Tag: First Time Homebuyers

VA Loans Help Heroes Achieve Homeownership

Posted on 11/11/2023

VA home loans can help people who served our country become homeowners. These loans can help qualified individuals purchase a VA-approved home or condo, build a new home, or enhance their current one. Owning a home is the American Dream, and one way to show our appreciation to veterans is by providing them with important information about the...

VA Loans

Unmasking Scary Myths about Today’s Housing Market

Posted on 10/27/2023

Here’s what you really need to know about a few myths causing fear in today’s housing market. Despite common misconceptions, many people can buy a home even if they have student loans, home prices are rising nationally (not falling), and you usually don’t have to have 20% for a down payment. If you have other fears or reservations...

Housing Market

Are Higher Mortgage Rates Here To Stay?

Posted on 10/16/2023

Mortgage rates have been back on the rise recently and that’s getting a lot of attention from the press. If you’ve been following the headlines, you may have even seen rates recently reached their highest level in over two decades (see graph below): That can feel like a little bit of a gut punch if you’re thinking about...

Mortgage Rates

The Latest Forecasts for Home Prices in 2023

Posted on 10/14/2023

Are you thinking about making a move? If so, all the speculation that home prices would crash this year may have you feeling a bit on edge about your decision. Let the data and the experts reassure you. Prices aren’t in a downward spiral and will actually finish the year strong. Even though you may have heard talk...

Home Prices

Get Ready for Smaller, More Affordable Homes

Posted on 09/08/2023

Have you been trying to buy a home, but higher mortgage rates and home prices are limiting your options? If so, here’s some good news – based on what Ali Wolf, Chief Economist at Zonda, has to say – smaller, more affordable homes are on the way: “Buyers should expect that over the next 12 to 24 months...

Where Are People Moving Today and Why?

Posted on 08/14/2023

Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market and wondering what you can do to help offset those. A new report from Gravy Analytics provides insight into where people are searching for homes and what they’re...

Four Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity

Posted on 08/10/2023

If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years. Equity builds over time as home values grow and as you pay down your home loan. And, since home prices skyrocketed during the 'unicorn' years, you’ve likely gained more than you think. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the...

Explaining Today’s Mortgage Rates

Posted on 07/23/2023

If you’re following mortgage rates because you know they impact your borrowing costs, you may be wondering what the future holds for them. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to answer that question because mortgage rates are notoriously hard to forecast. There is one thing that’s historically a good indicator of what’ll happen with rates, and that’s the relationship...

Interest Rates

Two Questions To Ask Yourself if You’re Considering Buying a Home

Posted on 07/06/2023

If you’re thinking of buying a home, chances are you’re paying attention to just about everything you hear about the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a variety of channels: the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends and loved ones, overhearing someone chatting at the local supermarket, the list goes on and...

Home Prices

Evaluating Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Matters More Today

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Posted on 07/03/2023

When it comes to buying a home, especially with today’s affordability challenges, you’ll want to be strategic. Mortgage rates impact how much it costs to borrow money for your home loan. And, to help offset the higher borrowing costs today, some homebuyers are taking a close look at their wish list and re-evaluating what features they really need...