Based on what you’re hearing in the news about home prices, you may be worried they’re falling. But here’s the thing. The headlines aren’t giving you the full picture.If you look at the national data for 2023, home prices actually showed positive growth for the year. While this varies by market, and while there were some months with slight declines nationally, those were the exception, not the Continue Reading
Archives for February 2024
Why So Many People Fall in Love with Homeownership
Chances are at some point in your life you’ve heard the phrase, home is where the heart is. There’s a reason that’s said so often. Becoming a homeowner is emotional.So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to keep on renting or if you’re ready to buy a home this year, here’s why it’s so easy to fall in love with homeownership.Customizing to Your Heart’s DesireYour house should be a space that’s Continue Reading
Bridging the Gaps on the Road to Homeownership
Homeownership is a major part of the American Dream. But, the path to achieving this dream can be quite difficult. While progress has been made to improve fair housing access, households of color still face unique challenges on the road to owning a home. Working with the right real estate experts can make all the difference for diverse buyers.It's clear that achieving homeownership is more Continue Reading
What’s Really Happening with Mortgage Rates?
Are you feeling a bit unsure about what’s really happening with mortgage rates? That might be because you’ve heard someone say they’re coming down. But then you read somewhere else that they’re up again. And that may leave you scratching your head and wondering what’s true.The simplest answer is: that what you read or hear will vary based on the time frame they’re looking at. Here’s some Continue Reading
Winning Plays for Buying a Home in Today’s Market [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some HighlightsIn today's housing market, you can still come out on top if you have the right team and plan.To win when buying a home, you need to build your team, make strategic plays, consider what’s in and out of bounds, and stand out from the crowd.Connect with a local real estate agent today to make your winning move. Continue Reading
Home Equity Can Be a Game Changer When You Sell
Are you on the fence about selling your house? While affordability is improving this year, it’s still tight. And that may be on your mind. But understanding your home equity could be the key to making your decision easier. An article from Bankrate explains:“Home equity is the difference between your home's value and the amount you still owe on your mortgage. It represents the paid-off portion of Continue Reading
Why Pre-Approval Is Even More Important This Year
On the road to becoming a homeowner? If so, you may have heard the term pre-approval get tossed around. Let’s break down what it is and why it’s important if you’re looking to buy a home in 2024.What Pre-Approval IsAs part of the homebuying process, your lender will look at your finances to figure out what they’re willing to loan you. According to Investopedia, this includes things like your W-2, Continue Reading
Houses Are Still Selling Fast
Have you been thinking about selling your house? If so, here’s some good news. While the housing market isn't as frenzied as it was during the ‘unicorn’ years when houses were selling quicker than ever, they’re still selling faster than normal.The graph below uses data from Realtor.com to tell the story of median days on the market for every January from 2017 all the way through the latest numbers Continue Reading
Why Having Your Own Agent Matters When Buying a New Construction Home
Finding the right home is one of the biggest challenges for potential buyers today. Right now, the supply of homes for sale is still low. But there is a bright spot. Newly built homes make up a larger percent of the total homes available for sale than normal. That’s why, if you’re craving more options, it makes sense to see if a newly built home is right for you.But it’s important to remember the Continue Reading
There’s No Foreclosure Wave in Sight [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some HighlightsHeadlines saying foreclosures are rising might make you feel uneasy. But the truth is, there’s no need to worry.If you look at the latest numbers, they’re still below pre-pandemic norms and way below what happened during the crash.If you're worried about a flood of foreclosures, the data shows a foreclosure crisis is not where the market is today and is not where it’s headed. Continue Reading