The Best Week To List Your House Is Almost Here – Are You Ready?

by Greg Weis

If selling your house is on your to-do list this year, the time to start prepping is now. That’s because experts say the best week to list your house is coming up fast.

A recent Realtor.com study analyzed years of housing market trends (excluding 2020 since it was an outlier) and found that April 13–19 is expected to be the ideal window to put your house on the market this year:

“. . . we’ve identified April 13-19 as the best week to list for sellers . . . a seller listing a well-priced, move-in ready home is likely to find success. Because spring is generally the high season for real estate activity and buyers are more plentiful earlier rather than later in the year, listing earlier in the spring raises a seller’s odds of a successful sale.”

What Makes This Week Stand Out?

As the quote mentions, spring is almost always a strong season for sellers. But this particular week could give you an even bigger advantage this year. Realtor.com goes on to say what listing during this sweet spot could mean for you:

More buyers looking at your home since demand is high this time of year.
A faster sale since serious buyers are eager to move before summer.
A better chance of selling for top dollar. According to the study, you could get an average of $4,800 more this week (and $27,000 more than you would earlier in the year).

If You Want Your House on the Market for that Window, Act Now

With just a few weeks left before this prime listing window, you’ll need to make a plan to work smart and act fast. That’s where working with a great real estate agent comes in. They can help you:

Figure out exactly what you need to do to get your house ready.
Prioritize the tasks that’ll make the biggest impact in the shortest time.
Decide if there are any quick fixes or small upgrades that could help you attract buyers.

Assuming your house is already in good shape, your focus should be on quick, high-impact updates. As Investopedia explains:

“You won’t have time for any major renovations, so focus on quick repairs to address things that could deter potential buyers.”

Here are a few examples of small projects that can make a big difference according to Redfin:

What If You’re Not Ready Just Yet?

Don’t worry – it’s okay if you don’t think you’ll be ready for this week. Just because April 13–19 is projected to be the ideal week by Realtor.com, that doesn’t mean it’s the only good time to sell. Even if you need a bit more time to get your home list ready, there’s still plenty of opportunity this homebuying season.

Bottom Line

If you’ve been waiting for the right time to sell, this could be it. But timing isn’t the only thing that matters – how well you prep and price your home is just as important.

What’s one thing you’d need to do before you’d feel ready to list? Connect with an agent to figure out the best plan to make it happen.

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.

Market Stats • Real Estate • Tips for Buyers • Tips for Sellers • March 24, 2025

4 Things To Expect from the Spring Housing Market

by Greg Weis

Spring is in full swing, and the housing market is picking up along with it. And if you’ve been wondering whether now is the right time to buy or sell, here’s the inside scoop on why this spring may be a great time to make your move.

1. There Are More Homes for Sale

After a long stretch of tight inventory, the number of homes for sale is finally improving. According to recent national data from Realtor.com, active listings are up 27.5% compared to this time last year.

Look at the graph below and follow the green line for 2025. You can see, even though inventory levels still haven’t returned to pre-pandemic norms (shown in gray), that number is higher than it has been going into the spring market over the past few years (see graph below):

Buyers: This means you have more choices, and you can be more selective.

Sellers: With more homes available than in recent years, you’re more likely to find what you’re looking for when you move. And knowing that inventory is still below more normal levels means there will be demand for your home when you sell it, too.

2. Home Price Growth Is Moderating

As inventory grows, the pace of home price growth is slowing down – and that will continue into the spring market. This is because prices are driven by supply and demand. When there are more homes for sale, buyers have more options, so there’s less competition for each house. Rising supply and less buyer competition causes price growth to slow, but it should still remain positive in most markets. As Freddie Mac says:

“In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.”

And while prices aren’t dropping at the national level, every market is different. Some areas are seeing stronger price growth, while others are cooling off or even seeing some price declines.

Buyers: The slower pace of growth means prices aren’t rising as quickly as before – and that’s a relief. Any home you buy now is likely to appreciate in value over time, helping you build equity.

Sellers: While prices are still rising, you might need to adjust your expectations. Overpricing your house in a more balanced market could mean it takes longer to sell. Pricing your house competitively is going to be key to attracting offers.

