Thursday Tip:
Basil – Keeps flies & mosquitoes away!
Lavender – A calming scent for you, a nightmare for bugs! Peppermint – Freshens up your space & deters pests. Rosemary – Perfect for cooking & mosquito control!
Lemongrass – The secret ingredient in citronella!
Sage – Burn it for an extra bug-repelling boost!
Safe for dogs, tough on pests! 
Add these plants to your garden and enjoy a bite-free summer!
Which of these do you already have in your yard? Let us know in the comments! 
Last year, 70% of buyers paused their home search—were you one of them? 🤔 With low inventory, soaring prices, and unpredictable mortgage rates, we don’t blame you! But here’s the good news: the market is shifting in your favor.
📈 More Inventory = More Options
Finding the perfect home was tough when choices were limited. But inventory is up 27.5% since last year! That means more homes to choose from—and if you’re selling, you’ll have better luck finding your next place, too.
🕰️ Homes Are Staying on the Market Longer
Gone are the days of lightning-fast sales. With homes spending about a week longer on the market than last year, you have more time to shop, negotiate, and make the right move—without feeling rushed.
🏡 Is It Your Time to Move?
With more options and less pressure, this could be the perfect time to restart your home search! Let’s chat about what’s happening in our local market.
✨ Debbie & Angie | "Let Our Family Bring Your Family Home" ✨
📲 Call/Text us today! 530-330-3042 / 530-308-2537
#WeBringUHome #FoothillsLiving #MarketUpdate #TimeToMove #SpringRealEstate
🏡🛤️ Buying a home comes with many steps, but don’t worry—Debbie & Angie have your roadmap to homeownership! Let’s connect and get started today—call us now! 📞🔑✨
#HomeBuying 🏠 #BuyAHome 🏡 #WeBringUHome ❤️ #KeepingCurrentMatters 📌
Buying your first home is exciting—but let’s be real, it can also feel overwhelming. It’s a big step, and with that comes plenty of questions:
❓ Am I making the right decision?
❓ Can I really afford this right now?
❓ What if unexpected repairs come up?
❓ Will I still be okay financially if something changes?
The truth is, every first-time homebuyer has these thoughts—and that’s completely normal. The homebuying process has always been a mix of excitement and nerves. But with the right guidance, you can move forward with confidence.
As your local real estate expert, we are here to provide the knowledge and support you need. Let’s break down some key things to keep in mind.
🔹 Focus on What You Can Control
Since homeownership is new to you, figuring out your budget might feel overwhelming. You’ll need to consider your mortgage, home insurance, maintenance, and possibly HOA fees. That’s a lot to think about!
The key? Focus on what you can control. By working with a trusted local agent (that’s us! 😊) and a reputable lender, you’ll get a clear picture of:
✔️ What you can afford to borrow
✔️ Your monthly mortgage payment
✔️ How interest rates impact your costs
Your mortgage will likely be your biggest expense, so it’s crucial to ensure the numbers work for you.
🔹 Don’t Stress About Repairs
Worried about unexpected repairs? That’s understandable! But remember, you’ll get a home inspection before you buy, giving you insight into the home’s condition.
If repairs are a concern, consider negotiating with the seller to include a home warranty. This can help cover major systems like HVAC or plumbing for a set period after you move in. It’s a small expense for the seller but could provide you with valuable peace of mind.
🔹 It’s Okay to Stretch—Just Not Too Far
Money might feel tight at first, and that’s normal. Many first-time buyers cut back on dining out or shopping until they adjust to their new expenses.
But if your budget doesn’t leave room for essentials like food, gas, and savings, you might be stretching too far. A slight stretch is normal—a financial strain is not. Let’s find a home that fits both your dreams and your budget!
🔹 Your Finances Will Grow Over Time
One of the biggest fears buyers have is, What if my financial situation changes? The good news is, careers progress, and incomes often increase over time. That slightly tight budget now may feel much more comfortable in a few years.
And if an unexpected job loss happens? There are options, like mortgage forbearance, that can provide temporary relief during financial hardship.
🔹 Bottom Line
Buying your first home is a big decision, and feeling nervous is completely normal. But if you’re financially ready, don’t let fear hold you back. With the right plan and expert guidance, you can confidently take this step toward homeownership.
💬 What’s your biggest concern about buying your first home? Let’s chat! we’d love to help you navigate the process and answer all your questions.
📞 Debbie Krogman & Angie Pitts– Your Local Real Estate Experts
530-330-3042 / 530-308-2537
More Buyers Are Entering the Market – Is It Time for You To Sell?
If you’ve been waiting for the right time to sell your home, this may be the sign you’ve been looking for. More buyers are stepping back into the market, and that could mean great opportunities for sellers like you.
Over the past few years, rising mortgage rates and affordability challenges made many would-be buyers pause their home search. But now, the market is shifting. Buyers are adjusting to current conditions, and with mortgage rates beginning to stabilize, more of them are resuming their home search. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
"Home buyers seem to be getting over the shock of mortgage rates in the mid- to upper-6% range."
That’s great news if you’re thinking about selling. While we’re not seeing an overwhelming surge of buyers all at once, serious homebuyers are re-entering the market—and there’s solid data to back it up.
