When shelter-in-place orders brought the economy to a screeching halt earlier this year, many believed the residential housing market would follow suit. Countless analysts predicted buyer demand would disappear and home values would depreciate for the first time in almost a decade. That, however, didn’t happen. It appears the opposite is taking place. After the … Continue reading "Builders & Realtors Agree: Real Estate Is Back"

Today, Americans are moving for a variety of different reasons. The current health crisis has truly re-shaped our lifestyles and our needs. Spending extra time where we currently live is enabling many families to re-evaluate what homeownership means and what they find most important in a home. According to Zillow: “In 2020, homes went from … Continue reading "The Top Reasons People Are Moving This Year"

Some Highlights According to trending data, searches for key real estate topics are skyrocketing online. Clearly, lots of people have questions about buying a home, and other topics related to the process. Working with a trusted real estate professional will help you create the most personalized and helpful experience. Let’s connect so you have the … Continue reading "Ask a Pro About Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]"

Originally, some housing industry analysts were concerned that the mortgage forbearance program (which allows families to delay payments to a later date) could lead to an increase in foreclosures when forbearances end. Some even worried that we might relive the 2006-2008 housing crash all over again. Once you examine the data, however, that seems unlikely. … Continue reading "Forbearance Numbers Are Lower than Expected"

The residential real estate market has definitely been the shining light in this country’s current economic situation. All-time low mortgage rates coupled with a new appreciation of what a home truly means has caused the housing market to push forward through this major health crisis. Let’s look at two measures that explain the resilience of … Continue reading "Just How Strong Is the Housing Recovery?"

In today’s housing market, it can be a big challenge for buyers to find homes to purchase, as the number of houses for sale is far below the current demand. Now, however, we’re seeing sellers slowly starting to come back into the market, a bright spark for potential buyers. Javier Vivas, Director of Economic Research … Continue reading "Sellers Are Returning to the Housing Market"

The news these days seems to have a mix of highs and lows. We may hear that an economic recovery is starting, but we’ve also seen some of the worst economic data in the history of our country. The challenge today is to understand exactly what’s going on and what it means relative to the … Continue reading "The Beginning of an Economic Recovery"

Some Highlights Sometimes it helps to see the dollars and cents you’ll save when you purchase a home while mortgage rates are low. Today’s low rates mean it’s less expensive to borrow money, so the savings over the life of your loan is significant. Let’s connect to determine the best way to position your family … Continue reading "Mortgage Rates & Payments by Decade [INFOGRAPHIC]"

Today, home prices are appreciating. When we hear prices are going up, it’s normal to think a home will cost more as the trend continues. The way the housing market is positioned today, however, low mortgage rates are actually making homes more affordable, even as prices rise. Here’s why. According to the Mortgage Monitor Report … Continue reading "Homes Are More Affordable Right Now Than They Have Been in Years"

With the strength of the current housing market growing every day and more Americans returning to work, a faster-than-expected recovery in the housing sector is already well underway. Regardless, many are still asking the question: will we see a wave of foreclosures as a result of the current crisis? Thankfully, research shows the number of … Continue reading "Why Foreclosures Won’t Crush the Housing Market Next Year"

Today’s housing market is making a truly impressive turnaround, and it’s also setting up some outstanding opportunities for buyers and sellers. Whether you’re thinking of buying or selling a home this year, there are perks today that are rarely available, and definitely worth looking into. Here are the top two. The Biggest Perk for Buyers: … Continue reading "Current Buyer & Seller Perks in the Housing Market"

Last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its latest Employment Situation Summary. Going into the release, the expert consensus was for 1.58 million jobs to be added in July, and for the unemployment rate to fall to 10.5%. When the official report came out, it revealed that 1.8 million jobs were added, and … Continue reading "The Latest Unemployment Report: Slow and Steady Improvement"

Some Highlights A recent study from HarrisX shows the current health crisis isn’t slowing down today’s homebuyers. Many buyers are accelerating their timelines to take advantage of low mortgage rates, and staying home has enabled some to save more money to put toward a down payment. Let’s connect today if your needs have recently changed … Continue reading "2020 Homebuyer Preferences [INFOGRAPHIC]"

With more companies figuring out how to efficiently and effectively enable their employees to work remotely (and for longer than most of us initially expected), homeowners throughout the country are re-evaluating their needs. Do I still need to live close to my company’s office building? Do I need a larger home with more office space? … Continue reading "How Is Remote Work Changing Homebuyer Needs?"

We’re sitting in an optimal moment in time for homeowners who are ready to sell their houses and make a move this year. Today’s homeowners are, on average, staying in their homes longer than they used to, and this is one factor driving increased homeowner equity. When equity grows, selling a house becomes increasingly desirable. … Continue reading "Why Homeowners Have Great Selling Power Today"

Today’s homebuyers are not just talking about their plans, they’re actively engaged in the buying process – and they’re serious about it. A recent report by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) indicates: “…. Of American adults considering a future home purchase in the second quarter of 2020, about half (49%) are not simply … Continue reading "Today’s Buyers Are Serious about Purchasing a Home"

America has faced its share of challenges in 2020. A once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, a financial crisis leaving millions still unemployed, and an upcoming presidential election that may prove to be one of the most contentious in our nation’s history all continue to test this country in unimaginable ways. Even with all of that uncertainty, the residential … Continue reading "Experts Weigh-In on the Remarkable Strength of the Housing Market"

Some Highlights: The housing market is forecasted to finish the year with growing strength. Historically low mortgage rates are creating great potential for homebuyers, and home sales are on the rise. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home this year, let’s connect to maximize your opportunity today. Content previously posted on Keeping Current … Continue reading "Where Is the Housing Market Headed for the Rest of 2020? [INFOGRAPHIC]"

As remote work continues on for many businesses and Americans weigh the risks of being in densely populated areas, will more people start to move out of bigger cities? Spending extra time at home and dreaming of more indoor and outdoor space is certainly sparking some interest among homebuyers. Early data shows an initial trend … Continue reading "Will We See a Surge of Homebuyers Moving to the Suburbs?"

So far, it’s been quite a ride this year, and our nation has truly seen its fair share of hurdles. From COVID-19 to record unemployment and then the resulting recession, just to name a few, the second quarter of 2020 has had more than a few challenges. Amidst the many roadblocks, however, the U.S. homeownership … Continue reading "Homeownership Rate Continues to Rise in 2020"