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Are the Top 3 Housing Market Questions on Your Mind?

November 28, 2023 By Tami Savage

Are the Top 3 Housing Market Questions on Your Mind?

When it comes to what’s happening in the housing market, there’s a lot of confusion going around right now. You may hear one thing in conversation with your friends, see something totally different on the news, and read something on social media that contradicts both of those thoughts. And, if you’re thinking about making a move, that can leave you with a lot of lingering questions. That’s where a trusted local real estate agent comes in.

Here are the top 3 questions people are asking about today’s housing market, and the data to help answer them.

1. What’s Next for Mortgage Rates?

Mortgage rates are higher than they’ve been in recent years. And, if you’re looking to buy a home, that impacts how much you can afford. That’s why so many buyers want to know what’s ahead for mortgage rates. The answer to that question is: no one can say for certain, but here’s what we know based on historical trends.

There’s a long-standing relationship between mortgage rates and inflation. Basically, when inflation is high, mortgage rates tend to follow suit. Over the past year, inflation was up, so mortgage rates were as well. But inflation is easing now. And this is why the Federal Reserve has recently paused their federal funds rate hikes, which means many experts believe mortgage rates will begin to come down.

And in some ways, we’ve started to see hints of slightly lower mortgage rates in recent weeks. But it’s certainly been volatile and will likely continue to be that way going into next year. Some ongoing variation is to be expected, but the anticipation is, that in 2024, we’ll see a downward trend. As Aziz Sunderji, Strategist at Home Economics, says:

“The bottom line is that interest rates are likely to be lower-perhaps even lower than many optimists think – in the weeks and months to come.”

2. Where Are Home Prices Headed?

While there’s been a lot of concern prices would come crashing down this year, data shows that didn’t happen. In fact, home prices are rising in most of the nation. Experts say that trend will continue, just at a slower pace that’s much more normal for the housing market – and that’s a good thing.

To help show just how confident experts are in this continued appreciation, take a look at the Home Price Expectation Survey from Pulsenomics. It’s a survey of a national panel of over 100 economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists. As the graph below shows, the consensus is, that prices will keep climbing next year, and in the years to come.

Estimated Home Price Performance

3. Is a Recession Around the Corner?

While recession talk has been a common thing over the past few years, there’s good news on that front.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) polls experts on this topic regularly. And last year at this time, most of them thought a recession would have happened by now. But as experts look at all the leading indicators today, they’re changing their minds and saying a recession is getting less and less likely. The latest results show that more experts now think we’re not headed for another recession (see chart below):

Do Experts Think a Recession is Coming?

This is big news for the housing market. And while the 48% to 52% split may seem close to half and half, the key thing to focus on is that the majority of these experts think we’ve avoided a recession already.

Bottom Line

The big takeaway? The data shows there isn’t cause for concern – there are actually more signs of hope. Let’s connect to talk more about the housing market questions on your mind as we head into the new year. 

Tagged With: Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers, Selling Myths

Is Wall Street Buying Up All the Homes in America?

November 27, 2023 By Tami Savage

Is Wall Street Buying Up All the Homes in America?

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you may find yourself interested in the latest real estate headlines so you can have a pulse on all of the things that could impact your decision. If that’s the case, you’ve probably heard mention of investors, and wondered how they’re impacting the housing market right now. That could leave you asking yourself questions like:

  • How many homes do investors own?
  • Are institutional investors, like large Wall Street Firms, really buying up so many homes that the average person can’t find one?

To answer those questions, here’s the real story of what’s happening based on the data.  

Let’s start with establishing how many single-family homes (SFHs) there are and what portion of those are rentals owned by investors. According to SFR Investor, which studies the single-family rental market in the United States, there are eighty-two million single-family homes in this country. But how many of them are actually rentals?

According to data shared in a recent post, sixty-eight million (82.93%) of those homes are owner-occupied – meaning the person who owns the home lives in it. If you subtract that sixty-eight million from the total number of single-family homes (82 million), that leaves just about fourteen million homes left that are single-family rentals (SFRs).

Do institutional investors own all of those remaining fourteen million homes? Not even close. Let’s take it one step further. There are four categories of investors:

  • The mom & pop investor who owns between 1-9 SFRs
  • The regional investor who owns between 10-99 SFRs
  • Smaller national investor who owns between 100-999 SFRs
  • The institutional investor who owns over 1,000 SFRs

These categories show that not all investors are large institutional investors. To help convey that even more clearly, here are the percentages of rental homes owned by each type of investor (see chart below):

Who owns all the single-family rentals

As you can see in the chart, despite what the news and social media would have you believe, the green shows the vast majority are not owned by large institutional investors. Instead, most are owned by small mom & pop investors, like your friends and neighbors.