3. Mortgage Rates Are Stabilizing

One of the biggest hurdles for buyers over the past couple of years has been high, volatile mortgage rates. But there’s some good news – overall, they’ve stabilized in recent weeks – and have even declined a bit since the beginning of this year. And while that decrease hasn’t been a big drop, stabilizing mortgage rates has helped make buying a home a bit more predictable. According to Selma Hepp, Chief Economist at CoreLogic:

“With the spring homebuying season upon us, the recent improvements in mortgage rates may help invite homebuyers back into the market.”

Buyers: When mortgage rates are more stable, it’s easier to plan ahead because you have a better idea of what your future payment might be. But remember, rates will continue to be volatile. So, lean on your agent and your lender to make sure you know what the latest mortgage rate means for you.

Sellers: Slightly lower rates that are starting to stabilize are encouraging more buyers to move forward with their plans. That’s good for demand when you’re planning to sell your house.

4. More Buyers Are Returning

With more inventory, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, buyers are gaining confidence and coming back into the market. Demand is picking up, and data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows an increase in mortgage applications compared to the start of the year (see graph below):

Buyers: Acting sooner rather than later could be a smart move before your competition heats up even more.

Sellers: This is great news for you – more buyers mean a better chance of selling your house quickly.

Bottom Line

Do you have questions about what the spring market means for you? Connect with a local real estate agent and talk about how to craft your plan this season.

With more homes for sale, slowing price growth, and stabilizing mortgage rates, how will this impact your decision to buy or sell this spring?

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.

Market Stats • Real Estate • Tips for Buyers • Tips for Sellers • March 21, 2025

Your Roadmap to Homeownership

by Greg Weis

Some Highlights

Buying a home isn’t just a transaction – it’s a journey. And like any great adventure, having a solid roadmap makes all the difference.
From building your dream team to getting pre-approved, house hunting, and signing the papers on closing day – each milestone is an achievement.
Your journey starts here. Connect with an agent so you have help every step along the way.

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.

Market Stats • Real Estate • Tips for Buyers • Tips for Sellers • March 20, 2025

How Buying or Selling a Home Helps Your Local Economy

by Greg Weis

Whether you’re buying or selling a house, here’s something to think about that most people don’t. Your decision doesn’t just impact your life and your family’s, it sparks a ripple effect that has a positive impact on your entire community.

Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts out a report that breaks down the financial impact that comes from people buying and selling homes.

The data shows that if you buy an existing (previously lived-in) home, you’re giving the local economy a boost of just over $60K. And if you buy a newly built home, that number goes up to over $125K (see visual below):

That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains how the housing industry adds jobs to a community:

“. . . housing is a significant job creator. In fact, for every single-family home built, enough economic activity is generated to sustain three full-time jobs for a year . . .”

When you think about it, it makes sense. Behind every home sale is a network of people involved, including contractors, city officials, real estate agents, lawyers, specialists, and more. Everyone has a job to do to help make sure your deal goes through.

Put simply, when you buy or sell a home, you’re helping out your neighbors. So, your decision to move doesn’t just meet your needs; it supports their families, strengthens your town, and shapes the future of your community.

Imagine walking through the front door of your next home, knowing your decision helped a local contractor keep their crew working or a small business thrive. Remember that feeling as you make your decision this year.

Bottom Line

Moving isn’t just a personal milestone – it’s an investment in your community, too. If you’re ready to make a move, connect with a local real estate agent. You’ll make a difference for more people than you know. What’s most important to you as you prepare to buy or sell your house this year?

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.

Real Estate • Tips for Buyers • Tips for Sellers • March 14, 2025

What You Need To Know About Pre-Approval

by Greg Weis

Sources: Bankrate, Yahoo Finance, Freddie Mac

Some Highlights

Before you even start looking at homes, there’s something you should do first – and that’s get pre-approved for your mortgage.
Pre-approval is when a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow for your home loan. This helps you determine your budget and makes your offer stand out for sellers.
Connect with your real estate agent so you have an expert on your side to help put you in touch with a trusted lender to get the process started.

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.

Market Stats • Real Estate • Tips for Buyers • Tips for Sellers • March 12, 2025

Buying Your First Home? It’s Okay To Feel Nervous

by Greg Weis

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? Will I be able to make ends meet if I have unexpected repairs? What if I lose my job?

Here’s the thing: every first-time homebuyer has these thoughts.

The home-buying process has always been a mix of excitement and nerves, and that’s completely normal. Here’s some information that can give you a bit of perspective so you don’t have these concerns.

