EM

06/19/2023

Saving for a Down Payment? Here’s What You Need To Know.

If you're planning to buy your first home, then you're probably focused on saving for all the costs involved in such a big purchase. One of the expenses that may be at the top of your mind is your down payment. If you’re intimidated by how much you need to save for that, it may be because you believe you must put 20% down. That doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. As NAR notes, “One of the biggest misconceptions among housing consumers is what the typical down payment is and what amount is needed to enter homeownership.”

And a recent Freddie Mac survey finds, “. . . nearly a third of prospective homebuyers think they need a down payment of 20% or more to buy a home. This myth remains one of the largest perceived barriers to achieving homeownership.”

Here’s the good news. Unless specified by your loan type or lender, it’s typically not required to put 20% down....

If you're planning to buy your first home, then you're probably focused on saving for all the costs involved in such a big purchase.

06/16/2023

If buying your first home in today’s market feels like a challenge, know there are a number of resources available. If you qualify, there are programs that could help you reach your goal by offering down payment assistance and more. DM me today if you have questions about the homebuying process or how to prepare as a first-time buyer.

06/15/2023

Don’t play guessing games with your home’s asking price. If you price your house too high or too low, you’re potentially deterring buyers. That’s why pricing your house appropriately for today’s market is so crucial. I know our local market inside and out and can help you set the right price. Don’t risk leaving money on the table – DM me now, and let’s get your house sold.

06/14/2023

Equity is the difference between the market value of your home and how much you owe on your mortgage. Your equity gets a boost when home prices appreciate. Today, 85% of sellers couldn’t be happier with how much equity they have. DM me to learn more about your home’s equity and how it can be leveraged in your next move.

06/13/2023

If you’re thinking of buying a home, it may help you find the stability, feeling of community, and comfort you’ve been dreaming of. Let’s connect today to discuss your goals and all homeownership has to offer.

06/12/2023

Are Home Prices Going Up or Down? That Depends…

Media coverage about what’s happening with home prices can be confusing. A large part of that is due to the type of data being used and what they’re choosing to draw attention to. For home prices, there are two different methods used to compare home prices over different time periods: year-over-year (Y-O-Y) and month-over-month (M-O-M).

Why Is This Distinction So Important Right Now?

We’re about to enter a few months when home prices could possibly be lower than they were the same month last year. April, May, and June of 2022 were three of the best months for home prices in the history of the American housing market. Those same months this year might not measure up. That means, the Y-O-Y comparison will probably show values are depreciating. The numbers for April seem to suggest that’s what we’ll see in the months ahead. That’ll generate troubling headlines that say home va...

Media coverage about what’s happening with home prices can be confusing.

06/09/2023

Why You Can’t Compare Now to the ‘Unicorn’ Years of the Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

Comparing housing market metrics from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market – and the last few years have been anything but normal. In a way, they were ‘unicorn’ years. Expect unsettling housing market headlines this year, mostly due to unfair comparisons with the ‘unicorn’ years. DM me so I can share the data that puts those headlines in the proper perspective.

Comparing housing market metrics from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market – and the last few years have been anything but normal. In a way, they were 'unicorn' years.

06/08/2023

June is , and as we celebrate, let’s help make sure everyone can proudly pursue the dream of homeownership by strengthening our communities through diversity and inclusion.

06/07/2023

While the headlines about foreclosures rising may sound alarming, here’s what you need to know. Foreclosure filings have ticked up slightly, but the increase was expected as the foreclosure moratorium ended. Filings are much lower today than in pre-pandemic years. If you have questions about what you're hearing in the news, let’s connect.

06/06/2023

Real Estate Is Still Considered the Best Long-Term Investment

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and rising mortgage rates, you may wonder if it still makes sense to invest in homeownership right now. A recent poll from Gallup shows the answer is yes. In fact, real estate was voted the best long-term investment for the 11th consecutive year, consistently beating other investment types like gold, stocks, and bonds.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a home, let this poll reassure you. Even with everything happening today, Americans recognize owning a home is a powerful financial decision.

Why Do Americans Still Feel So Positive About the Value of Investing in a Home?

Purchasing real estate has typically been a solid long-term strategy for building wealth in America. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), notes, “. . . homeownership is a catalyst for bu...

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and rising mortgage rates, you may wonder if it still makes sense to invest in homeownership right now.

06/05/2023

Oops! Home Prices Didn’t Crash After All

During the fourth quarter of last year, many housing experts predicted home prices were going to crash this year.

>>The Bad News: It Rattled Consumer Confidence

These forecasts put doubt in the minds of many consumers about the strength of the residential real estate market. Evidence of this can be from Fannie Mae. It showed a larger percentage of Americans believed home prices would fall over the next 12 months than in any other December in the history of the survey. That caused people to hesitate about their homebuying or selling plans as we entered the new year.

>>The Good News: Home Prices Never Crashed

However, home prices didn’t come crashing down and seem to be already rebounding from the minimal depreciation experienced over the last several months.

In a report just released, Goldman Sachs explains, “The global housing market seems to be stabilizing faster t...

During the fourth quarter of last year, many housing experts predicted home prices were going to crash this year.