Posts Tagged ‘homebuying’
Why Aren’t Home Prices Falling as Inventory Rises?
Kevin Brierton – 2.4.2024 2024 is shaping up to be a year of solid home appreciation following the numbers that are coming in from last year. Recent reports from CoreLogic and Redfin confirm that home prices rose in 2023 despite rough homebuying conditions. Not only that, but the 2023 numbers eclipsed the ones we saw…
Read MoreWhy Pre-Approval Is Your Homebuying Game Changer
Kevin Brierton – 1.4.2024 If you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial part of the process you don’t want to skip. So, before you start picturing yourself in your new living room or dining on your future all-season patio, be sure you’re working with a trusted lender to prioritize this essential step.…
Read MoreGet Ready To Buy a Home by Improving Your Credit Score
Kevin Brierton – 12.26.2023 As the new year approaches, the idea of buying a home might be on your mind. It’s an exciting goal to set, and it’s never too early to start laying the groundwork. One crucial step to prepare for homeownership is building a solid credit score. Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make…
Read MoreWhy Mortgage Rates Could Continue To Decline
Kevin Brierton – 12.20.2023 When you read about the housing market, you’ll probably come across some information about inflation or recent decisions made by the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But how do those two things impact you and your homebuying plans? Here’s what you need to know. The Federal Funds Rate Hikes Have Stalled One of the Fed’s primary goals…
Read MoreHome 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…
Read MoreNo, A ‘Housing Recession’ Does Not Mean Falling Home Prices
Kevin Brierton – 11.13.2023 Last week, an article was posted to fortune.com with this headline: The housing market is headed back to a 1980s-style recession, Wells Fargo says—and it’s all because of ‘higher for longer’ mortgage rates On first read, this clearly sounds like a warning that home prices are going to fall because of…
Read MoreWhy Zillow Says Fall 2023 is a Homebuying “Sweet Spot”
Kevin Brierton – 10.15.2023 Most people grow up dreaming of owning a home someday, escaping the cloud of rising rents, and building wealth through home equity. However, with the recent surge in home prices, you may be wondering if this is the smartest move today. With home prices so high, is it worth buying a…
Read MoreBeginning with Pre-Approval
Kevin Brierton – 9.25.2023 If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some competition among buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there…
Read MoreLook Beyond Rates: The Keys to Picking the Right Mortgage Lender
In an environment where mortgage rates are rising, many homebuyers decide that getting the lowest interest rate is the most important factor when choosing a mortgage lender. And while a competitive rate is important and should be considered when shopping for a home loan, focusing solely on the rate and ignoring other important parts of…
Read MoreExpert Home Price Forecasts Revised Up for 2023
Kevin Brierton – 9.5.2023 Toward the end of last year, there were a number of headlines saying home prices were going to fall substantially in 2023. That led to a lot of fear and questions about whether there was going to be a repeat of the housing crash that happened back in 2008. But the headlines got…
Read MoreGen Z: The Next Generation Is Making Moves in the Housing Market
Kevin Brierton – 8.28.2023 Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership. According to the latest Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 30% of Gen Z buyers transitioned straight from living under their parents’ roofs to owning…
Read MoreHomebuyers Are Still More Active Than Usual
Kevin Brierton – 7.27.2023 Even though the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy that was so characteristic of the last couple of years, it doesn’t mean today’s market is at a standstill. In actuality, buyer traffic is still strong today. The ShowingTime Showing Index is a measure of how much buyers are touring homes. The graph…
Read MoreDon’t Fall for the Next Shocking Headlines About Home Prices
Kevin Brierton – 7.25.2023 If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? And it’s no surprise you don’t have the clarity you need on that topic. Part of the issue is how headlines are talking about prices. They’re basing their negative news by comparing current stats…
Read MoreHow Remote Work Expands Your Homebuying Horizons
Kevin Brierton – 7.13.2023 Even as some companies transition back into the office, remote work remains a popular choice for many professionals. So, if you currently enjoy working from home or hope to be able to soon, you’re not alone. According to a recent survey, most working professionals want to work either fully remote or hybrid…
Read MoreEvaluating Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Matters More Today
Kevin Brierton – 7.3.2023 When it comes to buying a home, especially with today’s affordability challenges, you’ll want to be strategic. Mortgage rates impact how much it costs to borrow money for your home loan. And, to help offset the higher borrowing costs today, some homebuyers are taking a close look at their wish list…
Read MoreSaving for a Down Payment? Here’s What You Need To Know.
Kevin Brierton – 6.19.2023 If you’re planning to buy your first home, then you’re probably focused on saving for all the costs involved in such a big purchase. One of the expenses that may be at the top of your mind is your down payment. If you’re intimidated by how much you need to save…
Read MoreOops! Home Prices Didn’t Crash After All
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…
Read MoreThe Impact of Inflation on Mortgage Rates
Kevin Brierton – 5.10.2023 If you’re reading headlines about inflation or mortgage rates, you may see something about the recent decision from the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But what does it mean for you, the housing market, and your plans to buy a home? Here’s what you need to know. Inflation and the Housing Market While…
Read MoreA Recession Doesn’t Equal a Housing Crisis
Kevin Brierton – 5.2.2023 Everywhere you look, people are talking about a potential recession. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, this may leave you wondering if your plans are still a wise move. To help ease your mind, experts are saying that if we do officially enter a recession, it’ll be…
Read MoreWhy Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Are Nothing Like 2008
Kevin Brierton – 4.27.2023 You’ve likely seen headlines about the number of foreclosures climbing in today’s housing market. That may leave you with a few questions, especially if you’re thinking about buying a house. Understanding what they really mean is mission-critical if you want to know the truth about what’s happening today. According to a…
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