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My REVIEWS

REVIEW! SATISFIED SELLERS OF THE FAMILY HOME THEY BUILT.

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Highly likely to recommend|5.0

07/01/2021
Sold a Single Family home in 2021 in Indianapolis, IN.

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

We had an excellent selling experience with Shawna O’Brien!
After 2 days, we had a solid offer on the table in which she explained in detail and we ultimately ended up accepting. As with all home sales, we did have unexpected bumps that caught us off guard, but Shawna kept in close contact with the buyer’s agent and always kept us informed to keep us in sight of the end goal which was the sale of our home at maximum value.

We were very happy with Shawna’s professionalism and attention to detail throughout our process, and would highly recommend her to anyone who is buying or selling a home. If you want someone that will exceed expectations, she is your agent!

Thank you to Shawna and the F.C. Tucker company for a great experience.

Seller Tips

Selling Your House? Make Sure You Price It Right.

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3 Things To Prioritize When Selling Your House | MyKCM

There’s no denying we’re in a sellers’ market. With low inventory and high buyer demand, homes today are selling above the asking price at a record rate. According to the latest Realtors Confidence Index Survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

  • Homes typically sell within 17 days (compared to 26 days one year ago).
  • The average home sold has five offers to pick from.
  • 54% of offers are over the asking price.

Because so many buyers are competing for so few homes, bidding wars are driving up home prices. According to an average of leading expert projections, existing home prices are expected to increase by 8.9% this year.

Yet even in today’s red-hot sellers’ market, it’s important to price your house right. While it may be tempting to price your house on the high side to capitalize on this trend, doing so could limit your house’s potential.

Why Pricing Your House Right Matters

Here’s the thing – a high price tag doesn’t mean you’re going to cash in big on the sale. While you may be trying to maximize your return, the tradeoff may be steep. A high list price is more likely to deter buyers, sit on the market longer, or require a price drop that can raise questions among prospective buyers.

Instead, focus on setting a price that’s fair. Real estate professionals know the value of your home. By pricing your house based on its current condition and similar homes that have recently sold in your area, your agent can help you set a price that’s realistic and obtainable – and that’s good news for you and for buyers.When you price your house right, you increase your home’s visibility, which drives more buyers to your front door. The more buyers that tour your home, the more likely you’ll have a multi-offer scenario to create a bidding war. When multiple buyers compete for your house, that sets you up for a bigger win.

Bottom Line

When it comes to pricing your house, working with a local real estate professional is essential. Let’s connect so we can optimize your exposure, your timeline, and the return on your investment, too.

Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
317-506-0039
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers

SOLD!

SOLD! FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS SECURE AN AMAZING UPDATED BROAD RIPPLE CHARMER!

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A wonderful couple I helped a couple years ago referred me to a lovely engaged couple ready to purchase their first home. They interviewed a couple realtors and chose me. YAY! We had a lot of fun looking around Broad Ripple. It’s a fabulously fun area with so many local businesses in walking distance BUT you need to have a critical eye when looking at homes of a certain age, wear & tear, etc.

This home was amazing! The seller had completely renovated and improved upon all the big ticket items and the basement was the biggest, nicest, cleanest, most user friendly basement I’d seen in a Broad Ripple home. I called the list agent, asked a lot of questions about what would make us a top contender in this competitive market and we got the house!

The buyers didn’t pay one cent over appraised value and that’s a HUGE WIN right now with buyers bidding over ask price AND appraised value. It was so fun hanging with these two smart, responsible clients and I’m going to miss talking with them so frequently.

#homebuying #homeownership #homeforsale #firsthome #indianapolis #beaggressive #hirearealtor #indyhomesforsale #TrustYourAgent #HireAnAgent #TrustYourRealtor #GetPreapproved

Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
317-506-0039
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers

Buyer Tips, Seller Tips

What To Expect As Appraisal Gaps Grow

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What To Expect as Appraisal Gaps Grow | MyKCM

In today’s real estate market, low inventory and high demand are driving up home prices. As many as 54% of homes are getting offers over the listing price, based on the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser at CoreLogic, elaborates:

“The frequency of buyers being willing to pay more than the market data supports is increasing.”

While this is great news for today’s sellers, it can be tricky to navigate if the price of your contract doesn’t match up with the appraisal for the house. It’s called an appraisal gap, and it’s happening more in today’s market than the norm.

According to recent data from CoreLogic, 19% of homes had their appraised value come in below the contract price in April of this year. That’s more than double the percentage in each of the two previous Aprils.

What To Expect as Appraisal Gaps Grow | MyKCM

The chart below uses the latest insights from NAR’s Realtors Confidence Index to showcase how often an issue with an appraisal slowed or stalled the momentum of a house sale in May of this year compared to May of last year.If an appraisal comes in below the contract price, the buyer’s lender won’t loan them more than the house’s appraised value. That means there’s going to be a gap between the amount of loan the buyer can secure and the contract price on the house.

In this situation, both the buyer and seller have a vested interest in making sure the sale moves forward with little to no delay. The seller will want to make sure the deal closes, and the buyer won’t want to risk losing the home. That’s why it’s common for sellers to ask the buyer to make up the difference themselves in today’s competitive market.

