Buying a home has become more and more expensive over the years. Between mortgage rates, home prices, and upfront costs, affordability remains a top issue for most buyers. One of the biggest hurdles for buyers – especially first-time buyers – is the down payment. Even though some loans allow for down payments as low as …
Everyone has their own style and preferences, but there are a number of home features that pop up at the top of any home buyers’ checklist. Even new construction home builders will take note of the current trends and incorporate them into the house that they’re building so that it appeals to more buyers. So, …
13 Essential Features That Are Must-Haves for New Home Buyers Read More »
This time of year is a whirlwind. Between preparing for the holidays, traveling, spending time with family, and hopefully squeezing in some time to relax, there’s a lot going on at the end of the year. This makes it easy to overlook some less fun, but equally important tasks like checking in on your finances. …
6 Financial Tasks to Complete by the End of the Year Read More »
Should I buy now or wait until rates fall? This question is plaguing current home buyers. Home prices are climbing, interest rates show no signs of cooling, and buyers are struggling to find affordable homes on the market. The result? Most buyers are choosing to wait. In fact, more than 80% of buyers believe it’s …
Is Now the Right Time to Buy a House, or Should You Wait? Read More »
No matter where you live, you likely face some sort of natural threat like tornadoes, wildfires, hurricanes, snowstorms, flooding, or heatwaves. Certain areas are more prone to natural disasters than others, and if you live in one of these areas, it’s essential to have an emergency plan. Keep these points in mind as you prepare …
For many renters, the idea of transitioning from renting to homeownership can be both exciting and daunting. It’s a significant financial and lifestyle decision that requires careful consideration. Before taking the leap, renters should ask themselves several crucial questions to ensure they are ready for the responsibilities and benefits of owning a home. If you’re …
3 Essential Questions Renters Must Ask Before Purchasing a Home Read More »
A few different factors contributed to last week’s upward rate momentum. For once, economic reports were not the main cause. The first factor was the debt ceiling debate. The other was Fed member comments and the overall economic outlook. All of these factors contributed to bond market weakness, which oftentimes correlates to higher rates. The …
Market Update: Rates Trend Higher; Pending Home Sales Coming Up This Week Read More »
Over 75% of American households carry some type of debt – credit cards, mortgages, or other types of loans. Though debt is a normal part of most peoples’ lives, it tends to get a bad reputation. We grow up learning about the dark side of debt. “Debt will hurt your credit score,” “you should avoid …
Not All Debt is Bad. Here’s How to Use it to Your Advantage Read More »
This time of year is a whirlwind. Between preparing for the holidays, traveling, spending time with family, and hopefully squeezing in some time to relax, there’s a lot going on at the end of the year. This makes it easy to overlook some less fun, but equally important tasks like checking in on your finances. …
6 Financial Tasks to Complete by the End of the Year Read More »
This isn’t the first time the housing market has been here. In the late 1970s, inflation climbed to 14% and home prices surged 14%. It was a seller’s market; buyers were taking what they could get. Eventually, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates to calm down the economy. By 1980, mortgage rates had soared to …
Looking Back: The Current Housing Market is All Too Familiar Read More »