Posts Tagged ‘Homes’
What 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 MoreWhy Today’s Housing Market Isn’t Headed for a Crash
Kevin Brierton – 2.9.2023 67% of Americans say a housing market crash is imminent in the next three years. With all the talk in the media lately about shifts in the housing market, it makes sense why so many people feel this way. But there’s good news. Current data shows today’s market is nothing like it was before…
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 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 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 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 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 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…
Read MoreWondering How Much You Need To Save for a Down Payment?
Kevin Brierton – 1.3.2023 If you’re getting ready to buy your first home, you’re likely focused on saving up for everything that purchase involves. One cost that’s likely top of mind is your down payment. But don’t let a common misconception about how much you need to save make the process harder than it could…
Read MoreWhat Are Your Goals in the Housing Market This Year?
Kevin Brierton – 1.2.2023 If buying or selling a home is part of your dreams for 2023, it’s essential for you to understand today’s housing market, define your goals, and work with industry experts to bring your homeownership vision for the new year into focus. In the last year, high inflation had a big impact on the…
Read MoreWhat is a home equity line of credit (HELOC)?
A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a type of loan that allows you to borrow money using the equity in your home as collateral. It is similar to a credit card in that you are given a line of credit that you can draw from as needed, up to a certain limit. You…
Read MoreConfused About What’s Going on in the Housing Market? Lean on a Professional.
Kevin Brierton – 12.27.2022 If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you probably want to know what’s really happening with home prices, mortgage rates, housing supply, and more. That’s not an easy task considering how sensationalized headlines are today. Jay Thompson, Real Estate Industry Consultant, explains: “Housing market headlines are everywhere. Many are quite sensational, ending with exclamation points or…
Read MoreFinancial Fundamentals for First-Time Homebuyers
Kevin Brierton – 12.26.2022 Are you prepping to buy your first home? If so, one of the steps you should take early on is making sure you’re financially ready for your purchase. Here are just a few of the financial fundamentals you’ll need to focus on as you set out to buy a home. Build Your Credit…
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