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Showing posts from 2021

4 Things Every Renter Needs To Consider

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  As a renter, you’re constantly faced with the same dilemma: keep renting for another year or purchase a home? Your answer depends on your current situation and future plans, but there are a number of   benefits to homeownership   every renter needs to consider. Here are a few things you should think about before you settle on  renting  for another year. 1. Rents Are Rising Quickly Rent increasing each year isn’t new. Looking back at  Census  data confirms rental prices have gone up consistently for decades  (see graph below): If you’re a renter, you’re faced with payments that continue to climb each year.  Realtor.com  recently shared the  September Rental Report , and it shows price increases accelerating from August to September  (see graph below) : As the graph shows, rents are still on the rise. It’s important to keep this in mind when the time comes for you to sign a new lease, as  your monthly rental payment may increase substantially when you do. 2. Renters Miss Out on Equity

Two Graphs That Show Why You Shouldn’t Be Upset About 3% Mortgage Rates

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With the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from   Freddie Mac   climbing above 3%, rising rates are one of the topics dominating the discussion in the housing market today. And since experts   project   rates will rise further in the coming months, that conversation isn’t going away any time soon. But as a homebuyer, what do  rates  above 3%  really  mean? Today’s Average Mortgage Rate Still Presents Buyers with a Great Opportunity Buyers don’t want mortgage rates to rise, as any upward movement increases your monthly mortgage payment. But it’s important to put today’s average mortgage rate into perspective. The  graph  below shows today’s rate in comparison to average rates over the last five years: As the graph shows, even though today’s rate is above 3%,  it’s still incredibly competitive. But today’s rate isn’t just low when compared to the most recent years. To truly put today into perspective, let’s look at the last 50 years  (see graph below): When we look back even further, w

Renters Missed Out on $51,500 This Past Year

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  Rents have increased significantly this year. The latest  National Rent Report  from  Apartmentlist.com  shows rents are rising at a rate much higher than the three years leading up to the pandemic: “Since January of this year,  the national median rent has increased by a staggering 16.4 percent.  To put that in context, rent growth from January to September averaged just 3.4 percent in the pre-pandemic years from 2017-2019.” Looking back, we can see rents rising isn’t new. The median rental price has  increased  consistently over the past 33 years  (see graph below) : If you’re thinking of  renting  for another year, consider that rents will likely be even higher next year. But that alone doesn’t paint the picture of the true  cost  of renting. The Money Renters Stand To Lose This Year A homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment pays for their shelter, but it also acts as an investment. That investment grows in the form of  equity  as a homeowner makes their mortgage payment each month t

1st Time Buyers- Up to $10,000 in Down Payment Assistance available!

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  HUGE Home Buying MYTH that you must have 20% down payment to buy! Most borrowers average LESS than 20% down payment. Did you know that we offer up to $10,000 in Down Payment Assistance to eligible applicants? Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home right now? You may be eager to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the brakes. Today, there’s still a common myth that you have to come up with 20% of the total sale price for your down payment. This means people who could buy a home may be putting their plans on hold because they don’t have that much saved yet. The reality is, whether you’re looking for your first home or you’ve purchased one before, you most likely don’t need to put 20% down.  Here’s why. According to Freddie Mac: “The most damaging down payment myth—since it stops the homebuying process before it can start—is the belief that 20% is necessary.” If sa
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  Traditionally speaking, the holiday season is not when homebuyers flock to sign on the dotted line. But 2020 was a different animal, and the numbers are in. Pending home sales reached a record high for December as the unseasonable housing surge continued in markets across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Realtor Magazine, pending sales were up 21.4% year over year in December, reaching the highest reading for a December on the National Association of REALTORS®’ Pending Home Sales Index. All major regions of the U.S. recorded double-digit increases annually. While housing shortages continue the upward pressure, National Association of Realtor’s chief economist Lawrence Yun says,“Pending home sales contracts have dipped during recent months, but I would attribute that to having too few homes for sale.” “There is a high demand for housing and a great number of would-be buyers, and therefore sales should rise with more new listings. This elevated demand without a si
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  MARKET FOCUS: STIMULUS, SERVICE SECTOR, AND BLOCKBUSTER HOME SALES Stocks opened lower this morning after generally unchanged yesterday.  Investors are pausing to get more specifics from the Biden administration. Equity markets will love the increased spending, but how much love is where markets are today. Biden wants a $1.9 trillion stimulus package to shorten the economic decline.  Most world leaders are taking a more conservative outlook. Hopes that activity can return to normal in the hardest-hit economies are becoming increasingly distant despite the progress being made on vaccinations. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson signaled that the country's current lockdown could last until the summer while officials there have suggested paying people who test positive for the virus to stay at home. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said it would be late September before everyone who wants to get vaccinated can get a shot. Anger is rising across Europe as the supply of Pfizer vaccines s