Vacation Home Sales: Sales Down, Prices Up

By |2020-05-15T13:37:16-07:00April 14th, 2016|Categories: For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Pricing, Real Estate|

The National Association of Realtors recently released their 2016 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey. The survey revealed many characteristics of both vacation home purchasers and investors. Today, we want to concentrate on the vacation real estate market. The survey found that vacation home sales last year declined to an estimated 920,000, down 18.5% from [...]

The Top Reasons Why Americans Buy Homes

By |2016-04-13T10:00:13-07:00April 13th, 2016|Categories: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers, Real Estate|

Last week, the inaugural “Homebuyer Insights Report” was released by the Bank of America. The report revealed the reasons why consumers purchase homes and what their feelings are regarding homeownership. Consumer Lending Executive, D. Steve Boland, explained: “Homebuyers today are motivated by both emotional and practical reasons. Nearly all want more space, but a majority [...]

Over Half of Americans Planning on Buying in the Next 5 Years

By |2016-04-12T10:00:04-07:00April 12th, 2016|Categories: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers, Real Estate|

According to the BMO Harris Bank Home Buying Report, 52% of Americans say they are likely to buy a home in the next five years. Americans surveyed for the report said that they would be willing to pay an average of $296,000 for a home and would average a 21% down payment. The report also [...]

You Can Save for a Down Payment Faster Than You Think

By |2020-05-15T13:37:16-07:00April 11th, 2016|Categories: Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers, Real Estate|

In a study conducted by Builder.com, researchers determined that nationwide, it would take “nearly eight years” for a first-time buyer to save enough for a down payment on their dream home. Depending on where you live, median rents, incomes and home prices all vary. By determining the percentage of income a renter spends on housing [...]

Building Wealth: First Rung on the Ladder is Housing

By |2020-05-15T13:37:16-07:00April 7th, 2016|Categories: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers, Real Estate|

How Housing Matters is a joint project of the Urban Land Institute and the MacArthur Foundation. It is “an online resource for the most rigorous research and practical information on how a quality, stable, affordable home in a vibrant community contributes to individual and community success”. A recent story they published, The First Rung on [...]

Real Estate: 2016 Will Be the Best Year in a Decade

By |2016-04-06T10:00:04-07:00April 6th, 2016|Categories: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers, Real Estate|

A few weeks ago, Jonathan Smoke, the Chief Economist at realtor.com, exclaimed: “All indicators point to this spring being the busiest since 2006.” Now, Freddie Mac has doubled down on that claim and is saying that 2016 will be the best year that the real estate industry has seen in a decade. In their March [...]

Rent or Buy: Either Way You’re Paying A Mortgage

By |2020-05-15T13:37:16-07:00April 5th, 2016|Categories: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Real Estate|

There are some renters that have not yet purchased a home because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize that, unless you are living with your parents rent free, you are paying a mortgage - either your mortgage or your landlord’s. As The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard [...]

Don’t Wait! Move Up To Your Dream Home Now!

By |2020-05-15T13:37:16-07:00April 4th, 2016|Categories: First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing, Real Estate|

Now that the housing market has stabilized, more and more homeowners are considering moving up to the home they have always dreamed of. Prices are still below those of a few years ago and interest rates have stayed near historic lows. Sellers should realize that waiting to make the move when mortgage rates are projected [...]