Everyone has been uncertain about the market and whether they should buy or not mostly because of the combination of interest rates, inflation and general affordability. But here's a strategy buyers should be taking advantage of right now if you're serious about buying. Get approved for your maximum loan amount and payment you are comfortable [...]
One of the biggest and most frustrating challenges for people when they sell their home is deciding if they should fix up house for sale. Sometimes it's a small rehab like decluttering and touching up some paint. Sometimes it's major like kitchen remodels, bathroom additions or even a new roof. Seller's know they need to [...]
Image courtesy of England Exterminating Inc. In 2015, the California Association of Realtors forms used on a majority of every real estate transaction changed causing more arguments between buyers and sellers. Previously, in the California Residential Purchase agreement, there was a check box that specified who would pay for the inspection and that [...]
In the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia, they explained that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage throughout the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. The updated numbers actually show that the range is from an average of 16% in Honolulu (HI), all the way to 55% [...]
A recent post by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that in the months of December 2014 through February 2015, there was an increase in the number of first-time buyers making a down payment of 6% or less as compared to last year: 2014: 61% of first time home buyers 2015: 66% of first [...]
Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed. That is why we like the Home Price Expectation Survey. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where prices are headed over the next five years. They then average [...]
Matthew Rognlie, from the Department of Economics at MIT, recently released a paper:Deciphering the Fall and Rise in the Net Capital Share. One of the major findings of the report is that homeownership is and has been for the last fifty years a major component to family wealth. An article on the study in The [...]
Home Buying Checklist - The Importance of getting a home inspection. When buying a home and while in the escrow process. You're typically afforded the right to a home inspection. It is highly advisable to conduct that inspection as soon as possible once your offer is accepted. Never waive your inspection or "have a friend [...]
It's pretty obvious that any parent who owns a home has the intention of leaving that home to their children upon passing or maybe transferring as a form of a gift at some time. That is a great thing. That's what we work so hard for, to leave some sort of legacy for our children. [...]
