Don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour on Sunday March 13, 2022 to Pacific Standard Time.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true. How can The Caton Team help you?
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654
Each market is unique and with over 40 years of combined Real Estate experience, The Caton Team is more than happy to be of service if and when you are considering a move. Contact us anytime and anytime during your journey, together we’ll help you achieve your Real Estate goals.
Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true. How can The Caton Team help you?
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
If you’re looking to buy a home, you may be wondering how your student loan debt could impact those plans. Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off your student loans before you can buy your first home? Or could you qualify for a home loan with that debt?
To give you the answers you’re searching for, let’s take a look at what recent data shows. That way, you know what to expect and what to do next to achieve your dream of becoming a homeowner. While everyone’s situation is unique, your goal may be more within your reach than you realize.
Do you have to delay your plans because of student loans?
If you’re worried your student loans mean you have to put your homeownership goals on hold, you’re not alone. In fact, many first-time buyers believe they have to delay their plans. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“When asked specifically about purchasing a home, half of nonhomeowners say student loan debt is delaying them from purchasing a home (51%).”
When asked why their student loans are putting their plans on the back burner, three key themes emerged:
47% say their student loans make it harder to save for a down payment
45% say they think they can’t qualify for a home loan because of existing debt
43% say they believe the delay is necessary even though they’ve never applied for a mortgage
No matter which reason resonates most with you, you should know a delay may not be necessary. Here’s why.
Can you qualify for a home loan if you have student loans?
In the same NAR report, data shows many current homeowners have student loan debt themselves:
“Nearly one-quarter of all home buyers, and 37% of first-time buyers, had student debt, with a typical amount of $30,000.”
That means other people in a similar situation were able to qualify for and buy a home even though they also had student loan debt. You may be able to do the same, especially if you have a steady source of income. Apartment Therapydrives this point home:
“. . . buying a home with student loans is possible, experts say. The proof is in the numbers, too: Some 40 percent of first-time homebuyers have student loan debt, according to the NAR study.”
The key takeaway is, for many people, homeownership is achievable even with student loans.
The best way to make a decision about your goals and next steps is to talk to the professionals. A real estate advisor can walk you through your specific situation, your options, and what has worked for other buyers like you. They can also connect you with other professionals in the industry who can help. You don’t have to figure this out on your own – lean on the experts so you have the information you need to make an informed, confident decision.
Bottom Line
Many other buyers with student loan debt are already achieving their homeownership dreams. Maybe it’s time to take the next step toward making yours a reality. Meet with a real estate advisor to discuss your options and find out how close you are to achieving your goal.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
I love sharing articles that discuss the hottest topic in my career – the market.
Record-high home prices and record-low inventories, a combination labeled “double trouble” by analysts, are growing roadblocks for many Americans to achieve homeownership, particularly for Black Americans, according to a new analysis from the National Association of REALTORS® and realtor.com®. The newly released report, The Double Trouble of the Housing Market,”examines the impacts of rapidly rising home prices and low inventories on housing affordability.
About 400,000 fewer affordable homes are available for sale for households earning $75,000 to $100,000 compared to before the pandemic began, according to the study. There’s one affordable listing available for every 65 households, a notable decrease in availability from one affordable listing for every 24 households in 2019 for this income segment, the study says.
Home prices have risen by double-digit gains over the past year. Nationwide, the total home valuation has surged by $8.1 trillion from the first quarter of 2020 through the end of 2021.
“The housing wealth gain has been sizable over the past two years,” says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “However, due to the ongoing inventory shortage and rising interest rates, homeownership attainment will become especially challenging unless drastically more housing supply is available.”
The low-inventory challenge is “particularly acute for some racial and ethnic groups who have faced greater hurdles to homeownership stemming from, among other things, lower incomes as a group,” adds Danielle Hale, realtor.com®’s chief economist.
