09.09.24

Written by Chase Majerus

Latest Trends

Welcome back to This Week Today, where we dive into the latest trends in mortgage, housing, and real estate—and we do it fast, fun, and packed with insights to make you feel smarter by the end of it! Whether it’s breaking down the real estate market, decoding celebrity property moves, or highlighting wild happenings like landslides in California, we bring you the stories that matter, with a twist.

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Today's Agenda:

S1L Home Equity Loan

Use Your Home For The Best Future Gains

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, lets you borrow against your home’s available equity. Applying for a HELOC with Synergy One Lending is fast and easy. Our application is fast, easy, and all online. If pre-approved, you’ll be instantly presented with your offer options.

Keychain

3 Keys

Why is it that my keychain always has everything except the one key I actually need? It’s like carrying around a tiny, metallic scavenger hunt!

Home Sales Stall

More homes are for sale, and mortgage payments are dropping, but sales aren’t picking up like you’d expect. Even with active listings up 36% and median mortgage payments down to $2,534, homes are sitting on the market longer. Pending sales dipped 8.4% year over year, as buyers seem to be waiting for even better deals.

The market might heat up this fall, though, with more affordable homes available and mortgage rates continuing to decline. It’s a great time to shop, but don’t expect the frenzy until spring! – Read more here

On the Brink of Literal Collapse

Rancho Palos Verdes, California is literally crumbling. Landslides have left hundreds without power, and some areas are shifting by 10 inches a week. Yes, you read that correctly.

The city declared a state of emergency as homes in the Seaview and Portuguese Bend neighborhoods are at serious risk. Experts say the ground is moving faster than anyone ever expected. After two years of severe storms and heavy rainfall, the weak clay beds beneath the city just can’t hold up anymore.

This is wild. People can actually see the earth moving beneath their homes! – Read more here

Mauricio Umansky

Celebrity real estate agent Mauricio Umansky predicts U.S. home prices won’t drop anytime soon due to low inventory and homeowners holding onto low-interest rates.

He explained that despite the government’s efforts to reduce inflation, the housing market remains tight, driving prices to record highs. Even with potential interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve, Umansky believes pent-up demand will keep prices elevated.

The takeaway? Until supply increases significantly, the market won’t cool down. – Read more here

Major Manor

Hawaiian Hideaway

The Hawaii home where Justin Bieber and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson vacationed, known as the “Waterfalling Estate,” was sold for $6.25 million after two years on the market.

The cliffside mansion features incredible views, modern architecture, and has appeared on TV shows like Love Island and Ex on the Beach.

The buyer, ReUp Living, plans to restore the home to its original grandeur with help from the home’s original builder. The property boasts unique amenities, including an Olympic-sized pool, tennis court, and a private waterfall. Once renovations are complete, the house will return to the market. Let’s take a closer look:

  • 240-foot private waterfall visible from all five bedrooms
  • Olympic-sized swimming pool with a two-story waterslide and high dive
  • Nine-hole golf course (with potential to expand to 18 holes) and a tennis stadium
  • Positioned on a cliff with stunning ocean views, just 20 minutes from Hilo and the airport

Read about the Home Here

Social Space

Our Top Social Links of the week

Video:
How Gen Z Is Buying Homes Younger Than Millennials And Boomers Did – Watch here!

Video:
Upgrading your home is a thing of the past (kinda) – Watch here!

Video:
I Shot A $10,000,000 Real Estate Home – Watch here!

Read:
There’s Apparently A TON Of Money In Roofing Business – Read here!

Financial Fitness

Fund Your Future… Not Just Your Bingo Addiction

Retirement can be tricky, it isn’t just playing bingo and perfecting your shuffleboard skills—it’s about making sure your finances are ready for the adventure of a lifetime especially with long-term care costs looming. And we can agree, that’s tricky.

With over half of retirees needing care but only 8% having insurance for it, most will rely on savings or government help.

Sandra Block from Kiplinger suggests tapping into home equity, as seniors hold over $13 trillion in home wealth. Reverse mortgages or selling homes could cover care costs, especially if you want to stay put. And while some worry about retiring at 65, optimism is growing as inflation eases and more people feel confident about their financial futures.

If you want to know about how your home equity could help finance your retirement, let us know!

S1 FinFit App

Digital financial assistant at your fingertips

S1 FinFit is a FREE app that provides a roadmap to help you reach your financial and lifestyle goals, no matter how big or small! Free credit monitoring with alerts, set financial goals, create budgets, and keep track of your spending to see where your money is going.

Download the app on the appropriate app store with the links below!

Vlog

How To Win In This Market (And Not Overpay!)

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Click to watch video

Want to win in today’s market without overpaying? Here’s how:

  • Get Fully Underwritten – Go beyond pre-approval. Submit all your docs, and an actual underwriter (think Wizard of Oz behind the curtain) gives you loan approval. This lets your agent check the box that you’re fully underwritten—a major advantage.
  • Appraisal Advantage – Got extra cash or feel good about your offer? Consider waiving the appraisal contingency. If not, pay a little extra to rush the appraisal, getting it back in 5-7 days—huge edge
  • Inspection Contingency – Speed things up. Aim to wrap up the inspection in 7 days or less. Feeling bold? You could waive it, though it’s risky.
  • Bonus Tip: Close Fast – Synergy One Lending’s tech lets you close in as little as 10 days. Be ready upfront, and you’ll stand out like cash buyers!

Watch the full video here

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