Are you starting to tire of paying your monthly rent to someone and never building any equity? Renting forever can be a significant pain, especially as you're contributing to someone else's financial well-being. The good news is that there are affordable real estate options out there for those investing in their first home. Below we will share a few excellent reasons why an apartment or condo might be the best choice for a first-time home buyer. A Manageable Monthly Payment In most markets across the country, condos and apartments are available at a significantly lower cost than a full-sized … [Read More...]
Have you been thinking about listing your house or condo for sale? As you are likely aware, the seasons play a role in our local real estate market and how busy it is. Nicer weather brings out the most in any real estate market, with buyers spending their evenings and weekends touring open houses and finalizing shortlists. Many markets cool off a bit in the winter, but that does not mean that the buyers disappear. In today's blog post we will explore why selling your home during the winter can beat waiting for the real estate market to warm up in the spring. Interest Rates Are On The Way Up … [Read More...]
Last week's economic releases included readings on new and pending home sales, Case-Shiller index readings for September, and construction spending. Weekly readings on new jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. Home Price Growth Driven by Shortage of Homes for Sale Case-Shiller Home Price Indices reported 6.20 percent growth in home prices year-over-year in September as compared to August's reading of 6.00 percent year-over-year growth for August. September's reading was the highest for national home price growth since 2014. According to the 20-City Home Price Index, Seattle, … [Read More...]
Have you decided that it is time to move on from renting? If you are single and living alone, you may be wondering whether or not homeownership is right for you. Let's have a look at a few key factors that you will need to be aware of when taking out a mortgage as a single person. It's A Commitment – But Not For A Lifetime Some single people shy away from the idea of buying a home as it is a significant financial commitment. When you are single, especially if you are young and early in your career, flexibility can be valuable. You might decide to move to a new city to take a new job, or … [Read More...]
Whether the kids have moved out or you just aren't using the extra bedrooms, having a house that feels 'too big' is rarely fun. In today's post, we will share a few changes you can expect when you downsize from a large house to a smaller apartment or condo. Why Downsize At All? As you might imagine, having too much space is the primary reason that couples and families downsize. Larger homes cost more to maintain and can feel empty if it's just one or two people living there. In many cases, old items and clutter tend to build up as there is so much storage space. Downsizing to a smaller home … [Read More...]
Home prices continued to rise in September according to Case-Shiller National and 20-City home price index reports. According to the National Home Price Index, national home prices rose 0.70 percent month for the three months ending in September. The National Index regained its pre-housing bubble peak and surpassed it by 5.90 percent as of September. The 20-City Home Price Index rose 0.50 percent from August's reading. Analysts forecast a growth rate of 0.40 percent month-to-month. The 20-City Home Price Index indicates a home price growth rate 0f 6.20 percent year-over-year. The 20-City Index … [Read More...]