The game of chess can provide incredible lessons to apply to all aspects of life, including the homebuying process. Chess requires you to plan and think about your strategy from the very beginning of the game. The homebuying process, like chess, requires strategy and planning. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure your plan is as strong as possible when you begin your home search. Pre-Approval: the Best Opening Play To Make as a Homebuyer It’s important to have a great opening play when you’re buying a … [Read more...]
Home Is Where the Heart Is More than Ever This Year
There’s no denying the financial benefits of homeownership, but what’s often overlooked are the feelings of gratitude, security, pride, and comfort we get from owning a home. This year, those emotions are stronger than ever. We’ve lived through a time that has truly changed our needs and who we are, and as a result, homeownership has a whole new meaning for many of us. According to the 2021 State of the American Homeowner report by Unison: “Last year, staying home became a necessity and that caused many homeowners … [Read more...]
How Smart Buyers Are Approaching Rising Mortgage Rates
Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022: “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2021. We forecast mortgage rates to increase slightly through the remainder of the year and reach 3.0%, rising to 3.5% for full year 2022.” If you’re thinking of buying a home, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can succeed even as mortgage rates rise. Taking Time Off Can Be Costly Mortgage … [Read more...]
Don’t Believe Everything You Read: The Truth Many Headlines Overlook
There are a lot of questions right now regarding the real estate market as we head into 2022. The forbearance program is coming to an end and mortgage rates are beginning to rise. With all of this uncertainty, anyone with a megaphone – from the mainstream media to a lone blogger – has realized that bad news sells. Unfortunately, we’ll continue to see a rash of troublesome headlines over the next few months. To make sure you aren’t paralyzed by a headline, turn to reliable resources for a look at what to expect from … [Read more...]
Your Journey to Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights When it comes to buying a home, there are a number of key milestones along the way. The process includes everything from building your team and understanding your finances to going house hunting, making an offer, and more. When you’re ready to start your journey, let’s connect so you have trusted guidance at every milestone in the process. … [Read more...]
Home Sales About To Surge? We May See a Winter Like Never Before.
Like most industries, residential real estate has a seasonality to it. For example, toy stores sell more toys in October, November, and December than they do in any other three-month span throughout the year. More cars are sold in the U.S. during the second quarter (April, May, and June) than in any other quarter of the year. Real estate is very similar. The number of homes sold in the spring is almost always much greater than at any other time of the year. It’s even labeled as the spring buying season. … [Read more...]
Retirement May Be Changing What You Need in a Home
The past year and a half brought about significant life changes for many of us. For some, it meant entering retirement earlier than expected. Recent data shows more people retired this year than anticipated. According to the Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis, 2021 saw a retirement boom: “At least 1.7 million more older workers than expected retired due to the pandemic recession.” If you’ve recently retired, your home may not fit your new lifestyle. The good news is, you’ve likely built-up significant … [Read more...]
4 Things Every Renter Needs To Consider
As a renter, you’re constantly faced with the same dilemma: keep renting for another year or purchase a home? Your answer depends on your current situation and future plans, but there are a number of benefits to homeownership every renter needs to consider. Here are a few things you should think about before you settle on renting for another year. 1. Rents Are Rising Quickly Rent increasing each year isn’t new. Looking back at Census data confirms rental prices have gone up consistently for decades (see graph … [Read more...]
VA Loans: Helping Veterans Achieve Their Homeownership Dreams
The purpose of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans is to provide a pathway to homeownership for those who have sacrificed so much by serving our nation. As the Veterans Administration says of the program: “The objective of the VA Home Loan Guaranty program is to help eligible Veterans, active-duty personnel, surviving spouses, and members of the Reserves and National Guard purchase, retain, and adapt homes in recognition of their service. . . .” For over 75 years, VA home loans have provided millions of veterans and … [Read more...]
What’s Happening with Home Prices?
Many people have questions about home prices right now. How much have prices risen over the past 12 months? What’s happening with home values right now? What’s projected for next year? Here’s a look at the answers to all three of these questions. How much have home values appreciated over the last 12 months? According to the latest Home Price Index from CoreLogic, home values have increased by 18.1% compared to this time last year. Additionally, prices have gone up at an accelerated pace for each of the last eight … [Read more...]
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