Buying A Home Archives - J.P. Cook

People often ask if now is a good time to buy a home, but nobody ever asks when it’s a good time to rent. Regardless, we want to make certain that everyone understands that today is NOT a good time to rent. The Census Bureau recently released their 2017 fourth quarter median rent numbers. Here is a graph showing

Builder Confidence Hits 11-Year High

March 9, 2017

Build a New Home, Buying A Home, New Construction

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In many areas of the country, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers looking to purchase their dream homes. Experts have long proposed that a ramp-up in new, single-family home construction would be one of the many ways to overcome this inventory shortage. According to a recent survey conducted

3 Questions to Ask If You Want to Buy Your Dream Home

February 24, 2017

Buying A Home, First Time Home Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are probably getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interest at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in the real estate market. Ask yourself the following 3 questions to

Are You 1 of the 59 Million Planning to Buy This Year?

February 22, 2017

Buying A Home, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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According to a survey conducted by Bankrate.com, one in four Americans are considering buying a home this year. If this statistic proves to be true, that means that 59 million people will be looking to enter the housing market in 2017. The survey also revealed 3 key takeaways: Those most likely to buy are ‘Older

US Housing Market Shows Real Estate Investments are Sound

February 22, 2017

Buying A Home, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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According to the Beracha, Hardin & Johnson Buy vs. Rent (BH&J) Index, the U.S. housing market has continued to move deeper into buy territory, supporting the belief that housing markets across the country remain a sound investment. The BH&J Index is a quarterly report that attempts to answer the question: In today’s housing market, is it better

Do You Know the Real Cost of Renting vs. Buying?

February 17, 2017

Buying A Home, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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Some Highlights: Historically, the choice between renting or buying a home has been a close decision. Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (30%), vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (15%), the choice becomes obvious. Every market is different. Before you renew your lease again, find

The Impact of Homeownership on Civic Involvement

February 16, 2017

Buying A Home, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers

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The National Association of Realtors recently released a study titled ‘Social Benefits of Homeownership and Stable Housing.’ The study confirmed a long-standing belief of most Americans: “Owning a home embodies the promise of individual autonomy and is the aspiration of most American households. Homeownership allows households to accumulate wealth and social status, and is the

First Comes Love… Then Comes Mortgage?

February 14, 2017

Buying A Home, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers

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According to the National Association of REALTORS most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, married couples once again dominated the first-time homebuyer statistics in 2016 at 58% of all buyers. It is no surprise that having two incomes to save for down payments and contribute to monthly housing costs makes buying a home more

Thinking About Buying a ‘Fixer Upper’? Here’s What You Need to Know

February 2, 2017

Buying A Home, Home Buyer Tips, Upgrades and Renovations

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With all of the home renovation and fixer-upper shows on television, the idea of completely renovating and re-doing an old home can seem like an enticing premise. Unfortunately, investing in the wrong fixer-upper can mean an awful lot of expenditure without the added financial rewards. Whether you’re considering investing down the road or are ready