Slaying Myths About Home Buying [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Slaying Myths About Home Buying [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Slaying-Myths-STM-1.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Interest Rates are still below historic numbers.
- 88% of property managers raised their rent in the last 12 months!
- Credit score requirements to be approved for a mortgage continue to fall.
3 Questions Every Buyer Should Ask Themselves
If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are probably getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interest at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in the real estate market.
4 Reasons to Buy This Summer!
Summer is here! The temperature isn't the only thing heating up right now, so too is the housing market in many areas of the country! Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.
Buying a Home is 36% Less Expensive Than Renting Nationwide!
In the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia, they explained that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage in the 100 largest metro areas in the United States.
Put Your Housing Cost To Work For You!
There are many young people debating whether they should renew the lease on their apartment or sign a contract to purchase their first home. As we have said before, mortgage interest rates are still near historic lows and rents continue to rise.
Mortgage Rates Again at Historic Lows
Just two weeks ago, we posted an article discussing where mortgage interest rates may be heading over the next twelve months. We quoted projections from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Mortgage Bankers’ Association and the National Association of Realtors. Each predicted that rates would begin to rise slowly and steadily throughout 2016.
Thinking of Buying A Home? What Are You Waiting For?
With spring right around the corner, you may be wondering if you should wait to enter the housing market. Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.
Where Are Interest Rates Headed This Year?
With interest rates still below 4%, many buyers may be on the fence as to whether to act now and purchase a new home, or wait until next year.
If you look at what the four major reporting agencies are predicting for 2016, it may make the decision for you. The chart below averages the predictions by quarter.
Should I Buy Now Or Wait Until Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Should I Buy Now Or Wait Until Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Cost-of-Waiting-STM.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 4.8% by next year.
- CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 5.3% over the next 12 months.
- If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, find out if you are able to!
Thinking of Buying a Home? 3 Questions Every Buyer Should Answer First
If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are probably getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interest at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in the real estate market.
Answering the following 3 questions will help you determine if now is actually a good time for you to buy in today’s market.
Buying A Home? Do You Know The Difference Between Cost & Price?
As a seller, you will be most concerned about ‘short term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As a buyer, you must be concerned not about price but instead about the ‘long term cost’ of the home.
Do You Know The Difference Your Interest Rate Makes? [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Do You Know The Difference Your Interest Rate Makes? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Cost-of-Interest-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Interest rates have come a long way in the last 30 years.
- The interest rate you secure directly impacts your monthly payment and the amount of house that you can afford.
- Experts predict that rates will increase by 3/4 a percent over the next 12 months.
- Secure a low rate now to get the most house for your money.
Prices & Mortgage Rates Going Up in 2016
The monthly mortgage payment on a home is determined by two elements: the price of the house and the interest rate you pay on your mortgage. Recently released reports are revealing that the experts expect both elements to increase in 2016.
The Impact of Higher Interest Rates
Last week, an article in the Washington Post discussed a new ‘threat’ homebuyers will soon be facing: higher mortgage rates. The article revealed:
Should I Pay A Mortgage Interest Rate Over 4%?
Mortgage interest rates, as reported by Freddie Mac, have increased over the last several weeks. Along with Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association and the National Association of Realtors are all calling for mortgage rates to continue to rise over the next four quarters.
Slaying Myths About Buying A Home [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Slaying Myths About Buying A Home [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Slaying-Myths-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Interest Rates are still below historic numbers.
- 88% of property managers raised their rent in the last 12 months!
- Credit score requirements to be approved for a mortgage continue to fall. The 723 average score is the lowest since Ellie Mae began reporting on scores in August 2011.
- The average first-time home buyer down payment was 6% in 2015 according to NAR.
Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed? This Winter? Next Year?
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 look at where rates are headed when deciding to buy now or wait until next year.
Fannie Mae's Housing Forecast [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Fannie Mae Housing Market Forecast [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Fannie-Mae-Housing-Market-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- 30-year fixed mortgage rates are projected to increase steadily over the next year.
- Housing Starts will well surpass 2015 numbers.
- Home Sales will reach an annual rate of over 6 million by the fourth quarter of 2016.
Applying For A Mortgage: Why So Much Paperwork?
We are often asked why there is so much paperwork mandated by the bank for a mortgage loan application when buying a home today. It seems that the bank needs to know everything about us and requires three separate sources to validate each and every entry on the application form.
Don’t Wait To Buy Your Dream Home
As a seller, you will be most concerned about ‘short term price’ – where home values are headed over the next six months. As either a first-time or repeat buyer, you must not be concerned only about price but also about the ‘long term cost’ of the home.
Let us explain.
Is Qualifying for a Mortgage Getting Easier?
There has been a lot of talk about how difficult it is to get a home mortgage in today’s lending environment. However, three recent reports have revealed that lending standards are beginning to ease. This is great news for both first time buyers and current homeowners looking to move or buy a second vacation/retirement home.
Credit Score Requirements LOWER As Interest Rates CREEP UP! [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Credit Score Requirements LOWER As Interest Rates CREEP UP! [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Credit-Needed-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- The average 30-year rate for all loans closed in August eclipsed 4.3% for the first time since October 2014.
- The average FICO score for all closed loans in August reached a new yearly low at 724 (the lowest since February 2014!)
- The average down payment of FHA loans closed was just 4%!
The Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released their July edition of the Housing Affordability Index. The index measures whether or not a typical family earns enough income to qualify for a mortgage loan on a typical home at the national level based on the most recent price and income data.
Thinking of Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These 3 Questions!
If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interest at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real estate.
Let’s look at whether or not now is actually a good time for you to buy a home.
Should I Wait to Put Down a Bigger Down Payment?
Some experts are advising that first time and move-up buyers wait until they save up 20% before they move forward with their decision to purchase a home. One of the main reasons they suggest waiting is that a buyer must purchase private mortgage insurance if they have less than the 20%. That increases the monthly payment the buyer will be responsible for.
