Why All the Chicken Littles Should Calm Down The U.S. Census Bureau recently released their 2019 Q2 Homeownership Report. Some began to see the sky falling, believing the report showed Americans may be stepping back from their belief in homeownership. The national homeownership rate (Americans who owned vs. rented their primary residence) increased significantly during the housing Continue Reading
Talk the Talk
Buying a Home: Do You Know the Lingo? Some Highlights: Buying a home can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the terms used throughout the process. To point you in the right direction, here’s a list of some of the most common language you’ll hear when buying a home. The best way to ensure your home-buying process is a positive one is to find a real estate professional who Continue Reading
How Property Taxes Impact Your Mortgage Payment
When buying a home, taxes are one of the expenses that can make a significant difference in your monthly payment. Do you know how much you might pay for property taxes in your area? Texas has no state income tax, so property taxes take up the slack and vary by city, school district and other factors. When applying for a mortgage, you’ll see one of two acronyms in your paperwork – P&I or Continue Reading
5 Reasons to Sell this Fall
As a Realtor® in Collin County, I’ve always said “I work all year round” and that’s true. People buy and sell homes every day of the year. It’s also true that the market reacts to events, holidays, school, and of course the economy. If you’re wondering if this is a good time to put your house on the market, below are 5 compelling reasons listing your home for sale this fall makes sense. 1. Continue Reading
Need a Mood Boost? Get a Plant!
House plants aren't just for looks - the right house plant can help de-stress your home. Studies show that having a house plant is a known mood booster, plus they provide you with cleaner air and can create a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity. House plants can scrub the air of toxins and help improve our overall well-being. They clean the air by removing harmful pollutants from the air and Continue Reading
Experts Say Strong Ending for 2019 Housing Market
We’re in the back half of the year, and with a decline in interest rates as well as home price and wage appreciation, many are wondering what the predictions are for the remainder of 2019. Here’s what some of the experts have to say: Ralph McLaughlin, Deputy Chief Economist for CoreLogic “We see the cooldown flattening or even reversing course in the coming months and expect the Continue Reading
American Confidence in Housing at an All-Time High
Fannie Mae just released the July edition of their Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). The HPSI takes information regarding consumers’ confidence in the real estate market from Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey and condenses it into a single number. Therefore, the HPSI reflects consumers’ current views and forward-looking expectations of housing Continue Reading
Right to Cancel on Refinancing
As part of the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, refinancing homeowners are granted a 3-day “cooling off” period post-closing during which they retain the right to rescind, or “cancel”, their recent refinance without penalty or cost. The Right To Cancel is protection against surprises at closing and/or a change of heart. It’s also a safety valve for homeowners signing paperwork under duress. With 3 Continue Reading
9 Pricing Mistakes – Price to Sell, Not to Keep!
Picking the wrong asking price for your home can cost you a lot of money. Here are nine don’ts when coming up with your number: DON’T ASSUME YOUR HOUSE IS WORTH THE SAME AS YOUR NEIGHBOR’S Your neighbor’s home sold recently, but it has a pool, an updated kitchen, and a cracked foundation. Your house doesn’t have a pool, doesn’t have a cracked foundation, and has an extra floor. Continue Reading
Hooray for Homeowners!
The Benefits of Growing Equity in Your Home Over the last couple of years, we’ve heard quite a bit about rising home prices. Today, expert projections still forecast continued growth, just at a slower pace. One of the often-overlooked benefits of rising home prices is the positive impact they have on home equity. Let’s break down three ways this is a win for homeowners. 1. Move-Up Continue Reading
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