The results of the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia show that homeownership remains cheaper than renting, with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage, in 98 of the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. In the six years that Trulia has conducted this study, this is the first time that it was cheaper to rent than buy in […]
What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Process
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 much you can afford.
Buying This Summer? Be Prepared for Bidding Wars!
Summer is traditionally a busy season for real estate. Buyers come out in force and homeowners list their houses for sale hoping to capitalize on those buyers who are looking to purchase before the new school year. This year will be no different! Buyers have already been out in force looking for their dream homes and more […]
You DO NOT Need 20% Down to Buy Your Home 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 the main reason why non-homeowners do not own their own homes is because they believe that they […]
4 Hidden Costs Of Not Owning A Home
There’s no arguing there are costs associated with owning a home. But the adverse is also true; there are also definite costs associated with NOT owning a home. The benefits of buying vs. renting have always been a hotly debated topic, with most people believing that — at least in the short term — renting […]
June Is National Homeownership Month. Here’s An Interesting Take On It
Are you aware that June is National Homeownership month? Probably not. Because you’re too busy working to afford the home you live in, whether you rent it or own it. Why should you care? If you poke around and read anything you can find about it, you’re being urged to recognize and celebrate the benefits […]
Is Your First Home Within Your Grasp Now?
Some Highlights: According to the US Census Bureau, ‘millennials’ are defined as 18-36-year-olds. According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the median age of all first-time home buyers is 32. More and more ‘old millennials’ (25-36) are realizing that homeownership is within their grasp now!
Think Buying A Home Will Be More Affordable In 2019? Think Again
There’s no denying that it’s tough out there for buyers. The inventory shortage has created a market that’s more competitive than normal. As a potential buyer, you might be thinking “I should probably wait until next year to make a move.” But if you want to get the best deal on a home, you should […]
What If I Wait Until Next Year to Buy a Home?
We recently shared that national home prices have increased by 6.7% year-over-year. Over that same time period, interest rates have remained historically low which has allowed many buyers to enter the market. As a seller, you will likely be most concerned about ‘short-term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As a buyer, however, […]
It’s Tax Season… Use Your Refund to Jump Start Your Down Payment Savings!
According to data released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Americans can expect an estimated average refund of $2,840 this year when filing their taxes. This is down slightly from the average refund of $2,895, last year. Tax refunds are often thought of as ‘extra money’ that can be used toward larger goals; for anyone looking to buy a […]