While you may have seen recent stories about the volume of foreclosures today, context is important. During the pandemic, many homeowners were able to pause their mortgage payments using the forbearance program. The goal was to help homeowners financially during the uncertainty created by the health ... » Learn More about What You Actually Need To Know About the Number of Foreclosures in Today’s Housing Market
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The Dream of Homeownership Is Worth the Effort
If you’re in the market to buy a home this season, stick with it. Homebuyers face challenges in any market, and today’s is no exception. But if you persevere, your decision to purchase a home will be worth the effort in the end. In fact, a recent survey from Bankrate shows ... » Learn More about The Dream of Homeownership Is Worth the Effort
Why This Housing Market Is Not a Bubble Ready To Pop
Homeownership has become a major element in achieving the American Dream. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) finds that over 86% of buyers agree homeownership is still the American Dream. Prior to the 1950s, less than half of the ... » Learn More about Why This Housing Market Is Not a Bubble Ready To Pop
Is It Time To Buy a Smaller Home?
Life events can have a major impact on what you need from your home, and retirement is one of the biggest changes many of us face. This period of your life can mean doing more of the things you enjoy, like traveling, visiting with loved ones, or taking on new hobbies. But what does that mean for ... » Learn More about Is It Time To Buy a Smaller Home?
A Key To Building Wealth Is Homeownership
The link between financial security and homeownership is especially important today as inflation rises. But many people may not realize just how much owning a home contributes to your overall net worth. As Leslie Rouda Smith, President of the National Association of ... » Learn More about A Key To Building Wealth Is Homeownership
The Average Homeowner Gained More Than $55K in Equity over the Past Year
If you’re a current homeowner, you should know your net worth just got a big boost. It comes in the form of rising home equity. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. Today, you’re building that equity far faster than you may expect – and this gain is ... » Learn More about The Average Homeowner Gained More Than $55K in Equity over the Past Year
The Path To Homeownership Can Be Steeper for Some Americans
As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor and recognize the past and present experiences of Black Americans. A significant part of this experience is investing in a home of their own. While equitable access to housing has come a long way, the path to homeownership is still steeper for ... » Learn More about The Path To Homeownership Can Be Steeper for Some Americans
There Won’t Be a Wave of Foreclosures in the Housing Market
When mortgage forbearance plans were first announced and the pandemic surged through the country in early 2020, many homeowners were allowed to pause their mortgage payments. Some analysts were concerned that once the forbearance program ended, the housing market would experience a wave of ... » Learn More about There Won’t Be a Wave of Foreclosures in the Housing Market
Two Reasons Why Waiting a Year To Buy Could Cost You
If you’re a renter with a desire to become a homeowner, or a homeowner who’s decided your current house no longer fits your needs, you may be hoping that waiting a year might mean better market conditions to purchase a home. To determine if you should buy now or wait, you need to ask yourself two ... » Learn More about Two Reasons Why Waiting a Year To Buy Could Cost You
Is It Time To Move on to a New Home?
If you’ve been in your home for longer than five years, you’re not alone. According to recent data from First American, homeowners are staying put much longer than historical averages (see graph below): As the graph shows, before 2008, homeowners sold their houses after an average of just ... » Learn More about Is It Time To Move on to a New Home?