What’s actually happening is, that there are people out there, just like you, who believe in homeownership, and they view buying a home (or a second home) as an investment. Maybe they saw an opportunity to buy a second home over the last few years to use it as a rental and generate additional income. Or maybe they just decided to keep their first house rather than sell it when they moved up.

So, don’t believe everything you read or hear about institutional investors. They aren’t buying up all the homes and making it impossible for the average person to buy. That’s just not what the numbers show. Institutional investors are actually the smallest piece of the pie chart.

Bottom Line

While it’s true that institutional investors are a player in the single-family rental marketplace, they’re not buying up all of the houses on the market. If you have other questions about things you’re hearing about the housing market, let’s connect so you have an expert to give you the context you need.

Tagged With: Buying Myths, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers

Life-Changing Events That Move the Housing Market

November 13, 2023 By Tami Savage

Life-Changing Events
That Move the Housing Market

Life is a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns, like the excitement of welcoming a new addition, retiring and starting a new adventure, or the bittersweet feeling of an empty nest. If something like this is changing in your own life, you may be considering buying or selling a house. That’s because through all these life-altering events, there is one common thread—the need to move.

Reasons People Still Need To Move Today

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) there have been a lot of this type of milestone or life change over the last two years (see graph below):

Life Changing Events that Took Place Over the Last 2 Years

And, these big life changes are going to continue to impact people moving forward, even with the current affordability challenges brought on by higher mortgage rates and rising home prices.

As Claire Trapasso, Executive News Editor at Realtor.com, says:

“Because high mortgage rates, elevated home prices, and stubbornly low inventory make today's housing market particularly challenging, many of today's buyers are motivated by life changes, such as growing families, supporting elderly parents or grown children, or accommodating professional needs. . .”

Lean On a Real Estate Professional for Help

Whether you're beginning your search for a home or preparing to sell your current house, you don't have to go it alone. With their expertise, a real estate agent is an invaluable partner who can help you smoothly transition through these big moments in your life. Here are just a few examples.

When Buying a Home

If you’re welcoming a new addition and want more space, the need for a new home may be a top priority. While higher home prices and mortgage rates are creating challenges for buyers, you may have to find a way to meet your changing needs, even with today’s mortgage rates.

A skilled real estate agent can help. Their expertise and knowledge of the local housing market can save you a considerable amount of time and stress. An agent will take the time to understand your specific needs, budget, and preferences, allowing them to narrow down your search and present you with suitable options.

When Selling a House

If you’re retiring or going through a separation or divorce, your main focus may be to make the most out of your investment when selling your house, so you can find one that works better for you moving forward.

This is another place where a real estate agent's expertise truly shines. They can accurately assess your home's market value, suggest improvements to enhance its appeal, and craft a strategic marketing plan. Their negotiation skills are a big asset when it comes to making sure you get a fair price for your house, allowing you to move on to the next chapter of your life with confidence and peace of mind.

No matter your situation, lean on a trusted professional for help as you buy or sell a home.

Bottom Line

If recent life-changing events have you wanting or needing to move, let’s connect.

Tagged With: Buying Myths, Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

VA Loans Help Heroes Achieve Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]

November 10, 2023 By Tami Savage

VA Loans Help Heroes Achieve Homeownership [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

  • VA home loans can help people who served our country become homeowners.
  • These loans can help qualified individuals purchase a VA-approved home or condo, build a new home, or enhance their current one.
  • Owning a home is the American Dream, and one way to show our appreciation to veterans is by providing them with important information about the advantages of VA home loans.

Tagged With: Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Move-Up Buyers

How VA Loans Can Help Make Homeownership Dreams Come True

November 9, 2023 By Tami Savage

How VA Loans Can Help Make Homeownership Dreams Come True

For more than 79 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have helped millions of veterans buy their own homes. If you or someone you care about has served in the military, it's essential to learn about this program and its advantages.

Here are some important things to know about VA loans before you buy a home.

