There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to buying or selling a home. It’s a big transaction, and a ton of items need to be checked off before the property can transfer from one person to another.

A home sale is considered “pending” from the time that a seller accepts the offer up until the moment that the sale closes.

There are so many important steps that happen while the home sale is pending, such as the financing process, appraisal, inspection, title search, and more.

So, whether you’re buying or selling, it’s important to understand some of the most common reasons that a pending home sale falls through so that you can avoid any unnecessary issues.

Home inspection contingency
Once you accept the buyer’s offer, they will typically hire an inspector to make sure that everything is working properly. A home inspection contingency will allow the buyer to either renegotiate the sale price or walk away from the sale completely if concerning items were found during the inspection, such as problems with the roof, foundation, heating and cooling systems, mold, termites, or other big-ticket items.

To avoid any unexpected issues, sellers should hire their own inspector before putting their home on the market. Either fix the items listed in the inspector’s report, adjust your pricing, or offer the buyers a seller’s credit that will go toward the cost of the repair.

Financing Falls Through
Typically, a buyer is pre-approved for their financing before putting an offer in on their home. However, a change in their status could mean that their financing falls through. This could be a change in their employment, a new negative credit issue appears, or they’ve taken on new debt. For this reason, many real estate agents recommend accepting either an all cash offer, or an offer from a local, trusted bank or mortgage lender.

Low Appraisal
In some cases, the appraisal might come back lower than the contract price. This is an issue because banks and mortgage companies will only lend up to the value of the property. So, if the buyer can’t pony up enough cash to cover the difference, then their financing could fall through. As a seller, you would need to make a decision to either let the deal fall through or lower the sales price. The seller could also hire another appraiser in hopes of a different answer, or make a case to the appraiser, using recent neighborhood sales prices or other evidence, that the home should be appraised at a higher value.

Buyer home sale contingency
Sometimes a buyer’s financing is dependent on them selling their current home. If their home doesn’t sell quickly, then your home sale could be pending for quite some time. 

Property title issues
Prior to closing, the buyer’s lender will order a title search to find out the ownership of the property and find out if there are any liens or claims against the property. A clean title is required before the transaction to close. So, if there are any liens or claims against the property it could take weeks or months to get them sorted out. Depending on the seriousness of the title issue, some buyers may walk away from the sale.

Content provided by TowneBank Mortgage for informational purposes only. The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend. TowneBank Mortgage NMLS# 512138.

Our team at Intracoastal Realty looks at what it takes to make things happen in the real estate market this New Year, because for many, wishing may no longer be enough.

On the first day of January, last year, Ukraine hadn’t been invaded by Russia and we were barely out of Covid restrictions. Nor had US interest rates reached a 16-year high, and the real estate market only showed tentative signs of cooling.

It is difficult to imagine now how the real estate sector could not have been greatly affected by all that has happened at home and abroad during 2022.

Despite all the political and economic turmoil, real estate is still active, and, if anything, the market is reaching, what many imagine, a more normal level of activity. It’s just that most activity is down to the doers and not the wait-and-seers.

There are two ways to sell real estate. The first is to let it happen. That has worked in some capacity over the past few years when all many had to do was to open the door to lots of open-house viewers and then bask in the flood of ever-mounting cash offers that ensued.

The second way to sell real estate is to make it happen. Now that the market has, in some segments and price ranges, turned in favor of buyers, sellers can’t sit back; they have to take the initiative. So, added to “location, location, and location” as three important buying features, we must add price, price, price, and condition, condition, condition.

Just as the recent seasonal festivities wouldn’t happen without people taking control and putting up decorations and cooking special meals, a home won’t sell without some effort from sellers to prepare it for the market. If that means setting a competitive asking price and keeping a welcoming exterior and neat and spotless interior, then so be it.

Good real estate brokers and agents are doers by nature, training, and experience. But they can’t do it alone; they need their seller’s support and agreement. This teamwork is essential to get things done. So, to make things happen for the best in the 2023 real estate market, don’t be a wisher; be a doer.

We wish all our clients and friends a positive, healthy, and happy New Year.

As home prices have increased throughout the country, loan limits increased as well. Both the Federal Housing Agency (FHA) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced new loan limits in late 2022. 

Here are the changes:

New FHFA Conforming Loan Limits:

The FHFA’s floor and ceiling loan limits will see a 12.21% increase in 2023.

• The maximum base conforming loan limit for single-unit properties is $726,200, an increase from 2022’s limit of $647,200.
• The high-cost area maximum limit for single-unit properties is $1,089,300, an increase from 2022’s limit of $970,800.

For a list of the 2023 maximum loan limits for all counties and county-equivalent areas in the U.S, click here. 

New FHA Loan Limits:

The FHA’s floor and ceiling loan limits will see a 12.21% increase in 2023. 

• The new floor (limit for low-cost areas) FHA limit is $472,030, an increase from last year’s base limit of $420,680.
• The new ceiling (limit for high-cost areas) FHA limit is $1,089,300, an increase from last year’s ceiling limit of $970,800.

To find the limit in your area, click here.

The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend.

*Content provided by TowneBank Mortgage for informational purposes only. The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend. TowneBank Mortgage NMLS# 512138.

There’s probably a long list of things that you’d rather be doing than winterizing your home- like curling up to the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. But “Winterizing” your home can protect you from incidents that could cost you a lot more time and money in the long run. So, protect yourself against Mother Nature’s icy wrath, and save yourself some money on utilities, by knocking out these winterizing projects:

Protect your pipes- Reduce the chances of bursting pipes by keeping your home warm, insulating your pipes with sleeves if needed, and turning off the water to all exterior facets. If temperatures drop dramatically below freezing, you can drip your facets to further reduce the chances of bursting pipes.

Check your fireplace- If you haven’t already, have your fireplace inspected. Keep the flute closed when not in use to prevent warm air from leaving and insects or critters from getting in. Now is also a good time to test your fire alarm and replace batteries if needed.

Service your furnace. If your gas furnace is dirty, inefficient or old, it runs the risk of leaking carbon monoxide- an odorless yet deadly gas. Have your furnace serviced to ensure that its working properly. You can also install carbon monoxide detectors near your furnace.

Change your furnace filter. Dirty filters are bad for your health and make your furnace have to work harder. Furnace filters should be replaced every month in the winter.

Caulk and weather-strip- If needed, caulk or weather-strip doors and windows that leak air. Depending on quality, caulk needs to be replaced about every 5 years. Your weather-stripping should be replaced if you can see light around the edges of your doors.

Weatherproof your windows- if you have older windows, you’re probably losing a lot of warm air through them. If you don’t have the money to invest in new windows, you can purchase plastic film insulation- a budget friendly solution that can help insulate your windows quickly and easily.

Consider investing in a programmable thermostat. These high-tech thermostats can be programmed to lower temperatures while you’re at work or sleeping, helping you to save energy and cut costs.

Clean your gutters and downspouts and trim branches. If you cleaned them in the fall, check them again to make sure they’re clear. Trim branches that hover over the roof.

Store your outdoor equipment and furniture- Extreme cold weather and elements can cause damage to outdoor furniture, grills and lawn equipment. Move what you can into storage. If you’re keeping your grill outside for the winter, protect it with a cover and keep the propane connected but turned off. If you’re bringing the grill inside, leave the take outside in an upright position.

Prepare an emergency kit- If the power were to go out due to a winter storm, make sure you’re prepared with firewood, bottled water, nonperishable food, blankets, flashlights and candles and plenty of batteries.

Disclaimer:

Content provided by TowneBank Mortgage for informational purposes only. The information contained herein (including but not limited to any description of lending programs and products, eligibility criteria, interest rates, fees and all other loan terms) is subject to change without notice. This is not a commitment to lend. TowneBank Mortgage NMLS# 512138.

🏘️ With the rapid shift that’s happened in the housing market this year, some people are raising concerns that we’re destined for a repeat of the crash we saw in 2008.

🏘️ At the time of the crash, there were more relaxed lending standards that allowed people to take out mortgages that they couldn’t afford. Those practices led to a wave of distressed properties which made their way into the market and caused home values to plummet. But today, revised lending standards have led to more qualified buyers.