3 Signs Buyers Are Ready To Make Their Move
- Mortgage Applications Are on the Rise
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) reports that mortgage applications have increased by 37% since the start of the year. This shows that more buyers are getting serious about securing financing—meaning they’re ready to purchase homes like yours. - Buyer Demand Is Growing
Homebuyer Demand Index reveals a 3% uptick in demand since late January. While this may not seem like a huge jump, it’s a clear indication that interest in purchasing homes is gaining momentum. - More Home Showings Are Happening
ShowingTime data shows a 13% increase in home showings since the beginning of the year. More buyers out viewing homes means greater visibility for your listing—and potentially more offers.
Spring: The Best Time To Sell
With buyer activity picking up, now is the perfect time to list your home. Spring is traditionally the busiest season for real estate, as more buyers and sellers enter the market. You don’t want to miss out on this prime opportunity.
Let Debbie and Angie Help You Sell Your Home
If you’re thinking about selling, REALTORS® Debbie and Angie are here to guide you every step of the way. With years of experience in the local market, they know how to position your home to attract serious buyers and get you the best possible offer.
Let’s connect today and take advantage of the growing buyer activity!
Breaking Into the Market: Smart Moves for First-Time Buyers
If you’re like a lot of aspiring homebuyers, there’s a major hurdle standing in your way — the cost of living. From groceries to gas, eggs, and just about everything else, prices have gone up. And that rings true for home prices, too.
But even when everything feels expensive, there are still ways to make homeownership more than an item on your wish list. You may just need to think about where you plan to buy a bit differently.
Think of Your First Home as a Stepping Stone
One of the biggest misconceptions among buyers is that their first home has to be their forever home – or that it has to check all the boxes of what they want right out of the gate. In reality, it’s just a starting point.
Once you own a home, you start to build equity, which grows over time as home prices rise. Down the road, if you want to move — whether to a larger space, a better location, or both — the equity you’ve gained can help you do just that.
So rather than waiting until you can afford your dream home in your ideal neighborhood, consider starting with something that works for now.
Expand Your Search To Find More Affordable Options
If high home prices in your favorite area are holding you back, it’s time to cast a wider net. By keeping an open mind and being flexible with location, you may be surprised at what’s possible within your budget. Many buyers find success by looking in surrounding areas – and some even choose to move out of state.
If you want to stay local, looking just outside your preferred neighborhood could help you find something you can afford that’s still close to your favorite restaurants, shops, and activities. Sometimes, moving as little as 10 minutes away makes a big difference.
The best way to see what’s available is to work with a real estate agent who understands the local market and can help you identify hidden gems nearby. Debbie and Angie, your local REALTORS®, know the ins and outs of the area and can guide you to communities you may not have considered yet. These neighborhoods may have lower price tags right now but are steadily gaining value and appeal. With their expertise, you can buy your first home and set yourself up to gain equity over the years.
Bottom Line
Today’s cost of living is a challenge for many homebuyers. But by exploring different areas and working with Debbie & Angie, you can take that first step toward owning a home — and building equity for your future.
If you’ve asked yourself any of these questions, then you’ll want to keep reading.
“How do we know if we’re ready to buy a home?”
“Should we buy a home? It’s a pandemic.”
“Is now really the best time to buy a home?
The thing is: there is no right or wrong answer here. Of course, I am so passionate about homeownership and would love to get you into that dream home. But, the truth is everyone’s situation is unique.
The answer depends on a few things:
➡️ Do you know your credit score?
➡️ Do you have a sense of how much home you can afford (including closing costs)?
➡️ Do you have money saved for a down payment?
➡️ Do you have savings to cover emergency maintenance?
➡️ Do you feel ready to put down roots in a community?
These are the practical considerations. You’ll, of course, want to factor in your employment status, family circumstances, and lifestyle factors too.
If you’re holding off on buying, what is holding you back? Message me anytime if you’d like to talk through different options.
Spring is usually the busiest season in the housing market. Many buyers wait until then to make their move, believing it’s the best time to find a home. However, that isn’t always the case when you factor in the competition you could face with other buyers at that time of year. If you’re ready to buy a home, here’s why it makes sense to move before the spring market picks up.
Spring Should Bring a Wave of Buyers to the Market
In most years, the housing market goes through predictable seasonal trends in activity. Winter is typically a quiet point in the year, while spring sees a surge of buyers begin their search. And experts project that this year will be no exception.
Right now, buyer demand is low due to a combination of normal seasonal trends and a reaction to last year’s rise in mortgage rates. But rates have started to come down since last November, which has more and more potential buyers planning to jump into the market. That means right now is a sweet spot if you’re in a good position to buy, before more buyers reappear. Affordability is beginning to improve, but demand is still low — for now. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), shares:
“. . . expect sales to pick up again soon since mortgage rates have markedly declined after peaking late last year.”
If you’re ready to buy a home, right now is the best time to do so before your competition grows and more buyers enter the market.
Today’s Sellers Are Motivated
Low demand from buyers often means sellers are more motivated to work with you, and that can set you up to buy a home on your terms. In fact, sellers have been more willing to negotiate this winter because there are fewer buyers in the market. According to a recent article from Forbes:
“. . . sellers gave concessions to buyers in 41.9% of home sales in the fourth quarter of last year.”
But keep in mind, the advantages buyers have this winter won’t last forever. The competition you face could be greater if you wait until spring to make a move, and increased buyer demand means sellers will have less motivation to negotiate with you. Be sure to work with a trusted real estate professional to learn what you can expect in your local market right now.
Bottom Line
If you’re in a good position to make a move, it may make sense to move before spring. Working with Debbie & Angie is the best way to learn about the current market and what it means for you. Let’s connect today to determine the best plan to achieve your homebuying goals.
