From our friends at the kcm blog
Over the past few years, you’ve probably seen a whole lot of headlines about how home prices keep going up. But have you ever stopped to think about what that actually means for your home?
Home prices have risen dramatically over the past five years — far more than usual. And if selling has been on your mind, this could mean a bigger-than-expected payday when you list. So, how much has your home’s value really changed? Let’s break it down.
The Rapid Rise of the Past 5 Years
Typically, home prices go up by about 2-5% a year. But in 2021-2022, there were double-digit...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Many people are hoping mortgage rates will come down before they buy a home. But will that actually happen? According to the latest forecasts, experts say rates will decline, but not by as much as a lot of people want.
The good news? Even if they don’t drop substantially, there are still ways to make buying a home more affordable.
How Much Will Rates Drop?
A few months ago, experts were forecasting mortgage rates could dip below 6% by the end of the year. But recent projections suggest that may not happen after all.
While mortgage rates are still expected to decline some later this...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
For the past few years, it’s been mostly a seller’s market. But dynamics are shifting as the number of homes for sale grows. And that means that the market is balancing out a bit. As a result, some sellers are finding they need to be more flexible to close a deal. One strategy that can help? Offering concessions.
As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:
“As home inventory begins to grow and buyers regain some advantage in the market, sellers may consider offering more in negotiations to make the deal more attractive and get to the closing table.”
What Are Seller Concessions?
Concessions are homebuying costs that...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Spring is the busiest season in the housing market. It’s the time of year when buyers are most active – that means it’s when homes sell faster and for top dollar. If you’ve already got a move on your mind, why not list this spring and take advantage of the added buyer demand?
Since spring is just around the corner, now’s the time to start getting your house market-ready. You’ve got just over a month to do the prep work. And while that may sound like a decent amount of time, it’s going to go by quickly. And you won’t want to rush...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
If you want to sell your house, having the right strategies and expectations is key. But some sellers haven’t adjusted to where the market is today. They’re not factoring in that there are more homes for sale or that buyers are being more selective with their budgets. And those sellers are making some costly mistakes.
Here’s a quick rundown of the 3 most common missteps sellers are making, and how partnering with an expert agent can help you avoid every single one of them.
1. Pricing the Home Too High
According to a survey by John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) and Keeping Current Matters (KCM), real estate...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
A recent report from Realtor.com says 20% of Americans don’t think homeownership is achievable. Maybe you feel the same way. With inflation driving up day-to-day expenses, saving enough to buy your first home is more of a challenge. But here’s the thing. With the right resources and help, you can still make it happen.
There are options that can help make buying a home possible today — even if your savings are limited or your credit isn’t perfect. Let’s explore just two of the solutions that could help get you into your first home no matter the market.
1. FHA Loans
If your down payment savings and your credit score aren’t...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Let’s face it — buying a home can feel like a challenge with today’s mortgage rates. You might even be thinking, “Should I just wait until spring when more homes hit the market and rates might be lower?”
But here’s the thing, no one knows for sure where mortgage rates will go from here, and waiting could mean facing more competition, higher prices, and a lot more stress.
What if buying now — before the spring rush — might actually give you the upper hand? Here are three reasons why that just might be the case.
1. Less Competition from Other Buyers
The winter months tend to...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Your credit score plays a big role in the homebuying process. It’s one of the key factors lenders look at to determine which loan options you qualify for and what your terms might be. But there’s a myth about credit scores that may be holding some buyers back.
The Myth: You Need To Have Perfect Credit
According to Fannie Mae, only 32% of potential homebuyers have a good idea of what credit score lenders actually require.
That means two-thirds of buyers don’t actually know what lenders are looking for – and most overestimate the minimum credit score needed.
The Reality: Perfect Isn’t Necessary
But the truth is, you don’t need perfect credit to...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Trying to decide whether it makes more sense to buy a home now or wait? There’s a lot to consider, from what’s happening in the market to your changing needs. But generally speaking, aiming to time the market isn’t a good strategy – there are too many factors at play for that to even be possible.
That’s why experts usually say time in the market is better than timing the market.
In other words, if you want to buy a home and you’re able to make the numbers work, doing it sooner rather than later is usually worth it. Bankrate explains why:
“No matter which way the...
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From our friends at the kcm blog
Wondering what’s in store for the housing market this year? And more specifically, what it all means for you if you plan to buy or sell a home? The best way to get that information is to lean on the pros.
Experts are constantly updating and revising their forecasts, so here’s the latest on two of the biggest factors expected to shape the year ahead: mortgage rates and home prices.
Will Mortgage Rates Come Down?
Everyone’s keeping an eye on mortgage rates and waiting for them to come down. So, the question is really: how far and how fast? The good news is they’re...
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