Home Mortgages: Rates Up, Requirements Easing

The media has extensively covered the rise in mortgage interest rates since last fall (from 3.42% last September to the current 4.1% according to Freddie Mac). However, a less covered aspect of the mortgage market is that requirements to get a mortgage have eased while rates have risen.

Posted in Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers

Millennials Flock to Low Down Payment Programs

A recent report released by Down Payment Resource shows that 65% of first-time homebuyers purchased their homes with a down

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

Careful…Don’t Get Caught in the Rental Trap!

There are many benefits to homeownership. One of the top benefits is being able to protect yourself from rising rents by locking in your housing cost for the life of your mortgage.

Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

The Importance of Using a Professional to Sell Your Home

When a homeowner decides to sell their house, they obviously want the best possible price for it with the least amount of hassles along the way. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is actually getting their homes sold.

Posted in For Sellers, FSBOs

Why Millennials Choose to Buy [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

• “The majority of millennials said they consider owning a home more sensible than renting for both financial and lifestyle reasons — including control of living space, flexibility in future decisions, privacy and security, and living in a nice home.”
• At 93%, the top reason Millennials choose to buy is to have control over their living space.
• Many Millennials who rent a home or apartment prior to buying their own homes dream of the day that they will be able to paint the walls whatever color they’d like, or renovate an outdated part of their living space.

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

The ‘REAL’ News about Housing Affordability

Some industry experts are claiming that the housing market may be headed for a slowdown as we proceed through 2017, based on rising home prices and a potential jump in mortgage interest rates. One of the data points they use is the Housing Affordability Index, as reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

Buying this Spring? Be Prepared for Bidding Wars

Traditionally, spring is the busiest season for real estate. Buyers come out in force and homeowners list their houses for sale hoping to capitalize on buyer activity. This year will be no different!

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

15,014 Homes Sold Yesterday… Did Yours?

There are some homeowners that have been waiting for months to get a price they hoped for when they originally listed their house for sale. The only thing they might want to consider is… If it hasn’t sold yet, maybe it’s not priced properly.

Posted in For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Pricing

Again… You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy NOW!

  A survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify

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

Home Prices Up 6.15% Across the Country! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

• The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently released their latest Quarterly Home Price Index report.
• In the report, home prices are compared both regionally and by state.
• Based on the latest numbers, if you plan on relocating to another state, waiting to move may end up costing you more!
• Alaska, Delaware, West Virginia & Wyoming were the only one states where home prices are lower than they were last year.

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