Don’t Wait Until Spring To Sell Your House

Kevin Brierton – 2.1.2024 As you think about the year ahead, one of your big goals may be moving. But, how do you know when to make your move? While spring is usually the peak homebuying season, you don’t need to wait until spring to sell. Here’s why. 1. Take Advantage of Lower Mortgage Rates Last…

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3 Key Factors Affecting Home Affordability

Kevin Brierton – 1.18.2024 Over the past year, a lot of people have been talking about housing affordability and how tight it’s gotten. But just recently, there’s been a little bit of relief on that front. Mortgage rates have gone down since their most recent peak in October. But there’s more to being able to afford a home than…

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Ways Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals

Kevin Brierton – 1.9.2024 If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth…

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The Perfect Home Could Be the One You Perfect After Buying

Kevin Brierton – 12.11.2023 There’s no denying mortgage rates and home prices are higher now than they were last year and that’s impacting what you can afford. At the same time, there are still fewer homes available for sale than the norm. These are two of the biggest hurdles buyers are facing today. But there are ways to overcome these things and…

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Experts Project Home Prices Will Rise over the Next 5 Years

Kevin Brierton – 12.4.2023 Even with so much data showing home prices are rising in most of the country, there are still a lot of people who worry there will be another price crash in the immediate future. In fact, a recent survey from Fannie Mae shows that 23% of consumers think prices will fall over the next 12 months. That’s nearly…

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Is Owning a Home Still the American Dream for Younger Buyers?

Kevin Brierton – 11.30.2023 Everyone has their idea of the American Dream, and it’s different for each person. But, in a recent survey by Bankrate, people were asked about the achievements they believe represent the American Dream the most. The answers show that owning a home still claims the #1 spot for many Americans today (see graph below):…

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Are the Top 3 Housing Market Questions on Your Mind?

Kevin Brierton – 11.28.2023 When it comes to what’s happening in the housing market, there’s a lot of confusion going around right now. You may hear one thing in conversation with your friends, see something different on the news, and read something on social media that contradicts both of those thoughts. And, if you’re thinking about making…

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Home Prices Still Growing – Just at a More Normal Pace

Kevin Brierton – 11.22.2023 If you’re feeling a bit muddy on what’s happening with home prices, that’s no surprise. Some people are still saying prices are falling, even though data proves otherwise. Part of that misconception is that people are getting their information from unreliable sources. But it’s also coming from some media coverage misrepresenting what the data…

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People Are Still Moving, Even with Today’s Affordability Challenges

Kevin Brierton – 11.16.2023 If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you might have heard that it’s tough right now because mortgage rates are higher than they’ve been over the past few years, and home prices are rising. That much is true. Take a look at the graph below. It breaks down how the current affordability situation stacks up to recent…

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These Top Cities Show Home Prices Are Still Climbing

Kevin Brierton – 11.14.2023 If you’re considering buying a home or selling your current one to find something that better suits your needs, you may have questions about what’s happening with home prices today. Here’s what you need to know. There’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation out there. So, no matter what you may have heard, the national data shows…

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Life-Changing Events That Move the Housing Market

Kevin Brierton – 11.13.2023 Life is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, like the excitement of welcoming a new addition, retiring and starting a new adventure, or the bittersweet feeling of an empty nest. If something like this is changing in your own life, you may be considering buying or selling a house. That’s because through all…

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Thinking About Using Your 401(k) To Buy a Home?

Kevin Brierton – 11.8.2023 Are you dreaming of buying your own home and wondering about how you’ll save for a down payment? You’re not alone. Some people think about tapping into their 401(k) savings to make it happen. But before you decide to dip into your retirement to buy a home, be sure to consider all possible alternatives and talk…

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Homeowner Net Worth Has Skyrocketed

Kevin Brierton – 11.7.2023 If you’re weighing your options to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy a home today, here’s one key data point that could help you feel more confident in making your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve Board releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). That report covers the difference in net worth…

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Don’t Believe Everything You Read About Home Prices

Kevin Brierton – 11.2.2023 According to the latest data from Fannie Mae, 23% of Americans still think home prices will go down over the next twelve months. But why do roughly 1 in 4 people feel that way? It has a lot to do with all the negative talk about home prices over the past year. Since late…

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A Real Estate Agent Helps Take the Fear Out of the Market

Kevin Brierton – 10.30.2023 Do negative headlines and talk on social media have you feeling worried about the housing market? Maybe you’ve even seen or heard something lately that scares you and makes you wonder if you should still buy or sell a home right now. Regrettably, when news in the media isn’t easy to understand, it can make people…

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Affordable Homeownership Strategies for Gen Z

Kevin Brierton – 10.26.2023 The idea of owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream. It’s a symbol of stability, independence, and having a place to truly call your own. But for Gen Z, the “Zoomers” born between 1997 and 2012, making that dream a reality can feel like quite…

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Invest in Yourself by Owning a Home

Kevin Brierton – 10.25.2023 Are you wondering if it makes sense to buy a home right now? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two compelling reasons why it still may be a good time to become a homeowner. Home Values Appreciate Over Time There’s been a lot of confusion around what’s happened with home prices…

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