🏘️ While it’s true the number of foreclosures is higher now than it was last year, foreclosures are still well below pre-pandemic years.

🏘️ Many homeowners today have enough equity to sell their homes instead of facing foreclosure. Due to rapidly rising home prices over the last two years, the average homeowner has gained record amounts of equity in their home.

🏘️ The increase we’ve seen in housing supply this year is because homes are staying on the market a bit longer (known as active listings) vs an influx of recent homeowners listing their houses for sale (known as new listings).

🏘️ That’s happening because higher mortgage rates and home prices have helped moderate the peak frenzy of buyer demand, which has slowed down the pace of sales. And, as the pace of sales has eased, inventory has grown as a result.

🏘️ Our market is very strong in Southeastern NC and there are still many ways you can take advantage when considering your real estate goals. If you have questions, reach out to one of our trusted and qualified real estate professionals!

Absorption rate, also referred to as “inventory levels” or “months of supply”, gives you an idea of the number of months it will take for the current inventory of homes to be sold out based on the last 12 months of sales.

Housing prices stabilize when supply and demand come closer together. Generally speaking, 5-6 months of supply is “normal”. Less than 5 months of supply will result in appreciating home prices (Seller’s Market), while 7 months or more of supply will result in depreciating home prices (Buyer’s Market).

Following the 3rd Quarter of 2022, we are seeing a low but increasing amount of inventory.  New Hanover County is showing a total of 1.7 months of inventory for home sales (up from 0.6 months in Q1 2022); Brunswick County is at 2.1 months (up from 0.8 months in Q1 2022); and Pender County is at 1.1 months (up from 0.6 months in Q1 2022).

As you can see from the three county charts below, inventory levels vary by price segment.  Take a look at the absorption reports for a better idea of where your house stands in the market, and contact an Intracoastal Realty agent to learn about the supply and demand for your specific neighborhood and/or price point.

Bottom Line: There are opportunities right now for both buyers and sellers. Generally speaking, buyers have a bit more room to negotiate on price and repairs and less pressure to make lightning-fast offers.  Sellers can take advantage of the tremendous equity they have built up over the past few years, and the fact that there is still a limited inventory of homes for sale in the marketplace. 

New Hanover

Brunswick County

Pender County

The thing with changing real estate markets is that we eventually adapt to each manifestation. Evolving markets are a bit like a pandemic. First, they are a surprise, next, sadly, some people are harmed by the new normal, and then we learn how to handle the threat.

Frustratingly, just when we begin to get comfortable, something new happens in the world and we have to adapt to a new market all over again. This is where we are now.

Property market watchers have been on high alert for some time, looking for signs that the post-pandemic real estate party is over. But they don’t have to watch too closely as all the signs are there for anyone to see. In many countries, the days of putting a property on the market at almost any price, and then exceeding that figure in a market awash with cash buyers desperate to move, are over. We may never see their like again – or, at least, not for decades. Today’s buyers are a new breed – they have to be. Steep cost of living rises, changes in working practices, difficult travel conditions, and an uncertain and often unstable world have led to understandable caution.

So, with what sort of new market must we become familiar? There are some interesting patterns emerging. It is becoming more of a buyers’ market. There will be a wider choice for buyers, who will feel less pressured to make their final choices. Sellers will have to become used to delay and uncertainty.

How often have we heard that a property’s three most essential things are location, location, location? Well in this new market those things will become price, price, price. In a market with greater choice attracting a buyer becomes more challenging. There are two ways to overcome this: correct pricing and making your home as buyer-friendly as possible – thermally efficient, clean, tidy, decluttered, sweet-smelling, and great-looking from the curb.

Oh, and there is another way to succeed in selling: make sure an experienced estate agent who understands how to adapt to changing times and markets is handling the sale – and then listen to that agent.

Finally, sellers shouldn’t despair. The post-pandemic party may be essentially over, but for sellers with a great real estate agent, good housekeeping, and accurate pricing there is still time for one for the road.