Some industry pundits are saying that the housing market may be heading for a slowdown. One of the data points they use is the falling numbers of the Housing Affordability Index, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).Here is how NAR defines the index:“The Housing Affordability Index measures whether or not a typical family earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home at the national level based on the most recent price and income data.”Basically, a value of … [Read more...]
Housing Market Slowing Down? Don’t Tell Builders!
Many experts have been calling upon home builders to ramp up construction to help with the lack of existing inventory for sale. For the past two months, new home sales have surged, with July’s total coming in at the highest since October 2007.The latest estimates from the US Census Bureau and Department of Housing and Urban Development show that sales in July were 31.3% higher than this time last year, and 12.4% higher than last month, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of … [Read more...]
2 Myths About Mortgages That May Be Holding Back Buyers
Fannie Mae’s “What do consumers know about the Mortgage Qualification Criteria?” Study revealed that Americans are misinformed about what is required to qualify for a mortgage when purchasing a home.Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment”Fannie Mae’s survey revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the report, 76% of Americans either don’t know (40%) or are misinformed (36%) about the minimum down … [Read more...]
Whether You Rent or Buy, You’re Paying a Mortgage
There are some people that have not purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either yours or your landlord’s.As The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University explains:“Households must consume housing whether they own or rent. Not even accounting for more favorable tax treatment of owning, homeowners pay debt service to pay down … [Read more...]
‘Old Millennials’ Are Diving Head-First into Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:‘Old Millennials’ are defined as 25-36 year olds according to the US Census Bureau.According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the median age of all first-time home buyers is 31 years old.More and more ‘Old Millennials’ are realizing that homeownership is within their reach now! … [Read more...]
4 Stats That PROVE This Is NOT 2005 All over Again
Recent research by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) examined certain red flags that caused the housing crisis in 2005, and then compared them to today’s real estate market. Today, we want to concentrate on four of those red flags.Price to Rent RatioPrice to Income RatioMortgage TransactionsHouse FlippingAll four categories were outside historical norms in 2005. Home prices were way above normal ratios when compared to both rents and incomes at the time.NAR explained that mortgage transactions as a … [Read more...]
Real Life vs. Reality TV: 5 Myths Explained
Have you ever been flipping through the channels, only to find yourself glued to the couch in an HGTV ‘show hole’*? We’ve all been there… watching entire seasons of “Love it or List it,” “Fixer Upper,” “House Hunters,” “Flip or Flop,” “Property Brothers,” and so many more, just in one sitting. When you’re in the middle of your real estate themed show marathon, you might start to think that everything you see on TV must … [Read more...]
How Do Rising Prices Impact Your Home Equity?
Yesterday, we shared the results of the latest Home Price Expectation Survey by Pulsenomics. One of the big takeaways from the survey is that over the next five years, home prices will appreciate 3.5% per year on average, and cumulatively will grow by around 18%.So what does this mean for homeowners and their equity position?For example, let’s assume a young couple purchased and closed on a $250,000 home in January of this year. If we only look at the projected increase in the price of that home, how much … [Read more...]
Where Are Home Prices Headed Over the Next 5 Years?
Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey.Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment & market strategists about where they believe prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number.The results of their latest survey:Home values will appreciate by … [Read more...]
What States Give You the Most ‘Bang for Your Buck’? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:Thinking of moving across the country? How far will your money take you?The majority of states in the Midwest and South offer a lower cost of living compared to Northeast and Western states.The ‘Biggest Bang for your Buck’ comes in Mississippi where, compared to the national average, you can actually purchase $115.34 worth of goods for $100. … [Read more...]
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