Category: Buying

  • Homeownership: The Heart of the American Dream

    Homeownership: The Heart of the American Dream

    Everyone’s vision for the future is personal and unique. But for many, common goals include success, freedom, and prosperity — values closely tied to having your own home and the iconic feeling of achieving the American Dream. A recent survey by Bankrate reveals exactly that: homeownership is still a part of the American Dream. The results…

  • Homeowners Gained $28K in Equity over the Past Year

    Homeowners Gained $28K in Equity over the Past Year

    If you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you’re building equity much faster than you might think. Here’s how it works. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the…

  • Real Estate Still Holds the Title of Best Long-Term Investment

    Real Estate Still Holds the Title of Best Long-Term Investment

    With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful…

  • The Difference Between an Inspection and an Appraisal

    The Difference Between an Inspection and an Appraisal

    When you decide to buy your first home, you may come across a number of terms and conditions you’re not familiar with. While you may have a general idea of what an inspection is, maybe you’re not sure why you need one or how it’s different from an appraisal. To keep…

  • Focus on Time in the Market, Not Timing the Market

    Focus on Time in the Market, Not Timing the Market

    Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a big question on many people’s minds today. And while what timing is right for you will depend on a lot of other personal factors, here’s something you may not have considered. If you’re able to buy at today’s rates and prices, it may be better…

  • Housing Market Forecast: What’s Ahead for the 2nd Half of 2024

    Housing Market Forecast: What’s Ahead for the 2nd Half of 2024

    As we move into the second half of 2024, here’s what experts say you should expect for home prices, mortgage rates, and home sales. Home Prices Are Expected To Climb Moderately Home prices are forecasted to rise at a more normal pace. The graph below shows the latest forecasts from seven of the most…

  • Why a Vacation Home Is the Ultimate Summer Upgrade

    Why a Vacation Home Is the Ultimate Summer Upgrade

    Summer is officially here and that means it’s the perfect time to start planning where you want to vacation and unwind this season. If you’re excited about getting away and having some fun in the sun, it might make sense to consider if owning your own vacation home is right for you.…

  • Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables

    Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables

    Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now. You may even see some headlines talking about last week’s Federal Reserve (the Fed) meeting and what it means for rates. But the Fed doesn’t determine mortgage rates, even if the headlines make it sound like they do. The truth is, mortgage rates are impacted…

  • Do Elections Impact the Housing Market?

    Do Elections Impact the Housing Market?

    The 2024 Presidential election is just months away. As someone who’s thinking about potentially buying or selling a home, you’re probably curious about what effect, if any, elections have on the housing market. It’s a great question because buying or selling a home is a major decision, and it’s natural to wonder how such a major event might…

  • Homebuilders Aren’t Overbuilding, They’re Catching Up

    Homebuilders Aren’t Overbuilding, They’re Catching Up

    You may have heard that there are more brand-new homes available right now than the norm. Today, about one in three homes on the market are newly built. And if you’re wondering what that means for the housing market and for your own move, here’s what you need to know. Why This Isn’t Like 2008…