Click here for the enewsletter .http://karensherrill.housingtrendsenewsletter.com

Ah Valentine’s Day a wonderful day to tell people how important they are to you. And what says I love you more than a Real Estate update and a newsletter?  I wish I could send you all chocolate, but I hope a picture will at least express my intent!

In the Sherrill home, I just finished setting the table for our annual family Valentine’s Celebration.  It was a tradition originally brought on by four kids and too little money to go out and celebrate.  We set out the china, have tablecloth and candles and dine on BBQ steak, salads and dipped strawberries.  At its origins we all dressed up – but then the teenage years hit and we were happy to just have them at the table in a good mood. This year I inquired of our son if he would be home.  His response was “of course, it’s Valentine’s Day”.  I’m not sure what that has to do with Real Estate except I have images of our table set throughout the years in two homes across two states; in two VERY different parts of the country.  Home is where your family is.

Along with Valentine’s Day brings the news of warmer weather (hooray!) and interest rates creeping up to the 5% mark.  While a recent title for an article in the Chronicle made the rise in interest rates sound like the oncoming apocalypse, it is important to keep perspective.  Way back in the days when I worked for a loan department at a Bank interest rates were 18%, and homes were still selling. I remember coming across some “archaic” mortgages with unheard of rates at 5%.   Indicators I have read state that rates will probably not topple into 6% by year’s end.  To me the rise in interest rates may be a good thing.  I think some buyers have been waiting for rates to go lower or housing prices in Houston to plummet.  In fact we now know they probably went as low as they were going to go, and housing prices have remained steady.

I also want to remind you that if you are considering selling or buying this Spring (or know someone who is) NOW is the time to talk with me. Whether it is getting your home ready for sale, or your finances ready  to purchase, there is no reason to wait.  Give me a call and I’d love to discuss it with you.

In the meantime, tell someone you love them!