Saturday Strategy

Mortgage FAQ's, did you knows and much more...

House Hackers! Buy a Multi Family with 5 % Down!

Fannie Mae just made a big announcement that's going to make it easier for families to buy homes. Let's break it down in simple terms.

Here is the announcement from Fannie Mea on Oct 4 2023

Lower Down Payments for Multifamily Homes

Before this update, if you wanted to buy a multifamily home (that's a place with more than one apartment), you had to put down a big down payment – either 15% or 25%, depending on the unit you were buying. But starting in November, things are changing.

The Big Change

Now, if you're buying a multifamily home to live in as your primary home, you can put down just 5% of the cost of the home. That's great news because it means you don't need as much money upfront to become a homeowner.

There Are Some Rules

But hold on, there are some rules you need to follow. First, you have to live in one of the units for at least 12 months. That means it has to be your main place to live. You can't just buy it and then rent it out right away.

Why This Matters

This is a big deal because it helps people own homes and build wealth. Imagine buying a place with multiple units, living in one for a year, and then renting out the others. It's a smart way to invest in your future.

So, if you know someone who dreams of owning a multifamily home, share this news with them. It's a fantastic opportunity to make homeownership more affordable.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

P.S. Can I count on you to call us when any friends, family or coworkers are looking to buy, sell or refinance a home?  We'd love to help! You can just text/call me at 480.553.8770.

A person pressing the button to close the door.

Are Home Prices Going Up or Down? That Depends…

By Kevin Brierton Team | June 12, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 6.12.2023 Media coverage about what’s happening with home prices can be confusing. A large part of that is due to the type of data being used and what they’re choosing to draw attention to. For home prices, there are two different methods used to compare home prices over different time periods: year-over-year…

A man holding a cup of coffee in his hand.

This Real Estate Market Is the Strongest of Our Lifetime

By Kevin Brierton Team | June 8, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 6.8.2023 When you look at the numbers today, the one thing that stands out is the strength of this housing market. We can see this is one of the most foundationally strong housing markets of our lifetime – if not the strongest housing market of our lifetime. Here are two fundamentals that…

A hand holding a cube with percentages on it.

The Main Reason Mortgage Rates Are So High

By Kevin Brierton Team | June 7, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 6.7.2023 Today’s mortgage rates are top-of-mind for many homebuyers right now. As a result, if you’re thinking about buying for the first time or selling your current house to move into a home that better fits your needs, you may be asking yourself these two questions:  Here’s context you need to help…

A view of the sun setting over a neighborhood.

Real Estate Is Still Considered the Best Long-Term Investment

By Kevin Brierton Team | June 6, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 6.6.2023 With all the headlines circulating about home prices and rising mortgage rates, you may wonder if it still makes sense to invest in homeownership right now. A recent poll from Gallup shows the answer is yes. In fact, real estate was voted the best long-term investment for the 11th consecutive year,…

Blue dollar bills with a percent sign.

Oops! Home Prices Didn’t Crash After All

By Kevin Brierton Team | June 5, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 6.5.2023 During the fourth quarter of last year, many housing experts predicted home prices were going to crash this year. Here are a few of those forecasts: Jeremy Siegel, Russell E. Palmer Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School of Business: “I expect housing prices fall 10% to 15%, and the…

Two girls on a swing in front of a house.

The True Value of Homeownership

By Kevin Brierton Team | June 1, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 6.1.2023 Buying and owning your home can make a big difference in your life by bringing you joy and a sense of belonging. And with June being National Homeownership Month, it’s the perfect time to think about all the benefits homeownership provides.  Of course, there are financial reasons to buy a house,…

A man is handing keys to two people.

Keys to Success for First-Time Homebuyers

By Kevin Brierton Team | May 31, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 5.31.2023 Buying your first home is an exciting decision and a major milestone that has the power to change your life for the better. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s a vision you can bring to life, but, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shares, you’ll have to overcome some factors that…

A white unicorn is walking in the grass.

Today’s Real Estate Market: The ‘Unicorns’ Have Galloped Off

By Kevin Brierton Team | May 30, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 5.30.2023 Comparing real estate metrics from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market. That’s due to possible variability in the market making the comparison less meaningful or accurate. Unpredictable events can have a significant impact on the circumstances and outcomes being compared.  Comparing this year’s numbers to…

A pink background with blue and white shapes on it.

The Benefits of Selling Now, According to Experts

By Kevin Brierton Team | May 25, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 5.25.2023 If you’re trying to decide if now’s the time to sell your house, here’s what you should know. The limited number of homes available right now gives you a big advantage. That’s because there are more buyers out there than there are homes for sale. And, with so few homes on…

A key is in front of a small house.

Owning a Home Helps Protect Against Inflation

By Kevin Brierton Team | May 24, 2023

Kevin Brierton – 5.24.2023 You’re probably feeling the impact of high inflation every day as prices have gone up on groceries, gas, and more. If you’re a renter, you’re likely experiencing it a lot as your rent continues to rise. Between all of those elevated costs and uncertainty about a potential recession, you may be…

P.S. Can I count on you to contact me if you hear that a friend, family or coworker is looking to buy, sell or refinance? Call/Text 480.553.8770 - We'd be honored to help them too!