It’s April, and spring is in full swing, with its warm weather and enough pollen in the air to choke a yak. For those in the business of real estate, spring also represents the revitalization of the market, as both buyers and sellers shake off winter seasonal malaise and get back down to business.

April is also National Fair Housing Month, when the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) carries out various events to gauge the housing needs of the public, and what measures need to be taken to ensure that the Fair Housing Act – which was enacted fifty-five years ago this year – is carried out throughout the nation.

“This April, we commemorate the Fair Housing Act, the landmark civil rights law that guarantees the right to housing of your choice, free from discrimination,” said HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “Though it has been 55 years since the Fair Housing Act was passed, we are still working tirelessly to fight housing discrimination. Today, we recommit to our mission to provide equality and opportunity to every person who calls America home, regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity), disability, or familial status.”

We reached out to the President of the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR), Chris Hulser, to discuss how those looking to buy or sell can do to thrive during this spring season, and how to learn about Fair Housing rules.

HBJ: What are the factors that buyers and sellers each need to take into consideration, and how are they changing this spring?

Our area has seen tremendous growth over the past few years. One of the major factors that has affected buyers and sellers has been the low inventory which is starting to improve but we still do not have enough homes for those individuals who are moving here in the coming months. Housing price increases have leveled off but continue to rise with inflation.

In January of 2022, the average home price in Huntsville/Madison County was $334,000 compared to $346,000 as of January 2023. Springtime typically sparks an upswing in the real estate market in our area. The weather is starting to warm up and sellers will be getting their homes ready for the market; while buyers are ready to get back in the market to purchase. Mortgage rates rose in 2022 before starting to fall in mid-November through December. We have seen interest rates fluctuate the first part of 2023 but seem to be settling out in the 4-6% range for a 30-year loan.

Experts in the local lending industry feel that continued high inflation will keep mortgage rates around current levels but the hope is to see them come down some more. Buyers should not wait for rates to come down because they most likely will stay where they are for a little

while longer. Home prices will continue to rise due to demand in our area and sellers shouldn’t wait to list their homes because buyers are still coming to our area and need a place to live.

HBJ: What strategies can buyers and sellers employ to make the best possible deals during this time?

The first thing buyers and sellers should do is find a Realtor. All Realtor have committed to a strict code of ethics and have gone through orientation at the Huntsville Area Association of Realtor. They are educated and ready to negotiate the best deal for you. Sellers should be aware that they have more choices than they did last year, even with buyers populating the market.

Sellers need to make sure that their home is presented in its best form. Finish those last-minute projects, repaint rooms that look tired and worn. Most especially – curb appeal! When a buyer is standing at the door waiting on their Realtor to open the door they look around and they don’t want to see deferred maintenance, dirty light fixtures, or weeds in the flower beds. When you hire a Realtor, these are all things they should discuss with you as well as pricing your home correctly. Even the prettiest home won’t sell if it is not priced right.

The buyers’ first step is finding the Realtor they want to work with and finding a mortgage lender that fits their needs. Getting loan pre-approval is key before even starting to look for a home. Despite the inventory level rising, there is still some competition in our area when looking at homes. Buyers who make offers without approval letters might not get the same consideration as those that do.

Don’t let the fact that interest rates are higher now than they were back in 2021 and early 2022 deter you from purchasing a home. When you compare the rising rental cost vs. owning a home, you will find that typically you can buy a home that is larger than an apartment and your monthly mortgage payment is less than rent…and you own it!

Buyers keep your offers clean and simple; sellers don’t want complicated provisions in a contract they might not fully understand. Avoid asking for personal items in a contract. If you like something in a home, ask about it outside of the contract, don’t make it a consideration of the contract.

The spring market is heating up, more homes are coming on the market, and buyers are still coming in, so prep your home if you are selling! If you are buying get your loan approval taken care of and always hire a Realtor!

April is Fair Housing Month, so what are some of the most critical rules and regulations for people to know, and where can they find a more comprehensive list of such rules?

Realtors and consumers rely on strong fair housing laws and best practices for our communities and economy to continue to grow. Discrimination can distort the housing market and cause some to not achieve the American dream of home ownership that are qualified buyers. Our local Realtors along with the National Association of Realtors advance this commitment to Fair Housing through policy advocacy, innovative programming, and legal guidance.

One of NAR’s goals is the continued promotion of public policy to advance broader homeownership availability, accessibility, and affordability. NAR’s Fair Housing Plan emphasizes Accountability, Culture Change and Training, to advance fair housing in the industry. NAR continues to raise awareness, deepen understanding, and hold us accountable. NAR provides guidance and support to all members to ensure that Realtors are complying with fair housing laws and the Realtor Code of Ethics. NAR works closely with state and local associations to establish best practices on evolving legal issues in real estate.

Locally, the Huntsville Association of Realtors offers continuing education year-round on Fair Housing to its members. (One such educational event occurring this month is a lecture for Realtors at HAAR, “Delivering the Promise of Fair Housing,” which teaches Realtors to integrate the Fair Housing Law into their everyday real estate practice. Those interested can register at https://haar.realtor/howtoregister/ )

HAAR also partners with the City of Huntsville each April to sign a Fair Housing proclamation. Consumers can also visit NAR.realtor/fair-housing for additional information on fair housing.

As community leaders, real estate professionals have an opportunity to be a part of equitable and inclusive change. Fair Housing Month signifies recommitment to advancing equitable opportunities and expanding home ownership.

As A Realtor, I follow this simple rule…if a buyer or seller wants to buy or sell and they have that ability, then I will work with them. No one should ever feel like they would be discriminated against because of their skin color, nationality, sexual orientation, or any other reason. Homeownership is for everyone. I have worked with a very diverse pool of clients, and they all had one thing in common…they wanted to own a home and it was my job to find them the perfect home.