As a local Real Estate broker and agent, I understand that my clients face an overwhelming amount of disconnected market information and advice on a daily basis. The national news can be misleading, and it's hard to understand how it applies to the local market. That's why I believe that I am the best choice as a real estate economist for my clients.
At Red Sign Team, we handle more real estate transactions in a month than most people will experience in a lifetime. We have the ability to place market facts into perspective to help our clients make great decisions. We can connect data points with context to tell a story that clients can both understand and act on.
Here are the 7 numbers that drive the economy and real estate:
Appreciation: Appreciation is the change in home prices from month to month or year over year. It can be tracked in absolute dollars or, more helpfully, as a percentage. Appreciation matters because the historical rise in home prices becomes a kind of forced savings for homeowners. As clients pay down the debt and prices go up, they build equity.
Gross Domestic Product (GDP): GDP is a measure of the dollar value of everything produced in the US. For GDP, 2% annual growth reflects a healthy economy. When it rises above 4 to 5%, especially in lockstep with low unemployment, inflation rears its ugly head. The economy may be “overheating.”
Federal Funds Rate: The Fed Rate is a primary tool the Federal Reserve (aka the Fed) uses to influence the economy. The rate sets the target rate for borrowing and lending between commercial banks. This impacts the cost of money for businesses looking to invest and grow.
Inflation: Inflation is a measure of the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services is rising and subsequently purchasing power is falling. Inflation is typically measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Inventory: The number of available homes for sale. Low inventory can indicate a seller's market, while high inventory can indicate a buyer's market.
Mortgage Interest Rates: The rate at which a lender will lend money for a mortgage. Low interest rates can make it more affordable for buyers to purchase a home, while high interest rates can make it more difficult.
Unemployment: The percentage of the labor force that is not employed but is actively seeking employment. Low unemployment can indicate a strong economy, while high unemployment can indicate a weak economy.
At Red Sign Team, we have spent close to two decades placing these numbers in a helpful real estate context, and we're ready to help you understand these measures, and more, to make informed decisions about your real estate investments. As your real estate economist, I will work with you and my team to review the economic talking points and help you navigate the market. Trust us as your qualified experts to help you understand the local market and make the best decision for your specific goals.