MONEY MATTERS

Buyers, MONEY MATTERS

Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home?

Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home? A lot of buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching rates hover a little above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy once they hit the 5s. Because who doesn’t want a better rate? But here’s the thing: that […]
Buyers, MONEY MATTERS

Is It Better To Buy Now or Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates? Here’s the Tradeoff

#MortgageRates #HousingMarketForecasts #KeepingCurrentMatters Is It Better To Buy Now or Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates? Here’s the Tradeoff Mortgage rates are still a hot topic – and for good reason. After the most recent jobs report came out weaker than expected, the bond market reacted almost instantly. And, as a result, in early August mortgage […]
MONEY MATTERS, Sellers

Sellers Need To Know About Their Asking Price

The #1 Thing Sellers Need To Know About Their Asking Price When you put your house on the market, you want to sell it quickly and for the best price possible; that’s generally the goal. But too many sellers are shooting too high right now. They don’t realize the market has shifted as inventory has […]
Buyers, MONEY MATTERS

Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Point So Far This Year

Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Point So Far This Year If you’ve been holding off on buying a home because of high mortgage rates, you might want to take another look at the market. That’s because mortgage rates have been trending down lately – and that gives you a chance to jump back in. Mortgage rates […]

Buyers Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home? Would You Let $80 a Month Hold You Back from Buying a Home? A lot of buyers are stuck in “wait and see” mode right now. They’re watching rates hover a little above 6% and thinking, I’ll buy once they hit the 5s. Because who doesn’t want a better rate? But here’s the thing: that […]

Buyers Is It Better To Buy Now or Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates? Here’s the Tradeoff #MortgageRates #HousingMarketForecasts #KeepingCurrentMatters Is It Better To Buy Now or Wait for Lower Mortgage Rates? Here’s the Tradeoff Mortgage rates are still a hot topic – and for good reason. After the most recent jobs report came out weaker than expected, the bond market reacted almost instantly. And, as a result, in early August mortgage […]

MONEY MATTERS Sellers Need To Know About Their Asking Price The #1 Thing Sellers Need To Know About Their Asking Price When you put your house on the market, you want to sell it quickly and for the best price possible; that’s generally the goal. But too many sellers are shooting too high right now. They don’t realize the market has shifted as inventory has […]

Buyers Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Point So Far This Year Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Point So Far This Year If you’ve been holding off on buying a home because of high mortgage rates, you might want to take another look at the market. That’s because mortgage rates have been trending down lately – and that gives you a chance to jump back in. Mortgage rates […]

Buyers Why Moving to a More Affordable Area Makes Sense Why Moving to a More Affordable Area Makes Sense Moving to a more affordable area could be the fresh start you need to get ahead financially. While some markets are certainly more affordable than others, know that working with a trusted real estate agent to find what fits your budget and your desired location – […]

MONEY MATTERS Should You Rent Out or Sell Your House? Should You Rent Out or Sell Your House? Figuring out what to do with your house when you’re ready to move can be a big decision. Should you sell it and use the money for your next adventure, or keep it as a rental to build long-term wealth? It’s a question many homeowners face, and the answer […]

Buyers A Newly Built Home May Actually Be More Budget-Friendly A Newly Built Home May Actually Be More Budget-Friendly If you’re in the market to buy a home, there’s some exciting news for you. Many people assume that newly built homes are more expensive than existing ones (houses that have already been lived in), but that’s not always the case. In fact, exploring newly built homes […]

MONEY MATTERS Why Moving to a Smaller Home After Retirement Makes Life Easier Why Moving to a Smaller Home After Retirement Makes Life Easier Retirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and enjoying the things you love. As you imagine this exciting new chapter in your life, it’s important to think about whether your current home still fits your needs. If it’s too big, too costly, or just not convenient […]

Buyers Why a Vacation Home Is the Ultimate Summer Upgrade Why a Vacation Home Is the Ultimate Summer Upgrade Summer is officially here and that means it’s the perfect time to start planning where you want to vacation and unwind this season. If you’re excited about getting away and having some fun in the sun, it might make sense to consider if owning your own vacation home […]

MONEY MATTERS How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits Your Community How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits Your Community If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, it’s important to know it doesn’t just impact you—it helps out the local economy and your community, too. Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts out a report that breaks down the financial impact that comes from people buying and selling homes (see visual below): When a […]

MONEY MATTERS Why Today’s Seller’s Market Is Good for Your Bottom Line Why Today’s Seller’s Market Is Good for Your Bottom Line Thinking about selling your house and wondering if now’s a good time to do it? Here’s what you need to know. Even though the number of homes for sale has been growing this year, there still aren’t enough homes on the market for all the buyers who want to […]

MONEY MATTERS The Benefits of Downsizing When You Retire The Benefits of Downsizing When You Retire If you’re taking a look at your expenses as you retire, saving money where you can has a lot of appeal. One long-standing, popular way to do that is by downsizing to a smaller home. When you think about cutting down on your spending, odds are you think of groceries […]

Buyers How Changing Mortgage Rates Impact You Check out this useful information about rates for homebuyers today: Check out the Move Meter Some Highlights If you’re looking to buy a home, it’s important to know how mortgage rates (click here for a mortgage calculator). impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. That’s because even a small change in these rates can […]

Buyers What’s Really Happening with Mortgage Rates? What’s Really Happening with Mortgage Rates? Are you feeling a bit unsure about what’s really happening with mortgage rates? That might be because you’ve heard someone say they’re coming down. But then you read somewhere else that they’re up again. And that may leave you scratching your head and wondering what’s true. The simplest answer is: […]

MONEY MATTERS Home Equity Can Be a Game Changer When You Sell Are you on the fence about selling your house? While affordability is improving this year, it’s still tight. And that may be on your mind. But understanding your home equity could be the key to making your decision easier. An article from Bankrate explains: “Home equity is the difference between your home’s value and the amount you still owe on […]

Buyers The Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth If you’re trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home this year, here’s a powerful insight that could give you the clarity and confidence you need to make your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), which compares net worth for homeowners and renters. The latest report shows the average homeowner’s net worth […]

Buyers People Are Still Moving, Even with Today’s Affordability Challenges If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home, you might have heard that it’s tough right now because mortgage rates are higher than they’ve been over the past few years, and home prices are rising. That much is true. Take a look at the graph below. It breaks down how the current affordability situation stacks up to recent years. The National Association of […]

Buyers How VA Loans Can Help Make Homeownership Dreams Come True For more than 79 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own homes. If you or someone you care about has served in the military, it’s essential to learn about this program and its advantages. Here are some important things to know about VA loans before you buy a home. The Many […]

Buyers Don’t Believe Everything You Read About Home Prices According to the latest data from Fannie Mae, 23% of Americans still think home prices will go down over the next twelve months. But why do roughly 1 in 4 people feel that way? It has a lot to do with all the negative talk about home prices over the past year. Since late 2022, the media has […]

Buyers Affordable Homeownership Strategies for Gen Z The idea of owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream. It’s a symbol of stability, independence, and having a place to truly call your own. But for Gen Z, the “Zoomers” born between 1997 and 2012, making that dream a reality can feel like quite the challenge today with […]