At one point or another, you’ve probably heard someone say, “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.”That’s because nationally, home values continue to rise. And with mortgage rates still stubbornly high and home prices going up, you may be holding out for prices to fall or trying to time the market for that perfect rate. But here’s the truth: waiting for the right moment could cost you in the long run.Home Prices Are Still Rising – Just at a More Normal PaceThe idea that prices will drop dramatically is wishful thinking in most markets. According to the...
Some HighlightsOver the past 5 years, home prices have risen dramatically. If you own a home, that means your house may be worth a lot more than you think. ?Nationally, prices are up nearly 60% since 2019. ?And, if selling has been on your mind, you can use that bigger-than-expected return to power your next move.If you want to know how much your home is worth in today’s market, reach out to a local agent.? The number may surprise you.
Over the past few years, you’ve probably seen a whole lot of headlines about how home prices keep going up. But have you ever stopped to think about what that actually means for your home?Home prices have risen dramatically over the past five years — far more than usual. And if selling has been on your mind, this could mean a bigger-than-expected payday when you list. So, how much has your home’s value really changed? Let’s break it down.The Rapid Rise of the Past 5 YearsTypically, home prices go up by about 2-5% a year. But in 2021-2022, there were double-digit increases. And at the...
It feels like everything is getting more expensive these days. That’s because inflation has remained higher than normal for longer than expected – and that’s impacting the costs of goods, services, and more. And with rising costs all around you, you’re probably questioning: is now really the right time to buy a home?Here’s the good news. Owning a home is actually one of the best ways to protect yourself from the rising costs that come with inflation.A Fixed Mortgage Protects You from Rising Housing CostsOne of the key benefits of homeownership is that when you buy a home with a fixed-rate...
Over the past few years, home prices skyrocketed. That’s been frustrating for buyers, leaving many wondering if they’d ever get a shot at owning a home. But here’s some welcome news: that whirlwind pace of home price growth is slowing down.Home Prices Are Rising at a Healthy PaceAt the national level, home prices are still going up, but at a much more moderate, normal pace. For example, in November, the year-over-year increase in home prices was just 3.8% nationally, according to Case-Shiller. That’s a far cry from the double-digit spikes that occurred in 2021 and 2022 (see graph...
Have you been wondering whether you should keep renting or finally make the leap into homeownership? It’s a big decision, and let’s be real — renting can feel like the easier option, especially if buying a home feels out of reach.But here’s the thing: a recent report from Bank of America highlights that 70% of prospective buyers fear the long-term consequences of renting, including not building equity and dealing with rising rents.Maybe you’re feeling that too — concerned about where renting might leave you down the road, but still unsure if you’d even be able to buy right now. The...
Some HighlightsAre you torn between whether to buy a home now or wait? Consider this.Forecasts show prices will climb for ?at least the next 5 years. If you wait, the price of a home will be higher later on. But, if you buy a $400K now, you could gain roughly $83K in equity as prices rise.If you’re able to buy now, this equity is one reason why it’ll be worth it in the long run. Connect with an agent if you’re ready to talk through ways we can make it happen.
If retirement is on the horizon, now’s the time to start thinking about your next chapter. And you probably want to make sure you’re set up to feel comfortable financially to live the life you want in retirement.What you may not realize is you likely have a hidden goldmine of cash you’re not thinking about — and that’s your home. Data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) shows that home values have gone up nearly 60% over the last 5 years alone (see graph below):And that appreciation gave your net worth a big boost. According to Freddie Mac, over the same five-year period:“...
Let’s face it — buying a home can feel like a challenge with today’s mortgage rates. You might even be thinking, “Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?”But here’s the thing, no one knows for sure where mortgage rates will go from here, and waiting could mean facing more competition, higher prices, and a lot more stress.What if buying now — before the spring rush — might actually give you the upper hand? Here are three reasons why that just might be the case.1. Less Competition from Other BuyersThe winter months tend to be quieter in the...
It’s no secret that affordability is tough with where mortgage rates and home prices are right now. And that may have you worried about how you’ll be able to buy a home. But, if you don’t need a ton of space, you may find you have more cost-effective options in an unexpected place: new home communities.Builders Are Building Smaller Homes Since smaller homes typically come with smaller price tags, buyers have turned their attention to homes with less square footage — and builders have shifted their focus to capitalize on that demand. As U.S. News notes:“The combination of higher home prices...