Every three years, the Federal Reserve conducts their Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. The latest survey data, covering 2013-2016 was released two weeks ago. The study revealed that the 2016 median net worth of homeowners was $231,400 – a 15% increase since 2013. At the same time, the median net worth of renters decreased […]
Suncoast Fall Guide: November 2017 Edition
Happy Fall and Happy November! This is it…there are only 52 days until Christmas! The holidays are right around the corner and hopefully, this cool weather stays with us until the end of the year. Take a look at our complete Fall guide for the month of November and see what fun is happening near […]
What To Do With Left Over Halloween Candy
Here we are the day (or two) after Halloween and whether we like it or not, there are piles of candy sitting inside our home. The first thought would be to consume all the delicious sugar, nougat, and caramel treats with reckless abandon, let the calories be damned! But reason sinks in and you’re left […]
Home Sales Expected to Increase Nicely in 2018
Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and The Mortgage Bankers Association are all projecting that home sales will increase in 2018. Here is a chart showing what each entity is projecting in sales for the remainder of this year and the next. As we can see, each entity is projecting sizable increases in home sales next year. If you have […]
Builder Offering to Pay Off Student Loans for Buyers
Builder Offering to Pay Off Student Loans for Buyers Millennials are on track to become the most educated generation in history. This means they are also the generation with the most student debt. Depending on the type of degree earned, as well as the prestige of the institution attended, there are some millennials who graduate […]
Millionaire to Millennials: Buy a Home Now!
Millionaire to Millennials: Buy a Home Now! In a CNBC article, self-made millionaire David Bach explained that “the single biggest mistake millennials are making” is not purchasing a home because buying real estate is “an escalator to wealth.” Bach went on to explain: “If millennials don’t buy a home, their chances of actually having any wealth in this country are […]
No… You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy NOW!
No… You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy NOW! The Aspiring Home Buyers Profile from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The results of the survey show that non-homeowners cite the main reason for […]
The Mortgage Process: What You Need to Know [INFOGRAPHIC]
The Mortgage Process: What You Need to Know [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights: Many buyers are purchasing a home with a down payment as little as 3%. You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don’t have perfect credit. Take advantage of the knowledge of your local professionals who are there to help you determine how […]
The Truth About Homeowner Equity
The Truth About Homeowner Equity A recent article from a reputable news source was titled: Here’s why some homeowners still can’t sell. In the opening bullets of the article, the author claimed, “Negative equity is one of the main reasons why there are so few homes for sale.” The article then goes on to soften that stance but […]
A Tale of Two Markets: A 6-Month Update
A Tale of Two Markets: A 6-Month Update Six months ago, we reported that the mismatch between the type of inventory of homes for sale and the demand of buyers in the US was causing the formation of two markets. In the starter and trade-up home categories, there were significantly more buyers than there were homes for […]