March 2016 | Keeping Current Matters

Some of the housing headlines are causing concern for some consumers who are in the process of either buying or selling a home. Pundits are concerned over the lack of new construction or the month-over-month sales numbers. Let’s set the record straight; 2015 was a good year for residential real estate in the United States and 2016 is starting out stronger.

For Buyers, For Sellers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

2016 Home Sales Doing Just Fine!!

Some of the housing headlines are causing concern for some consumers who are in the process of either buying or selling a home. Pundits are concerned over the lack of new construction or the month-over-month sales numbers. Let’s set the record straight; 2015 was a good year for residential real estate in the United States and 2016 is starting out stronger.

March 31, 2016/by KCM CREW

In CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index, they revealed home appreciation in three categories: percentage appreciation over the last year, over the last month, and projected appreciation over the next twelve months.

For Buyers, For Sellers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

Past, Present & Future Home Values

In CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index, they revealed home appreciation in three categories: percentage appreciation over the last year, over the last month, and projected appreciation over the next twelve months.

March 30, 2016/by KCM CREW

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just announced that the February Pending Home Sales Index reached its highest reading since July 2015.

For Buyers, For Sellers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

Sales Contracts Hit Highest Level in Months

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just announced that the February Pending Home Sales Index reached its highest reading since July 2015.

March 29, 2016/by KCM CREW

In today's market, with homes selling quickly and prices rising, some homeowners might consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers.

Here are five of those reasons:

For Sellers, For Sale by Owner

The Top 5 Reasons You Should Not For Sale By Owner

In today's market, with homes selling quickly and prices rising, some homeowners might consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers. Here are five of those reasons:

March 28, 2016/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, For Sellers, Infographics

Home Sales Up Year-Over-Year [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

This is the 48th consecutive month with year-over-year price gains.
Lawrence Yun, NAR's Chief Economist says that, "The main issue continues to be a supply & affordability problem. Finding the right property at an affordable price is burdening many potential buyers."
Inventory is still below historic norms at a 4.4 month supply.

March 25, 2016/by KCM CREW

Two weeks ago, we posted a blog which explained that current increases in home prices were the result of the well-known concept of supply & demand and should not lead to conversations of a new housing bubble. Today, we want to look at home prices as compared to current incomes.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

Further Proof This Isn’t a Housing Bubble

Two weeks ago, we posted a blog which explained that current increases in home prices were the result of the well-known concept of supply & demand and should not lead to conversations of a new housing bubble. Today, we want to look at home prices as compared to current incomes.

March 24, 2016/by KCM CREW

CoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that one million borrowers regained equity in their homes in 2015. The outlook for 2016 remains positive as well, as an additional 850,000 properties would regain equity if home prices rose another 5% this year.

For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up

91.5% of Homes in the US Have Positive Equity

CoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that one million borrowers regained equity in their homes in 2015. The outlook for 2016 remains positive as well, as an additional 850,000 properties would regain equity if home prices rose another 5% this year.

March 23, 2016/by KCM CREW

In school we all learned the Theory of Supply and Demand. When the demand for an item is greater than the supply of that item, the price will surely rise.

3 Charts That Scream ‘List Your Home Today’

In school we all learned the Theory of Supply and Demand. When the demand for an item is greater than the supply of that item, the price will surely rise.

March 22, 2016/by KCM CREW

When a homeowner decides to sell their house, they obviously want the best possible price with the least amount of hassles. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is to actually get the home sold.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

The Importance of Using an Agent To Sell Your House

When a homeowner decides to sell their house, they obviously want the best possible price with the least amount of hassles. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is to actually get the home sold.

March 21, 2016/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, Infographics, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

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 percent.
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.

March 18, 2016/by KCM CREW

Going into the 2016 spring market, the biggest challenge the real estate industry has is the lack of available housing inventory for sale. Here are a few experts and their thoughts on the subject:

Lack of Inventory Challenging Many Housing Markets

Going into the 2016 spring market, the biggest challenge the real estate industry has is the lack of available housing inventory for sale. Here are a few experts and their thoughts on the subject:

March 17, 2016/by KCM CREW

Every homeowner hopes to accomplish five goals when selling their home:

The Main Reason to Use a Real Estate Professional when Selling Your House

Every homeowner hopes to accomplish five goals when selling their home:

March 16, 2016/by KCM CREW

In today’s housing market, where supply is very low and demand is very high, home values are increasing rapidly. One major challenge in such a market is the bank appraisal.