The Many Advantages of VA Home Loans

VA home loans provide a pathway to homeownership for those who have served our nation, and they’re a great benefit for buyers who qualify. According to the Department of Veteran Affairs:

  • Options for No Down Payment: Qualified borrowers can often purchase a home with no down payment. That’s a huge weight lifted when you’re trying to save for a home.
  • Limited Closing Costs: There are limits on the types of closing costs you pay when you qualify for a VA home loan. So, more money stays in your pocket when it’s time to seal the deal.
  • Don’t Require Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI): Many other loans with down payments under 20% require PMI. VA loans do not, which means veterans can save on their monthly housing costs.

A recent article from Veterans United sums up just how impactful this loan option can be:

“For the vast majority of military borrowers, VA loans represent the most powerful lending program on the market. These flexible, $0-down payment mortgages have helped more than 24 million service members become homeowners since 1944.”

Bottom Line

Owning a home is the American Dream. Veterans sacrifice a lot to protect our country, and one way we can show our appreciation is by making sure they know all the benefits of VA home loans. Thank you for your service.

Tagged With: Buying Myths, Demographics, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

Thinking About Using Your 401(k) To Buy a Home?

November 8, 2023 By Tami Savage

Thinking About Using Your 401(k) To Buy a Home?

Are you dreaming of buying your own home and wondering about how you’ll save for a down payment? You're not alone. Some people think about tapping into their 401(k) savings to make it happen. But before you decide to dip into your retirement to buy a home, be sure to consider all possible alternatives and talk with a financial expert. Here’s why.

The Numbers May Make It Tempting

The data shows many Americans have saved a considerable amount for retirement (see chart below):

Average 401k Balance by Age

It can be really tempting when you have a lot of money saved up in your 401(k) and you see your dream home on the horizon. But remember, dipping into your retirement savings for a home could cost you a penalty and affect your finances later on. That's why it's important to explore all your options when it comes to saving for a down payment and buying a home. As Experian says:

“It’s possible to use funds from your 401(k) to buy a house, but whether you should depends on several factors, including taxes and penalties, how much you’ve already saved and your unique financial circumstances.”

Alternative Ways To Buy a Home

Using your 401(k) is one way to finance a home, but it's not the only option. Before you decide, consider a couple of other methods, courtesy of Experian:

  • FHA Loan: FHA loans allow qualified buyers to put down as little as 3.5% of the home's price, depending on their credit scores.
  • Down Payment Assistance Programs: There are many national and local programs that can help first-time and repeat homebuyers come up with the necessary down payment.

Above All Else, Have a Plan

No matter what route you take to purchase a home, be sure to talk with a financial expert before you do anything. Working with a team of experts to develop a concrete plan prior to starting your journey to homeownership is the key to success. Kelly Palmer, Founder of The Wealthy Parent, says:

“I have seen parents pausing contributions to their retirement plans in favor of affording a larger home often with the hope they can refinance in the future… As long as there is a tangible plan in place to get back to saving for their retirement goals, I encourage families to consider all their options.”

Bottom Line

If you’re still thinking about using your 401(k)-retirement savings for a home down payment, consider all your options and work with a financial professional before you make any decisions.

Tagged With: Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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🏠✨ Why wait until next year to sell your home 🏠✨ Why wait until next year to sell your home? Here's what you need to know:
 • Serious buyers are actively searching right now.
 • The limited supply of homes means yours could stand out.
 • Holiday season could bring more flexible showing schedules.

Thinking of selling? DM me and let’s strategize the best plan for your home.

https://tamisavage.com/3-reasons-to-sell-your-house-before-the-new-year-infographic/
🏠💖 Home is where the heart is; for Gen Z and 🏠💖 Home is where the heart is; for Gen Z and millennials, it's a dream worth chasing. Surveys show that owning a home still tops the list of life goals for many in these generations.

Beyond the investment, it’s about creating a space that's truly yours. 🎨 Facing challenges like high mortgage rates and low inventory? I'm here to guide you every step of the way. 🗝️

DM me to embark on your home-buying adventure. Let’s make your dream home a reality! 💭

https://tamisavage.com/is-owning-a-home-still-the-american-dream-for-younger-buyers/
🔮🏠 Wondering about the recession and its imp 🔮🏠 Wondering about the recession and its impact on housing? Good news! Less than half of economists now see a recession coming soon.

Low unemployment rates mean a stable housing market, with no signs of a foreclosure wave.

