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...
Worried About Home Maintenance Costs? Consider This If one of the main reasons you’re hesitant to buy a home is because you’re worried about the upkeep, here’s some information you may find interesting on both new home construction and existing homes (a home that’s been lived in by a previous owner). Newly Built Homes Need Less Upfront Maintenance If you can afford it, you may find...
As a Southern Californian, you know the drill – wildfires, drought, and extreme heat are becoming more frequent and intense. And if you're in the market for a new home, these climate risks are something you can't afford to ignore.A recent study from Realtor.com helps put the growing impact climate change is having on real estate into perspective (see below):Insurance Woes in High-Risk AreasLet's be...
Questions You May Have About Selling Your HouseThere’s no denying mortgage rates are having a big impact on today’s housing market. And that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house and make a move.Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that helps answer them.1. Should I Wait To Sell?If you’re...
Boomers Moving Will Be More Like a Gentle Tide Than a Tsunami Have you heard the term “Silver Tsunami” getting tossed around recently? If so, here’s what you really need to know. That phrase refers to the idea that a lot of baby boomers are going to move or downsize all at once. And the fear is that a sudden influx of homes for sale would have a big impact on housing. That’s because it would...