After almost two years of double-digit increases, many experts thought home price appreciation would decelerate or happen at a slower pace in the last quarter of 2021. However, the latest Home Price Insights Report from CoreLogic indicates while prices may have plateaued, appreciation has definitely not slowed. The following graph shows year-over-year appreciation throughout 2021. December data has not yet been released.As the graph shows, appreciation has remained steady at around 18% over the last five months.In addition, the latest S&P Case-Shiller Price Index and the FHFA Price Index show a slight deceleration from the same time last year it’s just not at the level that was expected. However, they also both indicate there's continued strong price growth throughout the country. FHFA ... 01/15/2022

When you think about the pros that are needed in and around your home, you likely think of contractors, roofers, plumbers, electricians, and a few other professionals. One option that might not cross your mind is an interior designer. This is a shame, really, because a good interior designer can take the look of your home to a completely new level.Don’t confuse an interior designer with a simple decorator. Designers help arrange the decorations, yes, but they do so in such a way that it completely redesigns the look of your home’s interior. Interior designers typically have refined artistic sensibilities and put them to work for you in order to create a home that will leave visitors breathless when they first take it all in.Do You Need an Interior Designer? Some people think that interi... 01/12/2022

Special Government Home Renovation Loan Program using FHA 203k Mortgage Loans in Missouri City Texas. Many are not aware of a special government loan program that is actually a part of FHA (Federal Housing Administration- a department within HUD). Existing home owners or potential home buyers can remodel and update their homes without having a higher cost second lien because of this FHA loan program.  "Luxury items" like a hot tub and a swimming pool are not allowed by this FHA loan program. Repaint, remodel cabinetry in kitchens and bathrooms, add wallpaper, replace appliances and flooring and even a add a room to an existing structure (which will increase the value of the homes square footage).   One of the biggest advantages to this government loan program is you have all of your acq... 01/06/2022

As the threat of winter ice and snow increases, many homeowners start stocking up on deicer and other products to try and keep their walkways safe and clear throughout the winter. Not all deicer products are created equal, however, and some can actually do some harm around the home. Not only can some deicing compounds harm plants around your walkway, but they can even cause some damage to your walkways as well if you aren’t careful.Obviously, damage to your lawn or property isn’t ideal when trying to use a product to keep yourself and your family safe during the winter. With several options available, how do you know which deicer is best for your home? While it may differ based on the composition of specific deicer products, here are some things that you can look for to help choose the ... 01/02/2022

From the opportunity to take advantage of todays low mortgage rates to changing homeowner needs, Americans have more motivation than ever to buy a home. According to the experts, buyers are making moves right now, creating an unseasonably strong housing market for this time of year.As we wrap up the fall season and move into the winter months, here's a look at what several industry leaders have to say about the continued momentum in the current market, and what it means as we head into the early part of next year.Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors (NAR)This solid buying is a testament to demand still being relatively high, as it is occurring during a time when inventory is still markedly low. The notable gain in October assures that total existing-home sales... 12/27/2021

Since the pandemic began, Americans have reevaluated the meaning of the word home. Thats led some renters to realize the many benefits of homeownership, including the feelings of security and stability and the financial benefits that come with rising home equity. At the same time, many current homeowners have decided their house no longer meets their needs, so they moved into homes with more space inside and out, including a home office for remote work.However, not every purchaser has been able to fulfill their desire for a new home. Here are two obstacles some homebuyers are facing: The ability to save for a down payment The ability to qualify for a mortgage at the current lending standards This past week, both of those challenges have been mitigated to some degree for many purchasers.... 12/17/2021

Having space within the home is important to most homeowners. If everything is too small and cluttered, it can make an otherwise charming home seem claustrophobic and unpleasant. With that said, adding space to your home can be a significant ordeal that comes with a lot of cost; at the very least, adding space means a major remodeling project even if you don’t have to make major modifications like taking out a wall.It’s often possible to create the illusion of space without actually making modifications to the home, though. The available options will depend on the layout of your house and a few other factors, of course. If you want to make your home seem a lot more open without making major changes or sinking a lot of money into remodeling, here are a few ideas to get you started.Keep I... 12/16/2021

