Saving for a down payment is a key step in the homebuying process, and it’s not the only piece you need to include in your budget. Another factor that’s important to plan for is the closing costs required to obtain a mortgage.

Some are reporting that there is trepidation regarding the real estate market in the United States. Apparently, the American people are quite comfortable.

At this time of year, many families come together to celebrate the season. It’s also the time when many realize their homes are just not quite big enough to host all of their guests and loved ones. Are you one of those homeowners dreaming for a larger space to call home?

Did you know that each year in the United States, we celebrate “National Roof Over Your Head Day” on December 3rd?

Below are five compelling reasons to list your house this winter.

Some Highlights

• Existing Home Sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.46 million.
• The inventory of existing homes for sale remains below the 6 months needed for a normal market and is now at a 3.9-month supply.
• Inventory remains low due to high demand from buyers who are still looking for a house to buy!

When selling your house, there are a few key things you can prioritize to have the greatest impact for a faster sale:

Around this time each year, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to list their houses. Similarly, others who already have their homes on the market remove their listings until the spring. Let’s unpack the top reasons why listing your house now or keeping it on the market this winter may be the best choice you can make.

Some Highlights

• With interest rates around 3.66%, now is a great time to look back at where they’ve been over the past few decades. Comparatively, they’re pretty low!
• According to Freddie Mac, rates are projected to increase to 3.9% by this time next year.
• The impact your interest rate has on your monthly mortgage payment is significant. An increase of just $20 dollars in your monthly payment can add up to $240 per year and $7,200 over the life of your loan.
• Maybe it’s time to lock in now, while rates are still historically low.

 

Inventory on the market today is low, especially among existing homes in the entry and middle-level tiers of the market. It is hovering well below the 6-month supply typically found in a more normal market, as shown in the graph below:

Success is something often worth repeating, and Brent Sutherland, a Certified Financial Planner and Real Estate Investor, has certainly made his way in a momentum-driving direction. Here are 3 tips he shares from a recent piece in Business Insider on the benefits of owning real estate:

In a recent article, First American shared how millennials are not really any different from previous generations when it comes to the goal of homeownership; it is still a huge part of their American Dream. The piece, however, also reveals,

Some are afraid the real estate market may be looking a lot like it did prior to the housing crash in 2008. One of the factors they’re pointing at is the availability of mortgage money.

Buyers are out in full force this fall, increasing the demand for homebuying in all four regions of the country.

Today, on Veterans Day, we salute those who have served our country in war or peace, and we thank them for their sacrifice.

Some Highlights

• The Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan is a benefit that is available to more than 22 million veterans and 2 million active duty service members to help them achieve the dream of homeownership.
• In 2018, $161 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program.
• In the same year, the average loan amount was $264,197 and 610,513 loans were guaranteed.

When you’re ready to buy, you’ll need to determine if you prefer the charm of an existing home or the look and feel of a newer build. With limited existing home inventory available today, especially in the starter and middle-level markets, many buyer...

Many sellers believe spring is the best time to put their homes on the market because buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year. What they don’t realize is if every homeowner believes the same thing, then that’s when they’ll have the most competition.

The gap between the increase in personal income and residential real estate prices has been used to defend the concept that we are experiencing an affordability crisis in housing today.

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today, instead of waiting.

Did you know that 1 in 6 Americans currently live in a multigenerational household?

To understand today’s complex real estate market, it is critical to have a local, trusted advisor on your side – for more reasons than you may think.

In today’s market, low inventory dominates the conversation in many areas of the country. It can often be frustrating to be a first-time homebuyer if you aren’t prepared. Here are five tips from realtor.com’s article, “How to Find Your Dream Home—Without Losing Your Mind."

Today’s real estate market is nothing like the 2008 market. When an economic slowdown happens, it won’t resemble the last one.

If you’re searching for a home online, you’re not alone; lots of people are doing it. The question is, are you using all of your available resources, and are you using them wisely? Here’s why the Internet is a great place to start the home-buying process, and the truth on why it should never be your only go-to resource when it comes to making such an important decision.