Some Highlights

• Existing home sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.32 million and have increased on a monthly basis for the last two months.
• 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 houses to buy!

Some Highlights

• Buyer demand continues to outpace the supply of homes for sale which means that buyers are often competing with one another for the few listings that are available!
• Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply needed to sustain a normal housing market.
• Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.

Some Highlights

• An emerging trend for some time now has been the difference between available inventory and demand in the premium and luxury markets and that in the starter and trade-up markets and what those differences are doing to prices!
• Inventory continues to rise in the luxury and premium home markets which is causing prices to cool.
• Demand continues to rise with lower-than-normal inventory levels in the starter and trade-up home markets, causing prices to rise on a year-over-year basis for 80 consecutive months.

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, if you plan on relocating to another state, waiting to move may end up costing you more!

Some Highlights

• Existing home sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.22 million, which is up 1.4% over last month. This reverses the six-month trend of dips in sales every month.
• The inventory of existing homes is still below the 6-month supply needed for a normal market and is now at a 4.3-month supply.
• NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, had this to say: “After six consecutive months of decline, buyers are finally stepping back into the housing market. As more inventory enters the market and we head into the winter season, home price growth has begun to slow more meaningfully. This allows for much more manageable, less frenzied buying conditions.”

Some Highlights

• 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 (28.4%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (17.5%), the choice becomes obvious.
• Every market is different. Before you renew your lease again, find out if you can put your housing costs to work by buying this year!

Some Highlights

• The Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan is a benefit that is available to more than 22 million veterans & 2 million active duty service members which helps them achieve their dreams of homeownership.
• In 2017, $189 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program.
• VA Purchase Loans are on the rise in 46 out of 50 states and Washington, DC.

Every Hour in the US Housing Market: 

• 596 Homes Sell
• 278 Homes Regain Positive Equity
• Median Home Values Go Up $1.20

Some Highlights

Some Highlights

• 72% of buyers who purchased homes this year have put down less than 20%.
• 76.4% of loan applications were approved last month.
• The average credit score of approved loans was 727 in September.

Some Highlights

• When listing your house for sale, your top goal will be to get the home sold for the best price possible!
• There are many small projects that you can do to ensure this happens!
• Let’s get together to discuss a list of specific suggestions for getting your house ready for market & potential local contractors who can help!

Some Highlights

• Buying a home can be intimidating if you are not familiar with the terms used during the process.
• To start you on your path with confidence, we have compiled a list of some of the most common terms used when buying a home.
• The best way to ensure that your home-buying process is a confident one is to find a real estate professional who not only puts your family’s needs first, but will guide you through every aspect of the transaction with ‘the heart of a teacher.’

Some Highlights

• According to a study by GOBankingRates, it is cheaper to buy a home than rent in 38 states across the country.
• In six states the difference between buying & renting would account for less than a $50 monthly difference, leaving the choice up to the individual family.
• Nationwide, it is now 26.3% cheaper to buy.

Some Highlights

• The cost of waiting to buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
• Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 5.2% by the third quarter of 2019.
• CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 5.1% over the next 12 months.
• If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, find out if you are able to!

Some Highlights

• Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply that is needed for a normal housing market.
• Buyers are often competing with one another for the listings that are available.
• Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.

Some Highlights

• According to a new survey from Open Listings, 62% of Americans ages 25-54 believe that buying a home is more stressful than planning a wedding.
• Many young couples are saving for a wedding and a home at the same time.
• The average US wedding now costs 66% of a median home down payment, according to The Knot.

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, if you plan on relocating to another state, waiting to move may end up costing you more!

Some Highlights

• Hiring a real estate professional to help you buy your dream home or sell your current house is one of the most 'educated' decisions you can make!
• A real estate professional has the experience needed to help you through the entire process.
• Make sure that you hire someone who knows current market conditions and can simply and effectively explain them to you and your family!

Some Highlights

• The majority of states in the Midwest and South offer a lower cost of living than states in the Northeast and West.
• The ‘biggest bang for your buck’ comes in Mississippi where, compared to the national average, you can actually purchase $115.74 worth of goods for $100.
• For more information regarding the methodology used to create this map, visit the Tax Foundation.

Some Highlights

• Interest rates are projected to increase steadily heading into 2019.
• The higher your interest rate, the more money you end up paying for your home and the higher your monthly payment will be.
• Rates are still low right now – don’t wait until they hit 5% to start searching for your dream home!

Some Highlights

• According to the National Association of Realtors’ latest Existing Home Sales Report, sales in June were down 2.2% from last year.
• Inventory of homes for sale showed a modest improvement of 0.5% over last year’s figures, but still remains under the 6-month supply needed for a normal market.
• NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun had this to say: “There continues to be a mismatch since the spring between the growing level of homebuyer demand in most of the country in relation to the actual pace of home sales, which are declining. The root cause is without a doubt the severe housing shortage that is not releasing its grip on the nation’s housing market.”

Some Highlights

• The average down payment for first-time homebuyers is only 6%!
• Despite mortgage interest rates being over 4%, rates are still below historic numbers.
• 88% of property managers raised their rents in the last 12 months!

Some Highlights

• Real estate has outranked stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs, and bonds as the best long-term investment among Americans for the last 5 years!
• The generations agree! Real estate is the best investment!
• Generation X leads the way with 37% believing in real estate as the top investment.

Some Highlights

• Many buyers are purchasing a home with a down payment as little as 3%.
• You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don't have perfect credit.
• Take advantage of the knowledge of your local professionals who are there to help you determine how much you can afford.

Some Highlights

• The National Association of Realtors surveyed their members & released the findings of their Profile of Home Staging.
• 62% of seller’s agents say that staging a home decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market.
• 50% of staged homes saw a 1-10% increase in dollar-value offers from buyers.
• 77% of buyer’s agents said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize the home as their own.
• The top rooms to stage in order to attract more buyers are the living room, master bedroom, kitchen, and dining room.

Some Highlights

• With interest rates still around 4.5%, now is a great time to look back at where rates have been over the last 40 years.
• Rates are projected to climb to 5.1% by this time next year according to Freddie Mac.
• The impact your interest rate makes on your monthly mortgage cost is significant!
• Lock in a low rate now while you can!