Rising home prices and record-low numbers of homes for sale have made it increasingly difficult for Black Americans to achieve homeownership, according to the report. Since 2017, the annual homeownership rate for White Americans has remained above 70%. But the homeownership rate for Black Americans has been only about 40%—some 30 percentage points lower.
NAR and realtor.com®’s report analyzed housing affordability by racial group to help explain the possible differences in homeownership. They found that 35% of White households but only 20% of Black households have incomes greater than $100,000. However, about half of all homes currently listed for sale—51%—are affordable only to households with at least $100,000 income. A significant and persistent racial homeownership gap exists in America, the report says. Despite the challenges, though, Black Americans are finding a path to homeownership in some markets like Baltimore, Memphis, Tenn., and St. Louis.
“There are affordable markets that still provide opportunities to achieve homeownership as inventory at affordable price points is reasonably available,” says Yun.
NAR Calls for More to Be Done
To increase the nation’s housing inventory, NAR has advocated for lawmakers to:
Include funding for affordable housing construction
Preserve, expand, and create tax incentives to renovate distressed properties
Convert unused commercial space to residential units
Encourage and incentivize zoning reform
Further, expanding new-home construction by an additional 550,000 units a year for 10 years would create 2.8 million new jobs and generate more than $400 billion in economic activity, NAR says. A separate report conducted by NAR and the Rosen Consulting Group, Housing is Critical Infrastructure: Social and Economic Benefits of Building More Housing, examines the causes of America’s housing shortage and provides a range of actions that can effectively address this longtime problem.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
“The Caton Team works for and with you to find the perfect home! We appreciate them so much.”
THANK YOU Cindy for your kind words they mean the world to us. We worked with Cindy and Ryan to prepare their home for sale mid-pandemic and epic rain storm. We achieved their goal in selling their home for top dollar and helping them figure out their next steps – which changed as we progressed. The Caton Team is here for all of it. What can The Caton Team do for you?
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We love what we do and we love taking great care of our clients.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
Pending feels so good – because we are one step closer to our client’s goal. Once an offer is accepted the real work begins – and The Caton Team is here for all of it.
How can The Caton Team help you?
The Caton Team’s loves helping sellers prepare their home for sale as much as we love finding the right home for each client. We’ve been blessed making dreams come true by taking advantage of this active market and amazing low interest rates. If you’ve been considering a sale or purchase of Real Estate – especially in the Bay Area, now is a great time to get discover the possibilities.
Real Estate means homes and home is where the heart is. We’ll get through this together.We work remotely, can draft and sign contracts online; with virtual tools The Caton Team can make any of your Real Estate goals happen whether you’re selling or buying – today or tomorrow.
We love what we do and we love taking great care of our clients.That’s never changed. Let us know how we can help you. For Timely Information Subscribe to our Blog
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We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true. How can The Caton Team help you?
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. We’re here when you need us – The Caton Team.
Call | Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
The Caton Team had a blast working with Bill & Surbhi before the holidays. They had a target date, they had a goal, and together we found the right home to suit their needs, budget, and lifestyle.
The best part about working with clients who want to own – is when we work in tandem. When our clients are open to what is available and open to adjusting. I love that we were able to find the perfect fit, with some competition but truly an open relationship where we could work our way through any challenge. Handing the keys over to Bill & Surbhi brought us so much gratitude.
If you’re considering a sale or purchase of Real Estate in the Bay Area – you need a full-time, professional Realtor to guide you. The Caton Team would love to interview for the job as your Realtor Team – please reach out at your convenience.
Call | Text 650.799.4333 Email | Info@TheCatonTeam.com | Testimonials
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Turning Real Estate Goals into Reality – Even Mid-Pandemic
How can The Caton Team help You?
The Caton Team loves what we do and would love to help you – please enjoy our resources below. Get to know us at through our clients words.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
Inventory. This one word has a big impact on pretty much every factor of the real estate market.
In the past year, inventory has continued its trend of record low numbers, driving up demand, home prices, and buyer frustration along with it.
