Posts Tagged ‘Mortgage’
How To Make Your Dream of Homeownership a Reality
Kevin Brierton – 2.23.2023 According to a recent Harris Poll survey, 8 in 10 Americans say buying a home is a priority, and 28 million Americans actually plan to buy within the next 12 months. Homeownership provides many financial and nonfinancial benefits so that interest is understandable. However, it’s unlikely all 28 million Americans will accomplish that goal in the…
Read MoreA Smaller Home Could Be Your Best Option
Kevin Brierton – 2.22.2023 Many people are reaching the point in their lives when they need to decide where they want to live when they retire. If you’re a homeowner approaching this stage, you have several options to explore. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice President of Research at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: “As…
Read MoreThe Two Big Issues the Housing Market’s Facing Right Now
Kevin Brierton – 2.21.2023 The biggest challenge the housing market faces is how few homes there are for sale. Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, explains the root causes of today’s low supply: “Two dynamics are keeping existing-home inventory historically low – rate-locked existing homeowners and the fear of not finding something to buy.†Let’s break down these two big…
Read MoreSpring into Action: Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal with Expert Guidance
Kevin Brierton – 2.20.2023 To sell your home this spring, it may need more preparation than it would have a year or two ago. Today’s housing market has a different feel. There are more homes for sale than there were at this time last year, but inventory is still historically low. So, if a house has been…
Read MoreShould 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 MoreWhy It’s Easy To Fall in Love with Homeownership
Kevin Brierton – 2.14.2023 No matter how the housing market changes, there are some things about owning a home that never changes—like the personal benefits it can provide. When you own your home, you likely feel a sense of attachment because of the comfort it gives and also because it’s a space that’s truly yours. Over the last…
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 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 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 MoreHow 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 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 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 More