John Austin

02/19/2025

Sometimes we want to go visit far away places, not knowing that we would soon bring them into our hearts and minds forever. 1200km around Shikoku in Japan left a significant mark on my heart and I hope to return soon.

06/21/2024

No matter where you are, there you go

04/28/2024

11/08/2023

You can’t bath in the same river twice…

10/24/2023

If you read this & you've been to PARKER DAM - PLEASE share your suggestions of things to do? hikes, eats, casino, etc...

I'm looking forward to taking part in my first 6-man canoe race with Oceanside Outrigger Canoe Club novice team, next month!

canoe racing Sports SUP kayak stand up paddle sprints Parker Arizona Colorado river paddle boat oc1 oc6

09/11/2023

Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities. As the door to this exciting chapter opens, one thing you may be considering is selling your house and finding a home better suited for your evolving needs.

Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few reasons why.

Consider How Long You’ve Been in Your Home

From 1985 to 2009, the average length of time homeowners stayed in their homes was roughly six years. But according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), that number is higher today. Since 2010, the average home tenure is just over nine years.

This means many homeowners have been living in their houses even longer in recent years. When you live in a home for such a significant amount of time, it’s natural for you to experience changes in your life while you’re in that house. As those life...

Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities.

09/10/2023

Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023. That led to a lot of fear and questions about whether there was going to be a repeat of the housing crash that happened back in 2008. But the headlines got it wrong.

While there was a slight home price correction after the sky-high price appreciation during the ‘unicorn’ years, nationally, home prices didn’t come crashing down. If anything, prices were a lot more resilient than many people expected.

Expert Home Price Forecasts: Then and Now

There are a number of reasons why home prices are so resilient to falling. As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, says: “One thing is for sure, having long-term, fixed-rate debt in the U.S. protects homeowners from payment shock, acts as an inflation hedge - your primary household expense doesn't change when inflation rises - and is a reason...

Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023.

09/08/2023

Last year, some housing experts projected a decline in home prices by the end of 2023. But that didn’t happen – inventory was just too low. While it’s normal for experts to re-forecast throughout the year, the good news for 2023 is that prices are no longer projected to decrease. Let’s connect so you know what’s happening with home values in our local area.

Last year, some housing experts projected a decline in home prices by the end of 2023. But that didn’t happen – inventory was just too low. 

09/07/2023

Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options? If so, here’s some good news, smaller, more affordable homes are on the way.

In some ways, smaller homes are already here. When the pandemic hit, the meaning of home changed. People needed the space their home provided not only as a place to live, but as a place to work, go to school, exercise, and more. Those who had that space were more likely to keep it. And those that didn’t were in a position where they were trying to sell their smaller house to move up to a larger one. That meant the homes coming to the market during the pandemic were smaller than those on the market before the pandemic – and that trend continues today.

Larger homes tend to come on the market during the summer months when households with children who are out of school are looking to move.

That seasonality means, based on historical...

Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options?

09/06/2023

If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates. Since mortgage rates impact what you can afford when you take out a home loan – and affordability is a challenge today – it’s a good time to look at the big picture of where mortgage rates have been historically compared to where they are now.

Giving Context to the Sticker Shock

Mortgage rates have increased significantly since the start of last year. But even with that rise, today’s rates are still below the 52-year average.

That’s important because it explains why the recent jump in rates might have you feeling sticker shock even though they’re close to their long-term average. While many buyers have adjusted to the elevated rates over the past year, a slightly lower rate would be a welcome sight. To determine if that’s a realistic possibility, it’s important to look at inflation.

Where Could Mortgage Rates...

If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates.