If you're moving to a new city and you're looking for an affordable home in a nice neighborhood, one great way to get a fantastic home without paying sky-high prices is by choosing a home in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Communities that are starting to gentrify make it easy to find an affordable home, especially if you buy before the prices start to rise. So how can you spot a neighborhood that's on the rise? Here's what you need to know. Look For Neighborhoods Popular With Artists & Young People Young people, artists, musicians, performers, and other bohemians tend to lead the way when … [Read More...]
If you're entering the real estate investment market for the first time, you're embarking on a great adventure – and with a solid plan, you can turn a tidy profit on your investment. The key to a successful real estate investment is choosing the right property. A great property will reap dividends for years to come. Look for these three features in your next investment property and you'll have no trouble finding one that turns a profit. Location: More Important Than You Think The location of your investment property will be critical in determining how much you earn on it and how long … [Read More...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings from the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, data on sales of new and previously-owned homes, and weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims. NAHB: Affordability, Shortages of Labor and Materials Impacting U.S. Housing Markets Housing market conditions are changing according to July’s Housing Market Index produced by the National Association of Home Builders. Although the HMI reading declined by one point in July, ongoing trends including labor shortages, higher prices for building materials, and … [Read More...]
The current housing demand is unparalleled and because of this demand, home prices are skyrocketing. Nonetheless, people continue to shop for homes. Low interest rates and high demand combined with supply chain issues are stunting the homebuilding industry, creating a perfect storm for an unprecedented housing market. In addition, there are many millennials who are looking for homes right now as well. Why is this the case? Interest Rates Are At Record Lows One of the biggest reasons why so many younger people are looking to buy a home is that low-interest rates make them more affordable. … [Read More...]
There are many people who are currently looking to purchase a home while interest rates are relatively low; however, there are many homeowners who feel like they do not have a strong level of financial understanding when it comes to the process of purchasing a home. If homeowners don’t have the financial knowledge base to effectively evaluate their options, they might have trouble figuring out what they can truly afford. For example, how much money do homeowners need to save for a down payment? There are a lot of down payment assistance programs available at local, state, and regional … [Read More...]
There are two broad categories of mortgages. The first is government mortgages, which include USDA, FHA, and VA loans. These loans are backed and insured by the United States government. The other category is conventional mortgages. These are mortgages that are insured by private lenders, such as banks and credit unions. What are the differences between these two loan options? Government Mortgages The qualifications for government mortgages are usually more lenient than conventional loans. For example, FHA mortgages are usually backed by the Federal Housing Administration. FHA loans could be a … [Read More...]
