think home prices have skyrocketed? look at rent costs.

think home prices have skyrocketed? look at rent costs.

Much has been written about how residential real estate values have increased since the housing market started its recovery in 2012. However, little has been shared about what has taken place with residential rental prices. Let’s shed a little light on this subject.

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what you need to know about private mortgage insurance (PMI)

what you need to know about private mortgage insurance (PMI)

Whether it is your first time or your fifth, it is always important to know all the facts when it comes to buying a home. With the large number of mortgage programs available that allow buyers to purchase homes with down payments below 20%, you can never have too much information about Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI).

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your tax refund is the key to homeownership

your tax refund is the key to homeownership

Americans can expect an estimated average tax refund of $3,143 according to the IRS. This is down slightly from the average refund of $3,436 last year. Tax refunds can be considered extra money to use toward larger goals. For anyone looking to buy a home in 2019, this can be a great jump start toward a down payment!

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advice from millionaire to millennials: don’t rent, buy

advice from millionaire to millennials: don’t rent, buy

In a CNBC article, self-made millionaire David Bach explained that: “The biggest mistake millennials are making is not buying their first home.” He goes on to say “If you want to build real financial security, real wealth for your lifetime, then you need to buy a home.”

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student loan debt is not a threat to home ownership

student loan debt is not a threat to home ownership

Over the course of the last thirty years, a shift has happened. An entire generation has been raised to believe that a college education (often accompanied with student loan debt) is their key to unlocking opportunities that were not available to their parent’s or grandparent’s generations.

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your first step to buying a house this year

your first step to buying a house this year

In many markets across the country, the number of buyers searching for homes outnumbers the number of homes for sale. This has led to a competitive marketplace where buyers often need to stand out. You can show that you are a serious buyer by getting pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage before starting your search.

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are we about to enter a buyer’s market?

are we about to enter a buyer’s market?

Home sales are below last year’s levels, home values are appreciating at a slower pace, and there are reports showing purchasing demand softening. This has some thinking we may be entering a buyer’s market after sellers have had the upper hand for the past several years. Is this really happening?

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is it time to upgrade your starter home?

is it time to upgrade your starter home?

It may seem hard to imagine that the first home you purchased might not be the home that will allow you to achieve the rest of your dreams. However, first-time home buyers don’t always consider the differences between starter homes and forever homes. A starter home is a great means to enter the market. You spend less now so you can save more and upgrade when the time (and rates) are right. Buying a forever home for your first purchase generally means spending more upfront to care for your needs long term. Both have their advantages, but starter homes are the typical choice for new buyers. This means that admitting your home no longer suits your needs is not only ok, it’s normal.

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do you need 20% down to buy a home? no.

do you need 20% down to buy a home? no.

The Aspiring Home Buyers Profile from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. The survey shows that the main reason non-homeowners do not own their own homes is that they believe they cannot afford them.

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kids’ opinions matter big when buying a home

kids’ opinions matter big when buying a home

When the results were broken down by the parent’s age, millennials (those 18-36) led the way. 74% of homeowners saying that their child’s opinion was a factor in choosing which home to buy. Eighty-three percent of renters believe that their child’s opinion would be a deciding factor when looking to purchase a home.

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