This year started strong for real estate, but then the market began to soften. Home inventory in the starter and move-up categories dwindled to almost nothing, mortgage rates were projected to rise, and home sales have now decreased for several months in a row. To many, the outlook heading into 2019 appeared dim… at best. Then, in a 24-hour window last week, things seemed to change. On Wednesday, the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) revealed in their Existing Homes Sales Report … [Read more...]
How to Save Thousands of Dollars in Interest on Your Mortgage
One of the most common loans you can get to buy a home is a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. If the thought of paying for your home over the course of 30-years seems daunting, here are some easy ways to shorten that term which will actually end up saving you money over the life of your loan. Any additional payments to the principal amount (the original sum of money borrowed in a loan), helps to cut down the amount of interest that you will pay over the life of your loan and can also help to shave years off the loan as … [Read more...]
What Makes a House a Home For You?
We frequently talk about why it makes sense to buy a home financially, but more often than not the emotional reasons are the more powerful or compelling ones. No matter what shape or size your living space is, the concept and feeling of a home can mean different things to different people. Whether it’s a certain scent or a favorite chair, the emotional reasons why we choose to buy our own homes are typically more important to us than the financial ones. 1. Owning your home offers stability to start and raise … [Read more...]
Buyers Are Looking for Your Home, Now [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights: Existing home sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.32 million and have increased on a monthly basis for the last two months. The inventory of existing homes for sale remains below the 6-months needed for a normal market and is now at a 3.9-month supply. Inventory remains low due to high demand from buyers who are still looking for houses to buy! … [Read more...]
4 Quick Reasons NOT to Fear a Housing Crash
There is a lot of uncertainty regarding the real estate market heading into 2019. That uncertainty has raised concerns that we may be headed toward another housing crash like the one we experienced a decade ago. Here are four reasons why today’s market is much different: 1. There are fewer foreclosures now than there were in 2006 A major challenge in 2006 was the number of foreclosures. There will always be foreclosures, but they spiked by over 100% prior to the crash. Foreclosures sold at a discount and, in … [Read more...]
Homeownership Remains a Huge Part of the American Dream
As we head into 2019, many news outlets and housing experts warn that the housing market may slow down. Over the last six years, the inventory of homes for sale has been near historic lows, which has been the force behind increasing home prices. This has been great news for sellers as many of them have been able to capitalize on the demand in the market and sell their homes quickly and at a great profit. One of the big reasons why inventory has remained so low for so long is that an entire generation of home buyers … [Read more...]
Why Houses DO NOT Sell in a Strong Market
As we approach the end of the year, many homeowners find themselves asking the question, “If we’re currently in a strong real estate market, why won’t my house sell?” Below are the 5 most common reasons why a listing contract will expire: 1. The Price Sometimes when the market is hot, homeowners attempt to set their listing price higher. Their hope is that a motivated buyer will be willing to pay any price for a house in their desired neighborhood! Sellers must remember, though, that in … [Read more...]
4 Reasons to Sell Your House This Winter [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights: Buyer demand continues to outpace the supply of homes for sale which means that buyers are often competing with one another for the few listings that are available! Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply needed to sustain a normal housing market. Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. … [Read more...]
No Bubble Here! How New Mortgage Standards Are Helping
Real estate is shifting to a more normal market; the days of national home appreciation topping 6% annually are over and inventories are increasing which is causing bidding wars to almost disappear. Some see these as signs that the market will soon come tumbling down as it did in 2008. As it becomes easier for buyers to obtain mortgages, many are suggesting that this is definite proof that banks are repeating the same mistakes they made a decade ago. Today, we want to assure everyone that we are not heading to … [Read more...]
Don’t Get Caught in the Rental Trap in 2019
Every year around this time, we take time to reflect and plan for next year. If you are renting your current home but have dreams of homeownership, your plan for the new year may include buying, and you wouldn’t be alone! According to the 2018 Bank of America Homebuyer Insights Report, 74% of renters plan on buying in the next 5 years, with 38% planning to buy in the next 2 years! When those same renters were asked why they disliked renting, 52% said that rising rental costs were their top reason, and 42% of … [Read more...]
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