Last week, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac inched up to 3.1%, and experts project rates will continue rising through 2022:The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 2.9% in the third quarter of 2021. We forecast mortgage rates to increase slightly through the remainder of the year and reach 3.0%, rising to 3.5% for full year 2022.If you're thinking of buying a home, here are a few things to keep in mind so you can succeed even as mortgage rates rise. Taking Time Off Can Be CostlyMortgage rates play a significant role in your home search. As rates go up, your monthly mortgage payment increases if you're buying a home, directly affecting how much you can afford. And even the smallest increase can have a large impact on your monthly payment (see chart below):With mortgage... 11/29/2021

Having access to a sink when you need one is a great convenience. Most people are used to having sinks in their kitchen and bathrooms, but there are other locations where a sink can come in handy as well. Installing a utility sink in these areas can make tasks such as laundry and cleaning easier, while also keeping you from having to dump things like cleaning wastewater into your kitchen or bathroom sink.Installing a utility sink in places like your laundry room, basement, or mudroom can be a great idea, especially if there aren’t any other sinks convenient to those locations. Depending on how your home is laid out, though, it might also be a significant undertaking. If you’re thinking about adding a utility sink, here are some things to keep in mind.What Is a Utility Sink? If you aren’... 11/21/2021

In todays housing market, the number of homes for sale is much lower than the strong buyer demand. As a result, homeowners ready to sell have a significant advantage. Here are three ways todays low inventory will set you up for a win when you sell this season.1. Higher PricesWith so many more buyers in the market than homes available for sale, homebuyers are frequently getting into bidding wars for the houses they want to purchase. According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes are receiving an average of 3.7 offers in todays market. This buyer competition drives home prices up. As a seller, this certainly works to your advantage, potentially netting you more for your house when you close the deal.2. Greater Return on Your InvestmentRising prices mea... 11/18/2021

Many people have questions about home prices right now. How much have prices risen over the past 12 months? What's happening with home values right now? What's projected for next year? Here's a look at the answers to all three of these questions.How much have home values appreciated over the last 12 months?According to the latest Home Price Index from CoreLogic, home values have increased by 18.1% compared to this time last year. Additionally, prices have gone up at an accelerated pace for each of the last eight months (see graph below):The increase in the rate of appreciation that's shown by CoreLogic coincides with data from the other two main home price indices: the FHFA Home Price Index and the S&P Case Shiller Index.The last year has shown tremendous home price appreciation, which ... 11/16/2021

Rents have increased significantly this year. The latest National Rent Report from Apartmentlist.com shows rents are rising at a rate much higher than the three years leading up to the pandemic:Since January of this year, the national median rent has increased by a staggering 16.4 percent. To put that in context, rent growth from January to September averaged just 3.4 percent in the pre-pandemic years from 2017-2019.Looking back, we can see rents rising isn't new. The median rental price has increased consistently over the past 33 years(see graph below):If you're thinking of renting for another year, consider that rents will likely be even higher next year. But that alone doesn't paint the picture of the true cost of renting.The Money Renters Stand To Lose This YearA homeowners monthly ... 11/12/2021

With forbearance plans coming to an end, many are concerned the housing market will experience a wave of foreclosures similar to what happened after the housing bubble 15 years ago. Here are a few reasons why that wont happen.There are fewer homeowners in trouble this timeAfter the last housing crash, about 9.3 million households lost their homes to a foreclosure, short sale, or because they simply gave it back to the bank.As stay-at-home orders were issued early last year, the fear was the pandemic would impact the housing industry in a similar way. Many projected up to 30% of all mortgage holders would enter the forbearance program. In reality, only 8.5% actually did, and that number is now down to 2.2%.As of last Friday, the total number of mortgages still in forbearance stood at 1,2... 11/09/2021

