There’s a current narrative that owning a home today is less affordable than it has been in the past. The reason some are making this claim is that house prices have substantially increased over the last several years. It’s not, however, just the price of a home that matters. Homes, ...
Continue ReadingLooking ahead, 2020 is projected to be a strong year for homeownership. According to the Freddie Mac Forecast, “We expect rates to remain low, falling to a yearly average of 3.8% in 2020.” If you’re currently renting, 2020 may be a great time to think about making a jump into homeownership while ...
Continue ReadingSaving for a down payment is a key step in the homebuying process, and it’s not the only piece you need to include in your budget. Another factor that’s important to plan for is the closing costs required to obtain a mortgage. What Are Closing Costs? According to Trulia, “When you ...
Continue ReadingSome Highlights: With interest rates around 3.66%, now is a great time to look back at where they’ve been over the past few decades. Comparatively, they’re pretty low! According to Freddie Mac, rates are projected to increase to 3.9% by this time next year. The impact your interest rate has on your ...
Continue ReadingIn a recent article, First American shared how millennials are not really any different from previous generations when it comes to the goal of homeownership; it is still a huge part of their American Dream. The piece, however, also reveals, “Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest obstacles faced ...
Continue ReadingSome are afraid the real estate market may be looking a lot like it did prior to the housing crash in 2008. One of the factors they’re pointing at is the availability of mortgage money. Recent articles about the availability of low-down-payment loans and down payment assistance programs are causing ...
Continue ReadingToday, on Veterans Day, we salute those who have served our country in war or peace, and we thank them for their sacrifice. This year marks the 75th anniversary of VA Home Loan Benefit offerings through the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, also known as the GI Bill. Since 1944, this law has created opportunities ...
Continue ReadingThe gap between the increase in personal income and residential real estate prices have been used to defend the concept that we are experiencing an affordability crisis in housing today. It is true that home prices and wages are two key elements in any affordability equation. There is, however, an ...
Continue ReadingSome Highlights: Many potential homebuyers believe they need a 20% down payment and a 780 FICO® score to qualify to buy a home. This stops many people from even trying to jump into homeownership! Here are some facts to help take the fear out of the process: 71% of buyers ...
Continue ReadingYou’ve likely heard a ton about Millennials, but what about Gen Z? In the next 5 years, this generation will be between the ages of 23 and 28, and they’re eager to become homeowners faster than you may think. According to realtor.com, “Nearly 80 percent of Generation Z members say they want ...
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