Buying Mortgage Myths Debunked: What You Should Know In the world of mortgages, misconceptions abound, but it’s essential to separate fact from fiction. Here are some common mortgage myths debunked: Myth #1: A 20% Down Payment is Mandatory While the 20% down payment rule is widely known, it’s not an absolute requirement for buying a home. While making a larger down payment can […]
Buying Avoid These Common Mistakes That Could Derail Your Mortgage Closing Are you on the verge of closing on your dream home? It’s crucial to be mindful of certain financial decisions that could potentially jeopardize the closing process or even prevent you from obtaining a mortgage altogether. To ensure a smooth closing, here are five common mistakes you should steer clear of: 1. Refrain from Major […]
Buying Migration from the Bay Area to Sacramento is creating a ‘megaregion’ Tessa McLean, SFGATE July 31, 2023Updated: July 31, 2023 11:24 a.m. At least three people in Jose Medina’s Sacramento neighborhood have moved there from the Bay Area in recent years. And those are just the ones he knows of. Medina, too, is a transplant — and since relocating from Oakland in 2021, he said he’s had an additional […]
Buying Packing to Move – 7 Amazing Tips & Tricks 1 – Use The Correct Boxes Even if you’re on a budget, make sure to purchase specialty boxes. Just one wardrobe box per bedroom will help tremendously. Your clothes will not arrive at your new home wrinkled and you won’t have to worry about packing your hangers. TV and art boxes are also worth the […]
Appraisals Buy a home now and refinance it later? Here’s what experts think For some buyers, it may make sense to buy a home now and refinance it to a lower rate in the future. GETTY IMAGES While inflation is cooling, interest rates remain high, which puts a damper on Americans’ plans to buy a home or refinance their existing mortgages. The natural question many homeowners are asking themselves […]
Buying Just 1% of U.S. Homes Have Changed Hands This Year, the Lowest Share in at Least a Decade SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– (NASDAQ: RDFN) — Roughly 14 of every 1,000 U.S. homes changed hands during the first six months of 2023, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s down from 19 of every 1,000 during the same period of 2019 and the lowest turnover rate in at least a decade. […]
Buying FHA vs. Conventional Loan: Which Mortgage Is Right for You? FHA versus conventional loan: If you need a mortgage to buy a house, you may find yourself weighing these two options. What’s the difference, and which one is right for you? While the majority of homebuyers might assume they should get a conventional home loan, about 40% end up with FHA loans, which are insured by the Federal Housing Administration. […]
Uncategorized Interest Rates : A Short History
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Buying What prospective homebuyers should do until interest rates drop In this high-interest-rate environment, many prospective homebuyers are put off by high mortgage costs. Homes that might have been in your budget in the past might no longer be affordable when accounting for monthly interest payments. But that doesn’t mean the situation is totally out of your control. While mortgage timing can be tricky, you […]
Home Improvement Unveiling the Key Trends in the 2023 Cost vs. Value for Home Improvements As a REALTOR®, it’s my responsibility to stay on top of the latest trends and developments in the housing market. Home improvements not only enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a property but also significantly impact its overall value. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the key trends shaping the cost versus value […]
Appraisals What’s the Difference Between Your Home’s Market and Assessed Value? Understanding your home’s value is an important part of knowing your net worth, what you’ll likely receive if you sell the property and how the local real estate market is faring. Home value is also an integral part of determining how much property tax you’re required to pay the local and state government annually. But depending on […]
Uncategorized Five Ways to Build Home Equity Whether you currently own a home or are thinking of purchasing one, you may be looking for ways to build equity. Home equity is the overall difference between the amount you owe on your mortgage loan and your home’s market value. Home equity can be used to take out a loan, invest, build long term […]
Uncategorized Tips for a Successful Yard Sale Yard sales are a great way to convert items that you hardly ever use into cash that can be saved, donated, or put towards a large purchase. However, a successful yard sale takes a considerable amount of preparation and planning. Here are some tips on how to hold a great yard sale. Set a Goal […]
Uncategorized State Farm, Allstate stop selling home insurance to new customers in CA State Farm and Allstate have announced they will no longer sell new home insurance policies in California because of wildfire risks and an increase in construction costs. Here are some facts: State Farm and Allstate are not leaving the California Insurance Market:  State Farm and Allstate will continue to service and renew policies of existing clients […]
Buying Should you rent or buy? High home prices, mortgage rates challenge the American dream of homeownership When Greg Morano proposed to his girlfriend Kayla Lewis, he knew their next big decision as a couple was looming: should they rent or buy their first home together? The couple spent months discussing the size, style and location of apartments before considering homeownership. “I think that’s the dream everybody grows up with — it’s one […]
Market Trends Homeownership as a Vehicle to Build Wealth Over the last decade, the median-priced home in the U.S. gained $190,000 in value, making the typical homeowner 40 times wealthier than if they had remained a renter, according to a new report. Low-income homeowners (those earning no greater than 80% of the area median income) built $98,900 in wealth as their homes while middle-income (those making […]
Real Estate Top Features That Will Boost Home Values in 2023 With rising mortgage rates, many homeowners are worried about the sales prices of their homes. However, according to a recent report from Zillow, there are many things you can do to increase buyer appeal and value. The real estate website compiled data from nearly two million homes listed for sale in 2022, analyzing home prices, along […]
Uncategorized Homeowners’ Zeal for Curb Appeal May Pay Off Handsomely Demand for outdoor features has boomed since the start of the pandemic. These projects stand to earn the most at resale, according to a new survey. Many homeowners have turned their attention to enhancing their outdoor space since the pandemic began—and that may pay off at resale, according to a new survey from the National […]
Other How to avoid being ‘house-rich, cash-poor’ by selecting the right mortgage for your budget Owning a home doesn’t just put a roof over your head — it can also put money in your pocket (at least on paper). According to a 2022 report from the National Association of Realtors, single-family homeowners accumulated an average of $225,000 in wealth from their homes during a 10-year period. But what if the equity you […]
Buying What is a pre-approval when buying a home, and why do you need one? If you’re ready to begin your home shopping journey, make sure you get a mortgage pre-approval first. A mortgage pre-approval letter is an essential step in the homebuying process. Without pre-approval, it might be difficult to determine your budget. Plus, you risk not being taken seriously by sellers — especially in a highly competitive real estate market. […]