Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a Home

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage.

While the wild ride that was the ‘unicorn’ years of housing is behind us, today’s market is still competitive in many areas because the supply of homes for sale is still low. If you’re looking to buy a home this season, know that the peak frenzy of bidding wars is in the rearview mirror, but you may still come up against some multiple-offer scenarios.Here are a few things to consider to help you put your best foot forward when making an offer on a home.1. Lean on a Real Estate ProfessionalRely on an agent who can support your goals and help you understand what’s happening in today’s housing...

Don’t Fall for the Next Shocking Headlines About Home Prices

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage, Pricing.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? And it’s no surprise you don’t have the clarity you need on that topic. Part of the issue is how headlines are talking about prices.They’re basing their negative news by comparing current stats to the last few years. But you can’t compare this year to the ‘unicorn’ years (when home prices reached record highs that were unsustainable). And as prices begin to normalize now, they’re talking about it like it’s a bad thing and making people fear what’s next....

Foreclosure Numbers Today Aren’t Like 2008

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2023. Posted in Distressed Properties, For Buyers, Foreclosures, Housing Market Updates, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage.

If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you’ve probably come across headlines talking about the increase in foreclosures in today’s housing market. This may have left you with some uncertainty, especially if you’re considering buying a home. It’s important to understand the context of these reports to know the truth about what’s happening today.According to a recent report from ATTOM, a property data provider, foreclosure filings are up 2% compared to the previous quarter and 8% since one year ago. While media headlines are drawing attention to this increase, reporting...

Real Estate Continues To Be the Best Investment [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2023. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Move-Up Buyers, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage.

Some HighlightsAccording to a recent Gallup poll, real estate has been voted the best long-term investment for 11 years in a row, beating gold, stocks, bonds, and more.Owning real estate means more than just having a home—it’s an investment in your future. That’s because it’s typically a stable and secure asset that tends to increase in value as time goes on.Connect with a local real estate agent if you’re ready to buy a home and invest in your future.

Owning Your Home Helps You Build Wealth

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

You may have heard some people say it’s better to rent than buy a home right now. But, even today, there are lots of good reasons to become a homeowner. One of them is that owning a home is typically viewed as a good long-term investment that helps your net worth grow over time.Homeownership Builds Wealth Regardless of Income LevelYou may be surprised to learn homeowners across various income levels have a much higher net worth than renters who make the same amount. Data from First American helps illustrate this point (see graph below):What makes wealth so much higher for homeowners? A recent...

Explaining Today’s Mortgage Rates

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2023. Posted in For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage.

If you’re following mortgage rates because you know they impact your borrowing costs, you may be wondering what the future holds for them. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to answer that question because mortgage rates are notoriously hard to forecast. But, there’s one thing that’s historically a good indicator of what’ll happen with rates, and that’s the relationship between the 30-Year Mortgage Rate and the 10-Year Treasury Yield. Here’s a graph showing those two metrics since Freddie Mac started keeping mortgage rate records in 1972:As the graph shows, historically, the average spread...

Where Will You Go If You Sell? Newly Built Homes Might Be the Answer.

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on July 1, 2023. Posted in For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers, New Construction, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage.

Do you want to sell your house, but hesitate because you’re worried you won’t be able to find your next home in today’s market? You’re not alone, but there’s some good news that may ease your worries. New home construction is up and is becoming an increasingly significant part of the housing inventory.That means when you go to put your house on the market this summer, considering newly built homes is crucial for expanding the options you’ll have for your next move.Near-Record Percentage of New Home InventoryNewly built homes today make up a near-record percentage of the total number of...

Lending Standards Are Not Like They Were Leading Up to the Crash

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on July 1, 2023. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage.

You might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008. One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help prove it. Every month, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) releases the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to their website:“The MCAI provides the only standardized quantitative index that is solely focused on mortgage credit. The MCAI is . . . a summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”Basically,...

Why Homeownership Wins in the Long Run

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on July 1, 2023. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage, Pricing, Rent vs. Buy.

Today’s higher mortgage rates, inflationary pressures, and concerns about a potential recession 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 think about the long-term benefits of homeownership when making your decision.Consider this: if you know people who bought a home 5, 10, or even 30 years ago, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding someone who regrets their decision. Why is that? The reason is tied to how home values grow with time and how, by extension, that grows your own...

Homeownership Helps Protect You from Inflation [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Palm Harbor FL Mortgage Syndicated User on July 1, 2023. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Palm Harbor FL Mortgage, Palm Harbor Mortgage, Rent vs. Buy.

Some HighlightsWondering if it makes sense to buy a home today even when inflation is high? When other costs go up due to inflation, buying a home helps you keep your monthly housing expense steady.Rents typically increase with inflation. Maybe that’s why, according to a recent survey, 65.1% of landlords say they plan to raise the rent of at least one of their properties within the next 12 months.Especially when inflation is up, having a stable housing payment can be helpful. Connect with a local real estate agent so you can learn more and start your journey to owning a home today.

Category: For Buyers