For Sellers, Home Prices

Gap Between Homeowner’s & Appraiser’s Opinions Widen

In today’s housing market, where supply is very low and demand is very high, home values are increasing rapidly. One major challenge in such a market is the bank appraisal.

March 15, 2016/by KCM CREW

As a seller, you will be most concerned about ‘short term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As either a first-time or repeat buyer, you must not be concerned only about price but also about the ‘long term cost’ of the home.

For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

What If I Wait Until Next Year To Buy A Home?

As a seller, you will be most concerned about ‘short term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As either a first-time or repeat buyer, you must not be concerned only about price but also about the ‘long term cost’ of the home.

March 14, 2016/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, For Sellers, Infographics, Home Prices

The Difference An Hour Makes This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

Sunday, March 13th, we "Spring Forward" one hour for Daylight Savings Time (except for our friends in HI & AZ).
Every hour in the United States, 624 homes will sell and 118 homes will regain positive equity.
The median home value will also increase each hour in the United States by $1.84.

March 11, 2016/by KCM CREW

We recently reported that home prices are continuing to rise across most of the nation. This has created concern in some pundits that a housing bubble, like we saw ten years ago, is forming again. We want to explain why these concerns are unfounded.

For Buyers, For Sellers

Yes, Home Prices Are Rising. No, a New Housing Bubble is NOT Forming

We recently reported that home prices are continuing to rise across most of the nation. This has created concern in some pundits that a housing bubble, like we saw ten years ago, is forming again. We want to explain why these concerns are unfounded.

March 10, 2016/by KCM CREW

Just like our clocks this weekend in the majority of the country, the housing market will soon “spring forward!” Similar to tension in a spring, the lack of inventory available for sale in the market right now is what is holding back the market.

Housing Market To “Spring Forward” This Year

Just like our clocks this weekend in the majority of the country, the housing market will soon “spring forward!” Similar to tension in a spring, the lack of inventory available for sale in the market right now is what is holding back the market.

March 9, 2016/by KCM CREW

According to the latest Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index homeownership is a better way to produce greater wealth, on average, than renting.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

Study Again Finds Homeownership to be a Better Way of Producing Wealth

According to the latest Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index homeownership is a better way to produce greater wealth, on average, than renting.

March 8, 2016/by KCM CREW

There are many young people debating whether they should renew the lease on their apartment or sign a contract to purchase their first home. As we have said before, mortgage interest rates are still near historic lows and rents continue to rise.

For Buyers, Home Prices, First-Time Buyers, Mortgage Rates, Move-Up

Put Your Housing Cost To Work For You!

There are many young people debating whether they should renew the lease on their apartment or sign a contract to purchase their first home. As we have said before, mortgage interest rates are still near historic lows and rents continue to rise.

March 7, 2016/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, For Sellers, Infographics, Home Prices

Home Prices Up 5.76% Across The Country! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently released their latest Quarterly Home Price Index report.
In the report, home prices are compared both regionally and by state.
Based on the latest numbers, waiting to move may end up costing you more!

March 4, 2016/by KCM CREW

Yesterday, we discussed the reasons why homeownership makes sense, financially. Today we wanted to touch on the emotional or ‘real’ reasons that many Americans strive to become homeowners.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Yesterday, we discussed the reasons why homeownership makes sense, financially. Today we wanted to touch on the emotional or ‘real’ reasons that many Americans strive to become homeowners.

March 3, 2016/by KCM CREW

In a recent blog post on Marginal Revolution, economist Alex Tabarrok discussed homeownership as an investment.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

One More Time, Real Estate is a Great Investment

In a recent blog post on Marginal Revolution, economist Alex Tabarrok discussed homeownership as an investment.

March 2, 2016/by KCM CREW

There are some homeowners that have been waiting for months to get a price they hoped for when they originally listed their house for sale. The only thing they might want to consider is... If it hasn't sold yet, maybe it's not priced properly.

For Sellers, Home Prices

14,986 Homes Sold Yesterday... Did Yours?

There are some homeowners that have been waiting for months to get a price they hoped for when they originally listed their house for sale. The only thing they might want to consider is... If it hasn't sold yet, maybe it's not priced properly.

March 1, 2016/by KCM CREW