Some HighlightsThe #1 task sellers struggle with is setting the right asking price for their house.Without an agent’s help, you may set a price that turns away buyers and takes a long time to sell. To make sure your house is priced right, connect with a local agent. Because if the price isn’t compelling, it’s not selling. … [Read more...] about Why You Need an Agent To Set the Right Asking Price
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Renting vs. Buying: The Net Worth Gap You Need To See
Trying to decide between renting or As the SCF report says:“. . . the 2019-2022 growth in median net worth was the largest three-year increase over the history of the modern SCF, more than double the next-largest one on record.”One big reason why homeowner wealth shot up is home equity.Equity is the difference between your home’s value and what you owe on your mortgage. You … [Read more...] about Renting vs. Buying: The Net Worth Gap You Need To See
What To Look For From This Week’s Fed Meeting
You may be hearing a lot of talk about the Federal Reserve (the Fed) and how their actions will impact the housing market right now. Here’s why.The Fed meets again this week to decide the next step with the Federal Funds Rate. That's how much it costs banks to borrow from each other. Now, that’s not the same thing as setting mortgage rates, but mortgage rates can be influenced … [Read more...] about What To Look For From This Week’s Fed Meeting
Expect the Unexpected: Anticipating Volatility in Today’s Housing Market
You’ve probably noticed one thing if you’re thinking about making a move: the housing market feels a bit unpredictable right now. The truth is, from home prices to mortgage rates, we’re seeing more volatility – and it’s important to understand why.At a high-level, let’s break down what’s happening and the best way to navigate it.What’s Driving Today’s Market Volatility?Factors … [Read more...] about Expect the Unexpected: Anticipating Volatility in Today’s Housing Market
Is a Fixer Upper Right for You?
Looking to buy a home but feeling like almost everything is out of reach? Here’s the thing. There’s still a way to become a homeowner, even when affordability seems like a huge roadblock – and it might be with a fixer upper. Let’s dive into why buying a fixer upper could be your ticket to homeownership and how you can make it work.What Is a Fixer Upper?A fixer upper is a home … [Read more...] about Is a Fixer Upper Right for You?
Q&A: How Do Presidential Elections Impact the Housing Market?
Some HighlightsEven if you’re not looking to move right away, you may have questions about how the election will impact the housing market.When we look at historical trends, combined with what’s happening right now, we can find your answers. Based on historical data, mortgage rates decrease in the months before and home prices and sales increase the year after the election.The … [Read more...] about Q&A: How Do Presidential Elections Impact the Housing Market?
How Real Estate Agents Take the Fear Out of Moving
Feeling a bit unsure, or even afraid, to move with everything going on right now? The decision to move shouldn’t be scary, it should be exciting. And the best way to eliminate any fear is to work with a pro. Real estate agents are so much more than just transaction facilitators; they’re trusted guides to help you navigate the complexities of the housing market with confidence … [Read more...] about How Real Estate Agents Take the Fear Out of Moving
Avoid These Top Homebuyer Mistakes in Today’s Market
No one likes making mistakes, especially when they happen in what’s likely the biggest transaction of your life – buying a home.That’s why partnering with a trusted agent is so important. Here’s a sneak peek at the most common missteps buyers are making in today’s market and how a great agent will help you steer clear of each one.Trying To Time the MarketMany buyers are trying … [Read more...] about Avoid These Top Homebuyer Mistakes in Today’s Market
Why Home Sales Bounce Back After Presidential Elections
With the 2024 Presidential election fast approaching, you might be wondering what impact, if any, it’s having on the housing market. Let’s break it down.Election Years Bring a Temporary SlowdownIn any given year, home sales slow down slightly in the fall. It’s a typical, seasonal trend. However, according to That’s because once the election dust settles, buyers and sellers have … [Read more...] about Why Home Sales Bounce Back After Presidential Elections
Why Your House Will Shine in Today’s Market
Even though there are more homes available for sale than there were at this time last year, there are still more buyers than there are houses to choose from. So, know that if you’ve got moving on your mind, your house can really stand out.There are several key reasons why there aren’t enough homes to go around and understanding them will help you see why the market is working … [Read more...] about Why Your House Will Shine in Today’s Market
Debunking Scary Myths About Buying a Home
Some HighlightsThere are a number of scary myths about homebuying in today’s market. Here’s what you need to know.Prices are not expected to crash, it is possible to buy even with student loan debt, and there are programs that can help you save for a down payment.Don’t let scary myths delay your homebuying plans. Connect with an agent so you have a pro to help you separate the … [Read more...] about Debunking Scary Myths About Buying a Home
Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Won’t Trigger a Crash
With everything feeling more expensive these days, it’s natural to worry about how rising costs might impact the housing market. Many people are concerned that high prices and tighter budgets could cause more homeowners to fall behind on their mortgage payments, leading to a wave of foreclosures.But before you start worrying about a housing market crash, here’s a look at what’s … [Read more...] about Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Won’t Trigger a Crash
How Long Will It Take To Sell Your House?
