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We recently reported that home prices are continuing to rise across most of the nation. This has created concern in some pundits that a housing bubble, like we saw ten years ago, is forming again. We want to explain why these concerns are unfounded.
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Yes, Home Prices Are Rising. No, a New Housing Bubble is NOT Forming

We recently reported that home prices are continuing to rise across most of the nation. This has created concern in some pundits that a housing bubble, like we saw ten years ago, is forming again. We want to explain why these concerns are unfounded.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
According to the latest Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index homeownership is a better way to produce greater wealth, on average, than renting.
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Study Again Finds Homeownership to be a Better Way of Producing Wealth

According to the latest Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index homeownership is a better way to produce greater wealth, on average, than renting.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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.
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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.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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Home Prices Up 5.76% Across The Country! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Home Prices Up 5.76% Across The Country! | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently released their latest Quarterly Home Price Index report.
  • In the report, home prices are compared both regionally and by state.
  • Based on the latest numbers, waiting to move may end up costing you more!
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
Yesterday, we discussed the reasons why homeownership makes sense, financially. Today we wanted to touch on the emotional or ‘real’ reasons that many Americans strive to become homeowners. 
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Home Is Where The Heart Is

Yesterday, we discussed the reasons why homeownership makes sense, financially. Today we wanted to touch on the emotional or ‘real’ reasons that many Americans strive to become homeowners. 
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
In a recent blog post on Marginal Revolution, economist Alex Tabarrok discussed homeownership as an investment.
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One More Time, Real Estate is a Great Investment

In a recent blog post on Marginal Revolution, economist Alex Tabarrok discussed homeownership as an investment.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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Existing Home Sales Inch Up In January [INFOGRAPHIC]

Exising Home Sales Inch Up In January [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Existing Home Sales rose to an annual rate of 5.47 million, representing an 11% increase year-over-year.
  • Inventory levels remain below the 6-month supply needed for a normal market at a 4.0-month supply.
  • Lawrence Yun, NAR's Chief Economist, warns: "The spring buying season is right around the corner and current supply levels aren't even close to what's needed to accommodate the subsequent growth in housing demand."
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their latest Quarterly Metro Home Price report earlier this month. The report revealed that home prices are not only continuing to rise but that the increases are accelerating. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, discussed the impact of low inventory on buyers in the report:
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Low Inventory Causes Home Prices to Accelerate

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released their latest Quarterly Metro Home Price report earlier this month. The report revealed that home prices are not only continuing to rise but that the increases are accelerating. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at NAR, discussed the impact of low inventory on buyers in the report:
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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.
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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.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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.
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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.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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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Future Home Values: Where Do The Experts Think They Are Headed?

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.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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How To Create Real Family Wealth [INFOGRAPHIC]

How To Create Real Family Wealth | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Buying a home is often the biggest financial decision that any family will make.
  • The average net worth of a homeowner is 45x greater than that of a renter.
  • Homeownership puts your housing costs to work for you.
  • Infographic was created in cooperation with Jensen & Co.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
During the recession, many young adults graduating from college were forced to move back in with their parents. This caused new household formations to drop dramatically from the long term average of 1.2 million formations annually to half that number. However, this may be the year this turns back around.
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Are the Kids Finally Moving Out?

During the recession, many young adults graduating from college were forced to move back in with their parents. This caused new household formations to drop dramatically from the long term average of 1.2 million formations annually to half that number. However, this may be the year this turns back around.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
This is not a political post! Finally, the issue of homeownership has become a platform talking point in this year’s presidential debate. Yesterday, one of the candidates running for President spoke out about the importance of homeownership in America.

Homeownership Finally Makes Political Debate

This is not a political post!

Finally, the issue of homeownership has become a platform talking point in this year’s presidential debate. Yesterday, one of the candidates running for President spoke out about the importance of homeownership in America.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
Checkers is a simple game with a simple objective; eliminate the other player’s pieces. Even the process of doing so is simple, jump the other player’s pieces and start a collection. There is very little thought as to a defensive strategy and it is often more reactive than strategic.
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Play Chess… Not Checkers

Checkers is a simple game with a simple objective; eliminate the other player’s pieces. Even the process of doing so is simple, jump the other player’s pieces and start a collection. There is very little thought as to a defensive strategy and it is often more reactive than strategic.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
Every three years the Federal Reserve conducts a Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. The latest survey, which includes data from 2010-2013, reports that a homeowner’s net worth is 36 times greater than that of a renter ($194,500 vs. $5,400).
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Homeowner’s Net Worth is 45x Greater Than a Renter's

Every three years the Federal Reserve conducts a Survey of Consumer Finances in which they collect data across all economic and social groups. The latest survey, which includes data from 2010-2013, reports that a homeowner’s net worth is 36 times greater than that of a renter ($194,500 vs. $5,400).
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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How Do You Know If You've Found Your 'Perfect Match'? [INFOGRAPHIC]

How Do You Know If You've Found Your 'Perfect Match'? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Every agent brings a different set of skills & specialties to their clients.
  • It is important to find an agent who you can trust to guide you through the entire process step-by-step.
  • Having a conversation about your goals & expectations will not only save you unneeded frustration, but will also make the transaction as smooth as possible.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
Many have questioned the stability of certain sectors of the U.S. Economy, one section in particular is the housing market. Today we would like to share how the experts feel about how we ended 2015 and where they think we are headed in 2016. How did we do in 2015?
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Final 2015 Housing Numbers Now In

Many have questioned the stability of certain sectors of the U.S. Economy, one section in particular is the housing market. Today we would like to share how the experts feel about how we ended 2015 and where they think we are headed in 2016.

How did we do in 2015?

Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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:
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What You Don’t Need To Hear 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:
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
Recently, on CNBC’s Closing Bell, Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” said Millennials “don’t give a poo-poo about owning a house.” This thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s give a few examples to make this point.

This Time “Mr. Wonderful” is just WRONG!!

Recently, on CNBC’s Closing Bell, Shark Tank investor Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” said Millennials “don’t give a poo-poo about owning a house.” This thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s give a few examples to make this point.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
We have reported many times that the American Dream of homeownership is alive and well. The personal reasons to own differ for each buyer, with many basic similarities.
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Harvard: Why Owning A Home Makes Sense Financially

We have reported many times that the American Dream of homeownership is alive and well. The personal reasons to own differ for each buyer, with many basic similarities.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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Existing Home Sales Bounce Back [INFOGRAPHIC]

Existing Home Sales Bounce Back [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Sales in December were 14.7% higher than those in November, marking the largest month-over-month increase ever recorded.
  • Inventory levels are still below historic norms at 3.9-months supply.
  • Median home price is up 7.6% from last year, marking the 46th consecutive month with year-over-year price gains.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
TransUnion recently released the results of a new study titled “The Bubble, the Burst and Now - What Happened to the Consumer?” The study revealed that 1.5 million homeowners that were negatively impacted by the housing crisis could re-enter the housing market in the next three years.

A Million+ Boomerang Buyers about to Enter Market

TransUnion recently released the results of a new study titled “The Bubble, the Burst and Now - What Happened to the Consumer?” The study revealed that 1.5 million homeowners that were negatively impacted by the housing crisis could re-enter the housing market in the next three years.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW
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.
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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.
Read more →
/by KCM CREW