For Buyers
Mortgage Interest Rates Reverse Course in 2017
To start the year, housing experts all agreed on one thing: 2017 was going to be the year we would see mortgage interest rates begin to rise. After years of historically low rates, and an improving economy, the question wasn’t if they would increase but instead how much they would increase. Some thought we could […]
69% of Buyers are Wrong About Down Payment Needs
According to a recent survey conducted by Genworth Financial Inc. at the Annual Mortgage Bankers’ Association Secondary Market Conference, 69% of potential first-time buyers still believe a 20% down payment is necessary to buy in today’s market. Nearly 40% of mortgage industry professionals surveyed believe that a lack of knowledge about the home-buying process is […]
What Would You Sacrifice to Save For Your Next Home? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
95% of first-time homebuyers are willing to sacrifice to make homeownership a reality.
The top item that buyers sacrifice is new clothes, at 54%.
Even repeat or experienced buyers say they sacrificed taking a vacation or buying a n…
Can Your Real Estate Agent Answer These Important Questions?
Whether you are selling or buying a home, the real estate agent you hire is critical to guaranteeing your family makes the right decision. Most agents can walk you through the process and explain the industry ‘lingo,’ but you should expect so much more than that. The housing crisis made everyone aware that truly understanding […]
Why Working with a Local Real Estate Professional Makes All the Difference
If you’ve entered the real estate market, as a buyer or a seller, you’ve inevitably heard the real estate mantra, “location, location, location” in reference to how identical homes can increase or decrease in value due to where they’re located. Well, a new survey shows that when it comes to choosing a real estate agent, the […]
Inventory Challenges Continue! [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
After a surge in March, existing home sales and new home sales slowed due to a drop in inventory available for sale in the start-up and trade-up categories.
Median existing home prices surged for the 62nd straight month, up 6.0% ov…
How’s the Real Estate Market? Find Out What the Experts Are Saying
As we head into summer, it is a great time to review how the 2017 real estate market is doing so far. Here is what the experts are saying: Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae Chief Economist “Positive demographic factors should continue to reshape the housing market, as rising employment and incomes appear to be positively influencing […]
More Americans Chose to Own a Home Than Rent in Q1
According to the latest report from the US Census Bureau, more Americans chose purchasing a home over signing a lease to rent in the first quarter of 2017. This marks the first time since 2006 that the number of new homeowner households outpaced the number of new renter households. Of the 1.22 million new households […]
Is Now a Good Time to Rent?
People often ask if now is a good time to buy a home, but nobody ever asks when a good time to rent is. Regardless, we want to make certain that everyone understands that today is NOT a good time to rent. The Census Bureau recently released their 2017 first quarter median rent numbers. Here is a graph […]
5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional When Buying or Selling!
Whether you are buying or selling a home it can be quite an adventurous journey, which is why you need an experienced real estate professional to guide you on the path to your ultimate goal. In this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can For Sale by Owner or […]
Why Americans Consider Moving to Another State? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
- In a recent Harris Poll, Americans listed ‘change in climate/weather’ as their top reason for wanting to relocate.
- 41% would move for a “better job opportunity.”
- Being closer to loved ones filled out 3 of the top 6 reasons why Americans move.
#1 Answer to the Housing Shortage: New Construction
The biggest challenge to today’s housing market is the shortage of housing inventory for sale. A normal market would see a six-month supply of homes for sale. Currently, that number is below four months. This is the major reason home prices have continued to appreciate at higher levels than historic averages.