Posts Tagged ‘Homeownership’
How Experts Can Help Close the Gap in Today’s Homeownership Rate
Kevin Brierton – 2.7.2023 As we celebrate Black History Month, we reflect on the past and present experiences of Black Americans. This includes the path toward investing in a home of their own. And while equitable access to housing has come a long way, homeownership can be a steeper climb for households of color. It’s…
Read MoreThe Top Reasons for Selling Your House
Kevin Brierton – 2.6.2023 Many of today’s homeowners bought or refinanced their homes during the pandemic when mortgage rates were at history-making lows. Since rates doubled in 2022, some of those homeowners put their plans to move on hold, not wanting to lose the low mortgage rate they have on their current house. And while…
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 MoreWhere Will You Go If You Sell? You Have Options.
Kevin Brierton – 1.30.2023 There are plenty of good reasons you might be ready to move. No matter your motivations, before you list your current house, you need to consider where you’ll go next. In today’s market, it makes sense to explore all your options. That includes both homes that have been lived in before as well…
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 MoreWant To Sell Your House? Price It Right.
Kevin Brierton – 1.23.2023 Last year, the housing market slowed down in response to higher mortgage rates, and that had an impact on home prices. If you’re considering selling your house soon, you’ll want to adjust your expectations accordingly. As realtor.com explains: “. . . some of the more prominent pandemic trends have changed, so sellers might wish…
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…
Read MoreIs It Time To Sell Your Second Home?
Kevin Brierton – 1.12.2023 During the pandemic, second homes became popular because of the rise in work-from-home flexibility. That’s because owning a second home, especially in the luxury market, allowed those homeowners to spend more time in their favorite places or with different home features. Keep in mind, a luxury home isn’t only defined by…
Read MoreToday’s Housing Market Is Nothing Like 15 Years Ago
Kevin Brierton – 1.11.2023 There’s no doubt today’s housing market is very different than the frenzied one from the past couple of years. In the second half of 2022, there was a dramatic shift in real estate, and it caused many people to make comparisons to the 2008 housing crisis. While there may be a few similarities,…
Read MoreThe Truth About Negative Home Equity Headlines
Kevin Brierton – 1.10.2023 Home equity has been a hot topic in real estate news lately. And if you’ve been following along, you may have heard there’s a growing number of homeowners with negative equity. But don’t let those headlines scare you. In truth, the headlines don’t give you all the information you really need to understand what’s happening…
Read MoreWhat Experts Are Saying About the 2023 Housing Market
Kevin Brierton 1.9.2023 If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home soon, you probably want to know what you can expect from the housing market this year. In 2022, the market underwent a major shift as economic uncertainty and higher mortgage rates reduced buyer demand, slowed the pace of home sales, and moderated home prices. But what about 2023?…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Steps of the Homebuying Process
Kevin Brierton – 1.8.2023 So you’re ready to buy a house, but you aren’t sure how the whole process works. While each real estate deal is different and can vary in a multitude of ways, for the most part, buying a house is pretty straightforward and follows the same timeline. It’s important to keep a…
Read More2023 Housing Forecast: What to Expect With Rates, Prices, and the Economy!
The U.S. housing market in 2022 was a rollercoaster. The year started with home prices at record highs and interest rates still closely holding the all-time lows that were set over the previous two years. This all changed in the summer of 2022 when rates began to tick up to the highest they had been…
Read More3 Best Practices for Selling Your House This Year
Kevin Brierton – 1.5.2023 A new year brings with it the opportunity for new experiences. If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement over your next home and a sense of attachment to your current one. A great way to ease some of those emotions and…
Read MoreAvoid the Rental Trap in 2023
Kevin Brierton – 1.4.2023 If you’re a renter, you likely face an important decision every year: renew your current lease, start a new one, or buy a home. This year is no different. But before you dive too deeply into your options, it helps to understand the true costs of renting moving forward. In the…
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