Homeowner Net Worth Has Skyrocketed

A blue piggy bank with a small house on top of it.

Kevin Brierton – 11.7.2023 If you’re weighing your options to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy a home today, here’s one key data point that could help you feel more confident in making your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve Board releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). That report covers the difference in net worth…

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Reasons To Sell Your House Before the New Year

A house with leaves on the ground and chairs in front of it.

Kevin Brierton – 11.6.2023 As the year winds down, you may have decided it’s time to make a move and put your house on the market. But should you sell now or wait until January? While it may be tempting to hold off until after the holidays, here are three reasons to make your move…

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What Are Accessory Dwelling Units and How Can They Benefit You?

A white house sitting in the middle of a field.

Kevin Brierton – 11.1.2023 Maybe you’re in the market for a home and are having a hard time finding the right one that fits your budget. Or perhaps you’re already a homeowner in need of extra income or a place for loved ones. Whether as a potential homebuyer or a homeowner with changing needs, accessory dwelling units, or ADUs for…

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Affordable Homeownership Strategies for Gen Z

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Kevin Brierton – 10.26.2023 The idea of owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream. It’s a symbol of stability, independence, and having a place to truly call your own. But for Gen Z, the “Zoomers” born between 1997 and 2012, making that dream a reality can feel like quite…

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Invest in Yourself by Owning a Home

A house with grass and trees in front of it.

Kevin Brierton – 10.25.2023 Are you wondering if it makes sense to buy a home right now? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two compelling reasons why it still may be a good time to become a homeowner. Home Values Appreciate Over Time There’s been a lot of confusion around what’s happened with home prices…

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Why Home Prices Keep Going Up

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Kevin Brierton – 10.23.2023 If you’ve ever dreamed of buying your own place or selling your current house to upgrade, you’re no stranger to the rollercoaster of emotions that changing home prices can stir up. It’s a tale of financial goals, doubts, and a dash of anxiety that many have been through. But if you put off…

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Understanding Your Mortgage Options During a Divorce

A judge 's gavel and paper cut outs of family with house

Divorce is never easy. It is often painful, complicated and something that most people just want to get through.  Whether you are legally separated, getting divorced, or already divorced, you may need to remove your ex from your mortgage and assume the loan on your own and you may be wondering what your options are. …

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What Are the Real Reasons You Want To Move Right Now?

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Kevin Brierton – 10.18.2023 If you’re considering selling your house right now, it’s likely because something in your life has changed. And while things like mortgage rates play a big role in your decision, you don’t want that to overshadow why you thought about making a move in the first place. It’s true mortgage rates are higher right now, and that…

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Are Higher Mortgage Rates Here To Stay?

A wooden block with a red question mark and a percent sign.

Kevin Brierton – 10.16.2023 Mortgage rates have been back on the rise recently and that’s getting a lot of attention from the press. If you’ve been following the headlines, you may have even seen rates recently reached their highest level in over two decades (see graph below):   That can feel like a little bit of a gut punch…

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Explaining Adjustable Rate Mortgages

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Kevin Brierton – 10.8.2023 When it comes to mortgages, there’s a wide array of options to choose from, and one that often piques the interest of homebuyers is the adjustable-rate mortgage or ARM. But what exactly is an ARM, and how does it differ from the more traditional fixed-rate mortgage? Let’s break it down: What…

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Are You a Homebuyer Worried About Climate Risks?

A close up of the roof of a house

Kevin Brierton – 10.5.2023 The increasing effects of natural disasters are leading to new obstacles in residential real estate. As a recent article from CoreLogic explains: “As the specter of climate change looms large, the world braces for unprecedented challenges. In the world of real estate, one of those challenges will be the effects of natural catastrophes on…

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Understanding the Benefits of Owning Your First Home

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Kevin Brierton – 10.4.2023 Are you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a recent survey of first-time homebuyers by PulteGroup: “When asked why they purchased their first home recently, the answer was simple: because they wanted to. Either the desire to stop renting…

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Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership

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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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The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price Appreciation

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Kevin Brierton – 9.26.2023 If you’re thinking of making a move, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? Despite what you may be hearing in the news, nationally, home prices aren’t falling. It’s just that price growth is beginning to normalize. Here’s the context you need to really understand that trend. In…

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Beginning with Pre-Approval

A key with a house shaped keychain hanging from the handle of a door knob.

Kevin Brierton – 9.25.2023 If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some competition among buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there…

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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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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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