February 2019 | Keeping Current Matters

Home prices have appreciated considerably over the last five years. This has some concerned that we may be in for another dramatic correction. However, recent statistics suggest home values will not crash as they did a decade ago. Instead, this time they will come in for a soft landing.

For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

No Worries… Home Prices Coming in for a SOFT Landing

Home prices have appreciated considerably over the last five years. This has some concerned that we may be in for another dramatic correction. However, recent statistics suggest home values will not crash as they did a decade ago. Instead, this time they will come in for a soft landing.

February 28, 2019/by KCM CREW

According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage are currently at their lowest for 2019. Rates like these haven’t been seen since February 2018!

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Mortgage Rates, Move-Up

Interest Rates Hit New 12 Month Low!

According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage are currently at their lowest for 2019. Rates like these haven’t been seen since February 2018!

February 27, 2019/by KCM CREW

Every family has a list of important dates. We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, pet adoptions…and the list goes on. For 64.4 percent of households in the United States, this list includes the day they became a homeowner for the first time!

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up, Rent vs. Buy

What are the Benefits of Becoming a Homeowner?

Every family has a list of important dates. We celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, pet adoptions…and the list goes on. For 64.4 percent of households in the United States, this list includes the day they became a homeowner for the first time!

February 26, 2019/by KCM CREW

Every three years, the Federal Reserve conducts their Survey of Consumer Finances. Data is collected across all economic and social groups. The latest survey data covers 2013-2016.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up, Rent vs. Buy

How Can I Increase My Family’s Net Worth?

Every three years, the Federal Reserve conducts their Survey of Consumer Finances. Data is collected across all economic and social groups. The latest survey data covers 2013-2016.

February 25, 2019/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, Infographics, First-Time Buyers

3 Tips for Making Your Dream of Buying A Home Come True [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

Setting up an automatic savings plan that saves a small amount of every check is one of the best ways to save without thinking too much about it.
Living within a budget right now will help you save money for down payments while also paying down other debts that might be holding you back.
What are you willing to cut back on to make your dreams of homeownership a reality?

February 22, 2019/by KCM CREW

With home prices softening, some are concerned that we may be headed toward the next housing crash. However, it is important to remember that today’s market is quite different than the bubble market of twelve years ago.

For Buyers, For Sellers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

3 Reasons Why We Are Not Heading Toward Another Housing Crash

With home prices softening, some are concerned that we may be headed toward the next housing crash. However, it is important to remember that today’s market is quite different than the bubble market of twelve years ago.

February 21, 2019/by KCM CREW

The housing market has been hot for a while now. Homes have been flying off the shelves as fast as they have been listed. Buyers have been competing in bidding wars just to find a home to buy, let alone find their dream home.

For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up, Rent vs. Buy

Why A Normal Market is Just What We Need

The housing market has been hot for a while now. Homes have been flying off the shelves as fast as they have been listed. Buyers have been competing in bidding wars just to find a home to buy, let alone find their dream home.

February 20, 2019/by KCM CREW

Many homeowners believe that rising interest rates and home prices have scared away buyers and therefore have not listed their houses for sale. However, the truth is that buyers who were unable to find a home last year are out in force, and there are even more coming!

For Buyers, For Sellers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

2019 Will Be a Great Year for Buyers AND Sellers

Many homeowners believe that rising interest rates and home prices have scared away buyers and therefore have not listed their houses for sale. However, the truth is that buyers who were unable to find a home last year are out in force, and there are even more coming!

February 19, 2019/by KCM CREW

In a CNBC article, self-made millionaire David Bach explained that: “The biggest mistake millennials are making is not buying their first home.” He goes on to say that, “If you want to build real financial security, real wealth for your lifetime, then you need to buy a home.”

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up, Rent vs. Buy

Millionaire To Millennials: Don’t Get Stuck Renting A Home… Buy One!

In a CNBC article, self-made millionaire David Bach explained that: “The biggest mistake millennials are making is not buying their first home.” He goes on to say that, “If you want to build real financial security, real wealth for your lifetime, then you need to buy a home.”

February 18, 2019/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, For Sellers, Infographics, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

Where Did Americans Move in 2018? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

Every year United Van Lines conducts their National Movers Study by tracking their customer’s movement state-to-state over the course of the year.
Vermont claimed the top spot of states with the highest percentage of inbound residents following a campaign that covered relocation costs for skilled workers who moved to the state.
The most common response for why someone relocated to another state was for a new job or company transfer.

