Whitney Minnich Real Estate and Community Updates

Buying a Home is 35% Less Expensive than Renting by   The KCM Crew   on  May 18, 2015 In the latest  Rent vs. Buy Report  from Trulia, they explained that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage throughout the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. The updated numbers actually show that the range is from an average of 16% in Honolulu (HI), all the way to 55% in Sarasota (FL), and  35% Nationwide! The other interesting findings in the report include: Interest rates have remained low and even though home prices have appreciated around the country (3.9%), they haven’t greatly outpaced rental appreciation (3.7%).  “In the past year, these two trends have made homeownership even more affordable compared with renting.” Some markets might tip in favor of renting if home prices increase at a greater rate than rents and if – as most economists expect – mortgage rates rise, due to the stre...

Why Empty Homes Don’t Sell By Julea Joseph,  Reinventing Space Every morning on my Chicago area social media feed, I see acres and acres of empty rooms posted by real estate professionals. So many empty dining rooms, breakfast rooms, kitchens, living and bedrooms. Do I stop and click on the photo, intrigued to have a look at the room, the house, the property? No, I just scroll on by … Do I read the eloquently written description? Do I appreciate the professional photography? No, I just scroll on by … Why? It’s that they all look the same; devoid of any senses, any flavor, any style. WHY? #1. An empty home leaves an empty canvas to paint negative thoughts on. Prospective buyers will find imperfections or they’ll not be interested or overlook features. An empty home amplifies negative thoughts. #2. Empty homes lack a vision of its layout. What is this room? A staged home shows off how the home flows and how each space can be used. #3. An empty home is void of imaginat...

Keep or Toss: Outdoor Spaces Edition Posted on  May 17, 2015   by   Editor In this installment of our “Keep or Toss” series, we’re re-doing this spacious backyard garden and sitting area. What would you keep? And toss? We’re also sharing three quick tips for maintaining your garden once you have it looking just right!  Keep: Orange Outdoor Furniture:  The splash of color provided by this bright seated area really pops against the green surrounding shrubbery.  The fire pit  is an added bonus – and will make the area a great family focal point on cool summer nights. Stone Pathway:  We would keep the cobblestone pathway leading up to the stairs. The stones make the backyard oasis an easily accessible area at any time of day or night. We might consider installing path lights  along the edges of the walkway, however, to make a clear distinction of where it ends and the yard begins. Toss: Iron Loveseat:  The loveseat pictu...

Happy Armed Forces Day to all the men and women who serve and have served our great country! You and your families make a lot of sacrifices for our freedoms and we are forever grateful!

Some Highlights: Even a small increase in interest rates drastically impacts your budget. Securing a mortgage now while rates are still low means you can get more house for your money. Spend your money on your dream home, not on interest. Link to full article . 

A great way to end the week and start a new month - giving these keys to my clients at their settlement today! If you've been thinking about purchasing a home contact me at 571-970-7195 or whitney@whitneyminnich.com to start the conversation. 

As someone who loves coffee and real estate this is a great story and great news! "Homes within a quarter-mile of a Starbucks increased in value by 96 percent, on average, compared with 65 percent for all U.S. homes." It gets even better, DC is ranked at the top - third to be exact - as one of the metro cities where Starbucks has had the biggest effect on home values. If you've been thinking about buying or selling, give me a call 571-970-7195, or email me, whitney@whitneyminnich.com, to start the conversation - we can even meet over Starbucks coffee. Markets Where Starbucks Boosts Home Values the Most  Starbucks caffeinates home values, too, and some cities see a bigger jolt than others. Here’s a hot home-buying tip that’s been percolating since “ Zillow Talk: The New Rules of Real Estate ” was released: Buying near a Starbucks has benefits beyond easy access to your double-tall, non-fat, bone-dry cappuccino. Between 1997 and 2014, homes within a quarter-mile o...