Some Highlights: Real estate has outranked stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs, and bonds as the best long-term investment among Americans for the last 5 years! The generations agree! Real estate is the best investment! Generation X leads the way with 37% believing in real estate as the top investment. Continue Reading
4 Reasons We’re Not Heading Towards a Housing Bubble
With home prices continuing to appreciate above historic levels, some are concerned that we may be heading for another housing ‘boom & bust.’ It is important to remember, however, that today’s market is quite different than the bubble market of twelve years ago. Here are four key metrics that will explain why: Home Prices Mortgage Standards Foreclosure Rates Housing Continue Reading
Average Interest Rate & Mortgage Payment Across Time
Some Highlights: With interest rates still around 4.5%, now is a great time to look back at where rates have been over the last 40 years. Rates are projected to climb to 5.1% by this time next year according to Freddie Mac. The impact your interest rate makes on your monthly mortgage cost is significant! Lock in a low rate now while you can! Continue Reading
Homes are More Affordable in 44 out of 50 States
With both home prices and mortgage rates increasing this year, many are concerned about a family’s ability to purchase a major part of the American Dream – its own home. However, if we compare housing affordability today to the average affordability prior to the housing boom and bust, we are in much better shape than most believe. In Black Knight’s latest monthly Mortgage Monitor, they revealed Continue Reading
Selling Your House on Your Own Could Cost You
In this extremely hot real estate market, some homeowners might consider selling their homes on their own which is known as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). They rationalize that they don’t need a real estate agent and believe that they can save the fee for the services a real estate agent offers. However, a study by Collateral Analytics reveals that FSBOs don’t actually save anything, and in some Continue Reading
Home Sales Grow Despite Low Inventory
Some Highlights: According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors, sales grew 1.1% in March to an annual pace of 5.60 million. This is the strongest pace since November of 2017. Inventory levels dropped year-over-year for the 34th consecutive month and are now 7.2% lower than March 2017 levels, representing a 3.6-month supply. Continue Reading
Numbers of the VA Loan Program
What You Should Know: 22 million veterans have been approved and now own a home through the VA Home Loans Program Last year alone, $188 billion was offered through the program to veterans and their families. In 46 out of 50 states and Washington, DC., VA Purchase Loans are being used more and more frequently. Call one of our Agents today to find out more and connect Continue Reading
Renting Vs. Buying: The True Cost
Cost of Renting vs Buying What You Should Know: Renting vs Buying is always a tough decision, that comes down to your market and what is right for you. The Tallahassee Real Estate Market is GOOD. If you are looking to buy, now is the time. Consider the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (28.9%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home Continue Reading
4 Reasons to Sell This Spring
Some Highlights: Buyer demand continues to outpace the supply of homes for sale which means that buyers are often competing with one another for the few listings that are available! Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply needed to sustain a normal housing market. Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. Continue Reading
Nationally: Home Prices Up 7% From Last Year
According to CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index, national home prices have appreciated by 7.0% from October 2016 to October 2017. This marks the second month in a row with a 7.0% year-over-year increase. A lack of supply of homes for sale has led to upward pressure on home prices across the country, especially in areas where both existing and new home inventory have not Continue Reading
