Be Thankful You Don’t Have to Pay Your Parents’ Interest Rate!

Amanda RobinsFirst Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers

Interest rates hovered around 4% for the majority of 2017, which gave many buyers relief from rising home prices and helped with affordability. In the first quarter of 2018, rates have increased from 3.95% up to 4.45% and experts predict that rates will increase even more by the end of the year. The rate you secure greatly impacts your monthly … Read More

Buyer Demand Still Outpacing the Supply of Homes for Sale

Amanda RobinsFor Buyers, For Sellers

The price of any item is determined by the supply of that item, as well as market demand. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) surveys “over 50,000 real estate practitioners about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions” for their monthly REALTORS Confidence Index. Their latest edition sheds some light on the relationship between Seller Traffic (supply) and Buyer Traffic (demand). Buyer Demand The map … Read More

5 Reasons Why to Sell This Spring!

Amanda RobinsFor Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers

Here are five reasons listing your home for sale this spring makes sense. 1. Demand Is Strong The latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains very strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase…and are in the market right now! More often … Read More

Freddie Mac: Rising Mortgage Rates DO NOT Lead to Falling Home Prices

Amanda RobinsBuying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing

Recently, Freddie Mac published an Insight Report titled Nowhere to go but up? How increasing mortgage rates could affect housing. The report focused on the impact the projected rise in mortgage rates might have on the housing market this year. Many believe that an increase in mortgage rates will cause a slowdown in purchases which would, in turn, lead to … Read More

The Cost of Waiting: Interest Rates Edition [INFOGRAPHIC]

Amanda RobinsFirst Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers

Some Highlights: Interest rates are projected to increase steadily heading into 2019. The higher your interest rate, the more money you end up paying for your home and the higher your monthly payment will be. Rates are still low right now. Don’t wait until rates hit 5% to start searching for your dream home! Source: Amanda Robins

Moving up Is MORE Affordable Now Than Almost Any Other Time in 40 Years

Amanda RobinsFor Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers

If you are considering selling your current home, to either move up to a larger home or into a home in an area that better suits your current family needs, great news was just revealed. Last week, Trulia posted a blog, Not Your Father’s Housing Market, which examined home affordability over the last 40+ years (1975-2016). Their research revealed that: … Read More

7 Factors to Consider When Choosing A Home to Retire In

Amanda RobinsBaby Boomers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers

As more and more baby boomers enter retirement age, the question of whether or not to sell their homes and move will become a hot topic. In today’s housing market climate, with low available inventory in the starter and trade-up home categories, it makes sense to evaluate your home’s ability to adapt to your needs in retirement. According to the … Read More

4 Reasons Spring is a Great Time to Buy a Home!

Amanda RobinsFirst Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting. Prices Will Continue to Rise CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index reports that home prices have appreciated by 6.6% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will continue to increase at a rate of 4.3% over the next year. The bottom in home prices has come … Read More