Posts Tagged ‘Homebuyer’
Could a Multigenerational Home Be the Right Fit for You?
Kevin Brierton – 3.7.2023 During the pandemic, many of us reexamined the meaning of home for ourselves and our loved ones. Today, that can be seen in the recent rise in multigenerational households. According to Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Economic Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Multi-generational buying may be a home where families live in…
Read MoreIs It Really Better To Rent Than To Own a Home Right Now?
Kevin Brierton – 3.6.2023 You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s better to rent right now than it is to own your home. But before you let that impact your decisions, you should understand what these claims are based on. A lot of the time, these reports are assuming things that aren’t…
Read MoreWhat You Should Know About Rising Mortgage Rates
Kevin Brierton – 3.2.2023 After steadily falling over the winter, mortgage rates have started to rise in recent weeks. This is concerning to some potential homebuyers as the combination of higher mortgage rates and higher prices have made homes less affordable. So, if you’re planning to purchase a home this year, you too may be wondering if now’s the…
Read MoreOne Major Benefit of Investing in a Home
Kevin Brierton – 3.1.2023 One of the many reasons to buy a home is that it’s a major way to build wealth and gain financial stability. According to Freddie Mac: “Building equity through your monthly principal payments and appreciation is a critical part of homeownership that can help you create financial stability.” With spring approaching, now’s a great…
Read MoreEquity Gains for Today’s Homeowners
Kevin Brierton – 2.28.2023 Today’s homeowners are sitting on significant equity, even as home price appreciation has eased recently. If you’re a homeowner, your net worth got a boost over the past few years thanks to rising home prices. Here’s what it means for you, even as the market moderates. How Equity Has Grown in Recent Years …
Read MoreA Smaller Home Could Be Your Best Option
Kevin Brierton – 2.22.2023 Many people are reaching the point in their lives when they need to decide where they want to live when they retire. If you’re a homeowner approaching this stage, you have several options to explore. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: “As…
Read MoreThe Two Big Issues the Housing Market’s Facing Right Now
Kevin Brierton – 2.21.2023 The biggest challenge the housing market faces is how few homes there are for sale. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains the root causes of today’s low supply: “Two dynamics are keeping existing-home inventory historically low – rate-locked existing homeowners and the fear of not finding something to buy.” Let’s break down these two big…
Read MoreShould You Consider Buying a Newly Built Home?
Kevin Brierton – 2.15.2022 If you’re thinking about buying a home, you might be focusing on previously owned ones. But with so few houses for sale today, it makes sense to consider all your options, including a newly built home. The Number of Newly Built Homes Is on the Rise While there are more houses for…
Read MoreWhy It’s Easy To Fall in Love with Homeownership
Kevin Brierton – 2.14.2023 No matter how the housing market changes, there are some things about owning a home that never changes—like the personal benefits it can provide. When you own your home, you likely feel a sense of attachment because of the comfort it gives and also because it’s a space that’s truly yours. Over the last…
Read MoreWhat You Should Know About Closing Costs
Kevin Brierton – 2.13.2023 Before you buy a home, it’s important to plan ahead. While most buyers consider how much they need to save for a down payment, many are surprised by the closing costs they have to pay. To ensure you aren’t caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home, you need to…
Read MoreNumber of Homes for Sale Up from Last Year, but Below Pre-Pandemic Years
Kevin Brierton – 2.8.2023 The biggest challenge in the housing market right now, and likely for years to come, is how few homes there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy. That’s why, if you’re thinking about selling your house, this is a great time to do so. Your…
Read MoreExperts Forecast a Turnaround in the Housing Market in 2023
Kevin Brierton – 2.2.2023 The housing market has gone through a lot of change recently, and much of that was a result of how quickly mortgage rates rose last year. Now, as we move through 2023, there are signs things are finally going to turn around. Home price appreciation is slowing from the recent frenzy, mortgage rates are coming down,…
Read MoreShould You Rent Your House or Sell It?
Kevin Brierton – 2.1.2023 If you’re a homeowner ready to make a move, you may be thinking about using your current house as a short-term rental property instead of selling it. A short-term rental (STR) is typically offered as an alternative to a hotel, and they’re an investment that’s gained popularity in recent years. According to a Harris Poll survey, 28%…
Read MoreLower Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back to the Market
Kevin Brierton – 1.31.2023 As mortgage rates rose last year, activity in the housing market slowed down. And as a result, homes started seeing fewer offers and stayed on the market longer. That meant some homeowners decided to press pause on selling. Now, however, rates are beginning to come down—and buyers are starting to reenter the market.…
Read MoreWhy It Makes Sense To Move Before Spring
Kevin Brierton – 1.26.2023 Spring is usually the busiest season in the housing market. Many buyers wait until then to make their move, believing it’s the best time to find a home. However, that isn’t always the case when you factor in the competition you could face with other buyers at that time of year.…
Read MoreWhy You Shouldn’t Fear Today’s Foreclosure Headlines
kevin Brierton – 1.25.2023 If you’ve seen recent headlines about foreclosures surging in the housing market, you’re certainly not alone. There’s no doubt, the stories in the media can be pretty confusing right now. They may even make you think twice about buying a home for fear that prices could crash. The reality is, the data shows…
Read MoreThe 3 Factors That Affect Home Affordability
Kevin Brierton – 1.24.2023 If you’ve been following the housing market over the last couple of years, you’ve likely heard about growing affordability challenges. But according to experts, the key factors that determine housing affordability are projected to improve this year. Selma Hepp, Executive, Deputy Chief Economist at CoreLogic, shares: “. . . with slowly improving affordability and…
Read MorePre-Approval in 2023: What You Need To Know
Kevin Brierton – 1.19.2023 One of the first steps in your home-buying journey is getting pre-approved. To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to understand what pre-approval is and what it does for you. Business Insider explains: “In a preapproval [sic], the lender tells you which types of loans you may be eligible to take out, how much you…
Read MoreThink Twice Before Waiting for 3% Mortgage Rates
Kevin Brierton – 1.17.2023 Last year, the Federal Reserve took action to try to bring down inflation. In response to those efforts, mortgage rates jumped up rapidly from the record lows we saw in 2021, peaking at just over 7% last October. Hopeful buyers experienced a hit to their purchasing power as a result, and some decided to press pause on their…
Read MoreWhat Past Recessions Tell Us About the Housing Market
Kevin Brierton – 1.16.2023 It doesn’t matter if you’re someone who closely follows the economy or not, chances are you’ve heard whispers of an upcoming recession. Economic conditions are determined by a broad range of factors, so rather than explaining them each in-depth, let’s lean on the experts and what history tells us to see…
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