Posts Tagged ‘Real Estate’
Overcoming Housing Market Fears
The recent headlines broadcasting mortgage rates surpassing the 7% mark have instilled a sense of apprehension among potential homebuyers. In a market perceived as increasingly unaffordable, it’s easy to feel discouraged. However, with the right mortgage strategy, you can transform this challenging market into an opportunity. Historical Perspective on Mortgage Rates While current rates hovering…
Read MoreThe Truth About Down Payments
The Truth About Down Payments If you are planning to buy your first home, saving up for all the costs involved can feel daunting, especially when it comes to the down payment. That might be because you’ve heard you need to save 20% of the homes price to put down. Well, that isn’t necessarily the case. Unless specified…
Read MoreThe Real Impact of Unemployment on Mortgage Rates in 2024
If you’re waiting for mortgage rates to come down, you want to be paying attention to what is happening with inflation and the economy. Unfortunately, figuring out where the economy is heading in 2024 is not an easy task. We’ve been saying for a while that mortgage rates will start making meaningful progress lower once…
Read MoreThe Top Benefits of Buying a Multi-Generational Home
Kevin Brierton – 1.25.2024 Has the idea of sharing a home with loved ones like your grandparents, parents, or other relatives crossed your mind? If so, you’re not alone. More buyers are choosing to go this route and buy a multi-generational home. Here’s a look at some of the top reasons why, to see if…
Read More3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House in 2024
Kevin Brierton – 1.22.2024 If one of the goals on your list is selling your house and making a move this year, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement about what’s ahead and feeling a little sentimental about your current home. A great way to balance those emotions and make sure you’re confident in your decision is to keep…
Read MoreWhy You May Want To Seriously Consider a Newly Built Home
Kevin Brierton – 1.16.2024 Are you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move? If so, it may be time to consider a newly built home and the benefits that come with one. Here’s why. Near-Record Percentage of New Home Inventory Newly built…
Read MoreThe Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth
Kevin Brierton – 1.11.2024 If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home this year, here’s a powerful insight that could give you the clarity and confidence you need to make your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), which compares the net worth of homeowners and renters. The latest report…
Read MoreWays Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals
Kevin Brierton – 1.9.2024 If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth…
Read MoreWhat Lower Mortgage Rates Mean for Your Purchasing Power
Kevin Brierton – 1.8.2024 If you want to buy a home, it’s important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. Fortunately, rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have come down significantly since the end of October and are currently under 7%, according to Freddie Mac (see graph below): This recent trend is…
Read MoreThinking About Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions
Kevin Brierton – 1.3.2024 If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you’re probably paying closer attention than normal to the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a variety of channels: the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends and loved ones, the list goes on and on. Most likely, home prices and mortgage…
Read MoreThings To Consider If Your House Didn’t Sell
Kevin Brierton – 1.2.2024 If your listing has expired and your house didn’t sell, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. Understandably, you’re probably wondering what may have gone wrong. Here are three questions to think about as you figure out what to do next. Did You Limit Access to Your House?…
Read MoreWhat You Need To Know About Saving for a Home in 2024
Kevin Brierton – 12.28.2023 If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be. One way to ease those concerns is to make sure you understand some of the costs you may encounter upfront. And to do that, always turn to…
Read MoreRetiring Soon? Why Moving Might Be the Perfect Next Step
Kevin Brierton – 12.27.2023 If you’re thinking about retirement or have already retired this year, it’s a good time to consider if your current house is still a good fit for the next chapter in your life. Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few things…
Read MoreSell Smarter: Why Working with a Real Estate Agent May Beat Going Solo
Kevin Brierton – 12.21.2023 If you’re thinking about selling your house on your own, called “For Sale by Owner†or FSBO, there are some important things to consider. Going this route means taking on a lot of responsibilities by yourself – and that can be a bit of a headache. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found…
Read MoreExpert Quotes on the 2024 Housing Market Forecast
Kevin Brierton – 12.19.2023 If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home soon, you probably want to know what you can expect from the housing market in 2024. In 2023, higher mortgage rates, confusion over home price headlines, and a lack of homes for sale created some challenges for buyers and sellers looking to make a move. But what’s on the horizon…
Read MoreIf Your House Hasn’t Sold Yet, It May Be Overpriced
Kevin Brierton – 12.14.2023 Has your house been sitting on the market for a while without selling? If so, you should know that’s pretty unusual, especially right now. That’s because the supply of homes available for sale is still far lower than what we’d see in a normal year. That means buyers have fewer options than they usually would, so…
Read MoreDown Payment Assistance Programs Can Help Pave the Way to Homeownership
Kevin Brierton – 12.12.2023 If you’re looking to buy a home, your down payment doesn’t have to be a big hurdle. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 38% of first-time homebuyers find saving for a down payment the most challenging step. But the reality is, you probably don’t need to put down as much as you think:…
Read MoreThe Perfect Home Could Be the One You Perfect After Buying
Kevin Brierton – 12.11.2023 There’s no denying mortgage rates and home prices are higher now than they were last year and that’s impacting what you can afford. At the same time, there are still fewer homes available for sale than the norm. These are two of the biggest hurdles buyers are facing today. But there are ways to overcome these things and…
Read MoreWhy You Should Use a Real Estate Agent When You Buy a Home
Kevin Brierton – 12.7.2023 If you’ve recently decided you’re ready to become a homeowner, chances are you’re trying to figure out what to do first. It can feel a bit overwhelming to know where to start, but the good news is you don’t have to navigate all of that alone. When it comes to buying a…
Read MoreWhen You Sell Your House, Where Do You Plan To Go?
Kevin Brierton – 12.5.2023 If you’re thinking about selling your house, you may have heard the supply of homes for sale is still low, and that means your house should stand out to buyers who are craving more options. But you may also be wondering, once you sell, how does the current supply impact your own move? And,…
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