Patrick Monteau

04/29/2022

Happy Friday! Who’s ready for the weekend? 🥳

Click the link to see what’s happening around Tampa!

Find the best things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend. Discover upcoming festivals, concerts, restaurants, seasonal events, and more stuff to do.

04/26/2022

Myths about todays housing market. 🏡

Here are a few misconceptions about todays competitive real estate market:

❌ Buyer Myth:
I should wait to buy until home prices and mortgage rates fall.

✅ Reality:
Experts say prices and rates will continue to ride this year. That means it’ll cost you more the longer you wait.

❌ Seller Myth:
I can set the asking price for my house at whatever I want.

✅ Reality:
You can’t pick just any price. Pricing your house appropriately for the market takes expertise - a real estate professional can help.

❌ Buyer Myth:
Waiting the home inspection is a good idea if I want my offer to stand out.

✅ Reality:
An inspection tells you the condition of the home and can help prevent unpleasant surprises. Waiting it could cost you.

❌ Seller Myth:
I have to renovate my house before selling it.

✅ Reality:
Partner with a real estate professional for expert advice on what you need to tackle. Some renovations may not be with it in today’s market.

Any questions? Connect with our team so you have experts to help separate fact from fiction in today’s housing market. 👋

📱813.927.7806
📧 [email protected]

04/23/2022

Happy Saturday! 🎉

We’re expecting perfect Florida weather this weekend 😎 click the link to see what’s happening around Tampa!

Find the best things to do in Tampa Bay this weekend. Discover upcoming festivals, concerts, restaurants, seasonal events, and more stuff to do.

04/21/2022

Let’s talk pre-approvals! 🏡💰

Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home this season. That’s why pre-approval is so important today.

Why does that matter so much today? There are many more buyers looking for homes today than there are homes available for sale, and that’s creating some serious competition.

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the average home is getting 4.8 offers per sale. As a result, bidding wars are still common.

Your pre-approval gives you a leg up in these situations. That’s because you know exactly what you’re approved to borrow before you write your offer, and it lets the seller know you’re qualified to buy their home. ✔️

This helps both you and the seller feel confident in what you’re bringing to the table. And that puts you in a better position to potentially win a bidding war.

Secure your first step for home shopping with our team of experts. Any questions? We’re only a message away! 👋

📱813.927.7806
📧 [email protected]

04/19/2022

Selling your home in 2022 and not sure how to best prepare your home for this year’s buyers? Check out this info.

Here’s what the experts have been saying:
👉 Create a home office. This one is pretty self-explanatory since the pandemic has changed the work landscape!

👉 A robust kitchen. According to data, 81% of buyers want a double sink, 81% want a walk-in pantry, 77% want a central island, and 76% want a water filtration system.

👉 Minor repairs. According to the Cost vs. Value Report, minor renovations paid off in dividends, including garage door replacement (94% recouped), window replacement (72%), and entry door replacement (69%).

👉 Energy efficient/eco-friendly appliances. With the rising concern of global warming plus the desire to cut costs, energy efficiency is key.

If you’re ready to buy.. the absolute first step is to secure a pre-approval. Connect with our lenders to develop a game plan and find your next home!

📱813.927.7806
📧 [email protected]

04/17/2022

Happy Easter!!! 🐣 💐

Wishing everyone an egg-cellent day filled with joy creating new memories. Just don’t forget… don’t worry, be hoppy today. 😉🐰

04/16/2022

It’s Easter weekend!!! 🐣

Click the link to see what’s happening around The Bay Area. Hint: there’s a lot of 🥚 hunts happening around town! 👀🐰

Enjoy egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny and other fun things related to the April holiday.

04/14/2022

As you’re buying/selling a home, you may hear the advice to build equity… Here are several ways:

💰 Increase your down payment. As previously said, the more you shrink the difference between your home’s FMV and outstanding balance, the better your equity!

💰 Similarly, contribute more to your mortgage payments.

💰 Increase your home’s value by investing in remodels and upgrades.

💰 Refinance to a shorter loan. This helps because you’re going to be contributing more to your mortgage (and shrink that difference). Your payments can increase significantly, so make sure you have room in your budget before doing this!

💰 The option anyone can do is to wait for your home’s value to increase. Housing markets change over time, and when demand increases, your home’s value does too. (In most cases.)

Any questions? Connect with our team anytime!

📱813.927.7806
📧 [email protected]

04/11/2022

Do you know how much equity you have in your home? 🤔

If you’re a homeowner, your net worth has gotten a big boost. 👆That’s because recent home price appreciation has increased your equity. 🤑 Here’s what you need to know…

What is equity?

Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. 🏡

It increases when:
👉 You pay down your loan over time.
👉 Home price appreciation drives up your home’s value.

Homeowners have seen rapid equity growth! Since this time last year, the average homeowner’s equity grew by $55,300.

How it benefits you:
👉 You can use rising home equity to fuel a move. It may be some (if not all) of what you need for a down payment on your next home.

Let’s connect to talk about how you can take advantage of your rising equity today and the possibilities of an equity loan.

📱813.927.7806
📧 [email protected]

04/08/2022

How an energy efficient home can be a bright idea! 💡

With inflation driving up the cost of items in our every day lives, seeking out an energy efficient home can be a great way to decrease the expenses you can control.

Here’s what you should know. 👇

Energy costs are up! ⚡️
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
👉 Consumer price had the largest single-year increase in 40 years.
👉 Energy prices were up 27% year-over-year.

Insulate yourself from raisin home-related expenses. Energy efficiency helps you:
👉 Lower your utility bills up to 25%.
👉 Save money on taxes (with certain energy efficient features.)

Some energy efficient options you can be on the lookout for:
👉 Appliances.
👉 Windows.
👉 Solar Panels.

If you’re planing to buy a home this year, consider energy efficient in your search! Let’s connect to secure your pre-approval and find your new home! 👋

📱813.927.7806
📧 [email protected]

04/05/2022

If you have any questions about mortgages… you’re NOT alone! Here is one of the most common questions we get…

Are mortgage rates negotiable? 🤔

ABSOLUTELY they are..this is why you compare rates from different lenders, and don’t be afraid to ask one if we can match rates.

Please don’t hesitate to reach for guidance or with any concerns. Our team is always here to help! 👋

📱813.927.7806
📧 [email protected]

03/30/2022

This just in… The spring real estate forecast is in! ☀️

And the report says it’s a seller’s market. (Who would’ve guessed? 😜)

According to Time, here’s more detail about what we can expect for the 2022 :

FOR BUYERS:
👉 Higher demand will create a seller’s market, but it won’t be as strong as 2021’s peak.
👉 Home prices will continue to rise, but at a slower pace than 2021.

FOR SELLERS:
👉 Though it’s a strong seller’s market, there’s less of a chance of bidding wars that will significantly increase sale prices.
👉 There are still shipping delays, so get as far ahead of repairs as possible.
👉 Check with your local real estate agent to understand the best practices for your area.