Focus on What You Can Control

Since homeownership is new to you, you’re probably feeling like it’s hard to know what to budget for. And that can be a bit scary. You’ll have the mortgage, home insurance, and maintenance to think about – maybe even lawn care or homeowner’s association (HOA) fees. It’s easy to let the dollar signs be overwhelming. As Zillow says:

“Buying a house is a big decision, and you might feel confused and indecisive as you assess your current financial situation and try to work through whether or not the timing is right. Making big life choices might come with some self-doubt, but crunching the numbers and thinking about what you want your life to look like will help guide you down the right path.”

The important thing is to focus on what you can control. By partnering with a local agent and a trusted lender, you can get a clear understanding of what you can borrow for your home loan, what your monthly payment would be, and how your mortgage rate can impact it. And since that payment will likely be your biggest recurring expense, the key is to make sure the number works for you.

Don’t Stress About Repairs

The maintenance and repairs? Those can be a little bit harder to anticipate. But don’t forget you’ll get an inspection during the homebuying process to give you a better look at the condition of your future house. And with your inspection report in hand, you’ll have a good idea of what needs work. This way, you can start saving up so that you’re ready if and when something breaks.

But even then, if this is something that’s still really nagging at you, talk to your agent about asking the seller to throw in a home warranty. Those can cover repairs for some of the bigger systems in the house, like the HVAC, if they break within a specific time frame. While this isn’t a huge expense for the seller, the likelihood of a seller agreeing to one depends on what’s happening in your local market and how competitive it is right now.

It’s Okay To Stretch – Just Not Too Far

And remember, chances are that money will be a little tight – at least at first. And that’s kind of to be expected. A lot of times when someone buys their first home, they cut down on things like shopping and eating out for a while until they get a better idea of how their expenses will shake out in the new home.

But if you’re crunching the numbers and you won’t have enough money left for things like gas, food, etc. – it’s a sign you’d be stretching yourself too far. The last thing you want is to take on a payment that’s too much to handle. But stretching a little? That’s different. That’s normal.

Your Job Will Probably Change – And That’s Okay

And don’t forget, you’ll likely earn more down the road, so that slight stretch now won’t seem so bad as time wears on. As you advance in your career, you’ll probably start to make more money too. So, as your paycheck grows, the payments will get easier. Renting is a short-term option – and it’s one you deserve to get out of. Buying a home is a long-term play.

And just in case you’re worried about what happens if you do lose your job, you should know there are options, like forbearance, designed to help you temporarily pause payments on your home loan due to hardship.

Bottom Line

Buying your first home is a big decision, and it’s okay to feel a little nervous about it. But if you’re financially ready, don’t let fear keep you from moving forward. These emotions are normal, and great agents help their buyers get through them.

What makes you nervous when you think about buying your first home? Connect with an agent so you have an expert on your side to explain everything along the way.

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.

Market Stats • Real Estate • March 11, 2025

Greater KC area Fast Stats – February 2025

by Greg Weis

Market Highlights Kansas City Metro Area February 25′ vs February 24′

Home sales are down🔻3.9% to 2,071 closed sales.
Home prices are up ↗️ 5.9% to $349,565 average sales price.
Home inventory is up ↗️ 4.9% to 6,185 total homes available.
Home monthly supplies are level ↔️ at 2.0 months supply.
Average days on the market are up ↗️ 3.7% at 56 days on the market.
Percent of original list price is level ↔️ at 96.7% of price received.
Pending sales are down🔻12.7% to 2,499 for the month.

If you have more questions about this information, feel free to reach out for more information.

Have a great day,
Gregory Weis
913-579-4106 Cell
913-631-2900 Office
gweis@cbregan.com

Oh, by the way^®… if you know of someone who would appreciate the level of service I provide, please call me with their name and contact information. I’ll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.

Market Stats • Real Estate • Tips for Buyers • March 10, 2025

Should I Buy a Home Right Now? Experts Say Prices Are Only Going Up

by Greg Weis

At one point or another, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.”

That’s because nationally, home values continue to rise. And with mortgage rates still stubbornly high and home prices going up, you may be holding out for prices to fall or trying to time the market for that perfect rate. But here’s the truth: waiting for the right moment could cost you in the long run.

Home Prices Are Still Rising – Just at a More Normal Pace

The idea that prices will drop dramatically is wishful thinking in most markets. According to the Home Price Expectations Survey from Fannie Mae, industry analysts are saying prices are projected to keep rising through at least 2029.

