Do You Prefer the Charm of an Existing Home?
When homebuyers begin their research, they want to see all their available options! In many cases, they will include both new construction and existing homes in their search; but is a new construction home really the house of their dreams?
The Difference Having a Professional on Your Side Makes
In today’s fast-paced world, where answers are a Google search away, there are some who may wonder what the benefits of hiring a real estate professional to help them in their home search are. The truth is, with the addition of more information, comes more confusion.
What is the Cost of Waiting Until Next Year to Buy? [INFOGRAPHIC]
![What is the Cost of Waiting Until Next Year to Buy? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/17122556/Cost-of-Waiting-NM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- The cost of waiting to buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
- Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 5.1% by the end of 2019.
- CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 4.8% over the next 12 months.
- If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, find out if you are able to!
Last Chance! Homes are a Bargain Compared to Historic Norms
A loaf of bread used to be a nickel. A movie ticket was a dime. Not anymore. Houses were also much less expensive than they are now. Inflation raised the price of all three of those items, along with the price of almost every other item we purchase.
Selling Your Home? Make Sure the Price is Right!
If you’ve ever watched “The Price is Right,” you know that the only way to win is to be the one to correctly guess the price of the item you want without going over! That means your guess must be just slightly under the retail price.
Buying a Home Young is the Key to Building Wealth
Homeowners who purchase their homes before the age of 35 are better prepared for retirement at age 60, according to a new Urban Institute study. The organization surveyed adults who turned 60 or 61 between 2003 and 2015 for their data set.
Buying a House This Year? This Should Be Your 1st Step!
In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for their dream homes outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. One way to show that you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search.
![The Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/10112218/20190111-Share-KCM.jpg "The Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
The Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC]
![The Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/10153656/20190111-NM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- With interest rates still around 4.5%, now is a great time to look back at where rates have been over the last 40 years.
- Rates are projected to climb to 5.0% by this time next year according to Freddie Mac.
- The impact your interest rate makes on your monthly mortgage cost is significant!
- Lock in a low rate now while you can!
The Best Time to List Your House? TODAY!
You may have heard that the housing market is softening. There is no doubt that buyer traffic has decreased. There are fewer purchasers in the market than there were last month and at this time last year. What you may not have heard, however, is that there is still a severe shortage of listing inventory in many regions of the country.
Is the Recent Dip in Interest Rates Here to Stay?
Interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage climbed consistently throughout 2018 until the middle of November. After that point, rates returned to levels that we saw in August to close out the year at 4.55%, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey.
Buying A Vacation Property? Now Is A Good Time!
Every year around this time, many homeowners begin the process of preparing their homes in case of extreme winter weather. Some others skip winter all together by escaping to their vacation homes in a warmer climate.
Want to Get the Most Money from The Sale of Your Home? Use These 2 Tips!
Every homeowner wants to make sure they maximize their financial reward when selling their home. But how do you guarantee that you receive the maximum value for your house?
![Discover How to Kick off 2019 as a Listing Machine! [FREE WEBINAR]](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/20140227/01.10-BlogPost.png "Discover How to Kick off 2019 as a Listing Machine! [FREE WEBINAR]")
Discover How to Kick off 2019 as a Listing Machine! [FREE WEBINAR]
Top Renovations to Complete Before You Sell Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Top Renovations to Complete Before You Sell Your House [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/03143447/201901104-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- If you are planning on listing your house for sale this year, here are the top four home improvement projects that will net you the most Return on Investment (ROI).
- Minor bathroom renovations can go a long way toward improving the quality of your everyday life and/or impressing potential buyers.
- Upgrading your landscaping or curb appeal helps get buyers in the door. These upgrades rank as the 2nd and 4th best renovations for returns on investment.
Belief in Homeownership as an Investment is Far from Dead
Following last year's real estate market was like riding a rollercoaster. The market started off strong in 2018 and then softened before finishing with a mild flurry. However, one thing that did not waiver was America’s belief that owning a home makes sense from a financial standpoint.
Excited About Buying A Home This Year? Here’s What to Watch
As we kick off the new year, many families have made resolutions to enter the housing market in 2019. Whether you are thinking of finally ditching your landlord and buying your first home or selling your starter house to move into your forever home, there are two pieces of the real estate puzzle you need to watch carefully: interest rates & inventory.
![Here’s to a Wonderful 2019! [UNCATEGORIZED] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/26151736/20180101-Share-STM.jpg "Here’s to a Wonderful 2019! | Keeping Current Matters")
Here’s to a Wonderful 2019!
![Here’s to a Wonderful 2019! [UNCATEGORIZED] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/26145526/20180101-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Why You Should Not For Sale By Owner
In today’s market, as home prices rise and a lack of inventory continues, some homeowners may consider trying to sell their homes on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons why this might not be a good idea for most sellers.
Where is the Housing Market Headed in 2019? [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Where is the Housing Market Headed in 2019? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/18171654/20181228-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Interest rates are projected to increase steadily throughout 2019, but buyers will still be able to lock in a rate lower than their parents or grandparents did when they bought their homes!
- Home prices will rise at a rate of 4.8% over the course of 2019 according to CoreLogic.
- All four major reporting agencies believe that home sales will outpace 2018!
24 Hours that Suddenly Improved the Market
This year started strong for real estate, but then the market began to soften. Home inventory in the starter and move-up categories dwindled to almost nothing, mortgage rates were projected to rise, and home sales have now decreased for several months in a row.
How to Save Thousands of Dollars in Interest on Your Mortgage
One of the most common loans you can get to buy a home is a 30-year fixed rate mortgage. If the thought of paying for your home over the course of 30-years seems daunting, here are some easy ways to shorten that term which will actually end up saving you money over the life of your loan.
Thank You for All Your Support
What Makes a House a Home For You?
We frequently talk about why it makes sense to buy a home financially, but more often than not the emotional reasons are the more powerful or compelling ones.
Find Out How to Kick off 2019 as a Listing Machine! [FREE WEBINAR]
Buyers Are Looking for Your Home, Now [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Buyers Are Looking for Your Home, Now [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/20144828/20181221-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Existing home sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.32 million and have increased on a monthly basis for the last two months.
- The inventory of existing homes for sale remains below the 6-months needed for a normal market and is now at a 3.9-month supply.
- Inventory remains low due to high demand from buyers who are still looking for houses to buy!
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