First Time Home Buyers

Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market?

Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market? | Simplifying The MarketFor the first time in a long time, the number of newly listed homes is beginning to rise. In their latest monthly release, realtor.com reveals the number of existing homes entering the market has increased for two months in a row (this comes after six months of declines). Here’s a graph showing the monthly new […]

Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market? Read More »

Are You Wondering if This Is the Year To Buy a Home?

Are You Wondering if This Is the Year To Buy a Home? | Simplifying The MarketEvery year, many renters ask themselves the same question: Should I continue renting, or is it time to buy a home? If you’re a renter, chances are you’ve asked yourself that question at least once, and it’s likely because you’ve faced an increase in your monthly housing costs over time. After all, according to Census […]

Are You Wondering if This Is the Year To Buy a Home? Read More »

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Closing Costs

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Closing Costs | Simplifying The MarketAs a homebuyer, it’s important to plan and budget for the expenses you’ll encounter when you purchase a home. While most people understand the need to save for a down payment, a recent survey found 41% of homebuyers were surprised by their closing costs. Here’s some information to help you get started so you’re not […]

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Closing Costs Read More »

How To Navigate a Market Where Multiple Offers Is the New Normal

How To Navigate a Market Where Multiple Offers Is the New Normal | Simplifying The MarketIf you’re thinking of buying a home today, you already know that the number of homes available for sale is low. But what does that really mean for you? As a buyer, low housing supply coupled with high buyer demand means you should be prepared to navigate a highly competitive market where homes sell fast […]

How To Navigate a Market Where Multiple Offers Is the New Normal Read More »

Key Factors That Impact Affordability Today

Key Factors That Impact Affordability Today | Simplifying The MarketYou can’t read an article about residential real estate without the author mentioning the affordability challenges that today’s buyers face. There’s no doubt homes are less affordable today than they were over the last two years, but that doesn’t mean homes are now unaffordable. There are three measures used to establish home affordability: home prices, […]

Key Factors That Impact Affordability Today Read More »

Are Home Prices Continuing To Rise?

Are Home Prices Continuing To Rise? | Simplifying The MarketMany analysts projected home price appreciation would slow dramatically in the fall of 2021 and then continue to soften throughout 2022. So far, that hasn’t happened. The major price indices are all revealing ongoing double-digit price appreciation. Here’s a look at their reports on year-over-year price appreciation for December: Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA): 17.6% […]

Are Home Prices Continuing To Rise? Read More »

Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help You Achieve Homeownership

Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help You Achieve Homeownership | Simplifying The MarketFor many homebuyers, the thought of saving for a down payment can feel daunting, especially in today’s market. That’s why, when asked what they find most difficult in the homebuying process, some buyers say it’s one of the hardest steps on the path to homeownership. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows: “For […]

Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help You Achieve Homeownership Read More »

Real Estate Voted the Best Investment Eight Years in a Row

Real Estate Voted the Best Investment Eight Years in a Row | Simplifying The MarketIn an annual Gallup poll, Americans chose real estate as the best long-term investment. And it’s not the first time it’s topped the list, either. Real estate has been on a winning streak for the past eight years, consistently gaining traction as the best long-term investment (see graph below): If you’re thinking about purchasing a […]

Real Estate Voted the Best Investment Eight Years in a Row Read More »