Affordability!!! According to CNBC, based on a weaker than expected first half, the second half of the year is going to be driven by housing Affordability. With many new apartment complexes coming on online this year, renters and buyers have more choices. While mortgage interest rates are still very low, pricing could squeeze out some first time homebuyers should rates start to tick up. So the key to selling more homes will be based on buyer affordability.

With popular reality real estate shows all over TV these days, many consumers are buying homes that they can afford and then start DIY projects once they close. Buyers are realizing the value of their dollars go further when they improve the home themselves. That said, many homebuyers still opt to buy that “move in ready” home that doesn’t need a bunch of renovations like paint, carpet, flooring, and updating the kitchens and bathrooms. For those who have tried DIY projects at home, they are not always that easy and can be time consuming and frustrating without the proper skills and tools to complete the job correctly.

Let’s see how things unfold as we move through the rest of the year!