It's a Month for Dollars and Sense January's not just a time for recovering from the holiday season...it's also Financial Wellness Month. Now is an ideal time to take stock of your own 2024 budget and perhaps share some tips with your network on how to improve their financial wellbeing. Here are some strategies to consider and share: Create a detailed budget. You can't manage what you don't measure, so be sure you're tracking your income and expenses and setting spending limits. If you followed a budget last year, it's time to review and tweak if needed. A plethora of apps and … Continue reading...
Watch out for some of these issues when buying a home in 2024
Looking to buy a home in 2024? Sometimes we might get ahead of ourselves, especially when we are just about to see what's coming. Take these precautions instead, and make sure you play the housing market game right! Skipping the Pre-Approval Step - Your Financial Armor Imagine going into battle without proper armor; it's a risky move. Similarly, embarking on your homebuying journey without a pre-approval is leaving yourself exposed. Secure that financial shield to ensure a smooth and confident approach to the battlefield. Timing Matters - Don't Jump the Gun on Pre-Approval Timing is … Continue reading...
Why you should use a Realtors for your Real Estate needs
The-Benefits-of-Working-With-an-Agent-MEM.png Some Highlights When it comes to selling your house, the expertise of a trusted real estate agent can make a big difference. They’ll explain what’s happening today, what that means for you, and how to price and market your house. They’re also skilled negotiators and well versed in the contracts and disclosures involved. Let’s connect so you have expert advice throughout the entire process. … Continue reading...
Buying a home in 2024, some thing to know about savings!
If you’re planning to buy a home, knowing what to budget for and how to save may sound intimidating – but it doesn’t have to be. One way to ease those concerns is to make sure you understand some of the costs you may encounter up front. And to do that, always turn to trusted real estate professionals. They can help you set a plan and take a strategic look at your budget and your process before you even get started. Here are just a few things experts say you should be thinking about. 1. Down Payment Saving for your down payment is likely top of mind as you set out to buy a home. But do … Continue reading...
Buying a home
Still debating whether you should rent or own? Here are some simple comparisons. When do you want to buy your first home? The right broker makes all the difference when you are buying or selling. Call Me to find out about buying a home … Continue reading...
Reasons to buy a home now
Why You Should Consider Buying a House Before the End of the Year As the year winds down and the holiday season approaches, many people might put their home-buying plans on hold, believing that winter is not the ideal time for such a significant decision. However, there are compelling reasons why buying a house before the end of the year can be a smart move. In this article, we will explore the advantages of making a real estate purchase before the calendar flips to the next year. # 1: Tax Benefits For Buying A House Before The End of The Year One of the significant advantages of … Continue reading...
Start saving for that home!
Review Your Overall Spending The best place to start finding places to save is to take a look at where your money is going. Take a look at a few months’ worth of receipts and payments. You can also use banking or budgeting tools to make it easier to look back over the entire year. Identify where you’re spending money, and see if you’re paying for services you don’t use. Here are some areas of spending to consider: Review Your Automatic Payments Many of us have signed up for subscription services that renew automatically. Automated payments are a big convenience, but when you put … Continue reading...
Why buy a home!
Everyone has their own idea of the American Dream, and it's different for each person. But, in a recent survey by Bankrate, people were asked about the achievements they believe represent the American Dream the most. The answers show that owning a home still claims the #1 spot for many Americans today (see graph below): In fact, according to the graph, owning a home is more important to people than retiring, having a successful career, or even getting a college degree. But is the dream of homeownership still alive for younger generations? A recent survey by 1000watt dives into … Continue reading...
Interest rates are coming down
Should you buy a home now or try and time the market and buy later if mortgage rates come down further? This is always a difficult decision especially when life is drawing you to buy a home. (Image: Freddie Mac Mortgage Rate Weekly Survey) There may be a window of opportunity to own a home in the Phoenix Arizona metro now with home prices having declined somewhat while mortgage rates are inching down for the 5th consecutive week to 7.22% (good credit). Remember, you can marry the home of your dreams but only have to date the mortgage rate. One can date the rate by refinancing later when … Continue reading...
Items to think about loan rates.
With the combination of rates being at the highest levels for years and prices up, and the Media putting a negative spin on EVERYTHING… Can we blame them? Probably not… but we certainly can educate them. First up: Prices are not likely to go down. Take a look at this chart: For the past 40years we have averaged 2-2.5 million units listed for sale in the country. We have been struggling with less than half that average for a few years. What you can’t see on this chart is; of that current inventory number, over 30% is under contract so the available number is more like 700,000 homes. … Continue reading...