It Based on What You Want To Make (Not What It’s Worth)

Another misstep is pricing it based on what you want to make on the sale, and not necessarily current market value. You may see other homes in your neighborhood selling for top dollar and assume yours can do the same. But you may not be considering differences in size, condition, and features. For example, maybe that other house is waterfront or has a finished basement. To sum it up, Bankrate explains:

“How do you find that sweet spot of pricing for profit but not overpricing? The expertise of your agent can be truly valuable here. A knowledgeable agent will understand fair market value in your area, how much your house is worth and how much you might reasonably expect to get for it in the current market.”

An agent will do a comparative market analysis (CMA) to make sure your house is compared with truly similar properties to get an accurate look at how it should be priced.

Pricing High to Leave Room for Negotiation

Another common, yet misguided strategy is to price your house high on purpose, so you have more room to negotiate down during the sale. But this can backfire. A price that seems too high often deters potential buyers from even considering the home. So rather than leaving room for negotiation, what you’ll actually be doing is turning buyers away. U.S. News Real Estate explains:

“You want to sell your house for top dollar, but be realistic about the value of the property and how buyers will see it. If you’ve overpriced your home, chances are you’ll eventually need to lower the number, but the peak period of activity that a new listing experiences is already gone.”

An agent can help you set a fair price that attracts buyers and encourages more competitive offers.

Bottom Line

Overpricing your home can have serious consequences. A knowledgeable real estate agent (like me) brings an objective perspective, in-depth market knowledge, and a strategic approach to pricing.

Shawna O’Brien
Residential Broker
KW Portfolio Collective, Geist Fishers
317-506-0039
ShawnaOBrienRealtor@gmail.com