Posts Tagged ‘Mortgage Rates’
Should You Consider Buying a Newly Built Home?
Kevin Brierton – 2.15.2022 If you’re thinking about buying a home, you might be focusing on previously owned ones. But with so few houses for sale today, it makes sense to consider all your options, including a newly built home. The Number of Newly Built Homes Is on the Rise While there are more houses for…
Read MoreWhat 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 MoreNumber of Homes for Sale Up from Last Year, but Below Pre-Pandemic Years
Kevin Brierton – 2.8.2023 The biggest challenge in the housing market right now, and likely for years to come, is how few homes there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy. That’s why, if you’re thinking about selling your house, this is a great time to do so. Your…
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 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 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 MoreHave Home Values Hit Bottom?
Kevin Brierton – 1.18.2023 Whether you’re already a homeowner or you’re looking to become one, the recent headlines about home prices may leave you with more questions than answers. News stories are talking about home prices falling, and that’s raising concerns about a repeat of what happened to prices in the crash in 2008. One of the questions that’s on…
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 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 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 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 MoreHow much does it impact your credit score to have your credit pulled for a new lease or rental?
Having your credit checked as part of the rental application process can potentially impact your credit score. Credit checks for rental applications are known as “soft inquiries,” which means they are not visible to lenders and do not affect your credit score. However, if you have a lot of soft inquiries in a short period…
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…
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