Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the ControllablesChances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now. You may even see some headlines talking about last week’s Federal Reserve (the Fed) meeting and what it means for rates. But the Fed doesn’t determine mortgage rates, even if the headlines make it sound like they do.The truth is, mortgage rates are impacted by a lot of...

Imagine a scenario where an elderly couple in California, married for over 50 years, suddenly passes away without leaving a will or trust in place. Their adult children are left to deal with the complexities of estate law while grieving the loss of their parents. The family home, which holds countless memories and represents a significant portion of the couple's assets, becomes entangled in the lengthy and...

Homebuilders Aren’t Overbuilding, They’re Catching UpYou may have heard that there are more brand-new homes available right now than the norm. Today, about one in three homes on the market are newly built. And if you’re wondering what that means for the housing market and for your own move, here’s what you need to know.Why This Isn’t Like 2008People remember what happened to the housing...

Imagine a retired couple sitting at their kitchen table, surrounded by bills and bank statements. They've worked hard their whole lives, scrimping and saving for retirement, but now they're facing a whole new set of problems as the cost of living keeps going up. It's a story that's all too common for seniors across the country.In the pre-pandemic world of 2019, this couple in their late 50s was eagerly...

Savings Strategies Every First-Time Homebuyer Needs To KnowIf homeownership is on your goal sheet for your future, you’re probably working on your savings. And a big priority is making sure you’ve got a plan in place for things like your closing costs, down payment, and more.Here are a few strategies that can help speed up that process.Budget and Track Your Expenses: To start, create a detailed...

More Than a House: The Emotional Benefits of Homeownership With all the headlines and talk about housing affordability, it can be tempting to get lost in the financial side of buying a home. That’s only natural as you think about the dollars and cents of it all. And while you ultimately need to be able to afford a home you buy, don’t lose sight of why homeownership was so...

The Biggest Mistakes Buyers Are Making Today Buyers face challenges in any market – and today’s is no different. With higher mortgage rates and rising prices, plus the limited supply of homes for sale, there’s a lot to consider. But, there's one way to avoid getting tripped up – and that’s leaning on a real estate agent for the best possible advice. An...

A Tale of Soaring Prices and Stagnant WagesIf you've been watching the Inland Empire's real estate market, you know it's been a bit of a wild ride, especially since the pandemic hit. Home prices have soared to dizzying heights, with San Bernardino County seeing an 8.5% leap in the past year and Riverside County not far behind at 5.7%. If we zoom out over the last five years, the picture becomes even more...