December Newsletter 2019

The study found that “Spending on improvements and repairs to the US housing stock continued on an upward trend in 2017, setting a new high of $424 billion. This represents a 10% increase from 2015 and more than 50% gain from the low in 2010.” According to their analysis, 22 million homeowners across the country completed at least one home improvement project in 2017.

“The report[…] attributed part of the increase to a shortage of new construction and a reliance on aging housing stock that requires upkeep and repair,” said the New York Times. “Other factors include higher housing prices that have increased the available equity for home improvement loans and a growing population of older homeowners who are financially equipped to pay for renovations.”

The primary “spenders” fall into three main categories: Homeowners using surging equity to make improvements, homeowners playing catch-up on deferred maintenance and updates, and rental property owners.

The average expenditure on home improvement was rather modest; 40% of participants reported spending less than $2,500, and almost 75% spent less than $10,000.

Most common improvements

The most common project in 2017 was adding or replacing the flooring with 5.2 million homeowners, or 7% upgrading their floors. The next most common projects were:

• Adding or replacing plumbing fixtures
• Built-in dishwashers or garbage disposals
• New windows or doors
• New water heaters

Have you heard of USDA loans? If you’re a low-to-moderate-income homebuyer who doesn’t have a lot of money for a down payment and who needs lenient credit requirements, you (or your lender) are probably focused on FHA loans.

But if you haven’t taken a look at USDA loans, you may be missing out on an incredible opportunity.

If you’re saying to yourself, “But USDA loans are only for homes out in the sticks,” that’s understandable. It’s true that the loans were designed to help buyers in rural areas. But “rural” is a broader term than you may realize.

On the USDA website, you can enter an address in the search bar and check if it’s eligible, or you can drop a pin in a location to find out whether USDA financing is available in the area. Consider these interesting results: Frisco, TX, currently the fastest-growing city in the nation, is not eligible for a USDA loan, but Prosper, just to the north and being called, “The next Frisco,” is eligible. The popular Valencia, CA, north of Los Angeles is not eligible, but areas of Santa Clarita, the city in which Valencia is located, are eligible. There’s no harm in looking, and you might find a real gem in an up-and-coming area.

FEATURED LISTING

5265 Silver Ridge Ct. San Jose, CA 95138

Welcome to a one of a kind Silver Ridge Estate, located in the prestigious gated Silver Creek Valley Country Club. This home has magnificent views of the rolling hills. Walkthrough the elegant foyer with tall 17′ ceilings & wide staircase opening into the large living room with a marble fireplace and a picturesque oversized window with a view of the Country Club & golf course green.

The home also features:

• Tile floors
• Granite countertop & backsplash
• An abundant amount of storage in the kitchen
• Large kitchen island
• Butler’s pantry
• Built-in shelving in the family room & a master entertainment center
• Casual & formal dining rooms
• Downstairs guest suite
• Executive office
• An amazing master suite with a fireplace & balcony
• 2 rooms adjoining the master suite that can be used for exercise, nursery, study or extra closet
• Jack & Jill bedrooms
• Backyard featuring an outdoor kitchen, large covered patio, and lush green lawn.

This home is great for entertaining. Just in time for the holidays!

Bedrooms: 5   Bathrooms: 4.5 
Square Feet: 4,763     Year Built: 1996