In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in how wealth is distributed among generations. It’s called the Great Wealth Transfer.Historically, the transfer of wealth from one generation to the next was a more gradual process, often limited to smaller amounts of inheritance or family savings. But today, the scale has increased in a big way. As a recent article from Bankrate says:“The biggest wave of wealth in history is about to pass from Baby Boomers over the next 20 years, and it’s going to have major … [Read more...]
Is Affordability Starting To Improve?
Over the past couple of years, a lot of people have had a hard time buying a home. And while affordability is still tight, there are signs it's getting a little better and might keep improving throughout the rest of the year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:“Housing affordability is improving ever so modestly, but it is moving in the right direction.”Here’s a look at the latest data on the three biggest factors affecting home affordability: mortgage rates, home … [Read more...]
Mortgage Rates Down a Full Percent from Recent High
Mortgage rates have been one of the hottest topics in the housing market lately because of their impact on affordability. And if you’re someone who’s looking to make a move, you’ve probably been waiting eagerly for rates to come down for that very reason. Well, if the past few weeks are any indication, you may be getting your wish.Mortgage Rates Trend Down in Recent WeeksThere’s big news for mortgage rates. After the latest reports on the economy, inflation, the unemployment rate, and the Federal Reserve’s recent … [Read more...]
How the Economy Impacts Mortgage Rates
As someone who’s thinking about buying or selling a home, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates – and wondering what's ahead.One thing that can affect mortgage rates is the Federal Funds Rate, which influences how much it costs banks to borrow money from each other. While the Federal Reserve (the Fed) doesn’t directly control mortgage rates, they do control the Federal Funds Rate.The relationship between the two is why people have been watching closely to see when the Fed might lower the Federal … [Read more...]
How Do Presidential Elections Impact the Housing Market?
Some HighlightsAre you wondering if the upcoming election will have an impact on the housing market? Here’s what history tells us you need to know if you’re considering a move.Data shows home sales slow in November but quickly bounce back and rise the following year. Prices usually keep climbing. And mortgage rates typically come down slightly.Presidential elections have only a small and temporary impact on the housing market. If you have questions, connect with a real estate agent. … [Read more...]
Not a Crash: 3 Graphs That Show How Today’s Inventory Differs from 2008
Even if you didn't own a home at the time, you probably remember the housing crisis in 2008. That crash impacted the lives of countless people, and many now live with the worry that something like that could happen again. But rest easy, because things are different than they were back then. As Business Insider says:“Though many Americans believe the housing market is at risk of crashing, the economists who study housing market conditions overwhelmingly do not expect a crash in 2024 or beyond.”Here’s why experts are … [Read more...]
Focus on Time in the Market, Not Timing the Market
Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a big question on many people’s minds today. And while what timing is right for you will depend on a lot of other personal factors, here’s something you may not have considered.If you’re able to buy at today’s rates and prices, it may be better to focus on time in the market, rather than timing the market. The Downside of Trying To Time the Market Trying to time the market isn’t a good strategy because things can change. Here’s an example. For the better part of … [Read more...]
Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables
Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now. You may even see some headlines talking about last week’s Federal Reserve (the Fed) meeting and what it means for rates. But the Fed doesn’t determine mortgage rates, even if the headlines make it sound like they do.The truth is, mortgage rates are impacted by a lot of factors: geo-political uncertainty, inflation and the economy, and more. And trying to pin down when all those factors will line up enough for rates to come down is tricky.That’s why … [Read more...]
How Many Homes Are Investors Actually Buying?
Are big investors really buying up all the homes today?If you’re trying to find a house to buy, this may be something you’re wondering about. Maybe you’ve read about it or seen reels on social media saying investors buying all the homes is making it even harder to find what the average buyer is looking for. But spoiler alert – there’s a lot of misinformation out there. To clear things up, here's the scoop on what's really happening. A lot of the big investor activity is actually in the rearview mirror already.The … [Read more...]
