Millionaire to Millennials: Buy a Home Now!
In a CNBC article, self-made millionaire David Bach explained that “the single biggest mistake millennials are making” is not purchasing a home because buying real estate is “an escalator to wealth.”
No… You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy 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 non-homeowners cite the main reason for not currently owning a home, as not being able to afford one.
The Mortgage Process: What You Need to Know [INFOGRAPHIC]
![The Mortgage Process: What You Need to Know [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Mortgage-Process-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights
- Many buyers are purchasing a home with a down payment as little as 3%.
- You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don't have perfect credit.
- Take advantage of the knowledge of your local professionals who are there to help you determine how much you can afford.
A Tale of Two Markets: A 6-Month Update
Six months ago, we reported that the mismatch between the type of inventory of homes for sale and the demand of buyers in the US was causing the formation of two markets.
You Don't Want to Hear This from Your Listing Agent
You’ve decided to sell your house. You begin to interview potential real estate agents to help you through the process. You need someone you trust enough to:
Which Homes Have Increased in Value the Most?
Home values have risen dramatically over the last twelve months. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors puts the annual increase in the median existing-home price at 5.6%. CoreLogic, in their most recent Home Price Index Report, revealed that national home prices have increased by 6.7% year-over-year.
Should I Buy a Home Now? Or Wait Until Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Should I Buy a Home Now? Or Wait Until Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC]| Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/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 4.4% by next year.
- CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 5.0% over the next 12 months.
- If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, find out if you are able to!
What to Look for in Your Real Estate Team
How do you select the members of your team who are going to help you make your dream of owning a home a reality? What should you be looking for? How do you know if you’ve found the right agent or lender?
More Than Half of All Buyers Are Surprised by Closing Costs
According to a survey conducted by ClosingCorp, over half of all homebuyers are surprised by the closing costs required to obtain their mortgage.
Lack of Existing Home Inventory Slows Sales Heading into Fall [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Lack of Existing Home Inventory Slows Sales Heading into Fall [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/20170922-EHS-Report-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights
- The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released their latest Existing Home Sales Report.
- First-time homebuyers made up 31% of all sales in August.
- Homes are selling quickly with 51% of homes on the market for less than a month.
- A limited supply continues to drive up prices for the 66th consecutive month.
Why Are So Few Homes for Sale?
There is no doubt that the largest challenge in today’s housing market is a lack of housing inventory for sale. This challenge has been defined as an “overwhelming lack of supply,” and even a “straight up inventory crisis.”
More Americans Say Now is a Good Time to Sell!
Recently released data from Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey revealed that rising home prices were the catalyst behind an eight-point jump in the net percentage of respondents who say now is a good time to sell. The index is now 21 points higher than it was this time last year.
5 Reasons to Sell This Fall
Here are five reasons listing your home for sale this fall makes sense.
Top 5 Reasons Why Millennials Choose to Buy [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Top 5 Reasons Why Millennials Choose to Buy [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Millennials-Choose-to-Buy-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights
- “The majority of millennials said they consider owning a home more sensible than renting for both financial and lifestyle reasons — including control of living space, flexibility in future decisions, privacy and security, and living in a nice home.”
- The top reason millennials choose to buy is to have control over their living space, at 93%.
- Many millennials who rent a home or apartment prior to buying their own homes dream of the day that they will be able to paint the walls whatever color they'd like, or renovate an outdated part of their living space.
Report: Homeownership Is a Precondition of the American Dream
Hearth just released their 2017 State of the American Dream report which showed that Americans still see homeownership as an integral piece of the American Dream. The report confirmed that “all generations–including millennials–agree homeownership is very important to achieving the American Dream.”
Happily Ever Homeowner
Married couples once again dominated the first-time homebuyer statistics last year at 66% of all buyers, according to the most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers. It is no surprise that having two incomes to save for down payments and contribute to monthly housing costs makes buying a home more attainable.
Looking for Your Dream Home? Know What You Want vs. What You Need
In this day and age of being able to shop for anything anywhere, it is really important to know what you’re looking for when you start your home search.
4 Reasons to Buy a Home This Fall!
Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today, instead of waiting.
How Supply and Demand Impacts Real Estate Home Values [INFOGRAPHIC]
![How Supply and Demand Impacts Real Estate Home Values [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/EHS-Report-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights
- The concept of supply & demand is a simple one. The best time to sell something is when the supply of that item is low & the demand for that item is high!
- Anything under a 6-month supply is a seller’s market!
- Nationally, there has not been a 6-months inventory supply since August 2012!
- Inventory levels differ depending on the area of the country and price range, so let’s get together to discuss the exact market conditions in our area.
America Needs Your House!!
The biggest challenge in today’s real estate market is a lack of housing inventory. How big of a challenge is the housing shortage? Here are what four industry economists are saying on the issue (emphases added):
Homeowners: Do You Know Your Home’s Value?
The latest edition of CoreLogic’s Home Price Index shows that nationally, home prices have appreciated 6.7% over the last year and 0.9% month-over-month. The release of the report included this headline,
How Your Home’s Value Grows Your Family’s Wealth
Over the next five years, home prices are expected to appreciate 3.64% per year on average and to grow by 18.4% cumulatively, according to Pulsenomics’ most recent Home Price Expectation Survey.
Top 5 A+ Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Pro [INFOGRAPHIC]
![Top 5 A+ Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Pro [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market](https://files.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/A-Reasons-To-Use-A-RE-Pro-STM.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Hiring a real estate professional to buy your dream home, or sell your current house, is one of the most 'educated' decisions you can make!
- A real estate professional has the experience needed to help you through the entire process.
- Make sure that you hire someone who knows current market conditions & can simply and effectively explain them to you and your family!
Some Highlights
Empty Nesters: Best to Remodel or Time to Sell?
Your children have finally moved out and you and your spouse now live alone in a four-bedroom colonial (or a similar type of house). You have two choices to make:
Number of Buyers Putting Down Less Than 10% Hits 7-Year High
According to Black Knight Financial Service’s Mortgage Monitor Report, 1.5 million Americans have purchased a home with down payments under than 10% over the last 12 months. This is great news for buyers as this marks a 7-year high.
