Homeownership Is an Investment in Your Future

A house sitting on top of coins.

Kevin Brierton – 12.8.2022 There are many people thinking about buying a home, but with everything affecting the economy, some are wondering if it’s a smart decision to buy now or if it makes more sense to wait it out. As Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), explains: “The desire for homeownership is strong.…

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Key Advantages of Buying a Home Today

A view of houses in the evening from above.

Kevin Brierton – 12.7.2022 There’s no doubt buying a home today is different than it was over the past couple of years, and the shift in the market has led to advantages for buyers today. Right now, there are specific reasons that make this housing market attractive for those who’ve thought about buying but have sidelined their…

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What’s Going on with Home Prices? Ask a Professional.

A man and woman looking at a tablet.

Kevin Brierton – 12.6.2022 If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home this year, you may have questions about what’s happening with home prices today as the market cools. In the simplest sense, nationally, experts don’t expect prices to come crashing down, but the level of home price moderation will depend on factors like supply and demand in each local…

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3 Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity

A green door is in front of the house.

Kevin Brierton – 11.29.2022 If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years as home prices skyrocketed and you made your monthly mortgage payments. Home equity builds over time and can help you achieve certain goals. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the average borrower with a home loan has almost $300,000 in equity…

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What Homeowners Want To Know About Selling in Today’s Market

A woman standing on the sidewalk looking at her phone.

Kevin Brierton – 11.22.2022 If you’re thinking about selling your house, you’re likely hearing about the cooling housing market and wondering what that means for you. While it’s not the peak intensity we saw during the pandemic, we’re still in a sellers’ market. That means you haven’t missed your window. Realtor.com explains: “. . . while prospective home…

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Mortgage Rates Will Come Down, It’s Just a Matter of Time

A yellow alarm clock with the word " percent " on it.

Kevin Brierton – 11.21.2022 This past year, rising mortgage rates have slowed the red-hot housing market. Over the past nine months, we’ve seen fewer homes sold than the previous month as home price growth has slowed. All of this is due to the fact that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has doubled this year, severely…

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More People Are Finding the Benefits of Multigenerational Households Today

A group of people standing outside of a house.

Kevin Brierton – 11.17.2022 If you’re thinking of buying a home and living with siblings, parents, or grandparents, then multigenerational living may be for you. The Pew Research Center defines a multigenerational household as a home with two or more adult generations. And the number of individuals choosing multigenerational living has increased over the past 50 years.…

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Home Equity: A Source of Strength for Homeowners Today

A view of many houses from above.

Kevin Brierton – 11.14.2022 Experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like we saw back in 2008, and that’s good news for the housing market. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says: “. . . don’t expect a housing bust like the mid-2000s, as lending standards in this housing cycle have been much tighter…

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VA Loans Can Help Veterans Achieve Their Dream of Homeownership

A woman in military fatigues is sitting on steps.

Kevin Brierton – 11.10.2022 For over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes of their own. If you or a loved one have served, it’s important to understand this program and its benefits. Here are some things you should know about VA loans before you start…

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What’s Ahead for Mortgage Rates and Home Prices?

A blue house with a question mark above it.

Kevin Brierton – 11.9.2022 Now that the end of 2022 is within sight, you may be wondering what’s going to happen in the housing market next year and what that may mean if you’re thinking about buying a home. Here’s a look at the latest expert insights on both mortgage rates and home prices so you…

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Key Factors Affecting Home Affordability Today

A view of houses from above, with trees in the background.

Kevin Brierton – 11.7.2022 Every time there’s a news segment about the housing market, we hear about the affordability challenges buyers are facing today. Those headlines are focused on how much mortgage rates have climbed this year. And while it’s true rates have risen dramatically, it’s important to remember they aren’t the only factor in…

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Do You Believe Homeownership Is Out of Reach? Maybe It Doesn’t Have To Be.

Two people standing in front of a house.

Kevin Brierton – 11.3.2022 It turns out, millennials aren’t the renter generation after all. The 2022 Consumer Insights Report from Mynd says there’s a portion of millennial and Gen Z buyers who are pursuing homeownership as a way to build their wealth, but it may not be exactly the way previous generations have done it. The study explains how they’re breaking into the market: “.…

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Sell Your House Before the Holidays

A white fence in front of a house.

Kevin Brierton – 11.2.2022 As you look ahead to the winter season, you’re likely making plans and thinking about what you want to achieve before the year ends. One of those key decision points could be whether or not you want to move this year. If the location or size of your current home no…

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3 Trends That Are Good News for Today’s Homebuyers

Three toy houses in a row on the grass.

Kevin Brierton – 11.1.2022 While higher mortgage rates are creating affordability challenges for homebuyers this year, there is some good news for those people still looking to buy a home. As the market has cooled this year, some of the intensity buyers faced during the peak frenzy of the pandemic has cooled too. Here are just a few trends…

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