Tag: buying

The real estate market has changed drastically over the last few years. The pandemic brought a surge in demand for houses, followed by a freeze in the market as inflation and interest rates rose. That begs the question, what should we expect from the following year?

Most experts believe 2023 will bring a new semblance of normalcy. That means the market will settle down and return to more normal levels. Inflation should reduce or at least balance out, while interest rates will slow down. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect this year.

Housing Prices

Experts are quick to weigh in with their opinion on housing prices and values. Unfortunately, not all experts agree on this. For example, Realtor.com believes that housing prices will increase by another 5.4%, while Zelman believes the value will decrease by 5.1%. Ideally, these two extreme estimates will land in the middle, providing us with a stable market.

In other words, if we balance out the expert opinions on prices, it indicates little change. This means we’ll see a flat or neutral appreciation in 2023. This is good for sellers and buyers, as the market will not change drastically.

Rate Lock-In Phenomenon

Mortgage rates hit a record low a couple of years ago, countering the current higher rates we’re seeing. This results in homeowners with a low rate (below 6% in most cases and below 4% in exceptional circumstances). That’s great for those homeowners, but they will unlikely consider selling their homes with an average mortgage above 6%.

Homeowners are unwilling to give up their low mortgage rate in exchange for a higher interest rate. Some homeowners will sell regardless, either because of need or desire. But a large percentage will stay at their current home to wait out this shift.

Ironically, this is going to affect another market. Homeowners that wait out this shift may choose to work on home improvement projects. This will ultimately encourage a stronger contract market and increase home values – if done carefully.

Reduction in Building

There will likely be a reduction in the number of homes built over the next year or two. Specifically, experts believe that builders will cut back on the number of new single-family homes they are constructing. Likewise, building permits will likely decline as homeowners settle in and wait for rates to change.

What to Do to Save for a Down Payment

By W Darrow Fiedler

On October 15, 2022

In Finance, Real Estate

You’ve probably saved up for a new car or jewelry, but one of the most important things you can do to improve your financial situation is save for a down payment on a home. It can be hard to set aside a large amount of money for a down payment, especially if you’re a first-time homebuyer. However, following these simple strategies can easily hit your target.

Automate Savings

One of the most critical factors you can consider when setting aside a large amount of money for a down payment is automating your savings. This can be done through several different methods, such as direct deposits and recurring transfers.

Minimize Spending

Before you start saving for a home, you must have a good understanding of your current budget. This will allow you to make adjustments and reduce your spending temporarily. For instance, you can stop buying new clothes for a couple of months.

Increase Income

One of the best ways to increase your savings is by increasing your cash flow. If you feel confident about your current job performance, ask your supervisor about possible promotions or negotiations for a raise. After receiving a raise, direct the new money to your savings.

Another effective way to boost your income is by working a side job. This can be in the gig economy, or it can be in the form of a small business, such as selling products on an online retailer, Etsy. You can also work at a restaurant or shop part-time.

Eliminate High-Interest Debt

Getting into debt can make it hard to set aside a large amount of money for a down payment. One of the most powerful ways to reduce debt is by getting rid of high-interest debt. Refinancing your loans can lower both your interest rate and monthly payments and free up cash in your monthly budget.

Research Assistance Programs

First-time homebuyers can take advantage of various national and local programs that provide down payment assistance. For instance, through the HomeReady Mortgage program of Fannie Mae, you can make a down payment of only 3%.

Consider Retirement Funds

If you’re contributing a large chunk of your income to your retirement accounts, you may want to redirect some of it to your home savings. First-time homebuyers can take out an IRA for a down payment of up to $10,000 without penalty. Before doing this, make sure that a tax professional reviews the details.

Home Buying Tips for Millennials

By W Darrow Fiedler

On June 17, 2021

In Investing, News, Real Estate, Uncategorized, Welcome

Buying a home is hardly a priority for younger generations. Most millennials have other fun things to do in life, and buying a house is far-fetched. But, some are taking the first step in purchasing a home, which is recommended to do. For the millennials willing to take this bold investment more seriously, it is essential to have everything in order. It’s important to have guidance in making these huge decisions. Below are crucial home buying tips for millennials.

Pay off the student loans plus other loans

Student loans are challenging to this generation. A person’s accumulated loans will affect their chance to own a home. Millennials must first consider paying off these loans to realize other dreams. They need to know that most home selling companies and banks will need to review all the loans before offering any financial assistance.

Save money for the down payment

Saving is paramount when it comes to owning a house. Since most millennials do not have enough funds to own a home, they must start saving early. It is vital to have a savings plan that will work for them. Millennials should set realistic savings goals if they’re serious about buying a home, and if they’re uncertain about the right saving plans to take, it’s okay to seek assistance from financial experts.

Be competitive in the market

Once they settle the debts and have a good saving plan, the next thing is to be competitive in the market. It indicates that they ought to get into the house buying process. Seeking approvals from the bank for the homes you’re interested in is integral, and you shouldn’t waste time in making critical decisions about the intended house.

Start shopping for the house

At this point, millennials have to be honest with the kind of home they intend to own. While doing so, it is important to consider homes within their financial abilities.. It is good to see different mortgage plans from companies involved before taking any plan.

While buying a home can seem scary, it’s totally doable and worth your time and money. Be sure to seek out help from the appropriate sources, and you won’t regret it.

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