During the recession, many young adults graduating from college were forced to move back in with their parents. This caused new household formations to drop dramatically from the long term average of 1.2 million formations annually to half that number. However, this may be the year this turns back around. According to the Urban Land Institute’s report, Emerging Trends in Real Estate, household formations will increase dramatically. They project that 3.68 million additional households will be formed in the … [Read more...]
Homeowner’s Net Worth is 45x Greater Than a Renter’s
Every three years the Federal Reserve conducts a Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. The latest survey, which includes data from 2010-2013, reports that a homeowner’s net worth is 36 times greater than that of a renter ($194,500 vs. $5,400). In a Forbes article the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Chief Economist Lawrence Yun predicts that in 2016 the net worth gap will widen even further to 45 … [Read more...]
Final 2015 Housing Numbers Now In
Many have questioned the stability of certain sectors of the U.S. Economy, one section in particular is the housing market. Today we would like to share how the experts feel about how we ended 2015 and where they think we are headed in 2016. How did we do in 2015? The National Association of Realtors “Overall, a resilient U.S. economy and very solid job growth in recent years made 2015 a great rebound year for the housing market. Existing-home sales were at the highest pace (5.26 million) since 2006 (6.48 … [Read more...]
Homes Selling Quickly Across The Country
According to the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) Existing Home Sales Report, homes were on market for an average of 58 days in December. This was slightly longer than the 54 days in November, but still better than the 66 days experienced in December 2014. 32% of homes across the country were on the market for less than a month! Colorado, Utah and Delaware led all states as home are selling in 30 days or less on average. The map below was created using results from NAR’s Monthly Realtor … [Read more...]
Where Are Americans Moving? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights: For the 4th year in a row the Northeast saw a concentration of High Outbound activity. Oregon held on to the top stop of High Inbound states for the 3rd year in a row. Much of this Outbound activity can be attributed to Boomers relocating to warmer climates after retiring. … [Read more...]
This Time “Mr. Wonderful” is just WRONG!!
Recently, on CNBC’s Closing Bell, Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” said Millennials “don’t give a poo-poo about owning a house.” This thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s give a few examples to make this point. 1.) In the recent National Housing Market Survey conducted by Fannie Mae, it was revealed that: “…data indicates that millennial renters today have as much desire to own a home as the general … [Read more...]
Will Appraisals Continue to be a Challenge in 2016?
First American Title issues a quarterly report, the Real Estate Sentiment Index (RESI), which “measures title agent sentiment on a variety of key market metrics and industry issues”. Their 2015 4th Quarter Edition revealed some interesting information regarding possible challenges with appraisal values as we head into 2016. “The fourth quarter RESI found that title agents continue to believe that property valuation issues will be the most likely cause of title order cancellation over the coming … [Read more...]
No Matter Which Groundhog You Listen To, You Should Sell Before Spring!
Is spring closer than we think? Depending on which Groundhog you witnessed today, you may have less time than you think to get your home on the market before the busy spring season. Many sellers feel that the spring is the best time to place their home on the market as buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year. However, the next six weeks before spring hits also have their own advantages. Here are five reasons to sell now. 1. Demand is Strong Foot traffic refers to the number of people out actually … [Read more...]
A Million+ Boomerang Buyers about to Enter Market
TransUnion recently released the results of a new study titled “The Bubble, the Burst and Now - What Happened to the Consumer?” The study revealed that 1.5 million homeowners that were negatively impacted by the housing crisis could re-enter the housing market in the next three years. TransUnion defined “negatively impacted” as… “…those who were 60+ days past due on a mortgage loan, lost their mortgage through foreclosure, short sale or other non-satisfactory … [Read more...]
Where Are Interest Rates Headed This Year?
With interest rates still below 4%, many buyers may be on the fence as to whether to act now and purchase a new home, or wait until next year. If you look at what the four major reporting agencies are predicting for 2016, it may make the decision for you. The chart below averages the predictions by quarter. With the exception of Fannie Mae, the experts agree that interest rates will increase by three-quarters of a percentage point, costing you more to pay back your loan. Bottom Line Even a small increase in … [Read more...]
