Is Getting a Mortgage Getting Easier?
There has been a lot of discussion about how difficult it is to get a home mortgage in this market. There is no doubt that the process is not as easy as it was eight to ten years ago and that’s probably good news. However, it does appear that ava...
Why Waiting To Buy Might Not Make Sense
Whether you are a first time or a move-up buyer, there are two factors that will impact the amount of house you can afford in your price range: home prices & mortgage rates.
Let’s look at what the experts are predicting over the next twelve mo...
Freddie Mac’s New 3% Down Program
Today, Freddie Mac is scheduled to start buying mortgages with down payments of only three percent – the first time down payments have been this low on Freddie Mac loans in nearly five years. The program is called Freddie Mac Home Possible Advant...
Don’t Get Caught in the ‘Renter’s Trap’
There are many benefits to homeownership, one of top ones, is being able to protect yourself from rising rents and lock in your housing cost for the life of your mortgage.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) just released their findings...
Homeownership is the “American Dream” for a Reason
There have been some who have voiced doubt as to whether or not the younger generations still consider buying a home as being part of the “American Dream”. A recent study by Merrill Lynch puts that doubt to rest. According to their research, ever...
Thinking of Buying? What are you waiting for?
If you are planning on becoming a homeowner, or moving up to the home of your dreams in 2015, here are four great reasons to consider buying a home now, instead of waiting until spring.
1. Prices Will Continue to Rise
The Home Price Expectation...
2015: A Year of Housing Opportunity
Many believed that when the housing market crashed, so too would the desire of American’s to own a home again. Many reports have shown that, especially among younger generations, the American Dream of homeownership is still very much alive.
Ju...
Either Way, You’re Paying a Mortgage
There are some people that have not purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either your m...
Net Worth: A Homeowner’s is 36x Greater Than A Renter!
Over the last six years, homeownership has lost some of its allure as a financial investment. As homeowners suffered through the housing bust, more and more began to question whether owning a home was truly a good way to build wealth.
Every th...
Attaining the American Dream: 5 Financial Reasons to Buy
Heading into 2015 many people have their sights set on buying a home. The personal reasons differ for each buyer, with many basic similarities. Eric Belsky, the Managing Director of the Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University expand...
3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Home
If you are thinking about purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family have your best interests at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real est...
The REAL Reasons Americans Buy a Home
Last week, we reported on the financial reasons that the New York Times felt that homeownership was important. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University performs a study every year surveying participants for the reasons that Amer...
Do You Fit the Description of the Typical First Time Homebuyer?
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 are married and have a family. Others may think they are to...
New York Times: Homeownership is Best Way To Build Wealth
The New York Times recently published an editorial entitled, “Homeownership and Wealth Creation.” The housing market has made a strong recovery, not only in sales and prices, but also in the confidence of consumers and experts as an investment.
...
Home Prices Continue to Rise
“Broad-based Slowdown for Home Prices”
That is a headline you might have seen over the past weekend. And though it is true, we must understand the story behind the headline. Case Shiller reports on the year-over-year difference in home values. The...
Freddie Mac: Buy Sooner Rather than Later
In a recent video update on the housing market, Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac’s chief economist, stated that with both mortgage interest rates and home prices projected to increase in 2015 buying now makes sense.
“If you are planning to buy a home ...
Buying a Home Remains 38% Less Expensive than Renting!
In Trulia’s latest Rent vs. Buy Report, they explained that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage throughout the 100 largest metro areas in the United States.
The updated numbers actually sho...
Either Way, You’re Still Paying a Mortgage
There are some people that have not purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either your m...
Future Homeowners Share American Dream
Two recently released reports indicate that both young adults (Millennials) and teenagers (Generation Z) still see homeownership as an important piece of their future success.
A report by The Demand Institute, Millennials and Their Homes: Stil...
Be Quiet Chicken Little! Real Estate is Just Fine
The latest Existing-Home Sales Report from NAR revealed that sales decreased 1.8 percent in August. Many might start to panic, but let’s see what the report really shows.
Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist explains “there was a marked decline i...
Homeownership: A Few Stats and Quotes
2014 American Express Spending & Saving Tracker
“About two-thirds (65%) of homeowners say they are confident they would get the asking price for their home if they were to put it on the market today (up from 40% in 2010).”
Financial Security ...
The Truth About Buying a Home: You DON'T Need 20% Down
In a recent survey, How America Views Homeownership, it was revealed that 68% of Americans feel that now is a good time to buy a home and 95%said they want to own a home if they don’t already.
Franklin Codel, head of Wells Fargo home mortgagep...
Don’t Get Caught in the ‘Renter’s Trap’
In a recent press release, Zillow stated that the affordability of the nation’s rental inventory is currently much worse than affordability of the country’s home sale inventory. The release revealed two things:Nationally, renters signing a lease at t...
With Interest Rates and Home Prices on the rise, do you know the true Cost of Waiting?
Today we are excited to have Morgan Tranquist as our guest blogger. Morgan is the Marketing & Graphics Director for The KCM Crew and provides insight into what the Millennial Generation needs to hear from their agents.
At Keeping Current M...
Either Way, You’re Still Paying a Mortgage
There are some people that have not purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either your m...