As you’re getting ready to sell your house, one of the first questions you’re probably asking is, “how long is this going to take?” And that makes sense—you want to know what to expect.While every market is different, understanding what’s happening nationally can give you a good baseline. But for an even more detailed look at real estate conditions in your area, connect with a … [Read more...] about How Long Will It Take To Sell Your House?
Planning To Sell Your House in 2025? Start Prepping Now
If your goal is to sell your house in 2025, now’s the time to start prepping. Even though it might seem like there’s plenty of time between now and the new year, you should get a head start on any updates or repairs you want to make now. As Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at Realtor.com, says:“ . . . now is the time to start thinking about what you need for your next home and … [Read more...] about Planning To Sell Your House in 2025? Start Prepping Now
What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025
Curious about where the housing market is headed in 2025? The good news is that experts are offering some promising forecasts, especially when it comes to two key factors that directly affect your decisions: This is far more manageable than the rapid price increases of previous years, which saw double-digit percentage growth in some markets.What’s behind this ongoing increase … [Read more...] about What To Expect from Mortgage Rates and Home Prices in 2025
Why Buying Now Is Worth It
<imgsrc="" alt="a house with a blue sky and clouds"> Understanding the Timing of Homeownership The decision to purchase a home is often fraught with complexity, influenced by market conditions, personal finances, and long-term goals. It's a significant choice with potential for substantial financial growth, yet it requires careful consideration. One critical aspect that … [Read more...] about Why Buying Now Is Worth It
Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently?
Homeowners typically slow down their moving plans as the summer months wrap up, and as a result, fewer homes are listed for sale in the fall. It’s a predictable, seasonal trend in real estate. But this year, mortgage rates came down at the same time the number of homes on the market usually starts to decline. So, what happened? More homeowners decided to sell, so more homes … [Read more...] about Why Did More People Decide To Sell Their Homes Recently?
The Benefits of Using Your Equity To Make a Bigger Down Payment
Did you know? Homeowners are often able to put more money down when they buy their next home. That’s because, once they sell, they can use the equity they have in their current house toward their next down payment. And it’s why as home equity reaches a new height, the median down payment has too.According to the latest data from Redfin, the typical down payment for U.S. … [Read more...] about The Benefits of Using Your Equity To Make a Bigger Down Payment
Why an Agent Is Essential When Buying a Newly Built Home
For some buyers, there’s a misconception that newly built homes aren’t made to last or fall short of the quality you can find in older homes. Unfortunately, this is turning some buyers away from what may be one of their best options in today’s housing market. As Builder Online says:“As resale inventory remains limited and the price spread between new and resale homes narrows, … [Read more...] about Why an Agent Is Essential When Buying a Newly Built Home
Why a Condo Could Be Your Perfect First Home
If you’re looking to break into homeownership but the price of single-family homes has you second-guessing, you might want to consider a condominium (condo) or townhome. These types of homes often come with a lower barrier to entry – and that can help you start to build equity and enjoy the benefits of owning a home sooner.Since they're usually smaller than single-family homes, … [Read more...] about Why a Condo Could Be Your Perfect First Home
Don’t Miss Out on the Growing Number of Down Payment Assistance Programs
With rising home prices and volatile mortgage rates, it’s important you know about every resource that could help make buying a home possible. And one thing you’ll want to be aware of is just how much the number of down payment assistance (DPA) programs has grown lately. Take a look at the graph below to see how many new programs have been added in the last year, according to … [Read more...] about Don’t Miss Out on the Growing Number of Down Payment Assistance Programs
What’s Behind Today’s Mortgage Rate Volatility?
If you’ve been keeping an eye on mortgage rates lately, you might feel like you’re on a roller coaster ride. One day rates are up; the next they dip down a bit. So, what’s driving this constant change? Let’s dive into just a few of the major reasons why we’re seeing so much volatility, and what it means for you.The Market’s Reaction to the ElectionA significant factor causing … [Read more...] about What’s Behind Today’s Mortgage Rate Volatility?
Is Wall Street Really Buying All the Homes?
Let’s be real – buying a home right now is tough. You’re scrolling through listings, rushing to open houses, and maybe even losing out to more competitive offers. Somewhere along the way, you might’ve heard the reason it’s so hard to find a home is because big Wall Street investors are swooping in and snatching up everything in sight.But here’s the thing: that’s mostly a myth. … [Read more...] about Is Wall Street Really Buying All the Homes?
Don’t Let These Two Concerns Hold You Back from Selling Your House
If you’re debating whether or not you want to sell right now, it might be because you’ve got some unanswered questions, like if moving really makes sense in today’s market. Maybe you’re wondering if it’s even a good idea to move right now. Or you’re stressed because you think you won't find a house you like.To put your mind at ease, here’s how to tackle these two concerns … [Read more...] about Don’t Let These Two Concerns Hold You Back from Selling Your House
Building Wealth Through Homeownership
Building Wealth Through Homeownership: A Financial Comparison Key Highlights 40x Higher Net Worth Homeowners build significantly more wealth than renters, with the average homeowner's net worth being 40 times higher than a renter's. … [Read more...] about Building Wealth Through Homeownership