Don’t Get Caught in the Rental Trap in 2019
Every year around this time, we take time to reflect and plan for next year. If you are renting your current home but have dreams of homeownership, your plan for the new year may include buying, and you wouldn’t be alone!
How to Simply Increase Your Family Wealth by Paying for Housing
Everyone should realize that unless you are living somewhere rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s. Buying your own home provides you with a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to use your monthly housing costs to increase your family’s wealth.
What If I Wait A Year to Buy a Home?
National home prices have increased by 5.4% since this time last year. Over that same time period, interest rates have remained near historic lows which has allowed many buyers to enter the market and lock in low rates.
The Tale of Two Markets [INFOGRAPHIC]
![The Tale of Two Markets [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/04163608/20181207-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- An emerging trend for some time now has been the difference between available inventory and demand in the premium and luxury markets and that in the starter and trade-up markets and what those differences are doing to prices!
- Inventory continues to rise in the luxury and premium home markets which is causing prices to cool.
- Demand continues to rise with lower-than-normal inventory levels in the starter and trade-up home markets, causing prices to rise on a year-over-year basis for 80 consecutive months.
2008 vs. Now: Are Owners Using Their Homes as ATMs Again?
Over the last six years, we have experienced strong price appreciation which has increased home equity levels dramatically. As the number of “cash-out” refinances begins to approach numbers last seen during the crash, some are afraid that we may be repeating last decade’s mistake.
Where Are Interest Rates Headed in 2019?
The interest rate you pay on your home mortgage has a direct impact on your monthly payment. The higher the rate, the greater the payment will be. That is why it is important to know where rates are headed when deciding to start your home search.
Homeowners Aged 65+ Have 48x More Net Worth Than Renters
Every three years, the Federal Reserve conducts their Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. Their latest survey data covers responses from 2013-2016.
4 Reasons to Buy A Home This Winter!
Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.
Home Prices Up 6.34% Across the Country! [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Home Prices Up 6.34% Across the Country! [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/28140314/20181130-KCM-ENG.jpg)
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, if you plan on relocating to another state, waiting to move may end up costing you more!
Further Proof It’s NOT 2008 All Over Again
Home sales numbers are leveling off, the rate of price appreciation has slowed to more historically normal averages, and inventory is finally increasing. We are headed into a more normal housing market.
24% of Renters Believe Winter is the Best Time to Buy a Home
In real estate, the spring is often seen as the ideal time to buy or sell a house. The term “Spring Buyers Season” exists for a reason, as renters and those looking to move on from their current home thaw out from the winter and hit the market ready to buy.
The #1 Reason to Not Wait Until Spring to Sell Your House
Many sellers believe that spring is the best time to place their homes on the market because buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year, but what they don’t realize is that if every homeowner believes the same thing, then that is when they will have the most competition!
Buyers: Don’t Be Surprised by Closing Costs!
Many homebuyers think that saving for their down payment is enough to buy the house of their dreams, but what about the closing costs that are required to obtain a mortgage?
![Existing Home Sales Slowed by a Lack of Listings [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/21112038/20181122-Share-STM1.jpg "Existing Home Sales Slowed by a Lack of Listings [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
Existing Home Sales Slowed by a Lack of Listings [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Existing Home Sales Reverse Trend as Buyers Return [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/21112344/20181123-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Existing home sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.22 million, which is up 1.4% over last month. This reverses the six-month trend of dips in sales every month.
- The inventory of existing homes is still below the 6-month supply needed for a normal market and is now at a 4.3-month supply.
- NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, had this to say: “After six consecutive months of decline, buyers are finally stepping back into the housing market. As more inventory enters the market and we head into the winter season, home price growth has begun to slow more meaningfully. This allows for much more manageable, less frenzied buying conditions.”
Thank You for Your Support!
Will Your Side Hustle Buy You a House This Year?
The top concern for most first-time home buyers is their ability to save for a down payment. According to a new survey, 36% of millennials took on a second job to make their dreams of homeownership a reality in 2017.
Females Are Making It a Priority to Invest in Real Estate!
Everyone wants a place to call home; a place that gives them a sense of security. We are currently seeing major interest from females who want to achieve this dream, and the numbers are proving it!
7 Reasons to List Your House For Sale This Holiday Season
Every year at this time there are many homeowners who decide to wait until after the holidays to list their homes for the first time, while others who already have their homes on the market decide to take them off until after the holidays.
The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
![The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/06150527/20181116-ENG-KCM.jpg)
Wage Increases Make Home Buying More Affordable
Everyone knows that housing affordability has been negatively impacted by rising prices and increasing mortgage rates, but there is another piece to the affordability equation – wages.
Home Sellers in Q3 Netted $61K at Resale
According to a recent report by ATTOM Data Solutions, home sellers who sold their homes in the third quarter of 2018 benefited from rising home prices and netted an average of $61,232.
Are Homeowners Renovating to Sell or to Stay?
Over the past few years, two trends have emerged in the housing market:
Home renovations have shot up
Inventory of homes available for sale on the market has dropped
How to Honor a Veteran Today and Everyday
One hundred years ago, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we marked the end of the “war to end all wars.” That day, which was to be observed annually on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, became known as Armistice Day and then, later on, became Veterans Day.
![VA Home Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/05164018/20181109-Share-STM-705x385.jpg "VA Home Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
VA Home Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC]
![VA Home Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/05163541/20181109-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- The Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan is a benefit that is available to more than 22 million veterans & 2 million active duty service members which helps them achieve their dreams of homeownership.
- In 2017, $189 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program.
- VA Purchase Loans are on the rise in 46 out of 50 states and Washington, DC.
75% of Renters Have Been Misinformed
Recently, multiple headlines have been written asserting that homeownership is less affordable today than at any other time in the last decade. Though the headlines are accurate, they lack context and lead too many Americans to believe that they can’t partake in a major part of the American Dream – owning a home.
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