While we’re no longer seeing the steep spikes of previous years, experts project a steady and sustainable increase of around 3-4% per year, nationally. And the good news is, this is a much more normal pace – a welcome sign for hopeful buyers (see graph below):

What This Means for You

While it’s tempting to wait it out for prices or mortgage rates to decline before you buy, here’s what you’ll need to consider if you do.

Tomorrow’s home prices will be higher than today’s. The longer you wait, the more that purchase price will go up.
Waiting for the perfect mortgage rate or a price drop may backfire. Even if rates dip slightly, rising home prices could still make waiting more expensive overall.
Buying now means building equity sooner. Home values are rising, which means your investment starts growing as soon as you buy.

Let’s put real numbers into this equation. If you purchase a $400,000 home today, based on these price forecasts, it’s expected to go up in value by more than $83,000 over the next five years. That’s some serious money back in your pocket instead of being left on the sidelines (see graph below):

Why Aren’t Prices Dropping? It’s All About Supply and Demand

Even though there are more homes for sale right now than there were at this time last year, or even last month, there still aren’t enough of them on the market for all the buyers who want to purchase them. And that puts continued upward pressure on prices. As Redfin puts it:

“Prices will rise at a pace similar to that of the second half of 2024 because we don’t expect there to be enough new inventory to meet demand.”

While every market is different, most areas will continue to see moderate price growth. Some may level off a bit, but a major national drop? Not likely.

Bottom Line

Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market

If you’re debating whether to buy now or wait, remember this: real estate rewards those who get in the market, not those who try to time it perfectly.

Yes, today’s housing market has its challenges, but there are ways to make it work —exploring different neighborhoods, considering smaller condos or townhomes, asking your lender about alternative financing, or tapping into down payment assistance programs. The key is making a move when it makes sense for you rather than waiting for a perfect scenario that may never arrive.

Want to take a look at what’s happening with prices in your local market? Whether you’re ready to buy now or just exploring your options, reach out to a local agent so you have a plan in place that’ll set you up for success.

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.

Market Stats • Real Estate • Tips for Sellers • March 7, 2025

Do You Know What Your House Is Really Worth?

by Greg Weis

Some Highlights

Over the past 5 years, home prices have risen dramatically. If you own a home, that means your house may be worth a lot more than you think.
Nationally, prices are up nearly 60% since 2019. And, if selling has been on your mind, you can use that bigger-than-expected return to power your next move.
If you want to know how much your home is worth in today’s market, reach out to a local agent. The number may surprise you.

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.

Market Stats • Real Estate • Tips for Buyers • Tips for Sellers • March 6, 2025

More Buyers Are Making Moves — Is It Time To Sell?

by Greg Weis

More people are taking steps to buy a home. And, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to move, this may be the sign you’ve been looking for.

For the past few years, a lot of would-be homebuyers hit pause on their plans. With rising mortgage rates and affordability challenges, buying just didn’t seem doable. But now, more of them are getting back out there. That’s because they’re getting used to the fact that this may be the new normal for the market – especially as forecasts show mortgage rates may be starting to stabilize. 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.”

And that’s good for you and your plans to sell. While there isn’t going to be a big rush of buyers flooding the market all at once, this does mean motivated buyers are re-starting their searches. And here’s the data to prove it.

3 Signs Buyers Are Ready To Make Their Move

1. Mortgage Applications Are on the Rise: According to the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), mortgage applications are up 37% since the start of the year. That’s a big jump and a clear sign more buyers are more active lately. Don’t miss out on that. Serious buyers who are getting their finances in order are great potential buyers for your house.

2. Buyer Demand Is Picking Up: The Homebuyer Demand Index from Redfin shows demand is up 3% since late January. While that’s not a huge spike, momentum is building.

3. More Home Showings: ShowingTime data says home showings are up 13% since the beginning of the year. This added foot traffic is exactly what you want to see if you’re about to sell your house. It signals more serious interest in buying. More buyers out there looking means more potential eyes on your house. And more eyes could translate to more offers.

And chances are, this activity is only going to pick up from here. We’re headed into the busiest season of the year for housing. Spring is when more people choose to buy or sell than any other time of year. So, now is a great time to list and get in on the action.

Bottom Line

As buyers re-enter the market, you have the chance to do the same thing. And the increase in buyer activity is definitely something you’ll want to take advantage of. To make sure your house gets in front of these motivated buyers, connect with a local agent.

If the right buyer walked through your door tomorrow, would you be ready to sell?

This post was first published on Keeping Current Matters.