Even if you didn’t own a home at the time, you probably remember the housing crisis in 2008. That crash impacted the lives of countless people, and many now live with the worry that something like that could happen again. But rest easy, because things are different than they were back then. As Business Insider … Continue reading "Not a Crash: 3 Graphs That Show How Today’s Inventory Differs from 2008"

Some Highlights There are a few key things you’ll want to avoid after applying for a mortgage to make sure you’re in the best position when you get to the closing table. Don’t change bank accounts, apply for new credit, make any large purchases or transfers, and don’t co-sign loans for anyone. Here’s a good … Continue reading "Things To Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC]"

Everyone’s vision for the future is personal and unique. But for many, common goals include success, freedom, and prosperity — values closely tied to having your own home and the iconic feeling of achieving the American Dream. A recent survey by Bankrate reveals exactly that: homeownership is still a part of the American Dream. The … Continue reading "Homeownership: The Heart of the American Dream"

If you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you’re building equity much faster than you might think. Here’s how it works. Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan. Over the … Continue reading "Homeowners Gained $28K in Equity over the Past Year"

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful … Continue reading "Real Estate Still Holds the Title of Best Long-Term Investment"

If your listing expired and your house didn’t sell, it’s totally natural to feel a mix of frustration and disappointment. And as you’re working through that, you’re probably also wondering what went wrong and what you should do next. If you still need to move and want to get it back on the market, here … Continue reading "What To Do When Your House Didn’t Sell"

Some Highlights Wondering what the second half of the year holds for the housing market? Here’s what expert forecasts say. Home prices are expected to climb moderately. Mortgage rates are forecast to come down slightly. And, home sales are projected to hold steady. If you have questions about what to expect for the rest of … Continue reading "Housing Market Forecast for the 2nd Half of 2024 [INFOGRAPHIC]"

When you decide to buy your first home, you may come across a number of terms and conditions you’re not familiar with. While you may have a general idea of what an inspection is, maybe you’re not sure why you need one or how it’s different from an appraisal. To keep it simple, here’s an … Continue reading "The Difference Between an Inspection and an Appraisal"

Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a big question on many people’s minds today. And while what timing is right for you will depend on a lot of other personal factors, here’s something you may not have considered. If you’re able to buy at today’s rates and prices, it may … Continue reading "Focus on Time in the Market, Not Timing the Market"

You want your house to sell fast. And you may be wondering how long the whole process is going to take. One way to get your answer? Work with a local real estate agent. They have the expertise to tell you how quickly homes are selling in your area and what’s impacting timelines for other … Continue reading "How Long Will It Take To Sell My House?"

As we move into the second half of 2024, here’s what experts say you should expect for home prices, mortgage rates, and home sales. Home Prices Are Expected To Climb Moderately Home prices are forecasted to rise at a more normal pace. The graph below shows the latest forecasts from seven of the most trusted … Continue reading "Housing Market Forecast: What’s Ahead for the 2nd Half of 2024"

Some Highlights Considering selling your house without an agent? You should know there are some serious downsides to handling it on your own. You’ll be missing out on marketing tools that draw in more buyers, pricing and market expertise, essential negotiation skills, in-depth knowledge of the fine print in contracts, and so much more. Don’t … Continue reading "The Downsides of Selling Your House Without an Agent"

Summer is officially here and that means it’s the perfect time to start planning where you want to vacation and unwind this season. If you’re excited about getting away and having some fun in the sun, it might make sense to consider if owning your own vacation home is right for you. An Ameriprise Financial … Continue reading "Why a Vacation Home Is the Ultimate Summer Upgrade"

There’s no denying it’s gotten more challenging to buy a home, especially with today’s mortgage rates and home price appreciation. And that may be one of the big reasons you’re eager to look into grants and assistance programs to see if there’s anything you qualify for that can help. But unfortunately, many homebuyers feel like … Continue reading "What You Need To Know About Today’s Down Payment Programs"

Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now. You may even see some headlines talking about last week’s Federal Reserve (the Fed) meeting and what it means for rates. But the Fed doesn’t determine mortgage rates, even if the headlines make it sound like they do. The truth is, mortgage rates are … Continue reading "Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables"

The 2024 Presidential election is just months away. As someone who’s thinking about potentially buying or selling a home, you’re probably curious about what effect, if any, elections have on the housing market. It’s a great question because buying or selling a home is a major decision, and it’s natural to wonder how such a … Continue reading "Do Elections Impact the Housing Market?"

Some Highlights According to a recent poll from Gallup, real estate has been voted the best long-term investment for twelve straight years. That’s because a home is so much more just than a roof over your head. It’s also an asset that typically grows in value over time.  If you’ve been debating if it makes … Continue reading "Real Estate Is Still the Best Long-Term Investment [INFOGRAPHIC]"

You may have heard that there are more brand-new homes available right now than the norm. Today, about one in three homes on the market are newly built. And if you’re wondering what that means for the housing market and for your own move, here’s what you need to know. Why This Isn’t Like 2008 … Continue reading "Homebuilders Aren’t Overbuilding, They’re Catching Up"

If you’ve seen the news lately about home sellers slashing prices, it’s a great example of how headlines do more to terrify than clarify. Here’s what’s really happening with prices. The bottom line is home prices are higher than they were a year ago at this time, and they’re expected to keep rising, just at … Continue reading "Home Prices Aren’t Declining, But Headlines Might Make You Think They Are"

If homeownership is on your goal sheet for your future, you’re probably working on your savings. And a big priority is making sure you’ve got a plan in place for things like your closing costs, down payment, and more. Here are a few strategies that can help speed up that process. Budget and Track Your … Continue reading "Savings Strategies Every First-Time Homebuyer Needs To Know"