February 15, 2019/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers

First Comes Love… Then Comes Mortgage? Couples Lead the Way

According to the National Association of REALTORS most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, married couples once again dominated the first-time homebuyer statistics in 2018 at 54% of all buyers. It is no surprise that buying a home is more attainable with two incomes to save for down payments and contribute to monthly housing costs.

February 14, 2019/by KCM CREW

Study after study shows that no matter what generation Americans belong to, the vast majority believe that homeownership is an important part of their American Dream. The benefits of homeownership can be broken into two main categories: financial and non-financial (often referred to as emotional or social reasons.)

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Senior Market, Move-Up, Rent vs. Buy

Why Homeownership Matters Now More Than Ever

Study after study shows that no matter what generation Americans belong to, the vast majority believe that homeownership is an important part of their American Dream. The benefits of homeownership can be broken into two main categories: financial and non-financial (often referred to as emotional or social reasons.)

February 13, 2019/by KCM CREW

If your plan for 2019 includes selling your home, you will want to pay attention to where experts believe home values are headed. According to the latest Home Price Index from CoreLogic, home prices increased by 4.7% over the course of 2018.

For Sellers, Home Prices, Move-Up

How To List Your Home for the Best Price

If your plan for 2019 includes selling your home, you will want to pay attention to where experts believe home values are headed. According to the latest Home Price Index from CoreLogic, home prices increased by 4.7% over the course of 2018.

February 12, 2019/by KCM CREW

It is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the spring buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off putting their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that is a good strategy this year.

For Sellers, Move-Up

Thinking of Selling Your House? This is a Perfect Time!

It is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the spring buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off putting their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that is a good strategy this year.

February 11, 2019/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, For Sellers, Infographics, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

5 Reasons to Love Hiring A Real Estate Pro [INFOGRAPHIC]

Highlights:

Hiring a real estate professional to guide you through the process of buying a home or selling your house can be one of the best decisions you make!
They are there for you to help with contracts, explaining the process, negotiations, and pricing (both when making an offer or setting the right price for your home).
One of the top reasons to hire a real estate professional is their understanding of your local market and how the conditions in your neighborhood will impact your experience.

Some Highlights

February 8, 2019/by KCM CREW

Headlines spotlight the fact that buying a home is less affordable today than it was at any other time in more than a decade. Those headlines are accurate.

For Buyers, For Sellers, Home Prices, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

How to Get a Better Perspective on Affordability

Headlines spotlight the fact that buying a home is less affordable today than it was at any other time in more than a decade. Those headlines are accurate.

February 7, 2019/by KCM CREW

One of the biggest challenges sellers face when listing their house is decluttering. Cleaning out some of the more personal decorating choices allows buyers to imagine themselves living in the house.

For Sellers, Move-Up

The KonMari Method: Helping You Prep Your House For Sale

One of the biggest challenges sellers face when listing their house is decluttering. Cleaning out some of the more personal decorating choices allows buyers to imagine themselves living in the house.

February 6, 2019/by KCM CREW

The largest obstacle renters face when planning to buy a home is saving for a down payment. This challenge is amplified by rising rents, which has eaten into the amount of money renters have leftover for savings each month after paying expenses.

For Buyers, For Sellers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

One More Time... You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy a Home

The largest obstacle renters face when planning to buy a home is saving for a down payment. This challenge is amplified by rising rents, which has eaten into the amount of money renters have leftover for savings each month after paying expenses.

February 5, 2019/by KCM CREW

There are some people who haven’t purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. However, everyone should realize that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up, Rent vs. Buy

Whose Mortgage Do You Want to Pay? Yours or Your Landlord’s?

There are some people who haven’t purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. However, everyone should realize that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s.

February 4, 2019/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, For Sellers, Infographics, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

5 Reasons Homeowners Throw the Best Super Bowl Parties! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Highlights:

Watching the big game at home with your friends & family offers many advantages.
There’s more room to entertain a large crowd, and you don’t have to worry about complaints to your landlord if you cheer too loudly!
The kitchen is big enough to make as many appetizers as you want, and if some of your guests are only there to watch the commercials, they can do so on a different TV in another room!

Some Highlights

February 1, 2019/by KCM CREW