Bottom Line

Whether you’re buying or selling, let’s connect so you have an ally throughout the process to help you navigate the unexpected, including appraisal gaps.

Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
317-506-0039
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers

Financial Tips, Market Update

Are We In A Housing Bubble? Experts Say No.

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Are We in a Housing Bubble? Experts Say No.

Are We in a Housing Bubble? Experts Say No. | MyKCM

The question of whether the real estate market is a bubble ready to pop seems to be dominating a lot of conversations – and everyone has an opinion. Yet, when it comes down to it, the opinions that carry the most weight are the ones based on experience and expertise.

Here are four expert opinions from professionals and organizations that have devoted their careers to giving great advice to the housing industry.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies in their The State of the Nation’s Housing 2021 report:

“… conditions today are quite different than in the early 2000s, particularly in terms of credit availability. The current climb in house prices instead reflects strong demand amid tight supply, helped along by record-low interest rates.”

Nathaniel Karp, Chief U.S. Economist at BBVA:

“The housing market is in line with fundamentals as interest rates are attractive and incomes are high due to fiscal stimulus, making debt servicing relatively affordable and allowing buyers to qualify for larger mortgages. Underwriting standards are still strong, so there is little risk of a bubble developing.”

Bill McBride of Calculated Risk:

“It’s not clear at all to me that things are going to slow down significantly in the near future. In 2005, I had a strong sense that the hot market would turn and that, when it turned, things would get very ugly. Today, I don’t have that sense at all, because all of the fundamentals are there. Demand will be high for a while, because Millennials need houses. Prices will keep rising for a while, because inventory is so low.”

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

“Looking back at the bubble years, house prices exceeded house-buying power in 2006 nationally, but today house-buying power is nearly twice as high as the median sale price nationally…

Many find it hard to believe, but housing is actually undervalued in most markets and the gap between house-buying power and sale prices indicates there’s room for further house price growth in the months to come.”

Bottom Line

All four strongly believe that we’re not in a bubble and won’t see crashing home values as we did in 2008. And they’re not alone – Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch share the same opinion.

Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
317-506-0039
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers

Monthly Newsletter

JULY 2021 NEWSLETTER

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Happy 4th of July! 

I hope this finds you well as we approach the holiday weekend. 

The question of whether the real estate market is a bubble ready to pop seems to be dominating a lot of conversations – and everyone has an opinion. Yet, when it comes down to it, the opinions that carry the most weight are the ones based on experience and expertise.

Here are four expert opinions from professionals and organizations that have devoted their careers to giving great advice to the housing industry.

The Joint Center for Housing Studies in their The State of the Nation’s Housing 2021 report:

… conditions today are quite different than in the early 2000s, particularly in terms of credit availability. The current climb in house prices instead reflects strong demand amid tight supply, helped along by record-low interest rates.

Nathaniel Karp, Chief U.S. Economist at BBVA:

The housing market is in line with fundamentals as interest rates are attractive and incomes are high due to fiscal stimulus, making debt servicing relatively affordable and allowing buyers to qualify for larger mortgages. Underwriting standards are still strong, so there is little risk of a bubble developing.

Bill McBride of Calculated Risk:

It’s not clear at all to me that things are going to slow down significantly in the near future. In 2005, I had a strong sense that the hot market would turn and that, when it turned, things would get very ugly. Today, I don’t have that sense at all, because all of the fundamentals are there. Demand will be high for a while, because Millennials need houses. Prices will keep rising for a while, because inventory is so low.

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American:

Looking back at the bubble years, house prices exceeded house-buying power in 2006 nationally, but today house-buying power is nearly twice as high as the median sale price nationally…

Many find it hard to believe, but housing is actually undervalued in most markets and the gap between house-buying power and sale prices indicates there’s room for further house price growth in the months to come.

Bottom Line

All four strongly believe that we’re not in a bubble and won’t see crashing home values as we did in 2008. And they’re not alone – Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch share the same opinion.

As always, if you or someone you know would like to discuss buying or selling in 2021 or 2022, I’m never too busy for your referrals!

Have a wonderful weekend and stay safe!

All my best,
Shawna

SOLD!

SOLD! REVOLVING DOOR OF SHOWINGS ON THIS BEAUTIFUL GOLF COURSE HOME!

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This home was a retreat for my seller for many years but after securing her a new home, with a pool that she desired for years, it was time to let another homebuyer enjoy it.

I’d known my client for many years but we became better friends throughout this process. I was honored and closing day was extremely rewarding as a result of the stronger bond we had formed.

This is what it’s all about!! Forming & growing amazing relationships and bonds I may not have had the pleasure of doing so if not being so instrumental in helping my friends, family, peers, and referrals reach their home buying and selling goals

Make sure YOU choose a realtor that will represent you well, work well with other agents, and provide a smooth experience for your buy or sell!

#homebuying #homeownership #homeforsale #firsthome #indianapolis #beaggressive #hirearealtor #indyhomesforsale #TrustYourAgent #PriceItRight #PassItOn #HireAnAgent #TrustYourRealtor #GetPreapproved

Shawna O’Brien
shawna.obrien@talktotucker.com
317-506-0039
F.C. Tucker Geist Fishers