Recently, a friend of mine put an interesting question on Twitter. Right now, home prices are skyrocketing in our area. Houses are going for well over the asking price and there's usually a bidding war. It's definitely a seller's market. So his question was whether or not they should put their home on the market and just rent for a few years until market prices drop again. It was an interesting question. Should you sell your home? Why You … [Read more...]
Why Interest Rates Are Rising
In 2020, housing market interest rates hit and remained at historic lows. Government-backed home loans and refinance loans plunged into the low two percent range with a 52-week average for these mortgages and refinance loans at roughly 2.25%. I wrote about these conditions all through 2020, and the number of people including those in my own family who refinanced their home loans last year or in early 2021 was probably higher than any time in … [Read more...]
Your Money Problems: Common Money Mistakes People Make
Do you have money problems? There are some common mistakes people make when planning a budget or trying to sort out their bills. Check our list below of bad financial habits to avoid when trying to take control of your finances. Paying Too Much For Housing Are you overspending on rent or your mortgage? Many people read advice that your housing expenses should not take up more than roughly 30% of your income, but in the 21st century, it’s more … [Read more...]
Buying A Home: Hidden Housing Expenses
I have told many people with ambitions of buying a home to take their time and do their due diligence in learning what it will take to afford and maintain property as an American homeowner. My friends who have purchased their own homes have learned there are pitfalls waiting for if you don’t know where to look. It does not matter if you are buying with a conventional mortgage, a VA home loan, or an FHA mortgage--you'll need to anticipate certain … [Read more...]
How To Buy A House During COVID-19
Do you need to buy a house during COVID-19? I know not everyone has the luxury of staying put during coronavirus--some need to go house hunting, in spite of the risks associated with in-person transactions. But I know many are aksing themselves how to find a new place to live in a pandemic? Fortunately, the housing industry has evolved to help with online closing procedures, appraisals that do not require the FHA fee appraiser to set inside the … [Read more...]