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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Why the Median Home Price Is Meaningless in Today’s Market

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Kevin Brierton – 6.20.2023 The National Association of Realtors (NAR) will release its latest Existing Home Sales (EHS) report later this week. This monthly report provides information on the sales volume and price trend for previously owned homes. In the upcoming release, it’ll likely say home prices are down. This may feel a bit confusing,…

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A Drop in Equity Doesn’t Mean Low Equity

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Kevin Brierton – 6.14.2023 You may see media coverage talking about a drop in homeowner equity. What’s important to understand is that equity is tied closely to home values. So, when home prices appreciate, you can expect equity to grow. And when home prices decline, equity does too. Here’s how this has played out recently. …

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Your Needs Matter More Than Today’s Mortgage Rates

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Kevin Brierton – 6.13.2023 If you’re thinking about selling your house right now, chances are it’s because something in your life has changed. And, while things like mortgage rates are a key part of your decision on what you’ll buy next, it’s important to not lose sight of the reason you want to make a…

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The Main Reason Mortgage Rates Are So High

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Kevin Brierton – 6.7.2023 Today’s mortgage rates are top-of-mind for many homebuyers right now. As a result, if you’re thinking about buying for the first time or selling your current house to move into a home that better fits your needs, you may be asking yourself these two questions:  Here’s context you need to help…

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Today’s Real Estate Market: The ‘Unicorns’ Have Galloped Off

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Kevin Brierton – 5.30.2023 Comparing real estate metrics from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market. That’s due to possible variability in the market making the comparison less meaningful or accurate. Unpredictable events can have a significant impact on the circumstances and outcomes being compared.  Comparing this year’s numbers to…

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Powerful Job Market Fuels Homebuyer Demand

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Kevin Brierton – 5.18.2023 The spring housing market has been surprisingly active this year. Even with affordability challenges and a limited number of homes for sale, buyer demand is strong and getting stronger. One way we know there are interested buyers right now is because showing traffic is up. Data from the latest ShowingTime Showing…

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What You Need To Know About Home Price News

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Kevin Brierton – 5.17.2023 The National Association of Realtors (NAR) will release its latest Existing Home Sales Report tomorrow. The information it contains on home prices may cause some confusion and could even generate some troubling headlines. This all stems from the fact that NAR will report the median sales price, while other home price indices…

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The Worst Home Price Declines Are Behind Us

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Kevin Brierton – 5.16.2023 If you’re following the news today, you may feel a bit unsure about what’s happening with home prices and fear whether or not the worst is yet to come. That’s because today’s headlines are painting an unnecessarily negative picture. Contrary to those headlines, home prices aren’t in a freefall. The latest…

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The Impact of Inflation on Mortgage Rates

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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…

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Buyer Activity Is Up Despite Higher Mortgage Rates

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Kevin Brierton – 5.3.2023 If you’re a homeowner thinking about making a move, you may wonder if it’s still a good time to sell your house. Here’s the good news. Even with higher mortgage rates, buyer traffic is actually picking up speed. Data from the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively…

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A Recession Doesn’t Equal a Housing Crisis

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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…

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Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today

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Kevin Brierton – 5.1.2023 Wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the Census shows rents have been climbing pretty steadily since 1988. …

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The Three Factors Affecting Home Affordability Today

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Kevin Brierton – 4.26.2023 There’s been a lot of focus on higher mortgage rates and how they’re creating affordability challenges for today’s homebuyers. It’s true that rates climbed dramatically since the record-low we saw during the pandemic. But home affordability is based on more than just mortgage rates – it’s determined by a combination of…

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What Are the Experts Saying About the Spring Housing Market?

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Kevin Brierton – 4.25.2023 The housing market’s been going through a lot of change lately, and there’s been uncertainty surrounding what will happen this spring. You may be wondering if more homes will go on the market, what’s next with home prices and mortgage rates, or what the best advice is for someone in your…

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The Power of Pre-Approval

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Kevin Brierton – 4.24.2023 If you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge. With so few houses on the market right now, plus higher mortgage rates, it’s essential to have a firm grasp on your homebuying budget. You’ll also need a sense of determination to find the right house…

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5 Reasons Millennials Are Buying Homes

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Kevin Brierton – 4.18.2023 In the United States, there are over 72 million millennials. If you’re part of that generation and have thought about buying a home, you aren’t alone. According to Zonda, 98% of millennials want to become a homeowner at some point if they aren’t already. But why? There are plenty of reasons…

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