For Buyers

Why You Should Think About Listing Prices Like an Auction’s Reserve Price

Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing /

\"WhyFor generations, the homebuying process never really changed. The seller would try to estimate the market value of the home and tack on a little extra to give themselves some negotiating room. That figure would become the listing price of the house. Buyers would then try to determine how much less than the full price […]

Why You Should Think About Listing Prices Like an Auction’s Reserve Price Read More »

Should We Fear the Surge in Cash-Out Refinances?

For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates /

\"ShouldFreddie Mac recently released their Quarterly Refinance Statistics report which covers refinances through 2020. The report explains that the dollar amount of cash-out refinances was greater in 2020 than in recent years. A cash-out refinance, as defined by Investopia, is: “a mortgage refinancing option in which an old mortgage is replaced for a new one […]

Should We Fear the Surge in Cash-Out Refinances? Read More »

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage?

Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers /

\"WhatAccording to data from the most recent Origination Insight Report by Ellie Mae, the average FICO® score on closed loans reached 753 in February. As lending standards have tightened recently, many are concerned over whether or not their credit score is strong enough to qualify for a mortgage. While stricter lending standards could be a challenge for […]

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage? Read More »

What Is the Strongest Tailwind to Today’s Recovering Economy?

For Buyers, For Sellers, New Construction /

\"WhatLast year started off with a bang. Unemployment was under 4%, forecasters were giddy with their projections for the economy, and the residential housing market had the strongest January and February activity in over a decade. Then came the announcement on March 11, 2020, from the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. Two […]

What Is the Strongest Tailwind to Today’s Recovering Economy? Read More »

What Is the #1 Financial Benefit of Homeownership?

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates /

\"WhatThere are many financial and non-financial benefits of homeownership, and the greatest financial one is wealth creation. Homeownership has always been the first rung on the ladder that leads to forming household wealth. As Freddie Mac explains: “Homeownership has cemented its role as part of the American Dream, providing families with a place that is […]

What Is the #1 Financial Benefit of Homeownership? Read More »

Will the Housing Market Bloom This Spring?

For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, New Construction, Pricing /

\"WillSpring is almost here, and many are wondering what it will bring for the housing market. Even though the pandemic continues on, it’s certain to be very different from the spring we experienced at this time last year. Here’s what a few industry experts have to say about the housing market and how it will […]

Will the Housing Market Bloom This Spring? Read More »

6 Simple Graphs Proving This Is Nothing Like Last Time

Distressed Properties, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Pricing /

\"6Last March, many involved in the residential housing industry feared the market would be crushed under the pressure of a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. Instead, real estate had one of its best years ever. Home sales and prices were both up substantially over the year before. 2020 was so strong that many now fear the market’s exuberance […]

6 Simple Graphs Proving This Is Nothing Like Last Time Read More »

How Upset Should You Be about 3% Mortgage Rates?

Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers /

\"HowLast Thursday, Freddie Mac announced that their 30-year fixed mortgage rate was over 3% (3.02%) for the first time since last July. That news dominated real estate headlines that day and the next. Articles talked about the “negative impact” it may have on the housing market. However, we should realize two things: 1. The bump-up […]

How Upset Should You Be about 3% Mortgage Rates? Read More »