A considerable number of potential buyers shy away from jumping into the real estate market due to their uncertainties about the buying process. A specific cause for concern tends to be mortgage qualification.
Taking Fear Out of the Mortgage Process
Month: October 2018
Are You Spending TOO Much on Rent?
Chances are if you are renting you are spending too much of your income on your monthly housing expense. There is a long-standing ‘rule’ that a household should not pay more than 28% of their income on their rent or mortgage payment. This percentage allows the household to save money for the future while comfortably covering other expenses.
Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here’s Why You Need A Pro in Your Corner
Buying a Home Can Be Scary… Until You Know the Facts [INFOGRAPHIC]
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Some Highlights:
Many potential homebuyers believe that they need a 20% down payment and a 780 FICO® score to qualify to buy a home which stops many of them from even trying! Here are some facts:
- 72% of buyers who purchased homes this year have put down less than 20%.
- 4% of loan applications were approved last month.
- The average credit score of approved loans was 727 in September.
Where are Home Values Headed over the Next Few Years?
There are many questions about where home prices will be next year as well as where they may be headed over the next several years to come. We have gathered the most reliable sources to help answer these questions:
Still Think You Need 15-20% Down to Buy a Home? Think Again!
Housing Is Still Affordable in the United States!
Lately, there have been many headlines circulating about whether or not there is an "affordability issue forming in the housing market."
Will Home Prices Continue to Increase?
There are many unsubstantiated theories about what is happening with home prices. From those who are worried that prices are falling (data shows this is untrue), to those who are concerned that prices are again approaching boom peaks because of “irrational exuberance” (this is also untrue as prices are not at peak levels when they are adjusted for inflation), there seems to be no shortage of opinion.
20 Tips for Preparing Your House for Sale This Fall [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights:
- When listing your house for sale, your top goal will be to get the home sold for the best price possible!
- There are many small projects that you can do to ensure this happens!
- Your real estate agent will have a list of specific suggestions for getting your house ready for market and is a great resource for finding local contractors who can help!
Is the Increase in Inventory a Bullish or Bearish Sign for Real Estate?
In a recent article, National Housing Inventory Crisis Reaches Inflection Point, realtor.com reported that:
- New listings jumped 8% year-over-year nationally, the largest increase since 2013
- Total listings in the 45 largest markets are now up 6% on average over last year