Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership

A man and woman carrying boxes in a room.

Kevin Brierton – 10.2.2023 If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if it still makes sense to buy a home right now. While those market factors are important, there’s more to consider. You should think about the long-term benefits of homeownership too. Think about…

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Your Home Equity Can Offset Affordability Challenges

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Kevin Brierton – 9.19.2023 Are you thinking about selling your house? If so, today’s mortgage rates may be making you wonder if that’s the right decision. Some homeowners are reluctant to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on their next home. If you’re worried about this too, know that even though rates are high right now,…

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Are More Homes Coming onto the Market?

A row of houses on the side of a street.

Kevin Brierton – 9.18.2023 An important factor shaping today’s market is the number of homes for sale. And, if you’re considering whether or not to list your house, that’s one of the biggest advantages you have right now. When housing inventory is this low, your house will stand out, especially if it’s priced right. But there are some early…

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Why Is Housing Inventory So Low?

A row of houses with flowers in the front yard.

Kevin Brierton – 9.14.2023 One question that’s top of mind if you’re thinking about making a move today is: Why is it so hard to find a house to buy? And while it may be tempting to wait it out until you have more options, that’s probably not the best strategy. Here’s why. There aren’t enough homes available for sale,…

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Should Baby Boomers Buy or Rent After Selling Their Houses?

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Kevin Brierton – 9.13.2023 Are you a baby boomer who’s lived in your current house for a long time and you’re ready for a change? If you’re thinking about selling your house, you have a lot to consider. Will you move to a different state or stay nearby? Is it time to downsize or do you want more…

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Planning to Retire? Your Equity Can Help You Make a Move

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Kevin Brierton – 9.11.2023 Reaching retirement is a significant milestone in life, bringing with it a lot of change and new opportunities. As the door to this exciting chapter opens, one thing you may be considering is selling your house and finding a home better suited for your evolving needs. Fortunately, you may be in a better position…

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Expert Home Price Forecasts Revised Up for 2023

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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…

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How Inflation Affects the Housing Market

A row of houses with green grass on the front lawn.

Kevin Brierton – 8.31.2023 Have you ever wondered how inflation impacts the housing market? Believe it or not, they’re connected. Whenever there are changes to one, both are affected. Here’s a high-level overview of the connection between the two. The Relationship Between Housing Inflation and Overall Inflation Shelter inflation is the measure of price growth specific to housing.…

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Why You May Still Want To Sell Your House After All

A young family sitting on the floor of their home.

Kevin Brierton – 8.29.2023 Even though you may feel reluctant to sell your house because you don’t want to take on a mortgage rate that’s higher than the one you have now, there’s more to consider. While the financial side of things does matter, your personal needs may actually matter just as much. As an article from Bankrate says: “Deciding whether…

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Don’t Expect a Flood of Foreclosures

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Kevin Brierton – 8.16.2023 The rising cost of just about everything from groceries to gas right now is leading to speculation that more people won’t be able to afford their mortgage payments. And that’s creating concern that a lot of foreclosures are on the horizon. While it’s true that foreclosure filings have gone up a bit compared…

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Equity Is a Game Changer for Homeowners Looking To Sell

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Kevin Brierton – 8.15.2023 If you’re a homeowner, you might be torn on whether or not to sell your house right now. Maybe that’s because you don’t want to take on a higher mortgage rate on your next home. If that’s your biggest hurdle, understanding your equity may be exactly what you need to help you feel more comfortable making…

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Where Are People Moving Today and Why?

A woman standing in front of a window holding papers.

Kevin Brierton – 8.14.2023 Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market and wondering what you can do to help offset those. A new report from Gravy Analytics provides insight into where people are searching for homes and what they’re prioritizing most right…

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About 11,000 Houses Will Sell Today

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Kevin Brierton – 8.10.2023 Some homeowners have been waiting for months to put their house on the market because they don’t think people are buying homes right now. If that’s you, know that even though the housing market has slowed compared to the frenzy of a couple of years ago, it isn’t at a standstill. Contrary to what you may believe,…

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Sellers: Don’t Let These Two Things Hold You Back

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Kevin Brierton – 8.1.2023 Many homeowners thinking about selling have two key things holding them back. That’s feeling locked in by today’s higher mortgage rates and worrying they won’t be able to find something to buy while supply is so low. Let’s dive into each challenge and give you some helpful advice on how to overcome these…

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Foreclosure Numbers Today Aren’t Like 2008

A red and white paper house sitting on top of green leaves.

Kevin Brierton – 7.24.2023 If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you’ve probably come across headlines talking about the increase in foreclosures in today’s housing market. This may have left you with some uncertainty, especially if you’re considering buying a home. It’s important to understand the context of these reports to know the truth…

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Why Homeownership Wins in the Long Run

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Kevin Brierton – 6.27.2023 Today’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to think about the long-term benefits of homeownership when making your decision. Consider this: if…

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The True Cost of Selling Your House on Your Own

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Kevin Brierton – 6.26.2023 Selling your house is no simple task. While some homeowners opt to sell their homes on their own, known as an FSBO (For Sale by Owner), they often encounter various challenges without the guidance of a real estate agent. If you’re currently considering selling your house on your own, here’s what…

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