Read More “Country’s Largest Source of Mortgage Money Raises Debt-to-Income Ratios Making Homeownership More Attainable” →

For the first time in history, mortgage rates are at near historic lows as the U.S. job market is operating at full capacity. Since the decision to buy a home typically involves a steady job and the ability to afford monthly mortgage payments, demand to buy a home is currently at an all-time high.

Read More “Mortgage Rates Hit New Lows While Job Market Strengthens” →

Whether it’s a family home, a vacation getaway, or an investment property, owning real estate is an important investment in your future. With so much riding on these transactions, real estate often feels like a high stakes game of chance. Given that there’s no exact formula for success and the process can be highly emotional, real estate lends itself to a bit of superstition. Let’s take a look at some of the practices that are believed to bring good luck in real estate!

Horseshoe Over the Door
The horseshoe has a long history of being a protective symbol. It has become customary to hang a horseshoe over the door to protect against evil and bring good luck. The way that you hang the horseshoe is a matter of preference. Some believe it should be pointing upward so your luck does not escape. Others argue that hanging the horseshoe upside down will ensure that good luck pours down into the home.

Read More “Lucky Charms In Real Estate” →

It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly 10 years since the housing market took a turn for the worse. At the time it seemed chaotic, but it’s now clear what happened. The market was correcting and as a result, we saw a sharp downturn in home prices between 2007 and 2011. Things improved slowly over the next few years until recently, when prices starting rising much more rapidly. That has caused many buyers and sellers to assume that we must be heading toward another housing bubble.

Read More “Are We in Another Housing Bubble?” →

Whether you’ve decided to sell your home, or buy one, aligning yourself with the right real estate professional can be an important first step.

Read More “How to Find the Right Real Estate Agent for You” →

A recent Wall Street Journal article pointed out that real estate investors may be pushing young, first-time homebuyers out of the housing market. Low and mid-priced homes, which appeal to both first-time buyers and investors, are in tight supply. Investors are swooping in with all-cash offers only to turn around and rent out the properties. As rental rates skyrocket across the nation, investors stand to benefit while potential homebuyers are challenged by high rent that may prolong saving for a down payment. Is there a solution? Can buyers finance a home purchase and still put forth a strong enough offer to compete against all-cash? We asked Realtor® Dana Green to weigh in on how buyers can level the playing field.

Read More “How to Level the Playing Field in a Competitive Housing Market” →

For years, popular apps like Zillow and Redfin have been putting home buying tools in the palm of our hands – making the search for a new home easier with a few swipes of a finger. But recently, we’ve seen several new apps leading the charge in giving buyers the power to visualize their real estate options, and REALTORS® a competitive edge in a challenging market.

Read More “Top 5 Real Estate Apps for Home Buyers and their REALTORS®” →

You have money saved, a good job and you’re tired of paying rent. It’s time to buy a home. Now what? Where do you start? You are taking on what will likely be the most important financial commitment of your life and it’s not as easy as buying a new pair of jeans. You can’t take it back if it doesn’t fit.

Read More “I’m Ready to Buy a Home – Now What?” →

Today is the day for ATR/QM and every lender’s head has been swimming with acronyms, ratios and percentages to get their people ready. To simplify matters (if that’s possible), the primary issues at hand are broken into three distinct categories:

Read More “Day One of ATR/QM” →