But, new data suggests that this winter may see a flurry of new homes for sale. That’s big news for clients who have put off making a move in the last year.
Let’s dive into the four reasons we may see more real estate activity soon and what this means for you and your clients.
There is pent up demand among sellers
For the past 10 years, people have been living in their homes longer than the historical average. Since 2010, the average tenure in a home has been about 10 years. However, we are now seeing that shift.
Plus, new research indicates that homeowners thinking about selling are about to put their homes on the market this winter instead of waiting until the spring.
Of homeowners planning to enter the market in the next year:
65% – Have just listed (19%) or plan to list this winter
93% – Have already taken steps toward listing their home, including working with an agent (28%)
36% – Have researched the value of their home and others in their neighborhood
With all this data, agents should be prepared to help both buyers and sellers navigate another busy winter in 2022.
Homeowners are sitting on record levels of equity
Today’s homeowners are sitting on a whole lot of equity.
According to a recent report, the average homeowner gained about $56,700 in equity over the past year.
That’s a big incentive for many homeowners to make a move into a home that better fits their needs.
Educating your clients on their equity, and the options it gives them to upgrade or downsize their home, might be just the motivation they need to sell their home and buy one that better fits their needs.
Home has taken on a new meaning
There’s no questioning it. Life today looks a lot different than it did in January 2020.
While most of us have spent the better part of the last two years in our homes, it’s made us take a long, hard look at what we really want and need out of our dwellings.
Plus, a recent poll indicates that home has taken on a new meaning for many American homeowners.
According to the study, the top reasons sellers want to move are:
33% – They have realized they want different home features
37% – They say their home no longer meets their family’s needs
32% – They want to move closer to friends and family
23% – They are looking for a home office
And with mortgage rates on the rise, experts anticipate sellers may be more inclined to start the search for that perfect home sooner than later.
It is now cheaper to own than rent
Rental prices have been on a steady incline for the last twenty years, and that isn’t expected to change anytime soon.
According to a recent report by Apartmentlist.com:
“Since January of this year, the national median rent has increased by a staggering 16.4 percent. To put that in context, rent growth from January to September averaged just 3.4 percent in the pre-pandemic years from 2017-2019.”
While most renters think that it’s the cheaper option, we have three words for them: fixed-rate mortgage. As rent continues to appreciate (with no end in sight), homeowners can lock in a payment for the next 15-30 years with little change on their monthly amount due.
However, the biggest incentive for renters to buy comes down to equity. For every monthly mortgage payment made, they’re investing into their financial future. And that equity also continues to build over years of home price appreciation.
To put it plainly, whether you’re a renter or a buyer, you’re paying a mortgage. But you definitely have a lot more financial advantages when it’s your own.
BOTTOM LINE
The 2022 housing market is set to begin with a bang, and the agents who succeed will be the ones who are prepared to take immediate action.
Today’s market conditions mean that we’re probably headed for yet another busy winter season, with real estate experts suggesting there may be even more activity in 2022.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
PENDING!!! The Caton Team LOVES helping our buyers navigate this ever-changing Real Estate climate. How can The Caton Team help you? For any Real Estate need or even just questions Contact The Caton Team Sabrina 650.799.4333 Susan 650.796.0654 Email Info@TheCatonTeam.com 🏡💚🏡 Real Estate means homes and home is where the heart is. We’ll get through this together. We work remotely, can draft and sign contracts online; with virtual tools The Caton Team can make your Real Estate goals happen whether you’re selling or buying – today or tomorrow. We love what we do and we love taking great care of our clients. That’s never changed. Let us know how we can help you. For Timely Information Subscribe to our Blog – Link in Bio – 🏡 Contact The Caton Team | Email Info@TheCatonTeam.com | Call | Text 650.799.4333 | If you or someone you know needs Real Estate assistance – let us know – we’ll take great care of them and you! How Can The Caton Team Help You?
How Can The Caton Team Help You?
