VA Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC]

Amanda RobinsUncategorized

Some Highlights: Since the creation of the VA Home Loans Program, 22 million veterans have been able to achieve the American Dream of homeownership. In 2017, $188 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program. VA Purchase Loans are on the rise in 46 out of 50 states and Washington, DC. Source: Amanda Robins

House Prices: Simply a Matter of Supply & Demand

Amanda RobinsUncategorized

Why are home prices still rising? It is a simple answer. There are more purchasers in the market right now than there are available homes for them to buy. This is an example of the theory of “supply and demand” which is defined as: “the amount of a commodity, product, or service available and the desire of buyers for it, … Read More

NOT Owning Your Home Can Cost You a Lot of Money!

Amanda RobinsBuying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy

Owning a home has great financial benefits, yet many continue to rent! Today, let’s look at the financial reasons why owning a home of your own has been a part of the American Dream for as long as America has existed. Realtor.com recently reported that: “Buying remains the more attractive option in the long term – that remains the American dream, and it’s … Read More

The Cost of Renting vs. Buying Today [INFOGRAPHIC]

Amanda RobinsBuying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Rent vs. Buy

Some Highlights: Historically, the choice between renting or buying a home has been a tough decision. Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (28.9%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (15.7%), the choice becomes obvious. Every market is different. Before you renew your lease again, find out if you can put … Read More

99% of Experts Agree: Home Prices Will Increase

Amanda RobinsFor Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Pricing

Some believe that the combined effects of the new tax code and rising mortgage rates will have an adverse impact on residential real estate prices in 2018. However, the clear majority of recently surveyed housing experts believe that home values will continue to rise this year. What is the Home Price Expectation Survey? Each quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel … Read More

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

Are You Aware of How Much Equity You Have in Your Home? You May Be Surprised!

Amanda RobinsFor Sellers, Move-Up Buyers

CoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that 675,000 US homeowners regained positive equity in their homes in 2017. This is great news for the country, as 95.1% of all mortgaged properties are now in a positive equity situation. “U.S homeowners with mortgages (roughly 63% of all the properties) have seen their equity increase by a total of $908.4 billion since the fourth quarter 2016, … Read More