THE IMPORTANCE OF HOME EQUITY IN BUILDING WEALTH Homeownership has always been the first rung on the ladder leading to household wealth. As Freddie Mac recently posted: “Homeownership has cemented its role as part of the American Dream, providing families with a place that is their own and an ave

IS THE SHIFTING MARKET A CHALLENGE OR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HOMEBUYERS? If you tried to buy a home during the pandemic, you know the limited supply of homes for sale was a considerable challenge. It created intense bidding wars which drove home prices up as buyers competed with one another to be the

THE U.S. HOMEOWNERSHIP RATE IS GROWING   The desire to own a home is still strong today. In fact, according to the Census, the U.S. homeownership rate is on the rise. To illustrate the increase, the graph below shows the homeownership rate over the last year: That data shows more than half of the

WHY YOU MAY WANT TO START YOUR HOME SEARCH TODAY If you’re thinking about buying a home, you likely have a lot of factors on your mind. You’re weighing your own needs against higher mortgage rates, today’s home prices, and more to try to decide if you want to jump into the market. While some buyer

HOW HOMEOWNERSHIP CAN HELP SHIELD YOU FROM INFLATION If you’re following along with the news today, you’ve likely heard about rising inflation. You’re also likely feeling the impact in your day-to-day life as prices go up for gas, groceries, and more. These rising consumer costs can put a pinch on

BUYERS ARE REGAINING SOME OF THEIR NEGOTIATION POWER IN TODAY’S HOUSING MARKET If you’re thinking about buying a home today, there’s welcome news. Even though it’s still a sellers’ market, it’s a more moderate sellers’ market than last year. And the days of feeling like you may need to waive conti

GETTING YOUR HOUSE READY TO SELL? WORK WITH AN AGENT FOR EXPERT ADVICE   In a market that’s shifting as fast as it is today, many homeowners wonder what, if anything, needs to be renovated before they sell their house. That’s where a trusted real estate professional comes in. They can help you thi

EXPERT FORECASTS ON MORTGAGE RATES If you’ve been thinking of buying a home, you may have been watching what’s happened with mortgage rates over the past year. It’s true they’ve risen dramatically, but where will they go from here, especially as the market continues to slow? As you think about you

THE COST OF WAITING FOR MORTGAGE RATES TO GO DOWN Mortgage rates have increased significantly in recent weeks. And that may mean you have questions about what this means for you if you’re planning to buy a home. Here’s some information that can help you make an informed decision when you set your

TWO QUESTIONS EVERY HOMEBUYER SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES RIGHT NOW Rising interest rates have begun to slow an overheated housing market as monthly mortgage payments have risen dramatically since the beginning of the year. This is leaving some people who want to purchase a home priced out of the market

WHAT ARE EXPERTS SAYING ABOUT THE FALL HOUSING MARKET?   The housing market is rapidly changing from the peak frenzy it saw over the past two years. That means you probably have questions about what your best move is if you’re thinking of buying or selling this fall. To help you make a confident d

THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF HOMEOWNERSHIP Today’s cooling housing market, the rise in mortgage rates, and mounting economic concerns have some people questioning: should I still buy a home this year? While it’s true this year has unique challenges for homebuyers, it’s important to factor the long-ter

DO YOU BELIEVE HOMEOWNERSHIP IS OUT OF REACH? MAYBE IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE. It turns out, millennials aren’t the renter generation after all. The 2022 Consumer Insights Report from Mynd says there’s a portion of millennial and Gen Z buyers who are pursuing homeownership as a way to build their weal

WHAT’S AHEAD FOR MORTGAGE RATES AND HOME PRICES? Now that the end of 2022 is within sight, you may be wondering what’s going to happen in the housing market next year and what that may mean if you’re thinking about buying a home. Here’s a look at the latest expert insights on both mortgage rates a

SELL YOUR HOUSE BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS As you look ahead to the winter season, you’re likely making plans and thinking about what you want to achieve before the year ends. One of those key decision points could be whether or not you want to move this year. If the location or size of your current home

HOME EQUITY: A SOURCE OF STRENGTH FOR HOMEOWNERS TODAY Experts agree there’s no chance of a large-scale foreclosure crisis like we saw back in 2008, and that’s good news for the housing market. As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says: “. . . don’t expect a housing bust like the m

TOP QUESTIONS ABOUT SELLING YOUR HOME THIS WINTER There’s no denying the housing market is undergoing a shift this season, and that may leave you with some questions about whether it still makes sense to sell your house. Here are three of the top questions you may be asking – and the data that hel

HOW OWNING A HOME BUILDS YOUR NET WORTH Owning a home is a major financial milestone and an achievement to take pride in. One major reason: the equity you build as a homeowner gives your net worth a big boost. And with high inflation right now, the link between owning your home and building your w

YOUR HOUSE COULD BE THE #1 ITEM ON A HOMEBUYER’S WISH LIST DURING THE HOLIDAYS Each year, homeowners planning to make a move are faced with a decision: sell their house during the holidays or wait. And others who have already listed their homes may think about removing their listings and waiting u

HOMEOWNERSHIP IS AN INVESTMENT IN YOUR FUTURE There are many people thinking about buying a home, but with everything affecting the economy, some are wondering if it’s a smart decision to buy now or if it makes more sense to wait it out. As Bob Broeksmit, President and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers