First-Time Home Buyers Continue to Put Down Less Than 6%!
According to the Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors, 61% of first-time homebuyers purchased their homes with down payments below 6% in 2017.
![Want to Sell Your House Faster? Don’t Forget to Stage! [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/11165551/20180713-Share-STM-705x385.jpg "Want to Sell Your House Faster? Don’t Forget to Stage! [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
Want to Sell Your House Faster? Don’t Forget to Stage! [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Want to Sell Your House Faster? Don’t Forget to Stage! [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/11165524/20180713-KCM-ENG.jpg)
House-Buying Power at Near-Historic Levels
We keep hearing that home affordability is approaching crisis levels. While this may be true in a few metros across the country, housing affordability is not a challenge in the clear majority of the country. In their most recent Real House Price Index, First American reported that consumer “house-buying power” is at "near-historic levels.”
Rising Interest Rates Have Not Dampened Demand
Since the beginning of the year, mortgage interest rates have risen over a half of a percentage point (from 3.95% to 4.52%), according to Freddie Mac. Even a small rise in interest rates can greatly impact a buyer’s monthly mortgage payment.
How Long Do Most Families Live in a House?
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) keeps historical data on many aspects of homeownership. One of their data points, which has changed dramatically, is the median tenure of a family in a home, meaning how long a family stays in a home prior to moving.
The #1 Reason to List Your House for Sale NOW!
If you are debating whether or not to list your house for sale this year, here is the #1 reason not to wait!
![Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/03135314/20180706-Share-STM-705x385.jpg "Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/03135215/20180706-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Homes More Affordable Today than 1985-2000
Rising home prices have many concerned that the average family will no longer be able to afford the most precious piece of the American Dream – their own home.
VA Loans: Making a Home for the Brave Possible
Since the creation of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loans Program, over 22 million veterans have achieved the American Dream of homeownership. Many veterans do not know the details of the program and therefore do not take advantage of the benefits available to them.
Why Should You Use A Professional to Sell Your Home?
When homeowners decide to sell their houses, they obviously want to get the best possible price for their home with the least amount of hassles along the way. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is actually getting their homes sold.
Buying This Summer? Be Prepared for Bidding Wars
Summer is traditionally a busy season for real estate. Buyers come out in force and homeowners list their houses for sale hoping to capitalize on those buyers who are looking to purchase before the new school year. This year will be no different!
![5 Reasons Millennials Choose to Buy a Home [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/26161956/20180629-Share-STM-705x385.jpg "5 Reasons Millennials Choose to Buy a Home [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
5 Reasons Millennials Choose to Buy a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
![5 Reasons Millennials Choose to Buy a Home [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/26161929/20180629-KCM-ENG.jpg)
Next Recession in 2020? What Will Be the Impact?
Economists and analysts know that the country has experienced economic growth for almost a decade. They also know that a recession can’t be too far off. A recent report by Zillow Research shed light on a survey conducted by Pulsenomics in which they asked economists, investment strategists and market analysts how they felt about the current housing market. That report revealed the possible timing of the next recession.
What’s the Median Home Value in Your State?
If you’ve entered the real estate market as a buyer or a seller, you’ve inevitably heard the mantra “location, location, location” in reference to identical homes increasing or decreasing in value based on where they’re located.
Are You Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home?
There are many people sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if they should purchase a home or sign a rental lease. Some might wonder if it makes sense to purchase a house before they get married or start a family, some might think they are too young, and still, some others might think their current incomes would never enable them to qualify for a mortgage.
You DO NOT Need 20% Down to Buy Your Home NOW!
The Aspiring Home Buyers Profile from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The results of the survey show that the main reason why non-homeowners do not own their own homes is because they believe that they cannot afford them.
4 Reasons to Sell This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC]
![4 Reasons to Sell This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/21132511/4-Reasons-To-Sell-Summer-ENG-KCM.jpg)
Homes are More Affordable in 44 out of 50 States
With both home prices and mortgage rates increasing this year, many are concerned about a family’s ability to purchase a major part of the American Dream – its own home. However, if we compare housing affordability today to the average affordability prior to the housing boom and bust, we are in much better shape than most believe.
3 Issues Facing Today’s Real Estate Market
Last week, the National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) held their 52nd Annual Journalism Conference in Las Vegas, NV. Among the many highly anticipated sessions was one called “Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate™,” given by Joseph Nahas, Jr., Chair of the Counselors of Real Estate & Senior Vice President of Equus Capital Partners.
Top 5 Reasons You Shouldn’t FSBO
In today’s market, with home prices rising and a lack of inventory, some homeowners may consider trying to sell their home 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 the vast majority of sellers.
How A Lack of Inventory Impacts the Housing Market
The housing crisis is finally in the rear-view mirror as the real estate market moves down the road to a complete recovery. Home values are up, home sales are up, and distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) have fallen to their lowest points in years. The market will continue to strengthen in 2018.
![Top 4 Home Renovations for Max ROI [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/04152509/20180615-Share-STM-705x385.jpg "Top 4 Home Renovations for Max ROI [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters")
Top 4 Home Renovations for Max ROI [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Top 4 Home Renovations for Max ROI [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/04152432/20180615-Renovations-KCM.jpg)
Are Lending Standards Too Loose…or Too Tight?
With home values appreciating at record rates, some are concerned that we may be heading for another housing bubble like the one we experienced a decade ago. One of the major culprits of that housing boom and bust was the loosening of standards for mortgage credit.
Parents Say Kids’ Opinions Matter Big When Buying a Home
A recent survey conducted by Harris Poll and released by SunTrust Mortgage found that “55% of homeowners with a child under the age of 18 at the time when they purchased their home said that the opinion of their offspring played a major role in their home buying decision.”
When Is a Good Time to Rent? Not Now!
People often ask if now is a good time to buy a home, but nobody ever asks whether or not it’s a good time to rent. Regardless, we want to make certain that everyone understands that now is NOT a good time to rent.
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