Updates from Gena Fleming

I want to share more about what it means for me to offer trauma-informed and grief-informed real estate services.

I understand that buying or selling a home often happens during significant life changes—whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a divorce, or a transition into senior living. These moments are emotional, and my goal is to provide extra care and sensitivity during these challenging times.

Being trauma-informed means recognizing that every client’s journey is unique and may involve a range of emotions and stress. My priority is empathy, patience, and open communication to ensure that you feel heard and understood throughout the process. I respect your pace, understanding that some decisions may take longer than others, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.

Grief-informed services specifically focus on supporting those who are dealing with loss. I know that grief can affect decision-making and energy levels, so I offer extra support, flexibility, and resources to help you navigate these difficult times. Whether it’s coordinating with other professionals, managing timelines, or simply being there to listen, I strive to make this transition as smooth as possible for you and your family.

My mission is to stand by your side through every step of your journey, offering compassionate support and expertise to help you find the best path forward.

A realtor can of er a wide range of assistance to prospective home buyers. Choosing the right one can save you a great deal of money and

secure you the home of your dreams.

The quick answer is no. Therefore, you need to be sure you are working with a professional realtor. It is important to be clear about definitions.

* Real estate agent: Anyone who earns a real estate license can be called a real estate agent. They need to attend classes and pass their exams.

* Real estate broker: This is a real estate agent who has taken further classes and passed a broker’s license exam. Brokers can work alone or hire

other agents to work for them.

* REALTOR®: A realtor is a real estate agent or broker who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, and must therefore uphold

the standards of the association and abide by its code of ethics. https://www.nar.realtor/

Find a realtor first. Then determine if this is a person you will feel comfortable dealing with. A good realtor can soon start to seem like a member

of the family.

Showing you possible homes will be a key part of their job, but they need to get to know you and your family as people so they can help find a

home that will suit your tastes and needs. They also need to have a good idea of your price range and overall budget.

A good realtor should have a reliable network of trusted lenders and professionals commonly involved in the many details related to you buying

a home, and they will help the sale go through smoothly all the way to closing. The first step is to get a mortgage pre-approved so you can start

shopping.

Note that pre-approval means that the lender has gone through all of your financial paperwork, such as proof of employment and income, and

assessed your credit report. Be sure to get a pre-approval letter if you have been shopping around on your own before working with your

realtor.

Some neighborhoods have a certain character, and are more desirable than others. Not all four-bedrooms are created equal, therefore. Be sure

to inform your realtor of any special requirements from the outset, such as being close to an elementary school or high school, near public

transportation and shops because you don’t drive, and so on.

They will also know what similar houses have sold for recently and might be able to connect you with a bargain house that needs to be sold

quickly, or which has just reduced its asking price significantly.

Leave this to the pros and they should be able to get the best price for you. It will be contingent on what the house inspection reveals.

Your realtor will want you to be happy and not stuck with a "lemon". They will recommend reliable inspectors they trust. Based on what they

find, the house valuation may be lower, in which case you can adjust your of er accordingly.

They will also advise you on whether the price is in line with the neighborhood. The last thing you want is an "underwater mortgage" in which

you will owe more than the house will ever be worth.

A good realtor will be willing to attend the inspection and take part actively. They can then report back your next steps based on the inspection

report and negotiate as needed.

As you can see, the right realtor can make a real difference to the house-buying process and will help you find your dream house.

Interest rates are a big topic right now, especially for homebuyers. If you’re thinking about buying a home, understanding how the Federal Reserve (often called the Fed) is managing interest rates is important because it directly impacts your mortgage and how much you’ll pay over time.

The Fed controls something called the federal funds rate, which is the rate banks charge each other to borrow money. This rate doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, but when the Fed raises or lowers it, mortgage rates tend to move in the same direction. Over the past couple of years, the Fed has been raising interest rates to help fight inflation, which is when the prices of goods and services increase. They’re trying to slow down the economy to keep prices under control.

For homebuyers, higher interest rates mean that borrowing money to buy a house becomes more expensive. When mortgage rates go up, so do your monthly payments, making homes less affordable for many people. This has been a challenge for buyers recently, as mortgage rates have been higher than in previous years.

However, the Fed is now considering cutting or pausing these rate hikes. They’re trying to find a balance between controlling inflation and keeping the economy stable. If rates stay too high for too long, it can slow down the housing market and make it harder for people to buy homes. On the flip side, if inflation remains a problem, the Fed may keep rates higher to bring prices back under control.

