The True Cost of NOT Owning Your Home

Owning a home has great financial benefits, yet many continue to rent! Today, let’s look at the financial reasons why owning a home of your own has been a part of the American Dream for the entirety of America’s existence. Realtor.com reported that: “Buying remains the more attractive option in the long term – that remains the […]

Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy

2 Factors to Watch in Today’s Real Estate Market Whether Buying or Selling

When it comes to buying or selling a home there are many factors you should consider. Where you want to live, why you want to buy or sell, and who will help you along your journey are just some of those factors. When it comes to today’s real estate market, though, the top two factors […]

Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing

How Does the Supply of Homes for Sale Impact Buyer Demand?

The price of any item is determined by the supply of that item, as well as the market’s demand for it. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) surveys “over 50,000 real estate practitioners about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions” for their monthly REALTORS Confidence Index. Their latest edition sheds some light on the relationship between seller traffic (supply) […]

Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers

Should I Buy Now? Or Wait Until Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

The cost of waiting to buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 5.2% by the third quarte…

Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Interest Rates, Millennials, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing

Are Home Prices Softening or Are They Falling?

We are beginning to see reports that more housing inventory is coming to the market and that buyer demand may not be increasing at the same pace it did earlier this year. The result will be many headlines written to address the impact that these two situations will have on home values. Many of these […]

Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing

The Cost of NOT Paying PMI

Saving for a down payment is often the biggest hurdle for a first-time homebuyer as median incomes, rents, and home prices all vary depending on where you live. There is a common misconception among homebuyers that a 20% down payment is required, and it is this limiting belief that often adds months, and sometimes even […]

Posted in Buying Myths, Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

Is the Real Estate Market Finally Getting Back to Normal?

The housing market has been anything but normal for the last eleven years. In a normal real estate market, home prices appreciate 3.7% annually. Below, however, are the price swings since 2007 according to the latest Home Price Expectation Survey: After the bubble burst in June 2007, values depreciated 6.1% annually until February 2012. From […]

Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates

25% of Homes with a Mortgage are Now Equity Rich!

Rising home prices have been in the news a lot lately and much of the focus has been on whether home prices are accelerating too quickly, as well as how sustainable the growth in prices really is. One of the often-overlooked benefits of rising prices, however, is the impact that they have on a homeowner’s […]

Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers

A+ Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Pro [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

• Hiring a real estate professional to help you buy your dream home or sell your current house is one of the most ‘educated’ decisions you can make!
• A real estate professional has the experience needed to help you through the entire process.
• Make sure that you hire someone who knows current market conditions and can simply and effectively explain them to you and your family!

Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, FSBOs, Infographics

Why are Existing Home Sales Down?

The latest Existing Home Sales Report issued by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that home sales have decreased for four consecutive months and are at their slowest pace in over two years. This has some industry leaders puzzled considering the fact that the economy is strengthening, unemployment is down, and wages are beginning […]

Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing