Keeping Current Matters

Keeping Current Matters

VA Home Loans by the Numbers

Some Highlights: · The Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan is a benefit that is available to more than 22 million veterans and 2 million active duty service members to help them achieve the dream of homeownership. · In 2018, $161 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program. · In the same year, the average loan amount […]
Keeping Current Matters

The #1 Reason to List Your House in the Winter

Many sellers believe spring is the best time to put their homes on the market because buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year. What they don’t realize is if every homeowner believes the same thing, then that’s when they’ll have the most competition. So, what’s the #1 reason to list your house in […]
Keeping Current Matters

Taking the Fear Out Mortgage Process

A considerable number of potential buyers shy away from the real estate market because they’re uncertain about the buying process – particularly when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage. For many, the mortgage process can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be! In order to qualify in today’s market, you’ll need a down payment (the […]
Keeping Current Matters

How to Determine If You Can Afford to Buy a Home

The gap between the increase in personal income and residential real estate prices has been used to defend the concept that we are experiencing an affordability crisis in housing today. It is true that home prices and wages are two key elements in any affordability equation. There is, however, an extremely important third component to […]

Keeping Current Matters VA Home Loans by the Numbers Some Highlights: · The Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan is a benefit that is available to more than 22 million veterans and 2 million active duty service members to help them achieve the dream of homeownership. · In 2018, $161 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program. · In the same year, the average loan amount […]

Keeping Current Matters The #1 Reason to List Your House in the Winter Many sellers believe spring is the best time to put their homes on the market because buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year. What they don’t realize is if every homeowner believes the same thing, then that’s when they’ll have the most competition. So, what’s the #1 reason to list your house in […]

Keeping Current Matters Taking the Fear Out Mortgage Process A considerable number of potential buyers shy away from the real estate market because they’re uncertain about the buying process – particularly when it comes to qualifying for a mortgage. For many, the mortgage process can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be! In order to qualify in today’s market, you’ll need a down payment (the […]

Keeping Current Matters How to Determine If You Can Afford to Buy a Home The gap between the increase in personal income and residential real estate prices has been used to defend the concept that we are experiencing an affordability crisis in housing today. It is true that home prices and wages are two key elements in any affordability equation. There is, however, an extremely important third component to […]

Keeping Current Matters 4 Reasons to Buy a Home This Fall Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today, instead of waiting. 1. Prices Will Continue to Rise CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Insights Report shows that home prices have appreciated by 3.6% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts prices will continue to increase at a rate of 5.8% over the next year. The bottom […]

Keeping Current Matters Homes Are Selling Quickly Some Highlights: · The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed their members for the release of their Confidence Index. · The REALTORS® Confidence Index is a key indicator of housing market strength based on a monthly survey sent to over 50,000 real estate practitioners. Practitioners are asked about their expectations for home sales, prices, and market conditions. · Homes across the country are selling […]

Keeping Current Matters Existing-Home Sales Report Indicates Now Is a Great Time to Sell The best time to sell anything is when demand for that item is high and the supply of that item is limited. The latest Existing-Home Sales Report released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), reveals that demand for housing continues to be strong, but the supply is struggling to keep pace. With this trend likely continuing throughout 2020, now […]

Keeping Current Matters What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Process Some Highlights: · Many buyers are purchasing homes with down payments as little as 3%. · You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don’t have perfect credit. · Your local professionals are here to help you determine how much you can afford, so take advantage of the opportunity to learn more.

Keeping Current Matters Homeownership is the Top Contributor to Your Net Worth Many people plan to build their net worth by buying CDs or stocks, or just having a savings account. Recently, however, Economist Jonathan Eggleston and Survey Statistician Donald Hays, both of the U.S. Census Bureau, shared the biggest determinants of wealth, “The biggest determinants of household wealth [are] owning a home and having a retirement account.” (Shown in the graph below): This does […]

Keeping Current Matters 4 Tips to Improve Your Home and Save on Your Energy Bill As a homeowner, it’s important to keep your home running efficiently, not only to save money, but also to help the environment thrive. October 2nd is Energy Efficiency Day, a perfect time to think about making some key upgrades that will improve the efficiency of your home. If you’re looking to sell your house and increase the pool […]

Keeping Current Matters What to Expect from Your Home Inspection You made an offer and it was accepted. Your next task is to have the home inspected prior to closing. Agents often recommend you make your offer contingent upon a clean home inspection. This contingency allows you to renegotiate the price you offered for the home, ask the sellers to cover repairs, or in some […]

Keeping Current Matters What Is the Cost of Waiting Until Next Year to Buy? Some Highlights: · The “cost of waiting to buy” is defined as the additional funds necessary to buy a home if prices and interest rates were to increase over a period of time. · Freddie Mac forecasts interest rates will rise to 3.8% by Q4 2020. · CoreLogic predicts home prices will appreciate by 5.4% over the next 12 months. · If you’re […]

Keeping Current Matters Are You Ready for the ‘Black Friday’ of Real Estate? Every year, ‘Black Friday’ is a highly anticipated event for eager shoppers. Some people prepare for weeks, crafting and refining a strategic shopping agenda, determining exactly when to arrive at each store, and capturing a wish list of discounted must-have items to purchase. But what about buying a home? Is there a ‘Black Friday’ for […]

Keeping Current Matters Is Your House “Priced to Sell Immediately”? In today’s real estate market, more houses are coming to market every day. Eager buyers are searching for their dream homes, so setting the right price for your house is one of the most important things you can do. According to CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index, home values have risen at over 6% a year over the […]

Keeping Current Matters 4 Reasons to Sell This Fall Some Highlights: · Buyers are active in the market and often competing with one another for available listings. · Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply found in a normal housing market. · Homes are still selling relatively quickly, averaging 31 days on the market.

Keeping Current Matters Home Prices Increase in Every Price Range CoreLogic’s Home Price Index (HPI) Report revealed, “National home prices increased 3.6% year over year in July 2019 and are forecast to increase 5.4% from July 2019 to July 2020.” They also analyzed four individual home-price tiers, showing the increase in each. Here’s the breakdown: To clarify the methodology, CoreLogic explains, “The four price tiers are based on the […]

Keeping Current Matters Millennial Buying Power Poised to Boost Homeownership In a recent article by Realtor Magazine, Mark Fleming, Chief Economist of First American Financial Corporation, notes, “The largest group of millennials by birth year will turn 30 in 2020, which puts them entering their prime homebuying years”. The article continues to describe how millennials have more buying-power than the generations that preceded them, making their interest in embracing homeownership stronger […]

Keeping Current Matters 5 Reasons to Sell This Fall Below are 5 compelling reasons listing your home for sale this fall makes sense. 1. Demand Is Strong The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase…and are in the market right now. More […]

Keeping Current Matters Homeownership Will Always Be a Part of the American Dream On Labor Day we celebrate the hard work that helps us achieve the American Dream. Growing up, many of us thought about our future lives with great ambition. We drew pictures of what jobs we wanted to have and where we would live as a representation of a secure life for ourselves and our families. […]

Keeping Current Matters Top Priorities When Moving with Kids According to the Pew Research Center, around 37% of U.S students will be going back to school soon and the rest have already started the new academic year. With school-aged children in your home, buying or selling a house can take on a whole different approach when it comes to finding the right size, location, school district, and more. […]