Is Your Money Safe?
WIRE FRAUD IS A $30 TO $50 BILLION ANNUAL PROBLEM. While mortgage wire fraud is not something we commonly see, it is preventable! WHAT DOES WIRE FRAUD LOOK LIKE?
A Check-Up on Housing Inventory
Existing Home Sales, (closings on existing homes) showed sales were down 2.7% in March at a 5.77 million unit annualized pace. Note that this likely measured activity in January and February when rates were rising but not at their current levels.
Consumer Inflation: Highest Levels Since 1981
The Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation on the consumer level, rose by 1.2% in March. This pushed the year-over-year reading higher from 7.9% to 8.5%, which is the hottest reading in 41 years. Core (CPI), which strips out volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.3%.
Lock and Shop! New Edge for Home Buyers
Our latest update on Mortgage rates anticipated to increase. This could cause a significant impact on mortgages. Increasing the supply and removing the largest buyer simultaneously is like doubling down on upward pressure on rates.
Cost of Waiting to Buy a Home
Home affordability declines quickly when rates and prices rise together. Buyers who are waiting to purchase may not qualify for the same price home today in 6 months! In a rising market, you usually can't out-save appreciation.
Home Sales Predicted to Increase by 1%
Busy week ahead of us. New home sales are predicted to increase by 1% while pending home sales will decrease by 10%. Example shows a median-priced home in 2021 with 20% down and a 3.375% rate.
Livingston Market Update for February 2022
Home average sales prices are up +10% YTD with days on market down -12% YTD. It's a great time to list your home and take advantage of its appreciation.
What Will Happen to Prices w/ Inflation & Higher Mortgage Costs?
Higher inflation increases interest in holding durable assets like real estate. In doing so this also affects the cost of money creating increases; both affect the impact prices.
3 Financial Advantages to Home Ownership
As you can imagine, numerous factors are involved and one size often does not fit all, but there are many advantages to homeownership. Here are the top 3 in our opinion!
Did You Know I'm a CMA Mortgage Advisor?
One of the ways I have invested in my business is by becoming a Certified Mortgage Advisor. The CMA CERTIFIED MORTGAGE ADVISOR™️ certification is the standard of excellence in the mortgage industry.
Inflation Hits a 40 Year High!
Consumer inflation reached a 40-year high and Fed members made headlines in response. Jobless Claims continue to move in the right direction. The Consumer Price Index showed consumer inflation rose by 0.6% in January while the year-over-year rose from 7% to 7.5%.
Don't Miss Out on Tax Season!
Homestead exemptions lower your taxes by reducing the taxable value of your primary residence. The property only qualifies for the exemption if the taxpayer has owned and been using the home as his or her primary residence on or before January 1, 2021.
Factors of a Credit Score
Purchasing a home is a big investment. Therefore, lenders want to make sure you’ll be able to pay it back on time, and your credit score is one of the most important indicators of this.
Mortgage Rates are Certainly Climbing
Mortgage rates are certainly climbing up this week, due in part to the Feds easing up on buying mortgage-backed securities, the inflationary jitters that could drive a recession, and, of course, the pandemic.
2021 Quick Review - 2022 What's Ahead
Bidding wars, skyrocketing home values, and low rates made it a year unlike any other for homeowners and buyers: Inventory fell to record-setting lows, with far fewer homes for sale than buyers wanted. The resulting bidding wars created record-setting price increases, too.
How Your Taxes Can Work For Your Home Loan!
It's that time of year again, the beginning of Tax Season 2022! If you're expecting a sizeable refund this year, there are three easy ways you can use it to strategize your perfect home loan!
What's in a Mortgage Payment?
You may have heard the term PITI regarding the breakdown of a total monthly mortgage payment. Lenders look at an entire PITI payment, not just principal and interest when determining how much a buyer may qualify for.
Housing Markets Seasonal Pricing
It's fact; housing markets are inherently local, with seasonal pricing and sales volume patterns that repeat every year, especially in colder-weather markets. That pattern is evident when we look at single-family home sales volumes for the five years prior to 2020
Victor's Look into 2021 and Predictions for 2022
Home inventories remain at an all-time low while interest rates have increased slightly, yet at 50-year lows. Many home buyers threw in the towel this year as the multiple-offer environment shows no sign of letting up for 2022.
Week of November 29, 2021 in Review
There were some mixed messages regarding November job creations while home prices continued to rise in October. Plus, the new Omicron COVID variant and Fed chatter regarding inflation led to volatility in the markets.