7 Best Ways to Craft an Offer on a House
So, you have found your dream home and want to make an offer. In a competitive real estate market, the seller might have multiple offers. How do you make sure yours stands out? Following these steps will increase your chances of getting the house without overpaying and will help you avoid putting yourself in a […]
President Biden’s Proposed First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit
What Is Biden’s Proposed First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit? As a candidate, Mr. Biden proposed an “up to $15,000” tax credit for first-time homebuyers. Unlike previous tax credits offered under the Bush and Obama administrations, Biden’s plan wouldn’t require waiting until tax filing time to get your credit. His plan would give the credit at […]
12 Things Today’s Buyer Looks for in a Home
The Covid pandemic has reshaped the housing market with a migration from cities to suburbs and a supply/demand shift that has quickly driven up prices in many areas. But while today’s buyers may be looking in different places and in greater numbers, some things haven’t changed. They are still prioritizing many of the same features […]
Mortgage Rates Starting to Climb
If you’re a homebuyer who has been riding out the downward trajectory in interest rates and trying to time the bottom to get the best possible deal on your home financing, it’s time to make your move. Recent data suggests we have seen the bottom and that rates are already moving upward from here. Driven […]
Why Now Is a Good Time to Buy a Home
Today’s economic news suggests that if you have been waiting to become a first-time homebuyer, now might be the time to act. House prices are rising at the fastest rate in over six years with no signs of slowing down. This means homeowners are building equity at an accelerated rate. Interest rates have also started […]
About the Housing Market Going Forward
Over the last sixty years, after adjusting for inflation, median home prices increased 121 percent while the median household income only increased 29 percent. On the face of it, this seems to indicate that housing has become less affordable over the years. That isn’t really true though. The rise of women in the workforce has […]
Getting a Mortgage with a Low Credit Score
While other credit scores, like VantageScore, have increased in popularity in recent years the FICO score, which is an abbreviation of Fair Isaac Co, is still the standard. Ranging from 300 to 850, there are five main factors that go into a FICO score are: Payment History (35% of the score) Debt/amounts owed (30%) Age […]
Should You Buy Around A University Now?
According to Moody’s Analytics Q3 Quarterly Student Housing Report , on a national level the student housing sector saw vacancies rise 1.2% to 2.7% while rents grew 1.3% to 1.8%. As many universities went online, or initiated hybrid online/in person, due to the Coronavirus, the demand for housing around the universities has fallen. Some people […]
The Benefits of Giving Back
It’s easy to understand how charities, non-profits and educational institutions benefit from the generosity of others. Without volunteers and donations many of the services and events we enjoy in our communities might not be available. But the act of giving, of putting another’s needs above those of your own, of showing compassion and care for […]
Home Equity Loan vs. HELOC: Which Is Right for You?
If you have been in your home for several years, chances are you have built up equity. Home equity is defined as the difference between how much you owe on your home and what is the current value of the home. Home equity typically grows as you make mortgage payments. Part of each payment pays […]
