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Category: First Time Home Buyers

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A Key To Building Wealth Is Homeownership

The link between financial security and homeownership is especially important today as inflation rises.  But many people may not realize just how much owning a home contributes to your overall net worth. As Leslie Rouda Smith, President of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says: “Homeownership is rewarding in so many ways and can serve as a vital component in achieving financial stability.” Here are just a few reasons why, if you’re looking to increase your financial stability, homeownership is a worthwhile goal. Owning a Home Is a Building Block for Financial Success A recent...

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How an Energy Efficient Home Can Be a Bright Idea [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights With inflation driving up the cost of everyday items, seeking out an energy-efficient home can be a great way to decrease the expenses you can control. Energy efficiency can help lower your utility bills and possibly even save you money on your taxes. Options to look for include efficient appliances, windows, and solar panels. If you’re planning to buy a home this year, consider energy efficiency in your search. Let’s connect so you can better understand features that can save you money for years to come. Content previously posted on Keeping Current Matters

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The Many Benefits of Homeownership

The past two years have taught us the true value of homeownership, especially the stability and the feeling of accomplishment it can provide. But homeownership has so much more to offer. Here’s a look at a few of the non-financial and financial benefits of owning a home. If you’re looking to buy a home today, think about all the ways homeownership can impact your life. Homeownership Has Impactful Personal and Emotional Benefits Owning your home gives you a significant sense of pride because it’s a space that is truly yours. And as a homeowner, you can customize your home to your heart’s desire....

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Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market?

For the first time in a long time, the number of newly listed homes is beginning to rise. In their latest monthly release, realtor.com reveals the number of existing homes entering the market has increased for two months in a row (this comes after six months of declines). Here’s a graph showing the monthly new listings going back to January of last year. The green bars indicate the first gains since June. However, buying demand is still outpacing housing supply. Though the increase in homes coming to the market is great news for prospective homebuyers, the number of buyers is still outpacing...

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Are You Wondering if This Is the Year To Buy a Home?

Every year, many renters ask themselves the same question: Should I continue renting, or is it time to buy a home? If you’re a renter, chances are you’ve asked yourself that question at least once, and it’s likely because you’ve faced an increase in your monthly housing costs over time. After all, according to Census data, rents have risen consistently for decades. To make an informed and powerful decision, the first step is understanding what’s happening in today’s housing market so you can determine which option is the better long-term financial decision for you. Rents Are Going Up Again...

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Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Closing Costs

As a homebuyer, it’s important to plan and budget for the expenses you’ll encounter when you purchase a home. While most people understand the need to save for a down payment, a recent survey found 41% of homebuyers were surprised by their closing costs. Here’s some information to help you get started so you’re not caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home. What Are Closing Costs? One possible reason some people are surprised by closing costs may be because they don’t know what they are or what they cover. According to U.S. News and World Report: “Closing costs encompass a variety...

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Key Factors That Impact Affordability Today

You can’t read an article about residential real estate without the author mentioning the affordability challenges that today’s buyers face. There’s no doubt homes are less affordable today than they were over the last two years, but that doesn’t mean homes are now unaffordable. There are three measures used to establish home affordability: home prices, mortgage rates, and wages. Let’s look closely at each of these components. 1. Home Prices The most recent Home Price Insights report by CoreLogic shows home values have increased by 19.1% from last January to this January. That was one reason...

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How To Navigate a Market Where Multiple Offers Is the New Normal

If you’re thinking of buying a home today, you already know that the number of homes available for sale is low. But what does that really mean for you? As a buyer, low housing supply coupled with high buyer demand means you should be prepared to navigate a highly competitive market where homes sell fast and get multiple offers. Realtor.com has this to say: “Homes also flew off the market at record pace as buyers put offers in the moment properties came up for sale….” In a bidding war situation like this, doing everything you can to get ahead of the competition is a wise move. That’s because...

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Key Terms for Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights Knowing key housing terms and how they relate to today’s market is important. For example, when mortgage rates and home prices rise, it impacts how much home you can afford. Terms like appraisal (what lenders rely on to validate a home’s value) and the inspection contingency (which gives buyers essential information on a home’s condition) directly impact the transaction. Buying a home can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the terms used throughout the process. Let’s connect so you have an expert guide and advice for any questions that may come up. Content previously...

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Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help You Achieve Homeownership

For many homebuyers, the thought of saving for a down payment can feel daunting, especially in today’s market. That’s why, when asked what they find most difficult in the homebuying process, some buyers say it’s one of the hardest steps on the path to homeownership. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows: “For first-time home buyers, 29 percent said saving for a downpayment [sic] was the most difficult step in the process.” If you’re finding that your down payment is your biggest hurdle, the good news is there are many down payment assistance programs available that can...

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