The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
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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.
Why Has Housing Supply Increased as Sales Have Slowed Down?
According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the inventory of homes for sale this year compared to last year has increased for the last four months, all while sales of existing homes have slowed compared to last year’s numbers.
5 Tips When Buying a Newly Constructed Home
The lack of existing inventory for sale has forced many homebuyers to begin looking at new construction. When you buy a newly constructed home instead of an existing home, there are many extra steps that must take place.
2 Myths Holding Back Home Buyers
Urban Institute recently released a report entitled, “Barriers to Accessing Homeownership: Down Payment, Credit, and Affordability,” which revealed that,
![The Difference an Hour Will Make This Fall [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/22104555/20181102-Share-STM-705x385.jpg "The Difference an Hour Will Make This Fall [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
The Difference an Hour Will Make This Fall [INFOGRAPHIC]
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Every Hour in the US Housing Market:
- 596 Homes Sell
- 278 Homes Regain Positive Equity
- Median Home Values Go Up $1.20
How Will Home Sales Measure Up Next Year?
There are many questions about where home sales are headed next year. We have gathered the most reliable sources to help answer this question. Here are our sources:
Taking Fear Out of the Mortgage Process
A considerable number of potential buyers shy away from jumping into the real estate market due to their uncertainties about the buying process. A specific cause for concern tends to be mortgage qualification.
Are You Spending TOO Much on Rent?
Chances are if you are renting you are spending too much of your income on your monthly housing expense. There is a long-standing ‘rule’ that a household should not pay more than 28% of their income on their rent or mortgage payment. This percentage allows the household to save money for the future while comfortably covering other expenses.
Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s Why You Need A Pro in Your Corner
With home prices on the rise and buyer demand still strong, some sellers may be tempted to try and sell their homes on their own without using the services of a real estate professional.
![Buying a Home Can Be Scary... Until You Know the Facts [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/17130044/20181026-Share-STM-705x385.jpg "Buying a Home Can Be Scary… Until You Know the Facts [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
Buying a Home Can Be Scary… Until You Know the Facts [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Buying a Home Can Be Scary... Until You Know the Facts [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/17130023/20181026-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Some Highlights:
Many potential homebuyers believe that they need a 20% down payment and a 780 FICO® score to qualify to buy a home which stops many of them from even trying! Here are some facts:- 72% of buyers who purchased homes this year have put down less than 20%.
- 4% of loan applications were approved last month.
- The average credit score of approved loans was 727 in September.
Where are Home Values Headed over the Next Few Years?
There are many questions about where home prices will be next year as well as where they may be headed over the next several years to come. We have gathered the most reliable sources to help answer these questions:
Still Think You Need 15-20% Down to Buy a Home? Think Again!
According to a new study from Urban Institute, there are over 19 million millennials in 31 cities who are not only ready and willing to become homeowners, but are able to as well!
Housing Is Still Affordable in the United States!
Lately, there have been many headlines circulating about whether or not there is an "affordability issue forming in the housing market."
Will Home Prices Continue to Increase?
There are many unsubstantiated theories about what is happening with home prices. From those who are worried that prices are falling (data shows this is untrue), to those who are concerned that prices are again approaching boom peaks because of “irrational exuberance” (this is also untrue as prices are not at peak levels when they are adjusted for inflation), there seems to be no shortage of opinion.
20 Tips for Preparing Your House for Sale This Fall [INFOGRAPHIC]
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Some Highlights:
- When listing your house for sale, your top goal will be to get the home sold for the best price possible!
- There are many small projects that you can do to ensure this happens!
- Your real estate agent will have a list of specific suggestions for getting your house ready for market and is a great resource for finding local contractors who can help!
Is the Increase in Inventory a Bullish or Bearish Sign for Real Estate?
In a recent article, National Housing Inventory Crisis Reaches Inflection Point, realtor.com reported that:
New listings jumped 8% year-over-year nationally, the largest increase since 2013
Total listings in the 45 largest markets are now up 6% on average over last year
5 Tips for Starting Your Home Search
In today’s real estate market, with low inventory dominating the conversation in many areas of the country, it can often be frustrating to be a first-time homebuyer if you aren’t prepared.
Baby Boomers are Downsizing, Are You Ready to Move?
For a while now baby boomers have been blamed for a portion of the housing market’s current lack of housing inventory, but should they really be getting the blame?
Pre-Approval: Your 1st Step in Buying a Home
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 you are serious about buying your dream home is to get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search.
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