As home prices continue to appreciate, many potential buyers and sellers aren't sure what it really means for them. Of course, depending on which side of the fence you are on, it means a whole different thing. For those that own homes, the majority of the population, great news. As home prices rise, family wealth increases. In fact, home equity is the single largest source of a family's assets. In...
Buyers
Renting Vs. Buying Historically, the choice between renting or buying a home has been a tough decision. Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (28.9%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (15.7%), the choice becomes obvious. Every market is different. Before you renew your lease again, find out if you can put your housing...
Are you Aware of How Much Equity You Have In Your Home? You May Be Surprised The latest Equity Report from CoreLogic's revealed that 675,000 US homeowners regained positive equity in their homes in 2017. This is great news for the country, as 95.1% of all mortgaged properties are now in a positive equity situation. “U.S homeowners with mortgages (roughly 63% of all the properties) have seen...
Down Payment Programs Remain Well Funded Our Fourth Quarter 2017 Homeownership Program Index (HPI) reports a new record high number of homebuyer programs — now 2,507 — available for today’s homebuyers. In addition, the programs remained well funded during 2017. More than 87 percent (87.4%) of programs currently have funds available for eligible homebuyers. While individual...
NAR Home Survey Homeowners want to buy close to their love ones As we head into the many possibilities of a New Year, one thing remains the same: the importance of friends and family to the experience of being a homeowner. Homeowners often want to locate close to their loved ones. According to the National Association of Realtor®’ (NAR’s) latest HOME (Housing Opportunities and Market Experience)...
Financial Literacy With schools focused on core subjects, there isn't a lot of room for teaching financial literacy. If you want your child to be smart about money, it's up to you. The need for children to receive a basic education in money matters is all too apparent now that the nation is facing what some experts are calling the most serious economic meltdown since the Great Depression. Not only...
Existing-Home Sales Slide in December 2016 Sales Best Since 2006 Existing-home sales had a banner 2016, amounting to 5.45 million—an increase from 5.25 million in 2015 and a decade-high from 6.48 million in 2006, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Overall, 2016 was a “good year for the housing market,” says NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Solid job creation...
9 Reasons You Need An Agent Are you thinking of buying or selling a home this year, or know someone who is? Whether it’s your first time dipping your toe in the real estate world or your fifth, it’s important to have an agent you trust by your side to help you through the process and serve you after the sale. The information I’m sending this month outlines nine reasons to enlist the aid of an...