It May Be Time To Consider a Newly Built Home

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on May 8, 2023. Posted in For Buyers, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach, New Construction.

If you’re looking to buy a house, you may find today’s limited supply of homes available for sale challenging. When housing inventory is as low as it is right now, it can feel like a bit of an uphill battle to find the perfect home for you because there just isn’t that much to choose from. If you need to open up your pool of options, it may be time to consider a newly built home. According to the latest data from the U.S. Census, there’s positive news when it comes to new home construction. When you look at the first three months of this year, you’ll find:More new homes were completed and are...

Reasons To Sell Your House Today [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on May 5, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach.

Some HighlightsNot sure if selling your house is the right move today? You should know there are a number of reasons it still makes sense to sell now.Your house will stand out because inventory is low. That’s why the number of offers on recently sold homes is on the rise. And most homeowners have a lot of equity that can fuel a move.If you’re thinking about selling your house, reach out to a local real estate expert to discuss if now may be the time to move.

Buyer Activity Is Up Despite Higher Mortgage Rates

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on May 3, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach, Selling Myths.

If you’re a homeowner thinking about making a move, you may wonder if it’s still a good time to sell your house. Here’s the good news. Even with higher mortgage rates, buyer traffic is actually picking up speed.Data from the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring homes, helps paint the picture of how much buyer demand has increased in recent months (see graph below):As the graph shows, the first two months of 2023 saw a noticeable increase in buyer traffic. That’s likely because the limited number of homes for sale kept shoppers looking for homes even...

A Recession Doesn’t Equal a Housing Crisis

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on May 2, 2023. Posted in Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach, Pricing.

Everywhere you look, people are talking about a potential recession. And if you’re planning to buy or sell a house, this may leave you wondering if your plans are still a wise move. To help ease your mind, experts are saying that if we do officially enter a recession, it’ll be mild and short. As the Federal Reserve explained in their March meeting:“. . . the staff’s projection at the time of the March meeting included a mild recession starting later this year, with a recovery over the subsequent two years.” While a recession may be on the horizon, it won’t be one for the housing market record...

Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Are Nothing Like 2008

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on April 27, 2023. Posted in Distressed Properties, Foreclosures, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach.

You’ve likely seen headlines about the number of foreclosures climbing in today’s housing market. That may leave you with a few questions, especially if you’re thinking about buying a house. Understanding what they really mean is mission-critical if you want to know the truth about what’s happening today.According to a recent report from ATTOM, a property data provider, foreclosure filings are up 6% compared to the previous quarter and 22% since one year ago. As media headlines call attention to this increase, reporting on just the number could actually generate worry and may even make you think...

The Three Factors Affecting Home Affordability Today

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on April 26, 2023. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

There’s been a lot of focus on higher mortgage rates and how they’re creating affordability challenges for today’s homebuyers. It’s true that rates climbed dramatically since the record-low we saw during the pandemic. But home affordability is based on more than just mortgage rates – it’s determined by a combination of mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.Considering how each one of these factors is changing gives you the full picture of home affordability today. Here’s the latest.1. Mortgage RatesWhile mortgage rates are higher than they were a year ago, they’ve hovered primarily between...

What Are the Experts Saying About the Spring Housing Market?

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on April 25, 2023. Posted in For Buyers, For Sellers, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach, Pricing.

The housing market’s been going through a lot of change lately, and there’s been uncertainty surrounding what will happen this spring. You may be wondering if more homes will go on the market, what’s next with home prices and mortgage rates, or what the best advice is for someone in your position right now.Here’s what industry experts are saying right now about the spring housing market and what it means for you:Selma Hepp, Chief Economist, CoreLogic:“We see more competition among buyers . . . Housing supply also tends to grow during the spring months. And this is also the time of year when...

Think Twice Before Waiting for Lower Home Prices

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on April 17, 2023. Posted in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Millennials, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

As the housing market continues to change, you may be wondering where it’ll go from here. One factor you’re probably thinking about is home prices, which have come down a bit since they peaked last June. And you’ve likely heard something in the news or on social media about a price crash on the horizon. As a result, you may be holding off on buying a home until prices drop significantly. But that’s not the best strategy.A recent survey from Zonda shows 53% of millennials are still renting right now because they’re waiting for home prices to come down. But here’s the thing: the most recent data...

Want To Sell Your House This Spring? Price It Right.

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on April 13, 2023. Posted in For Sellers, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach, Selling Myths.

Over the last year, the housing market’s gone through significant change. While it’s still a sellers’ market, homes that are priced right are selling, and they get the most attention from buyers right now. If you’re thinking of selling your house this spring, it’s important to lean on your expert real estate advisor when it comes to setting a list price. As Realtor.com explains:“Move-in-ready homes with curb appeal and in desirable areas—and that are priced to sell—are especially likely to move quickly this spring.”In today’s market, how you price your house will not only make a big difference...

Your Tax Refund Can Help You Achieve Your Homebuying Goals

Written by Fort Walton Beach Mortgage Syndicated User on April 12, 2023. Posted in Buying Myths, Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Fort Walton Beach Mortgage, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Fort Walton Beach, Move-Up Buyers.

Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a variety of expenses involved – from your down payment to closing costs. But there’s good news – your tax refund can help you achieve your goals by paying for some of these expenses.SmartAsset estimates the average American will receive a $1,798 tax refund this year. The map below provides a more detailed estimate by state:According to Freddie Mac, there are multiple ways your refund check can help you as a homebuyer. If you’re getting a refund this year and thinking about buying a home, here are a few tips to keep:Saving...

Category: Housing Market Updates