For those thinking about buying a home, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on what the Fed is doing. If interest rates start to come down, it could become more affordable to get a mortgage, lowering your monthly payments and making homeownership more within reach. On the other hand, if rates stay high, you might have to budget for higher costs in your home loan.

In the meantime, if you’re looking to buy, it’s smart to shop around for the best mortgage rates and consider locking in a rate if you find a good one. Even small changes in interest rates can have a big impact on how much you’ll pay for your home over the life of the loan.

 

When you decide to buy a house and your offer is accepted, it's just the beginning of a new journey to becoming a homeowner. The first crucial step after acceptance is the earnest money deposit. This is a small percentage of the purchase price, typically 1% to 3%, which you pay to demonstrate your serious intent to purchase. The deposit is held in an escrow account and later goes towards your down payment or closing costs.

Following the deposit, the home inspection is a key stage. During this phase, a professional inspector thoroughly examines the property, assessing areas such as the roof, plumbing, electrical systems, and appliances to ensure everything is safe and functional. If the inspector identifies any issues, you might negotiate with the seller to handle the repairs or adjust the purchase price to cover these costs.

Your lender will require an 

 

appraisal to confirm that the house's value matches the amount you plan to borrow. An appraiser will evaluate the property based on its size, condition, and comparisons with similar homes in the area. If the appraisal shows a value lower than the purchase price, you'll either need to renegotiate with the seller or arrange to cover the difference yourself.

Even with a pre-approval, final mortgage approval comes after the offer is accepted. Your lender will re-examine your financial information, including your credit score, income, and other debts, to ensure you still qualify for the mortgage under the current terms.

The final stage before you become the homeowner is closing. This process involves a lot of paperwork and legal formalities where you sign your loan documents, handle the closing costs, and officially transfer the property title from the seller to 

 

yourself. These closing costs are additional fees that can include the appraisal fee, title insurance, and legal fees, among others. Once all documents are signed and the payments made, the house officially becomes yours.

Closing marks the end of the buying process and the beginning of homeownership. After this point, you can move into your new home, set up utilities, update your address, and start personalizing your space. Each step in this process must be handled with attention to detail to ensure a smooth transition into your new home.

Buying a house is a significant milestone, and knowing what to expect after your offer is accepted can help you navigate this complex process. By understanding each stage from earnest money deposit to closing, you'll be better prepared to take on the responsibilities of homeownership and enjoy the journey of making your new house a home.

 

When it comes to buying or selling a home, two terms often come up: "appraisal" and "market value." While these terms might seem similar, the numbers they represent can be quite different. Understanding why this happens is important for both buyers and sellers to make informed decisions in the real estate process.

An appraisal is an estimate of a home's value conducted by a professional appraiser. This person is trained to evaluate the property in a detailed and objective way. The appraiser will inspect the home, looking at its size, condition, and any upgrades or issues that may impact its value, such as a remodeled kitchen or an old roof in need of repair. The appraiser will also compare the home to similar properties that have recently sold in the area, which are known as "comps." This comparison helps the appraiser determine what the house might be worth based on what other homes nearby have sold for. Appraisals are commonly required by banks or mortgage lenders to ensure they don’t lend more money than the home is worth.

Market value, on the other hand, is determined by what a buyer is willing to pay for a home at any given time. Unlike an appraisal, market value is influenced by many factors, including supply and demand in the local market, trends in the area, and even personal preferences of potential buyers. For example, if many people are looking to move to a particular neighborhood, the market value of homes in that area could rise because there is more competition among buyers. Similarly, if there aren’t many homes available for sale in a desirable area, buyers may be willing to pay more than the appraised value to secure a home they really want.

It’s common for the appraisal amount to be different from the market value. This is because an appraisal is based on a more technical calculation, using data and comparisons to other homes, while market value reflects what buyers are actually willing to pay in the moment. Appraisals tend to be more stable and less influenced by short-term trends, while market value can fluctuate based on buyer interest and the emotional side of home buying.

For sellers, understanding this difference is key to pricing their home appropriately. A seller might want to list their home at a price closer to the market value if they are aiming to attract competitive offers. On the flip side, buyers should be aware that a home they’re interested in might be appraised for less than what they’re willing to pay, which could affect their loan approval.

In short, both appraisal and market value play important roles in the real estate process. The appraisal helps protect the lender’s investment, while the market value reflects what buyers are willing to pay. Being aware of both can help buyers and sellers navigate the home-buying or selling process more smoothly and make well-informed decisions.