In general, people tend to think about air conditioners as a way to keep a home cool and heating units as a way to keep it warm. There’s nothing wrong with this line of thinking, of course. If you’re only relying on heaters and air conditioners to maintain the temperature, though, then you may be spending way more than you need to keep your home comfortable.One key part of controlling your home’s heating and cooling costs that you might be ignoring is the humble ceiling fan. By using ceiling fans effectively, you can keep your home at more consistent temperatures throughout the year while spending a lot less on heating and cooling. If you like the thought of staying comfortable while spending less, here’s what you need to know about using your ceiling fans effectively.Ceiling Fans Save ... 10/24/2021

Even in a hot sellers market like todays in which homes are selling so quickly, its still important to make a good first impression on potential buyers. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately can bring in the greatest return on your investment.Here are four simple tips to make sure you maximize the sale of your house this fall.1. Price It RightOne of the first things buyers will notice is the price of your house. That's why its important to price it right. Your goal in pricing your house is to draw attention from competing buyers and let bidding wars push the final sales price up. Pricing your house too high to begin with could put you at a disadvantage by discouraging buyers from making an offer.Your trusted real estate advisor can help you find the price for your hom... 10/23/2021

Homeownership is still a crucial part of the American dream. For those people who own a home (and those looking to buy one), its clear that being a homeowner has considerable benefits both emotionally and financially. In addition to long-term stability, buying a home is one of the best ways to increase your net worth. This boost to your wealth comes in the form of equity.Equity is the difference between what you owe on the home and its market value based on factors like price appreciation. The best thing about equity is that it often grows without you even realizing it, especially in a sellers market like were in now. In todays real estate market, the combination of low housing supply and high buyer demand is driving home values up. This is giving homeowners a significant equity boost.A... 10/03/2021

 Some Highlights When deciding whether you should rent or buy, make sure you're considering these factors. Buying a home means consistent monthly payments. Homeownership also helps to build your wealth. And owning a home gives you greater flexibility than renting. If you're ready to take advantage of the perks of homeownership, lets connect to explore your options.    10/02/2021

If you're a renter with a desire to become a homeowner, or a homeowner whos decided your current house no longer fits your needs, you may be hoping that waiting a year might mean better market conditions to purchase a home.To determine if you should buy now or wait, you need to ask yourself two simple questions: What will home prices be like in 2022? Where will mortgage rates be by the end of 2022? Lets shed some light on the answers to both of these questions.What will home prices be like in 2022?Three major housing industry entities project continued home price appreciation for 2022. Here are their forecasts: Freddie Mac: 5.3% Fannie Mae: 5.1% Mortgage Bankers Association: 8.4% Using the average of the three projections (6.27%), a home that sells for 350,000 today would be valued at 3... 09/26/2021

In todays sellers market, standing out as a buyer is critical. Multi-offer scenarios and bidding wars are the norm due to the low supply of houses for sale and high buyer demand. If you're buying this fall, you'll want every advantage, especially when you've found the home of your dreams.Below are five things to keep in mind when its time to make an offer.1. Know Your BudgetKnowing your budget and what you can afford is critical to your success as a homebuyer. The best way to understand your numbers is to work with a lender so you can get pre-approved for a loan. As Freddie Mac puts it:This pre-approval allows you to look for a home with greater confidence and demonstrates to the seller that you are a serious buyer.Showing sellers you're serious can give you a competitive edge. It enabl... 09/20/2021

Day to day life has a lot of moving parts. Unfortunately, this sometimes makes it a little too easy to misplace some of those things that we use every day. This can be a real hassle, causing you to spend time looking for the various things you need instead of using them. Most smartphones come with a “find my phone” feature, so wouldn’t it be great if everything else had a similar function?With the advent of smart tags, this is actually possible. These tags make it easy to locate lost items around the home and can even provide extra security against theft or loss while you’re out and about. The specific features and functions depend on the brand of smart tags that you use, but regardless of brand you’ll find that there are some features that are universal.How Do Smart Tags Work? Smart ta... 09/15/2021