We truly enjoy helping our clients. The Caton Team loves what we do and would love to help you – please enjoy our resources below. Get to know us at through our clients words.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
As you plan out your goals for the year, moving up to your dream home may top the list. But, how do you know when to make your move? You want to time it just right so you can get the most out of the sale of your current house. You also want to know you’re making a good investment when you buy your new home. What you may not realize is, that opportunity to get the best of both worlds is already here.
You don’t want to wait until spring to spring into action. The current market conditions make this winter an ideal time to move. Here’s why.
1. The Number of Homes on the Market Is Still Low
Today’s limited supply of houses for sale is putting sellers in the driver’s seat. There are far more buyers in the market than there are homes available, and that means buyers are eagerly waiting for your house. Listing your house now makes it the center of attention. As a seller, that means when it’s priced correctly, you can expect it to sell quickly and get multiple strong offers this season. Just remember, experts project more inventory will come to market as we move through the winter months. The realtor.com2022 forecast says this:
“After years of declining, the inventory of homes for sale is finally expected to rebound from all-time lows.”
Selling now may help you maximize the return on your investment before your house has to face more competition from other sellers.
2. Your Equity Is Growing in Record Amounts
Current homeowners are sitting on record amounts of equity thanks to today’s home price appreciation. According to the latest report from CoreLogic, the average homeowner gained $56,700 in equity over the past 12 months.
That much equity can open doors for you to make a move. If you’ve been holding off on selling because you’re worried about how rising prices will impact your own home search, rest assured your equity can help fuel your next move. It may be just what you need to cover a large portion – if not all – of the down payment on your next purchase.
3. While Rising, Mortgage Rates Are Still Historically Low
In January of last year, mortgage rates hit the lowest point ever recorded. Today, rates are starting to rise, but that doesn’t mean you’ve missed out on locking in a low rate. Current mortgage rates are still far below what they’ve been in recent decades:
In the 2000s, the average mortgage rate was 6.27%
In the 1990s, the average rate was 8.12%
Even with mortgage rates rising above 3%, they’re still worth taking advantage of. You just want to do so sooner rather than later. Experts are projecting rates will continue to rise throughout this year, and when they do, it’ll cost you more to purchase your next home.
4. Home Prices Are Going To Keep Rising with Time
According to industry leaders, home prices will also continue appreciating this year. While experts are forecasting more moderate home price growth than last year, it’s important to note prices will still be moving in an upward direction throughout 2022.
What does that mean for you? If you’re selling so you can move into a bigger home or downsize to the home of your dreams, you want to consider moving now before rates and prices rise further. If you’re ready, you have an opportunity to get ahead of the curve by purchasing your next home before rates and prices climb higher.
Bottom Line
If you’re considering selling to move up or downsize, this may be your moment, especially with today’s low mortgage rates and limited inventory. Reach out to a local real estate professional today to get set up for homebuying success this year.
We truly enjoy helping our clients sell their home. The Caton Team loves what we do and would love to help you – please enjoy our resources below. Get to know us at through our clients words.
Got Real Estate Questions? The Caton Team is here to help.
We strive to be more than just Realtors – we are also your home resource. If you have any real estate questions, concerns, need a referral or some guidance – we are here for you. Contact us at your convenience – we are but a call, text or click away!
The Caton Team believes, in order to be successful in the San Fransisco | Peninsula | Bay Area | Silicon Valley Real Estate Market we have to think and act differently. We do this by positioning our clients in the strongest light, representing them with the utmost integrity, while strategically maneuvering through negotiations and contracts. Together we make dreams come true.
A mother and daughter-in-law team with over 35 years of combined, local Real Estate experience and knowledge – would’t you like The Caton Team to represent you? Let us know how we can be of service. Contact us any time.
Call| Text | Sabrina 650.799.4333 | Susan 650.796.0654 |EMAIL | WEB| BLOG
The Caton Team – Susan & Sabrina A Family of Realtors Effective. Efficient. Responsive. What can we do for you?
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