Movies, TV shows, and celebrities often have us dreaming of owning large homes, but the reality for most people is quite different.
Since 2015, the square footage of newly built houses has been shrinking, according to Yahoo Finances.  This isn't projected to change as we continue into the beginning of the year.

“We expect this downsizing trend to continue in 2020, driven by a confluence of economic and demographic trends.”

Why are smaller homes trending now?
As noted in the article, there are a few main reasons for this demand:
“Many of today’s younger, millennial home buyers have expressed a preference for denser, more urban homes that are more walkable to shared amenities.”
“Today’s older homeowners are expressing a desire for smaller, less maintenance-heavy and more accessible homes as they age and move into newer homes.”
With these two demographic groups surging through the market, the demand for this type of ! ...

Which month do you think most people who are considering buying a home actually start their search?  If you’re like most of us, you probably think the surge happens in the spring, likely in April.  Well, not anymore!  According to new research, January 2019 was only 1% behind February for the most monthly views per listing.
So, what does that mean? The busiest season in real estate has just begun.
The same research indicates,
“Historically, April launched the kickoff of the home shopping season as buyers would come out of their winter hibernation looking for their new home. However, the spring shopping season now starts in January for many of the nation’s largest markets.”
With the reality of fewer homes on the market in the winter, and that supply naturally increases as we head to the spring market, waiting for more competition to list in your neighborhood this year might put you behind the curve.  0 ...

Questions continue to rise around where home prices will head in 2020. The latest forecast from CoreLogic shows continued appreciation at 5.4% over the next year:Additionally, ARCH Mortgage Insurance Company in their current Housing and Mortgage Market Review revealed their latest ARCH Risk Index, which estimates the probability of home prices being lower in two years. Based on the most recent results, 32 of the 50 U.S. states (plus D.C.) had a minimal probability of lowering by 2021.
Bottom Line
Experts forecast home price appreciation to continue at a moderate rate as we move through 2020 and beyond. With appreciation growing, now is a GREAT time to reach out to us and start planning for your next move!  
Where do you want to be in 2020? ...

It may seem hard to imagine that the home you’re in today – whether it’s your starter home or just one you’ve fallen in love with along the way – might not be your forever home.
The good news is, it’s okay to admit if your house no longer fits your needs.
According to the latest 'Home Price Insights' from CoreLogic, prices have appreciated 3.5% year-over-year.  At the same time, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports inventory has dropped 4.3% from one year ago.These two statistics are directly related to one another. As inventory has decreased and demand has increased, prices have been driven up.
This is great news if you own a home and are thinking about selling! The equity in your house has likely risen as prices have increased. Even better is the fact that there’s a large pool of buyers out there searching for the American dream, and your home may be high on their ! ...