Monthly Archives: August 2023
What Goes Into My Mortgage Payment?
Most people think of the word “mortgage” as just a lump of money you give the bank to pay off your house. But it’s more than a lump. When you pay your monthly mortgage, that money goes toward the principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, and possibly PMI (private mortgage insurance). What are those five things?... Read More
What should I expect during my home inspection?
A home inspection is a crucial step in the homebuying process. In fact, most purchase agreements include a home inspection contingency. The following guide will help you understand what your inspector will be looking for and what problems might need to be addressed through repairs or replacements. Read More
Tips for Co-Owning a Home with a Nonspouse
Duw to the rising cost of living, escalating mortgage rates, and limited housing inventory, some people are buying a home with an unmarried partner, a friend, a family member, or multiple people. This can be a great option for those who do not have the funds for a down payment, the ability to manage a monthly payment on their own, or do not have the credit history to obtain a loan without the help of others. It’s important to carefully consider several factors when making such a significant financial and legal commitment with someone other than a legal partner. Read More
Why Median Home Sales Price Is Confusing Right Now
Why does the National Association of Realtors (NAR) report that home prices are falling when so many other price reports say they’re going back up? NAR reports on the median home sales price, while some other sources use repeat sales prices. Here is how those approaches differ. Read More
People Want Less Expensive Homes – And Builders Are Responding
In today’s housing market, there are two main affordability challenges impacting buyers: mortgage rates that are higher than they’ve been the past couple of years, and rising home prices caused by low inventory. To overcome those challenges, many people are working with their agents to find less expensive homes. And with newly built homes making up a historically large percentage of the total available inventory today, that search often includes brand new homes. Read More
Where Are People Moving Today and Why?
Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market and wondering what you can do to help offset those. A new report from Gravy Analytics provides insight into where people are searching for homes and what they’re prioritizing most right now. That information could help you plan your own move. Read More
How To Know If You’re Ready to Buy a Home
If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to buy a home, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates and home prices, the limited supply of homes for sale, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. While housing... Read More
Homebuyers Are Still More Active Than Usual
Even though the housing market is no longer experiencing the frenzy that was so characteristic of the last couple of years, it doesn’t mean today’s market is at a standstill. In actuality, buyer traffic is still strong today. The ShowingTime Showing Index is a measure of how much buyers are touring homes. The graph below... Read More
August Home Maintenance Checklist
Happy August! The dog days of summer are here, but taking care of your home should still be a priority! Here is your August Home Maintenance Checklist FREE PRINTABLE. No email sign-up necessary, just click the link and download your free checklist! Read More
Renovate or Relocate?
As much as you may love your house at move-in, the reality is that it won’t stay perfect forever. But deciding whether to renovate or move to a new home is not always straightforward, especially because of the emotional component. Read More
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