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A real estate market shift happens when the marketplace gravitates toward a buyer’s or seller’s market. During this time, neither the sellers nor buyers benefit automatically based on market data. This situation provides some power for each side. 

Markets in transition are more than lulls. They act as a bridge between a seller’s and a buyer’s market. Before setting a strategy, investigate the market and comparable properties to ascertain which direction the trends flow. If the market is shifting to a buyer’s market, set a competitive asking price and use aggressive marketing. By preparing to face the competition head-on, you will improve your chances of earning a fast, profitable result.

Current trends show that demand is still greater than supply, but the gap is slowly closing. It remains a predominantly seller’s market for the foreseeable future. House prices will drop a small amount, but the best way to prepare for an uncertain real estate market is to figure out precisely what you can afford for rent. Make a wishlist of what you desire in a home, and don’t settle just because houses aren’t staying on the market long.

Only spend up to 25% of your monthly take-home income on your mortgage. This payment covers home insurance, principal, property tax, interest, homeowners association fees, and private mortgage insurance (PMI), an additional cost added to your mortgage to protect your lender if you default on your payments.  

To avoid paying PMI, you should save at least 20% for a down payment. A lower down payment of 5% to 10% for first-time homebuyers is also acceptable, but you will be required to pay PMI. When choosing a mortgage, Select a typical 15-year fixed-rate mortgage. It is the house loan with the lowest overall cost. You will be charged tens of thousands of dollars more in interest and fees with a 30-year mortgage, USDA, and adjustable-rate mortgages.

In a seller’s market, homeowners get multiple full-price bids and can choose which offers they accept. Alternatively, buyers tend to make modest bids on houses in a buyer’s market and may even bargain with sellers to get an even lower price. Unlike these conditions, there is often less haggling in a market that is in transition because neither side wields all the power. 

Fair market value (FMV) is the valuation that an appraiser produces when a lender uses them to determine a home’s value. It represents the amount a house would sell for on the open market if both the buyer and the seller acted in their best interests and were allowed a fair amount of time to complete a transaction. It is a necessary amount to be aware of in a shifting real estate market. FMV aims to separate your home’s worth from market ups and downs.