Nearly 70% of home listings in the San José metro area went above asking price in August 2021, Just one year later, that number fell to 38% for the same month, and year-over-year price-cut percentages doubled to 25%. The Chronicle has more about how rising mortgage rates are impacting the local market.
In case you need more evidence that we’re in the midst of a market shift, year-over-year numbers for Silicon Valley will set you straight. Sales and prices are down across the board, which could mitigate the downside of high mortgage rates. And with properties spending more time on the market, there’s opportunity to negotiate a good deal that fits your budget. Contact us to talk about it.
With increasing interest rates and inflation catching up with the real estate industry, rents are also on the rise, making a lot of folks dream of a fixed-rate mortgage. Want to see the trends in your city? Use this tool from Zumper.
The Los Altos City Council recently approved a pair of housing developments that could more than double its number of below market rate (BMR) units. With a long waiting list, this move can’t come soon enough. But what does it mean for the broader housing market? The Town Crier has the scoop.
Contingent offers have been on the rise of late, indicating an increase of buyer power. But sellers still have the leverage to accept non-contingent offers. So what do buyers and sellers need to know?
First and foremost with a non-contingent offer, a buyer may risk losing their deposit or paying other damages if they decide not to purchase after the offer is accepted. The buyer also loses their right to an inspection contingency, which could uncover issues that need correcting but become the buyer’s problem. The good news is that even with non-contingent offers, buyers have the right to cancel an offer if the seller does not provide a Transfer Disclosure Statement (TDS) beforehand or the TDS is updated or modified during the transaction.
It may be tempting for a seller to accept a non-contingent offer in order to have a quick turnaround, but there are plenty of snags that can get in the way. For example, it’s wise to verify if the buyer has the funds to make the down payment or buy the property outright. There’s no guarantee the buyer can get a loan or that an all-cash buyer can come through. And buyers who feel powerless in the purchase process are more likely to file claims and disputes that could hold up a sale for months, or worse, force you to take the property off the market entirely.
