Is Owning a Home Still the American Dream for Younger Buyers?

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on December 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Demographics, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

Everyone has their own idea of the American Dream, and it’s different for each person. But, in a recent survey by Bankrate, people were asked about the achievements they believe represent the American Dream the most. The answers show that owning a home still claims the #1 spot for many Americans today (see graph below): In fact, according to the graph, owning a home is more important to people than retiring, having a successful career, or even getting a college degree. But is the dream of homeownership still alive for younger generations?A recent survey by 1000watt dives into how the two...

Are the Top 3 Housing Market Questions on Your Mind?

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on December 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Move-Up Buyers, Selling Myths.

When it comes to what’s happening in the housing market, there’s a lot of confusion going around right now. You may hear one thing in conversation with your friends, see something totally different on the news, and read something on social media that contradicts both of those thoughts. And, if you’re thinking about making a move, that can leave you with a lot of lingering questions. That’s where a trusted local real estate agent comes in.Here are the top 3 questions people are asking about today’s housing market, and the data to help answer them.1. What’s Next for Mortgage Rates?Mortgage rates...

Unmasking Scary Myths about Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on November 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Move-Up Buyers.

Some HighlightsHere’s what you really need to know about a few myths causing fear in today’s housing market.Despite common misconceptions, many people can buy a home even if they have student loans, home prices are rising nationally (not falling), and you usually don’t have to have 20% for a down payment.If you have other fears or reservations about buying a home today, get in touch with a real estate expert who can help clear those up.

A Real Estate Agent Helps Take the Fear Out of the Market

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on November 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Selling Myths.

Do negative headlines and talk on social media have you feeling worried about the housing market? Maybe you’ve even seen or heard something lately that scares you and makes you wonder if you should still buy or sell a home right now. Regrettably, when news in the media isn’t easy to understand, it can make people feel scared and unsure. Similarly, negative talk on social media spreads fast and creates fear. As Jason Lewris, Co-Founder and Chief Data Officer at Parcl, says:“In the absence of trustworthy, up-to-date information, real estate decisions are increasingly being driven by fear,...

Why Today’s Housing Inventory Shows a Crash Isn’t on the Horizon

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on October 1, 2023. Posted in Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, For Sellers, Foreclosures, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

You might remember the housing crash in 2008, even if you didn’t own a home at the time. If you’re worried there’s going to be a repeat of what happened back then, there’s good news – the housing market now is different from 2008.One important reason is there aren’t enough homes for sale. That means there’s an undersupply, not an oversupply like the last time. For the market to crash, there would have to be too many houses for sale, but the data doesn’t show that happening.Housing supply comes from three main sources:Homeowners deciding to sell their housesNewly built...

How Inflation Affects the Housing Market

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on September 1, 2023. Posted in Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

Have you ever wondered how inflation impacts the housing market? Believe it or not, they’re connected. Whenever there are changes to one, both are affected. Here’s a high-level overview of the connection between the two.The Relationship Between Housing Inflation and Overall InflationShelter inflation is the measure of price growth specific to housing. It comes from a survey of renters and homeowners that’s done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The survey asks renters how much they’re paying in rent, and homeowners how much they’d rent their homes for, if they weren’t living in them.Much...

Sellers: Don’t Let These Two Things Hold You Back

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, For Sellers, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Selling Myths.

Many homeowners thinking about selling have two key things holding them back. That’s feeling locked in by today’s higher mortgage rates and worrying they won’t be able to find something to buy while supply is so low. Let’s dive into each challenge and give you some helpful advice on how to overcome these obstacles.Challenge #1: The Reluctance to Take on a Higher Mortgage RateAccording to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the average interest rate for current homeowners with mortgages is less than 4% (see graph below):But today, the typical 30-year fixed mortgage rate offered to buyers...

Key Housing Market Trends [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on August 1, 2023. Posted in Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

Some HighlightsIf you’re considering buying or selling a home, you’ll want to know what’s happening in the housing market.Housing inventory is still very low, prices are climbing back up, and homes are selling fast when priced right.Connect with a real estate agent if you want more information about your local area and what the trends mean for your plans to buy or sell.

Where Will You Go If You Sell? Newly Built Homes Might Be the Answer.

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on July 1, 2023. Posted in Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast, Move-Up Buyers, New Construction.

Do you want to sell your house, but hesitate because you’re worried you won’t be able to find your next home in today’s market? You’re not alone, but there’s some good news that may ease your worries. New home construction is up and is becoming an increasingly significant part of the housing inventory.That means when you go to put your house on the market this summer, considering newly built homes is crucial for expanding the options you’ll have for your next move.Near-Record Percentage of New Home InventoryNewly built homes today make up a near-record percentage of the total number of...

Lending Standards Are Not Like They Were Leading Up to the Crash

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on July 1, 2023. Posted in Emerald Coast Mortgage, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

You might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008. One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help prove it. Every month, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) releases the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI). According to their website:“The MCAI provides the only standardized quantitative index that is solely focused on mortgage credit. The MCAI is . . . a summary measure which indicates the availability of mortgage credit at a point in time.”Basically,...

Category: For Buyers