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Category: For Buyers

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Achieve Your Dream of Homeownership with Condos and Townhomes [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some HighlightsIf you’re trying to buy a home but are having a hard time finding something in your budget, here’s something that can help: consider condos and townhomes.They may better fit your budget, can help you start building equity, and tend to require minimal upkeep and less maintenance.Looking at condos and townhomes can make it easier to find and buy a home. When you’re ready, connect with a local real estate agent.

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Why So Many People Fall in Love with Homeownership

Chances are at some point in your life you’ve heard the phrase, home is where the heart is. There’s a reason that’s said so often. Becoming a homeowner is emotional.So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to keep on renting or if you’re ready to buy a home this year, here’s why it’s so easy to fall in love with homeownership.Customizing to Your Heart’s DesireYour house should be a space that’s uniquely you. And, if you’re a renter, that can be hard to achieve. When you rent, the paint colors are usually the standard shade of white, you don’t have much control over the upgrades, and you’ve...

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Bridging the Gaps on the Road to Homeownership

Homeownership is a major part of the American Dream. But, the path to achieving this dream can be quite difficult. While progress has been made to improve fair housing access, households of color still face unique challenges on the road to owning a home. Working with the right real estate experts can make all the difference for diverse buyers.It’s clear that achieving homeownership is more challenging for certain groups because there’s still a measurable gap between the overall average U.S. homeownership rate and that of non-white groups. Today, Black households continue to have the lowest...

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Winning Plays for Buying a Home in Today’s Market [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some HighlightsIn today’s housing market, you can still come out on top if you have the right team and plan.To win when buying a home, you need to build your team, make strategic plays, consider what’s in and out of bounds, and stand out from the crowd.Connect with a local real estate agent today to make your winning move.

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Why Pre-Approval Is Even More Important This Year

On the road to becoming a homeowner? If so, you may have heard the term pre-approval get tossed around. Let’s break down what it is and why it’s important if you’re looking to buy a home in 2024.What Pre-Approval IsAs part of the homebuying process, your lender will look at your finances to figure out what they’re willing to loan you. According to Investopedia, this includes things like your W-2, tax returns, credit score, bank statements, and more.From there, they’ll give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how much money you can borrow. Freddie Mac explains it like this:“A pre-approval...

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Why Having Your Own Agent Matters When Buying a New Construction Home

Finding the right home is one of the biggest challenges for potential buyers today. Right now, the supply of homes for sale is still low. But there is a bright spot. Newly built homes make up a larger percent of the total homes available for sale than normal. That’s why, if you’re craving more options, it makes sense to see if a newly built home is right for you.But it’s important to remember the process of working with a builder is different than buying from a homeowner. And, while builders typically have sales agents on-site, having your own agent helps make sure you have proper representation...

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2 of the Factors That Impact Mortgage Rates

If you’re looking to buy a home, you’ve probably been paying close attention to mortgage rates. Over the last couple of years, they hit record lows, rose dramatically, and are now dropping back down a bit. Ever wonder why?The answer is complicated because there’s a lot that can influence mortgage rates. Here are just a few of the most impactful factors at play.Inflation and the Federal ReserveThe Federal Reserve (Fed) doesn’t directly determine mortgage rates. But the Fed does move the Federal Funds Rate up or down in response to what’s happening with inflation, the economy, employment rates,...

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Why It’s More Affordable To Buy a Home This Year [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some HighlightsHome affordability depends on three factors: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.Mortgage rates are down from their recent peak, home prices are expected to rise at a slower pace, and wages are increasing faster than usual.That’s good news if you want to buy a home because it means affordability is getting better.

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The Top Benefits of Buying a Multi-Generational Home

Has the idea of sharing a home with loved ones like your grandparents, parents, or other relatives crossed your mind? If so, you’re not alone. More buyers are choosing to go this route and buy a multi-generational home. Here’s a look at some of the top reasons why, to see if a home like this may be right for you too.Why Buyers Are Opting for Multi-Generational LivingAccording to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), two of the top reasons buyers are opting for multi-generational homes today have to do with affordability (see graph below):First-time buyers are focused most on cost savings...

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Are More Homeowners Selling as Mortgage Rates Come Down?

If you’re looking to buy a home, the recent downward trend in mortgage rates is good news because it helps with affordability. But there’s another way this benefits you – it may inspire more homeowners to put their houses up for sale.The Mortgage Rate Lock-In EffectOver the past year, one factor that’s really limited the options for your move is how few homes were on the market. That’s because many homeowners chose to delay their plans to sell once mortgage rates went up. An article from Freddie Mac explains:“The lack of housing supply was partly driven by the rate lock-in effect. . . . With...

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