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Wall Street Journal: Housing Recovery Picks Up Steam

Yesterday, we ran a post quoting major housing experts on the increasing strength of the U.S. housing market. We were pleasantly surprised that, on the same day, the Wall Street Journal decided to run a front page story titled, “Housing Recovery Picks Up Steam” (article available to WSJ subscribers).
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A Possible Housing Meltdown? These Experts Respectfully Disagree

We want to let you know that “rumors of a new market meltdown” are not based on any reputable data. As proof, we offer you the comments of the following experts who have a totally different view on the current housing market.
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How Does Housing Help Build Family Wealth?

As the economy continues to improve, more and more Americans are seeing their personal financial situations also improving. Instead of just getting by, many are now beginning to save and find other ways to build their net worth. One way to dramatically increase their family wealth is through the acquisition of real estate.
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New & Existing Home Sales Climb [INFOGRAPHIC]

New & Existing Home Sales Climb [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Both New Home Sales and Existing Home Sales are up month-over-month and year-over-year.
  • Inventory remains low which continues to drive home prices up as demand continues to exceed the 4.7-month inventory.
  • The median price of new homes is up 12% from March 2016, while the median price of existing homes is up 6.3% from April 2015.
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Where Are Home Values Headed Over the Next 5 Years?

Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey.
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When Is It A Good Time To Rent? Definitely NOT NOW!

People often ask whether or not now is a good time to buy a home. No one ever asks when a good time to rent is. However, we want to make certain that everyone understands that today is NOT a good time to rent.
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Renting vs. Buying: What Does it Really Cost? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Renting vs. Buying: What Does it Really Cost? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • The percentage of income needed to afford a median priced home is almost half the percentage of income needed to afford median rent.
  • Buying costs are significantly less than renting costs.
  • The percentage of income needed to afford a median priced home is less than the historic norm.
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The Presidential Election and Its Impact on Housing

Every four years people question what effect the Presidential election might have on the national housing market. Let’s take a look at what is currently taking place. The New York Times ran an article earlier this week where they explained:
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Housing Market Snapshot [INFOGRAPHIC]

Housing Market Snapshot [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Home sales are up 1.5% year-over-year and 5.1% month-over-month.
  • Demand is still much higher than the available housing inventory which declined 2.2% from March 2015.
  • This is the 49th consecutive month with year-over-year price gains.
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Mortgage Rates Remain at Historic Lows

The latest report from Freddie Mac shows that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.61% last week, slightly down from the week before (3.66%), and nearly 20 points lower than a year ago (3.80%).
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4 Reasons to Move Up to Your Dream Home This Spring

Spring is in full force; the summer months are right around the corner. If you are debating moving up to your dream home, here are four great reasons to consider listing your current home and moving up to your dream home now, instead of waiting.
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Americans Believe Real Estate is the Best Long-Term Investment [INFOGRAPHIC]

Americans Believe Real Estate is the Best Long-Term Investment | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Real estate outranks stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs, and bonds as the best long-term investment among Americans.
  • Real estate is ranked as the best long-term investment among all age groups.
  • Millennials rank both real estate and savings/CDs at 26% when it comes to the best long-term investment.
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Warren Buffett: There is No Housing Bubble

With home prices expected to appreciate by over 5% this year, some are beginning to worry about a new housing bubble forming. Warren Buffet addressed this issue last week in an article by Fortune Magazine. He simply explained:
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Americans Rank Real Estate #1 Long Term Investment

The Gallup organization recently released a survey in which Americans were asked to rank what they considered to be the “best long term investment.” Real estate ranked number one, with 35% of those surveyed saying it was a better long term investment than stocks & mutual funds, gold, savings accounts or bonds.
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Billionaire: Buy a Home… And if You Can, Buy a Second Home!

Three years ago, John Paulson gave a keynote address at the CNBC/Institutional Investor Conference. In his speech, he told those in attendance that he believes housing will continue its strong recovery for the next 4 to 7 years, saying that:
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Investment Home Sales Rebound in 2015 [INFOGRAPHIC]

Investment Home Sales Rebound in 2015 | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • 2015 marks the first year-over-year increase in investment home sales since 2011.
  • 62% of all investment homes purchased were single family homes.
  • The South saw the highest percentage of investment home sales (39%) with the West coming in second (28%).
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Investors: More Sales and Higher Prices

The National Association of Realtors recently released their 2016 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey. The survey revealed many characteristics of both vacation home purchasers and investors. Two weeks ago, we posted on the vacation home market. Today, we want to concentrate on the investor real estate market.
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One More Time… You Do Not Need 20% Down To Buy NOW

A survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is actually necessary to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The study pointed out two major misconceptions that we want to address today. 
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Thinking of Selling? The Market Needs Your Listing!!

The housing market is really heating up and buyer demand is dramatically increasing as we enter the spring season. However, one challenge to the current market is a major shortage of inventory. Below are a few comments made in the last month by industry experts.
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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.
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Vacation Home Sales Reach 2nd Highest Mark Since 2006 [INFOGRAPHIC]

Vacation Home Sales Reach 2nd Highest Mark Since 2006 [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • 58% of vacation homes purchased were single family homes.
  • 51% of vacation homes that were purchased were found online.
  • The median price of a vacation home is up 28% from 2014.
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Vacation Home Sales: Sales Down, Prices Up

The National Association of Realtors recently released their 2016 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey. The survey revealed many characteristics of both vacation home purchasers and investors. Today, we want to concentrate on the vacation real estate market.
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The Top Reasons Why Americans Buy Homes

Last week, the inaugural “Homebuyer Insights Report” was released by the Bank of America. The report revealed the reasons why consumers purchase homes and what their feelings are regarding homeownership.
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Over Half of Americans Planning on Buying in the Next 5 Years

According to the BMO Harris Bank Home Buying Report, 52% of Americans say they are likely to buy a home in the next five years. Americans surveyed for the report said that they would be willing to pay an average of $296,000 for a home and would average a 21% down payment. The report also included other interesting revelations.