Gallup: Real Estate is Best Long-Term Investment 4 Years Running

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Investment Properties, Move-Up Buyers
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Every year, Gallup surveys Americans to determine their choice for the best long-term investment. Respondents are given a choice between real estate, stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs, or bonds. For the fourth year in a row, Real Estate has come out on top as the best long-term investment! This year’s results showed that 34% of
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US Housing Market Continues the Move into ‘Buy Territory’!

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 to
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Buy a Home NOW with a 3% Down Payment or LESS!

Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers
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A survey by Ipsos found that the American public is still somewhat confused about what is required to qualify for a home mortgage loan in today’s housing market. There are two major misconceptions that we want to address today. 1. Down Payment The survey revealed that consumers overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a
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Measuring Your Ability to Achieve the American Dream

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers
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Forbes.com recently released the results of their new American Dream Index, in which they measure “the prosperity of the middle class, and…examine which states best support the American Dream.” The monthly index measures several different economic factors, including goods-producing employment, personal and commercial bankruptcies, building permits, startup activity, unemployment insurance claims, labor force participation, and
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Over Half of All Buyers Are Surprised by Closing Costs

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers
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According to a recent survey conducted by ClosingCorp, over half of all homebuyers are surprised by the closing costs required to obtain their mortgage. After surveying 1,000 first-time and repeat homebuyers, the results revealed that 17% of homebuyers were surprised that closing costs were required at all, while another 35% were stunned by how much
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Is Your First Home Within Your Grasp?

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Millennials, Move-Up Buyers
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Some Highlights: ‘Millennials’ are defined as 18-36 year olds according to the US Census Bureau. According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the median age of all first-time home buyers is 31 years old. More and more ‘Old Millennials’ (25-36 year olds) are realizing that homeownership is within their reach now! Give
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Home Mortgages: Rates Up, Requirements Easing

Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Move-Up Buyers
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The media has extensively covered the rise in mortgage interest rates since last fall (from 3.42% last September to the current 4.1% according to Freddie Mac). However, a less covered aspect of the mortgage market is that requirements to get a mortgage have eased while rates have risen. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) quantifies the
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Careful…Don’t Get Caught in the Rental Trap!

First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers
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There are many benefits to homeownership. One of the top benefits is being able to protect yourself from rising rents by locking in your housing cost for the life of your mortgage. Don’t Become Trapped  Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at realtor.com, reported on what he calls a “Rental Affordability Crisis.” He warns that, “Low rental vacancies and a lack of
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