Buying
Lack of Inventory Slowing Home Sales
Some Highlights: The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released their latest Existing Home Sales Report. First-time homebuyers made up 31% of all sales in August. Homes are selling quickly with 51% of homes on the market for less than a month. A limited supply continues to drive up prices for the 66th consecutive…
Read MoreWhy Fall is Still a Good Time to Buy
Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today, instead of waiting. 1. Prices Will Continue to Rise CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.7% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.0% over the next year. The…
Read MoreHome Ownership Among Millennials Increases
Recent headlines exclaimed the homeownership rate, as reported by the Census Bureau, rose again in the second quarter of 2017. What didn’t get much attention in the reports is that the homeownership rate for American households under the age of 35 increased a full percentage point from last quarter’s 34.3% to 35.3%. Millennials proved to…
Read MoreThe Impact Your Interest Rate Makes
Highlights: Interest rates have come a long way in the last 30 years. The interest rate you secure directly impacts your monthly payment and the amount of house that you can afford if you plan to stay within a certain budget. Rule of Thumb: every 1% increase in interest rates decreases your buying power by…
Read More3 Reasons The Housing Market Is NOT In A Bubble
With housing prices appreciating at levels that far exceed historical norms, some are fearful that the market is heading for another bubble. To alleviate that fear, we just need to look back at the reasons that caused the bubble ten years ago. Last decade, demand for housing was artificially propped up because mortgage lending standards…
Read More5 Reasons To Hire A Real Estate Professional When Buying Or Selling
Whether you are buying or selling a home it can be quite an adventurous journey, which is why you need an experienced real estate professional to guide you on the path to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner (or FSBO). The 5…
Read MoreCan Your Agent Answer These Important Questions?
Whether you are selling or buying a home, the real estate agent you hire is critical to guaranteeing your family makes the right decision. Most agents can walk you through the process and explain the industry ‘lingo,’ but you should expect much more than that. The housing crisis made everyone aware that truly understanding the real estate…
Read MoreThe High Impact of Interest Rates on Your Buying Power
According to Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage are currently at 3.96%, which is still near record lows in comparison to recent history. The interest rate you secure when buying a home not only greatly impacts your monthly housing costs, but also impacts your purchasing power. Purchasing power, simply put, is…
Read More5 Great Benefits of Homeownership
Freddie Mac recently reported on the benefits of homeownership. According to their report, here are the five benefits that “should be at the top of everyone’s list.” Homeownership can help you build equity over time. Your monthly payments will remain stable. You may have some tax benefits. You can take pride in ownership. Homeownership improves your community. Let’s…
Read MoreThe Home Buying Roadmap
Start with an Agent and Loan Pre-Approval The first step in the home buying process is to find an agent that you trust, someone who you are confident can guide you through the entire process with your best interest as their focus. Your agent can give you some recommendations on lenders and suggestions for…
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