Some HighlightsBuying a home is a big deal and can feel especially complicated if you don't know the terms used during the process.If you want to become a homeowner this year, it's a good idea to learn these key housing terms and understand how they relate to the current housing market. That will help you feel confident when you buy a home. Connect with a local real estate agent so you can get expert help with any questions you have. … [Read more...]
3 Key Factors Affecting Home Affordability
Over the past year, a lot of people have been talking about housing affordability and how tight it’s gotten. But just recently, there’s been a little bit of relief on that front. Mortgage rates have gone down since their most recent peak in October. But there’s more to being able to afford a home than just mortgage rates.To really understand home affordability, you need to look at the combination of three important factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages. Let’s dive into the latest data on each one to see … [Read more...]
2 Reasons Why Today’s Mortgage Rate Trend Is Good for Sellers
If you’ve been holding off on selling your house to make a move because you felt mortgage rates were too high, their recent downward trend is exciting news for you. Mortgage rates have descended since last October when they hit 7.79%. In fact, they’ve been below 7% for over a month now (see graph below):And while they’re not going back to the 3% we saw during the ‘unicorn’ years, they are expected to continue to go down from where they are now in the near future. As Dean Baker, Senior Economist at the Center for … [Read more...]
Why You May Want To Seriously Consider a Newly Built Home
Are you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move? If so, it may be time to consider a newly built home and the benefits that come with one. Here’s why.Near-Record Percentage of New Home InventoryNewly built homes are becoming an increasingly significant part of today’s housing inventory. According to the most recent report from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB):“Newly built homes available for sale accounted for 31% of total homes … [Read more...]
Homeownership Is Still at the Heart of the American Dream
Buying a home is a powerful decision, and it remains at the heart of the American Dream. Unlike renting, owning a home means more than just having a place to live – it offers a sense of belonging, stability, and freedom. According to Nicole Bachaud, Senior Economist at Zillow:“The American Dream is still owning a home. There’s a lot of pent-up demand for ownership; that isn’t going to go away.”Let’s explore just a few of the reasons why so many Americans continue to value homeownership. The Financial Benefits of … [Read more...]
Home Prices Forecast To Climb over the Next 5 Years [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some HighlightsIf you’re worried about what’s next for home prices, know the HPES shows experts are projecting they’ll continue to rise at least through 2028.Based on that forecast, if you bought a $400,000 house this year, experts say it could gain over $72,000 in equity over the next five years. If you're worried about falling home prices, don't be. Many experts forecast they'll keep rising for years to come. If you have questions, ask a local real estate agent. … [Read more...]
The Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth
If you're trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home this year, here's a powerful insight that could give you the clarity and confidence you need to make your decision.Every three years, the Federal Reserve releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), which compares net worth for homeowners and renters. The latest report shows the average homeowner’s net worth is almost 40X greater than a renter’s (see graph below):One reason a wealth gap exists between renters and homeowners is because when you’re a … [Read more...]
Avoid These Common Mistakes After Applying for a Mortgage
If you’re getting ready to buy a home, it’s exciting to jump a few steps ahead and think about moving in and making it your own. But before you get too far down the emotional path, there are some key things to keep in mind after you apply for your mortgage and before you close. Here’s a list of things to remember when you apply for your home loan.Don’t Deposit Large Sums of CashLenders need to source your money, and cash isn’t easily traceable. Before you deposit any cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way … [Read more...]
Ways Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals
If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this:“. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth and how much you owe on your mortgage.”That means your equity grows as you pay down your home loan over time and as home values climb. While it’s true home prices dipped slightly last year, they rebounded and have been … [Read more...]
What Lower Mortgage Rates Mean for Your Purchasing Power
If you want to buy a home, it's important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. Fortunately, rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have come down significantly since the end of October and are currently under 7%, according to Freddie Mac (see graph below): This recent trend is great news for buyers. As a recent article from Bankrate says:“The rate cool-off somewhat eases the housing affordability squeeze.”And according to Edward Seiler, AVP of Housing Economics and … [Read more...]
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