REALTOR Roundup

With trillions of dollars in outstanding student loan debt burdening millions of younger Americans, the prospect of student loan forgiveness has garnered significant attention lately in the news.

As Realtors, we work with all types of buyers. There is the first-time homebuyer (with their many, many questions), the buyer who is needing more space as their family grows (bring the crayons/fidget spinners to these showings), or the buyer with no budget looking in the “luxury” market (we want more of this type). Give it a few years, and a Realtor has seen them all. Recently I dealt with a new type though: the “no credit” buyer.

In a market where it feels like things are continuously shifting on a regular basis, from day to day, it’s the REALTORS® that set themselves above that “just average” bar, who really make an impact and continue to grow their business.

We’ve all heard real estate agents explain their value and ask the question: Would you go to court without an attorney? Then why would you tackle one of the biggest transactions in your life on your own? While some call that pontificating, it still gives one a lot to ponder.

Memorial Day 2023 is upon us. I would like to take a moment and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and their families as well. We thank you with humble hearts and must never take for granted those who sacrificed all, plus we respect and say thank you to those who are still with us and those who still serve.

Nashville is full of midcentury homes. The city expanded like crazy after World War II and because of that, we have thousands and thousands of 1950s and 1960s ranch homes in almost every neighborhood in the area. This means as those homes change ownership, often for the first time in decades, they are sometimes bought by people who renovate houses and re-sell them for a living. “Flippers” as everyone knows them.

If you're considering selling your home, you might be wondering whether it's the right time to do so. For the past few years, the answer to that question has been a resounding yes, as we've been in a seller's market for quite some time.

On Monday, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) implemented new fees for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to make homeownership more affordable for people with varying credit scores. The fee changes will decrease penalties for lower credit scores while increasing the number of price tiers for higher scores. However, people with lower credit scores will not necessarily pay less than those with higher scores.