Jenn Pfeiffer
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Blog - The Jenn Pfeiffer Team
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Blog

Can You Still Afford to Buy a Home in the Bay Area? Here’s What the Data Says

#LifeInMarinWithJenn | @HomesInMarin If you’ve been wondering whether buying a home in the Bay Area is still within reach, you’re not alone. According to newly released data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), housing affordability across the San Francisco–Oakland–Berkeley metro is tightening — and while the challenges are real, so are the opportunities. 📊 What the Numbers Tell Us 🏡 Housing Affordability Index (HAI):At just 32.9, the Bay Area’s HAI is well below the national average — meaning fewer households can afford a median-priced home here. 💰 Price-to-Income Ratio:Currently at 12.3, which means homes cost more than 12 times the median household income. (To compare: a balanced market typically hovers...

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More Homes for Sale Isn’t a Warning Sign – It’s Your Buying Opportunity

From our friends at the kcm blog Maybe you’ve heard the number of homes for sale has reached a recent high. And it might make you question if this is the start of another housing market crash. But the reality is, the data proves that’s just not the case. In most areas, more inventory isn’t bad news. It’s actually a sign of the market returning to a more stable, healthy place. What’s Going on With Inventory? Based on the latest data from Realtor.com, inventory just hit its highest point since 2020, shown with the white line in the graph below. But what you need to realize is, at the same time, inventory levels still haven’t...

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Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

From our friends at the KCM Blog Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you’re wondering: Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home? Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt? Having questions like these is normal, especially when you’re thinking about making such a big purchase. But you should know, you may be putting your homeownership goals on the backburner unnecessarily. Can You Qualify for a Home Loan...

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Why Some Homes Sell Faster Than Others

From our friends at the kcm blog As you think ahead to your own move, you may have noticed some houses sell within days, while others linger. But why is that? As Redfin says: “. . . today’s housing market has been topsy-turvy since the pandemic. Low inventory (though rising) and high prices have created a strange mix: Some homes are flying off the market, while others sit for weeks.” That may leave you wondering what you should expect when you sell. Let’s break it down and give you some actionable tips on how to make sure your house is one that sells quickly. Homes Are Still Selling Faster Than Pre-Pandemic The first thing you...

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The 20% Down Payment Myth, Debunked

From our friends at the kcm blog Saving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a major roadblock. But that’s actually a common misconception. Here’s the truth. Do You Really Have To Put 20% Down When You Buy a Home? Unless your specific loan type or lender requires it, odds are you won’t have to put 20% down. There are loan options out there designed to help first-time buyers like you get in the door with a much smaller down payment. For example, FHA loans offer down payments as low as 3.5%,...

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