Why This Housing Market Is Not a Bubble Ready To Pop

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 22, 2022. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Pricing, Stuart FL Mortgage.

Homeownership has become a major element in achieving the American Dream. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds that over 86% of buyers agree homeownership is still the American Dream. Prior to the 1950s, less than half of the country owned their own home. However, after World War II, many returning veterans used the benefits afforded by the GI Bill to purchase a home. Since then, the percentage of homeowners throughout the country has increased to the current rate of 65.5%. That strong desire for homeownership has kept home values appreciating ever since. The...

How To Approach Rising Mortgage Rates as a Buyer

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 21, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Move-Up Buyers, Stuart FL Mortgage.

In the last few weeks, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 5%. While that news may have you questioning the timing of your home search, the truth is, timing has never been more important. Even though you may be tempted to put your plans on hold in hopes that rates will fall, waiting will only cost you more. Mortgage rates are forecast to continue rising in the year ahead. If you’re thinking of buying a home, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can succeed even as mortgage rates rise. How Rising Mortgage Rates Impact You Mortgage rates play a significant...

Why Pre-Approval Is an Important Step for Today’s Homebuyers

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 20, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Move-Up Buyers, Stuart FL Mortgage.

Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home this season. That’s why pre-approval is so important today. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Peter Warden, Editor of The Mortgage Reports, explains: “The lender will check out your personal finances and issue you a letter confirming the amount you’re eligible to borrow. This not only gives you a firm budget for house hunting, but also lets sellers know you’re qualified to make an offer.” Why does that matter so much today? There are many more...

Is It Time To Buy a Smaller Home?

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 19, 2022. Posted in Baby Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Senior Market, Stuart FL Mortgage.

Life events can have a major impact on what you need from your home, and retirement is one of the biggest changes many of us face. This period of your life can mean doing more of the things you enjoy, like traveling, visiting with loved ones, or taking on new hobbies. But what does that mean for your home? If you’re looking for ways to focus more on the important things in your life, the answer could be downsizing. A recent article from The Balance talks about why it could be a great option, saying: “There are many reasons to buy a smaller home—or to downsize from your present home—but sometimes,...

What Is Multigenerational Housing? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 16, 2022. Posted in Baby Boomers, Buying Myths, Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Gen Z, Generation X, Infographics, Millennials, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Move-Up Buyers, Senior Market, Stuart FL Mortgage.

Some Highlights If you have additional loved ones coming to live with you but don’t have enough space, it may be time to consider a larger, multigenerational home. Some key benefits of multigenerational living include a combined homebuying budget, shared caregiving duties, enhanced relationships, and more. These benefits might be why more people are choosing to live in multigenerational homes today. Let’s connect so you can find a house that meets your changing needs and has plenty of space for you and your loved ones. Content previously posted on Keeping Current Matters

On the Fence of Whether or Not To Move This Spring? Consider This.

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 15, 2022. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Move-Up Buyers, Stuart FL Mortgage.

If you’re thinking of selling your house, it may be because you’ve heard prices are rising, listings are going fast, and sellers are getting multiple offers on their homes. But why are conditions so good for sellers today? And what can you expect when you move? To help answer both of those questions, let’s turn to the data. Today, there are far more buyers looking for homes than sellers listing their houses. Here are the maps of the latest buyer and seller traffic from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to help paint the picture of what this looks like: Notice how much darker the blues...

Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed?

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 14, 2022. Posted in For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Stuart FL Mortgage.

There’s never been a truer statement regarding forecasting mortgage rates than the one offered last year by Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American: “You know, the fallacy of economic forecasting is: Don’t ever try and forecast interest rates and or, more specifically, if you’re a real estate economist mortgage rates, because you will always invariably be wrong.” Coming into this year, most experts projected mortgage rates would gradually increase and end 2022 in the high three-percent range. It’s only April, and rates have already blown past those numbers. Freddie Mac announced last...

Using Your Tax Refund To Achieve Your Homeownership Goals This Year

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 12, 2022. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Move-Up Buyers, Stuart FL Mortgage.

If you’re buying or selling a home this year, you’re likely saving up for a variety of expenses. For buyers, that might include things like your down payment and closing costs. And for sellers, you’re probably working on a bit of spring cleaning and maintenance to spruce up your house before you list it. Either way, any money you get back from your taxes can help you achieve your goals. Using a tax refund is a common tactic for buyers and sellers. SmartAsset estimates the average American will receive a $2,897 tax refund this year. The map below provides a more detailed estimate by state: If...

The Future of Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for You

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 8, 2022. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing, Stuart FL Mortgage.

Many consumers are wondering what will happen with home values over the next few years. Some are concerned that the recent run-up in home prices will lead to a situation similar to the housing crash 15 years ago. However, experts say the market is totally different today. For example, Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, tweeted just last week on this issue: “. . . We do need price appreciation to slow today (it’s not sustainable over the long run) but high price growth today is supported by fundamentals- short supply, lower rates & demographic demand. And we are in a...

Remote Work Trends Mean Flexibility for First-Time Homebuyers

Written by Stuart FL Mortgage Syndicated User on April 7, 2022. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Rates Stuart FL, Stuart FL Mortgage.

Today’s low inventory can be challenging for homebuyers, especially if you’re looking to purchase your first home. But if you’re one of many people who work remotely, you may have a great opportunity to use the flexibility you have at work to achieve your homebuying goals this year. In a recent report, Arch Capital Services explains how the ongoing trend of remote work can open up more options for homebuyers: “. . . This will enable those who are able to work from home on a part-time or hybrid basis to move slightly farther away from job centers. . . . For workers who secure full-time remote...

Category: For Buyers