Submitted by: Camille Powell
If you average the most recent projections from the major industry forecasters, the expectation is home prices will increase by 7.7%. Let us take a house that is valued today at $325,000 as an example: If the buyer makes a 10% down payment ($32,500), they’ll end up borrowing $292,500 for their mortgage. Applying the projected rate of home price appreciation, that same house will cost $350,025 next year. With a 10% down payment ($35,003), they would then have to borrow $315,022. Therefore, because of rising home prices alone, a prospective buyer will have to put down an additional $2,503 and borrow an additional $22,523 just for waiting a year to make their move.
A gallery art wall may be just the perfect addition for your home. Blanks walls needing attention. A gallery wall is a perfect way to liven any space. Start by choosing a color theme. Picking cohesive colors that complement each other well is important. Are you going for bold, bright colors? A neutral pallet? Monochromatic? Choose your color theme first. Use your biggest piece first. Placing your biggest piece on the wall first allows
Existing home sales slipped 6.6% in February, down to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.22 million. The regions with the largest month-over-month drops in existing sales last month were the Midwest (down 14.4%) and the Northeast (down 11.5%) – both hard hit by February winter storms. Compared to February 2020, existing home sales were still up by 9.1%. New home sales declined in February as well, falling 18.2% 
Today’s U.S. housing market is leaving many prospective home buyers priced out. Homes, on average, have become less affordable, and the ones that are affordable are in short supply. As a result, 55% of future homebuyers believe that homeownership is out of reach for them financially, according to recent Fannie Mae research. However, while affordability and supply constraints have weighed on many prospective homebuyers, homeownership education has the power to help people prepare for the home-buying process and successful homeownership. As an industry, we have an opportunity to dispel mortgage qualification misconceptions that prospective homebuyers have and, at the same time, educate housing professionals about ways to better meet their needs. Future home buyers were asked to demonstrate their knowledge of the mortgage process and the affordable options 
In 2020, the construction business had an unexpected boom. With employers moving their workforce to remote/work from home either temporarily or permanently, people are spending more time at home and discovering home remodel projects they want to complete. Whether it is something as minor as updating the interior paint color, setting up a home office, or a full kitchen or bathroom renovation, the amount of work available for those in the construction trade surged quickly. If you have been considering a
Buying a home in a seller's market can be a challenge without the right negotiation tactics When you are trying to create a standout offer to buy a home, it’s important to consider the tools and tactics at a buyer’s disposal. According to industry experts, there is more to a home offer than just the price you are willing to pay. Other aspects of an offer, they say, create more opportunities for you to lock in a home – and could make all the difference. Here are some of the key tactics and pieces of advice, shared by industry professionals on the housing market’s front lines, that go into creating an initial offer to buy a home, along with the negotiations you should be poised for if you catch the seller’s attention. Get pre-approved to show you mean business. Consider obtaining a pre-approval
A jumbo mortgage is a loan that falls outside of the conforming loan limits set by the FHFA. A jumbo loan allows you to purchase a home with a sale price over conforming loan limit ($548,250- in most areas). Typically, jumbo loans require high credit scores, low DTI, and cash reserves. Who is a Jumbo designed for? A jumbo 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a convenient way to finance your dream home without requiring a second mortgage or tying up cash. If you are looking to buy a high-priced or luxury home and have a lower debt-to-income ratio, a higher credit score, and a larger down payment, a jumbo loan may be right for you. Jumbo
Buyers are ready to take advantage of the record-low interest rates and incentives mortgage brokers have to offer yet, the inventory is lower than before the health crisis hit us making this one of the biggest challenges facing this hot market. Buyers are being forced to compete in multiple offer situations time and time again only to be beat out by offers that are several thousands of dollars over asking price. Fantastic news if you are the seller! Continued rejection and hopeless feelings if you are the buyer.