One of the surprises of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the resiliency of the residential real estate market. Although home sales initially faltered with the spring pandemic shutdowns, the housing market has now bounced back, and sales are beginning to outperform last year’s strong activity. Here are some of the reasons the housing market is heating up this summer: Mortgage rates dip to less than 3% Last week, the interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped to an average 2.98%. This is the first time in 50 years that the rate has been this low, according to Freddie Mac.  These unprecedented rates are enticing buyers, and many economists expect the trend to continue throughout this year and into next. …

As every aspect of our lives is disrupted by the coronavirus, many home buyers and sellers are wondering how the outbreak will affect their real estate transaction — especially as we head into the busiest buying season of the year.   Last week, the National Association of Realtors surveyed Realtors to ask them about the impact the coronavirus was having on transactions. While the vast majority of respondents said the virus had not affected buyer and seller interest, about one in four said they had changed the way a home is viewed, including implementing increased safety measures as part of the home-selling process.  This article provides several safety tips you can incorporate as you buy and sell homes this spring.  Using …