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,...

The True Value of Homeownership

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on June 1, 2023. Posted in Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

Buying and owning your home can make a big difference in your life by bringing you joy and a sense of belonging. And with June being National Homeownership Month, it’s the perfect time to think about all the benefits homeownership provides. Of course, there are financial reasons to buy a house, but it’s important to consider the non-financial benefits that make a home more than just where you live.Here are three ways owning your home can give you a sense of accomplishment, happiness, and pride. You May Feel Happier and More Fulfilled Owning a home is associated with better mental health and...

Keys to Success for First-Time Homebuyers

Written by Emerald Coast Mortgage Syndicated User on June 1, 2023. Posted in Down Payments, Emerald Coast Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Emerald Coast.

Buying your first home is an exciting decision and a major milestone that has the power to change your life for the better. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s a vision you can bring to life, but, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shares, you’ll have to overcome some factors that have made it more challenging in recent years:“Since 2011, the share of first-time home buyers has been under the historical norm of 40% as buyers face tight inventory, rising home prices, rising rents and high student debt loads.”That said, if you’re looking to purchase your first home, here are two things...

Today’s Real Estate Market: The ‘Unicorns’ Have Galloped Off

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

Comparing real estate metrics from one year to another can be challenging in a normal housing market. That’s due to possible variability in the market making the comparison less meaningful or accurate. Unpredictable events can have a significant impact on the circumstances and outcomes being compared. Comparing this year’s numbers to the two ‘unicorn’ years we just experienced is almost worthless. By ‘unicorn,’ this is the less common definition of the word:“Something that is greatly desired but difficult or impossible to find.” The pandemic profoundly changed real estate over the last few years....

Category: For Buyers