Got questions about the market and your home? DM me for a chat – let’s dive into the details together.

https://tamisavage.com/why-the-economy-wont-tank-the-housing-market/
🏡✨ Discover the joys of homeownership! Our la 🏡✨ Discover the joys of homeownership! Our latest infographic highlights three major reasons to be thankful for owning a home:

1. Your personal safe haven.
2. A space that reflects YOU.
3. A community of friends and neighbors.

Ready to find your dream home? DM me to start your journey!

https://tamisavage.com/why-homeowners-feel-thankful-for-their-homes-infographic/
Home is where the heart is, and homeowners know it Home is where the heart is, and homeowners know it best! 🏠💖 Here's why many are thankful:

🕊️ A sanctuary of peace.
🎨 Your personal expression zone.
🤗 A community connector.
🎉 A memory maker.

Ready to find your own slice of happiness? DM me to start your home-buying journey.

https://tamisavage.com/why-homeowners-are-thankful-they-own/
🍁 Home prices got you puzzled? It's all about s 🍁 Home prices got you puzzled? It's all about seasonality! 📊 While some say prices are dropping, the truth is, they're just following the usual yearly pattern.

🌸 𝐒𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 = Peak demand
☀️ 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 = High activity
🍂 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥/𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 = Slower growth

It's normal, and it's happening now. No drastic drops, just a more moderate rise. For the real scoop on local home prices and how this impacts your plans, DM me.

#HomePrices #MarketSeasonality #RealEstateFacts #DontBelieveTheHype #HomeBuyingAndSelling
Feeling lost in the housing market buzz? 🌐 Let’s break down the big three questions:
📈 Mortgage Rates: Expected to stabilize as inflation eases.
🏠 Home Prices: Still growing, but at a more normal pace.
💬 Recession Talk: Becoming less likely according to experts.

Navigating the market doesn’t have to be confusing. DM me to discuss your real estate plans as we approach the new year.

https://tamisavage.com/are-the-top-3-housing-market-questions-on-your-mind/
📈 Home inventory update! While there's a bit mo 📈 Home inventory update! While there's a bit more on the market now, we're still far from pre-pandemic levels.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠? More options, but stay ready for competition.
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥? It's still a great time to make your move.

Let’s talk strategy for today’s market. DM me for the latest insights and personalized advice!
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The Summer Guides for Buying and Selling a Home are Here.

To get the latest digital copy, go to https://tamisavage.com/the-spring-guides-for-buying-and-selling-a-home-are-here/
The Spring Guides for Buying and Selling a Home Are Here
How you price your house will make a big difference to not only your bottom line, but to how quickly it could sell. Let’s connect to figure out the ideal price for your house.
Price Your House Right When You Sell
Getting pre-approved is an important first step toward buying a home. Let’s connect so you have the right tools to buy a home in today’s market.

Data Source:
 • https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/what-it-takes-to-be-preapproved-for-a-mortgage-and-why-it-matters/
The Importance of Pre-Approval
There are many reasons why it’s easy to fall in love with homeownership. If you’re ready to find the home of your dreams, let’s connect.
Why It's Easy To Fall in Love with Homeownership
You can have the home you want without waiting for the perfect home to come onto the market.

SOURCE for Data in Video: 
 • https://themreport.com/news/data/08-29-2022/homebuyers-compromise
Create Your Perfect Home by Perfecting It After You Purchase
Before buying a home, it’s a good idea to know why homeownership is important to you. Let’s connect to discuss your why and prioritize your next steps.

SOURCE for Data in Video: 
 • https://himaxwell.com/resources/ebooks-white-papers/1h-2022-millennial-genz-borrower-sentiment-report/#downloadnow
Top Reasons Why You May Want To Buy a Home
There’s a lot going on in the housing market right now. 

You can get the latest digital copy from my website post: https://tamisavage.com/the-winter-guides-for-buying-or-selling-a-home-are-here/
The Winter Guides for Buying or Selling a Home Are Here
There’s good reason to make your move right now if you’re ready to sell. Let’s connect to talk about the benefits of selling your house this season.
5 Reasons To Sell Your House This Winter
Rents have risen dramatically for over three decades. Let’s connect so you can have expert advice on your side to help you reach your homeownership goals.

Data Source: 
 • http://www.census.gov/housing/hvs/files/currenthvspress.pdf
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DISCLAIMER: The information contained, and the opinions expressed, on this site are NOT intended to be construed as legal or financial advice. Tami Savage does NOT guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as legal or financial advice. You should ALWAYS conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any legal or financial decisions. Tami Savage will NOT be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.