Buying a house today is vastly different than it was fifty years ago. Higher home prices, stricter regulations, and advanced technology have transformed the home purchase process. What’s more, economic changes and shifting demographics have had their influence as well. Below, we’ve discussed some of the many ways the homebuying process has transformed over the … Read More “How the Home Purchase Process Has Changed Over Time” »
Category: Buying a Home
If you’ve been keeping up with our series on the new homebuyer’s agreement, here’s something you need to know: There’s been a CHANGE in Real Estate Commissions Post-NAR settlement, sellers can still offer compensation to your agent, but it won’t be visible on public listings anymore. The good news is concessions are allowed, and … Read More “FridayFacts; Attention Homebuyers” »
Key takeaways The current housing market is causing many prospective buyers to wait for better conditions, but there’s no guarantee that it will improve considerably anytime soon, even with a Fed rate cut. If your credit score is strong, your employment is stable and you have enough savings to cover a down payment and closing … Read More “Should I buy a house now, or wait?” »
Thinking about buying a home? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two solid reasons why, if you’re ready and able, it could still be a smart move to get your own place. 1. Home Values Typically Go Up Over Time There’s been some confusion over the past year or so about which way home … Read More “The Perks of Buying over Renting” »
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make as a retiree is where you want to live. Maybe you want to move closer to grandchildren, live in a retirement community or perhaps moving will free up some money for your retirement plans. Or maybe you want to buy a home that’s better suited to the retirement lifestyle. … Read More “Buying a home after retirement” »
What is an assumable mortgage loan? An assumable mortgage is one that allows a new borrower to take over an existing loan from the current borrower. Typically, this entails a home buyer taking over the home seller’s mortgage. The new borrower — the person ‘assuming’ the loan — is in exactly the same position as … Read More “How does an assumable mortgage work? Pros and cons” »
There are whispers in the wind (or headlines in the news) that the housing market might be bouncing back. Here are some indicators that a recovery could be underway: Rising Mortgage Rates Slowdown: Interest rates, which had been climbing steadily, might be plateauing or even dipping slightly. This could make homeownership more affordable for some … Read More “Signs of a Housing Market Recovery” »
June is National Homeownership Month, and whether you’re thinking about buying your first home this year or already well into the process, it can be both an exciting and overwhelming endeavor. If everything goes well, it may be one of your most significant life events. Buying a home can be one of the largest financial … Read More “The Essential Steps to Close on Your Home with Confidence” »
Here’s a breakdown of the California housing market for home buyers in February 2024: Positive Signs: Increased Sales Activity: Existing home sales in California surged in February compared to January, indicating a robust market [California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.)]. Inventory: While still tight, there might be a slight increase in available homes compared to the peak … Read More “California Housing Market Update for Home Buyers (February, 2024)” »
The national real estate market is currently in a bit of a transitional phase. Here’s a breakdown of some key trends: Prices: Home prices are still rising, but the rate of increase may be slowing down. Nationally, the median sales price reached $379,100 in January 2024, which is up from a year ago, but the … Read More “The State of the Real Estate Market Now (February 2024)” »