Housing Market Expected To “Spring Forward” This Year

Amanda RobinsFor Sellers, Move-Up Buyers

Just like our clocks this weekend in the majority of the country, the housing market will soon “spring forward!” Similar to tension in a spring, the lack of inventory available for sale in the market right now is what is holding back the market. Many potential sellers believe that waiting until Spring is in their best interest, and traditionally they would have … Read More

Is Now a Good Time to Rent?

Amanda RobinsFirst Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy

People often ask if now is a good time to buy a home, but nobody ever asks when it’s a good time to rent. Regardless, we want to make certain that everyone understands that today is NOT a good time to rent. The Census Bureau recently released their 2017 fourth quarter median rent numbers. Here is a graph showing rent increases from 1988 … Read More

Latest NAR Data Shows Now Is a Great Time to Sell!

Amanda RobinsFor Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers

We all realize that the best time to sell anything is when demand for that item is high, and the supply of that item is limited. Two major reports released by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed information that suggests that now is a great time to sell your house. Let’s look at the data covered in the latest REALTORS® Confidence Index and Existing Home … Read More

Mortgage Rates on FIRE! Home Prices Up in Smoke?

Amanda RobinsFirst Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing

Mortgage interest rates have already risen by over a quarter of a percentage point in 2018. Many are projecting that rates could increase to 5% by the end of the year. What impact will rising rates have on house values? Many quickly jump to the conclusion that an increase in mortgage rates will have a detrimental impact on real estate … Read More

Top 5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional When Buying or Selling!

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

Whether you are buying or selling a home it can be quite the adventure, which is why you need an experienced real estate professional to guide you on the path to achieving your ultimate goal. But in this world of instant gratification and internet searches, many sellers think that they can ‘For Sale by Owner’ or ‘FSBO.’ The 5 reasons you NEED … Read More

Should I Wait Until Next Year to Buy? Or Buy Now? [INFOGRAPHIC]

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

Some Highlights: The Cost of Waiting to Buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time. Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 5.1% by 2019. CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 4.3% over the next 12 months. If you … Read More

Calm Down! The Real Estate Market is NOT Falling Apart

Amanda RobinsFirst Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers

There has been tremendous volatility in certain markets over the last few weeks (for example, the stock and currency markets). When this happens, some tend to lump all of their investments together and create an almost ‘Armageddon’ scenario where everything loses value quickly and dramatically. Real estate is an investment that can get caught up in this hysteria. Does the … Read More

Low Inventory Pushes Home Prices Higher

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

According to CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index, prices appreciated by 6.9% year-over-year from December 2016 to December 2017 on a national level. This marks the fifth month in a row with at least a 6.9% increase. Dr. Frank Nothaft, Chief Economist for CoreLogic, gave insight into the reason behind the large appreciation, “The number of homes for sale has remained … Read More

Whether You Rent or Buy, Either Way You’re Paying a Mortgage!

Amanda RobinsFirst Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy

There are some people who have not purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize, however, that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s. As Entrepreneur Magazine, a premier source for small business, explained in their article, “12 Practical Steps to Getting Rich”: “While … Read More