Since we're hopefully coming to the end of rainy season I wanted share this Houzz article which presents some fresh ideas for creating curb appeal you might be interested in tackling this summer.
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The interest rate you pay on your home mortgage has a direct impact on your monthly payment. The higher the rate, the greater the payment will be. That is why it is important to know where rates are headed when deciding to start your home search.
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Below is a chart created using Freddie Mac’s U.S. Economic & Housing Marketing Outlook.As you can see, interest rates are projected to increase steadily throughout 2019.

How Will This Impact Your Mortgage Payment?

Depending on the amount of the loan that you secure, a half of a percent (.5%) increase in interest rate can increase your monthly mortgage payment significantly. 

But don’t let the prediction that rates will increase stop you from purchasing your dream home this year!
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Let’s take a look at a historical view of interest rates over the last 45 years.

Bottom Line

You can still get a better interest rate than your older brother or sister did ten years ago, a lower rate than your parents did twenty years ago, and a better rate than your grandparents did forty years ago.

Browse through Pinterest or Houzz, my go to websites for design ideas, and you'll notice an overwhelming trend of all white kitchens.  Even Influencers on Instagram and Twitter from fitness to lifestyle bloggers and plenty of television programs show us homes with white kitchens. 

One thing is for sure, today's buyers from Gen Y and Zennials, prefer the look of all white to the dark wood or honey oak that was so popular when we were growing up which is why we're all on the lookout for something different.  Often that something different is something old we just kind of dusted off to use again.  Check out how many times white kitchens were considered in over the last 100 years.

​While I love the look of all white kitchens sometimes white just isn't practical for maintenance. Read: white is a lot of work to keep clean.  If you're like me and wondering what other non-honey oak or cherry options are out there, then take a look at these refreshing spins on all white.

A word of caution for sellers...if you're thinking of updating your kitchen cabinet colors for resale, I recommend consulting a professional stager, designer, or me before choosing a color other than white.  I have seen updated cabinet colors work very successfully in some of the less energetic greens, blues, and grays in our area. Any Cape Cod themed blues - also not super vibrant - are sure to be successful if done properly and professionally. When updating for selling your goal is to appeal to the broadest pool of buyers. When updating for living you can literally do anything you want on trend - just realize you may need to neutralize when it comes time to sell.

Long story short: all white kitchens are still selling homes.

SanSanWest Boylston, MA
Veteran's Thank You Breakfast 
hosted by the West Boylston Senior Center

Worcester, MA
Veteran's Day Ceremonies

Boston, MA
​Veterans Day Events

San Diego, CA
San Diego Veterans' Day Parade
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San Francisco, CA
Veterans Day Parade at Fisherman's Wharf

Atlanta, GA
Veterans Day Events

Melbourne, FL
Veteran's Day Parade in Historic Downtown Melbourne

Orlando, FL
Veterans Day Parade
Other Celebrations & Freebies
​Disney Discounts for Military Families

Tampa, FL
2018 Veterans Day Events

Portland, OR
Portland Veterans Day Celebration
Oregon Statewide Events

Gatlinburg, TN
Veterans Day Celebration at Anakeesta
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Knoxville, TN
Veterans Day Events

Baton Rouge, LA
Veterans Day Parade

Did I miss something going on near you? Let me know!

Nationally, home sales are below last year’s levels, home values are appreciating at a slower pace, and locally we are seeing purchasing demand softening. This has some thinking we may be entering a buyers’ market after sellers have had the upper hand for the past several years. Is this really happening?

The market has definitely softened. We've seen Price Changes occurring our local market since the Late Spring/Early Summer market. However, according to two chief economists in the industry, we are a long way from a market that totally favors the purchaser:

Dr. Svenja Gudell, Zillow Chief Economist:
“These seller challenges don’t indicate we’re suddenly in a buyers’ market – we don’t expect market conditions to shift decidedly in favor of buyers until 2020 or later. But buyers certainly are starting to balk at the rapid rise in prices and home values are starting to grow at a less frenetic pace.”

Danielle Hale, Chief Economist of realtor.com:
“The signs are pointing to a market that’s shifting toward buyers. But, in most places, we’re still a long way from a full reversal.”

In addition, Pulsenomics Inc. recently surveyed over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment & market strategists and asked this question:

“When do you expect U.S. housing market conditions to shift decidedly in favor of homebuyers?”

​Only 5% said the market has already shifted. Here are the rest of the survey results:

Bottom Line
The market is making it's way to normalization but that doesn't mean we will quickly shift to a market favoring the buyer.  Inventory has still not caught up but demand is weakening slightly.

Ivy Zelman, author of the well-repsected "'Z 'Report, best explained the current confusion:
​“With the rate of home price appreciation starting to decelerate alongside the uptick in inventory…we expect significant debate about whether this is a bullish or bearish sign.
In our view, the short-term narrative will probably be confusing, but more sustainable growth and affordability will likely be the end result.”

​Need space? This sprawling Colonial is the last home on Malden Street. Surrounded by nature it feels like the end of the world here but you're only minutes from all major highways and routes. Perfect for gatherings since space flows nicely from the eat-in kitchen to family room to the deck, patio, and level green back yard which is visible from the formal living and dining rooms. Parking for many on the long driveway and circle. Finished basement has a wet bar. Partially finished area has another fireplace! Even more space in finished attic over the garage. Enjoy your very own shaded basketball court!

Looking for privacy but need highway access? 15 Lisa Cir is perfect for you. Plenty of room for entertaining...BBQs, formal dining room and eat in kitchen. A powder room is located right off the deck for you and your guests. All of the big ticket updates are done: roof, windows, and kitchen counters.  This one-owner home is ready to become your home!