first time homebuyers Tag
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT THE KCM BLOG
Are big investors really buying up all the homes today?
If you’re trying to find a house to buy, this may be something you’re wondering about. Maybe you’ve read about it or seen reels on social media saying investors buying all the homes is making it even harder to find what the average buyer is looking for. But spoiler alert – there’s a lot of misinformation out there. To clear things up, here’s the scoop on what’s really happening. A lot of the big investor activity is actually in the rearview mirror already.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) explains:
“Investors of all sizes spent billions of dollars buying homes during...
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From our friends at the KCM blog
There’s no denying the last couple of years have been tough for anyone trying to buy a home because there haven’t been enough houses to go around. But things are starting to look up.
There are more homes up for grabs this year. The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show in April 2024 there were more homes for sale than there were over the last few years (2021-2023):
As Realtor.com explains:
“There were 30.4% more homes actively for sale on a typical day in April compared with the same time in 2023, marking the sixth consecutive month of annual inventory growth.”
But does this growing inventory make house hunting...
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By Jamie Wiebe | REALTOR.COM
Homes aren’t impulse purchases. It takes time to sift through listings and make your way from one home showing to the next; then, of course, there are those agonizing hours you wait to find out if your offer on a house was accepted, whether you can secure financing, and any number of other holdups.
Just so you’re prepared to play the waiting game, here are the steps to buy a house and how long they typically take, so you aren’t sitting there holding your breath and wondering if something’s up.
How long does it take to find a real estate agent?
Answer: A couple of days to a few weeks
Your real estate agent should be...
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FROM OUR FRIENDS IN THE KCM BLOG
If you’re a member of a younger generation, like Gen Z, you may be asking the question: will I ever be able to buy a home? And chances are, you’re worried that’s not going to be in the cards with inflation, rising home prices, mortgage rates, and more seemingly stacked against you.
While there’s no arguing this housing market is challenging for first-time homebuyers, it is still achievable, especially if you have professionals on your side.
Here are some helpful tips you may get from a pro.
1. Explore Your Options for a Down Payment
If a down payment is your #1 hurdle, you may have options to give your savings...
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By Margaret Heidenry | realtor.com
The housing market has been stagnant for several years now, with high home prices and unpredictable mortgage rates sidelining buyers and sellers alike.
But some U.S. metros seem to be defying the real estate market malaise. In these places, not only are homes selling at a quicker pace than the rest of the country, but prices are up as well.
Indeed, in its latest data analysis, which ranks the nation’s 20 hottest markets, Realtor.com® found that home prices are flat everywhere, seeing only a 2% rise in March—except for the hottest markets, which rose by 5.3% annually.
“Prices increased slightly nationwide in March, but the month’s hottest markets saw more substantial price...
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From our friends at the KCM blog
Over the past year or so, a lot of people have been talking about how tough it is to buy a home. And while there’s no arguing affordability is still tight, there are signs it’s starting to get a bit better and may improve even more throughout the year. Elijah de la Campa, Senior Economist at Redfin, says:
“We’re slowly climbing our way out of an affordability hole, but we have a long way to go. Rates have come down from their peak and are expected to fall again by the end of the year, which should make homebuying a little more affordable and incentivize buyers...
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By Kristine Gill | Better Homes & Gardens
Learn more about common contingencies in real estate and how they can affect the buying processes.
Buying and selling a home often requires a dictionary as you navigate a new litany of terms, each describing a crucial step in the process. In real estate, a contingent offer has a meaning all its own—one that can make or break a deal.
“It is a common misconception that once you are under contract, you are going to close with that buyer and seller—no matter what,” says Abbey Wostal, a broker and owner at Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Wostal Realty. “This is absolutely false if there...
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From our friends in KCM
Before making the decision to buy a home, it’s important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you’re busy saving for the down payment, don’t forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too.
Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them.
What Are Closing Costs?
A recent article from Bankrate explains:
“Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .”
Simply put, your closing costs are...
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From our friends in KCM
If you’re planning to move soon, you might be wondering if there’ll be more homes to choose from, where prices and mortgage rates are headed, and how to navigate today’s market. If so, here’s what the professionals are saying about what’s in store for this season.
Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist, First American:
“. . . it seems our general expectation for the spring is that we will see a pickup in inventory. In fact, that already seems to be happening. But it won’t necessarily be enough to satiate demand.”
Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist, Bright MLS:
“There is still strong demand, as the large millennial population remains in the prime first-time homebuying range.”
Danielle Hale, Chief...
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From our friends at the KCM blog
Going into 2023, there was a lot of talk about a possible recession that would cause the housing market to crash. Some in the media were even forecasting home prices would drop by as much as 10-20%—and that might have made you feel a bit unsure about buying a home.
But here’s what actually happened: home prices went up more than usual. Brian D. Luke, Head of Commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices, explains:
“Looking back at the year, 2023 appears to have exceeded average annual home price gains over the past 35 years.”
To put last year’s growth into context, the graph below uses data from Freddie Mac on how home prices have changed...
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