When you think of homeownership, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Chances are you might focus on the non-financial benefits, like the security or stability a home provides. But what about equity? While it can be overlooked, a homeowner’s equity helps build long-term wealth over time. Here’s a look at what equity is and why it matters. So, as home values climb, your equity does too. That’s exactly what’s happening today. There aren’t enough homes on the market to meet buyer demand, so bidding wars and multiple offers are driving prices up. That’s because people are willing to pay more to buy a home. Right now, this low supply and high demand are giving current homeowners a significant equity boost. To find out just how much rising home values have impacted equity, we turn to the latest Homeowner Equity Insights from CoreLogic. According to that report, the average homeowner’s equity has grown by $56,700 over the last 12 months. Curious how your state stacks up? Check out the map below to find out the average equity gain for your area. If you’re already a homeowner, equity not only builds your wealth, it also opens doors for you to achieve your goals. It works like this: when you sell your house, the equity you built up comes back to you in the sale. You can use those proceeds to fuel your next move, especially if you’ve decided your needs have changed and you’re looking for something new. f you’re thinking about becoming a homeowner, understanding the importance of equity can help you realize why homeownership is a worthwhile goal. It builds your wealth and gives you peace of mind that your investment is a wise one, not just from a lifestyle perspective, but from a financial one too. Whether you’re a current homeowner or you’re ready to become one, it’s important to know how equity works and why it matters. If this inspires you to make a move, let’s connect to explore your options and find out what steps you need to take next. Just contact us to find out how much your home value has increased. You should be pleasantly surprised. Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com or call/text to 706-577-0507
From the opportunity to take advantage of today’s 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 in 2021 will exceed 6 million, which will shape up to be the best performance in 15 years.” Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist, First American“So far in November, purchase applications point to another strong month in sales. Still low rates and demographic demand support this strength, even as affordability and inventory headwinds remain.” The M Report“The demand for housing in the United States has reached a fever pitch, a trend that opposes the norm of this time of the year when the market cools as the winter months set in.” Mark Fleming, Chief Economist, First American“Strong demographic demand will continue to act as the wind in the housing market’s sails.” What does this mean for the winter housing market?Buyers are actively in the market, and they’re competing for homes to purchase. With the momentum coming out of this fall, all signs point to the winter housing market picking up steam, making it much busier than in a more typical year. And as we’ve seen in so many ways, 2020 and 2021 were anything but typical in real estate. It looks like 2022 may be joining that list before we know it. Bottom LineIf you think the housing market will slow down this winter, think again. Whether you’re thinking of buying a home, selling your house, or both – contact Dynamic Home Selling, LLC to determine if this winter is your best time to make a move too.
Homeowners who itemize their deductions can claim a deduction for real property taxes paid on their homes. Combined with the deduction for mortgage interest, which is also available only for those who can itemize, the property tax deduction can significantly reduce the cost of buying and owning a home. According to the IRS, the average real property tax deduction claimed for the tax year 2018 was just over $6,800. What is the property tax deduction? Government entities in all 50 states (and the District of Columbia) levy a tax on real property. This kind of tax is mostly imposed by local taxing jurisdictions, such as counties, municipalities, townships, or schools, or other special districts. The tax almost always equals a percentage of the taxable value of the property. Since the inception of the modern Internal Revenue Code in 1913, our federal tax law has allowed a deduction for property taxes paid. However, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 limits the deduction of all state and local taxes (SALT) to $10,000 per year for tax years 2018 through 2025. This includes property taxes as well as state or local income taxes or sales taxes. How has the increased standard deduction affected the deductibility of property taxes? The modern income tax has always allowed certain deductions including state and local taxes and certain interest paid. However, to reduce the burden of recordkeeping on taxpayers, Congress in 1944 created the standard deduction. The standard deduction grants every taxpayer a certain assumed amount of deductions that are available to reduce their taxable income, even if the taxpayer did not incur the deduction. The impact of the standard deduction is that only if a tax filer’s actual amount of deductions is higher than the standard deduction would he or she itemize. If the actual amount of deductions is lower than the standard amount, taxpayers are better off claiming the higher standard amount. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act nearly doubled the amount of the standard deduction, which greatly decreased the number of tax filers whose actual deductions exceeded the standard amount. The portion of tax filers who itemized dropped from about one in three in 2017 to about one in ten in 2018, which is the first year in which the higher standard deduction was in effect. Concerning the property tax deduction, the proportion of filers who claimed the deduction sank from 26 percent in 2017 to just 10 percent in 2018. The result of the huge increase in the standard deduction is that most tax filers effectively enjoy the benefit of the property tax deduction even if they paid little or no actual property tax. This has resulted in the tax incentive effect of the itemized deduction being lost for all but the 10 percent or so who itemize their deductions. For the remainder, the incentive has disappeared because they receive the same tax deduction whether they rent a home or own one. How has the SALT deduction limit affected the property tax deduction? The $10,000 cap on the deduction for state and local taxes paid has had a double impact on those who are subject to it. First, the limit makes it more difficult for a tax filer’s total itemized deductions to exceed the standard deduction. If the total deductions remain below the higher standard amount, there is no specific tax incentive for paying the property tax as those who claim the standard get more tax benefit, even if they paid no actual property tax. Second, the $10,000 limit can reduce the actual amount of the tax deduction, even for those who can itemize. The higher the actual tax paid, the more the limit pinches. How to claim a property tax deduction To claim the property tax deduction, tax filers must go through the following steps: 1. Determine if you can itemize your deductions As indicated above, only if you have total itemized deductions (including state and local taxes, charitable contributions, and deductible interest expense) exceeding the standard deduction amount does it benefit you to itemize. If your actual amounts are less than the standard deduction, you will be better off claiming the standard deduction. For the tax year 2021, here are the standard deduction amounts: Filing status Standard deduction Single $12,550 Married, filing jointly $25,100 Married, filing separately $12,550 Head of household $18,800 2. Use Schedule A to itemize deductions Once you determine that you do have total deductions exceeding the standard amount, use Schedule A to report the deductions. 3. Calculate your tax bill based on your deductions Itemized deductions (or the standard deduction, whichever is higher) are subtracted from your adjusted gross income (AGI) to determine your taxable income. Thus, the dollar amount of your deductions will reduce the amount of tax you owe. At the margin, every dollar of deduction will lower your taxes by the tax bracket for your taxable income level. So, for example, if you are in the 24 percent tax bracket, you will save $24 in tax for every $100 you have in deductions. 4. File your tax return Once your tax return is completed and signed, you can submit it. What other tax deductions are available for new homeowners? Homeowners also may be eligible to deduct mortgage interest paid on their loan. However, some limits govern this deduction. And, in certain cases, mortgage insurance premiums can also be deductible. As with the property tax deduction, these are itemized deductions and will be beneficial only if the total amount of such deductions is greater than the standard deduction. Homeowners who itemize their deductions can claim a deduction for real property taxes paid on their homes. Combined with the deduction for mortgage interest, which is also available only for those who can itemize, the property tax deduction can significantly reduce the cost of buying and owning a home. According to the IRS, the average real property tax deduction claimed for the tax year 2018 was just over $6,800. Many people are now working from home so it might be good to ask your tax professional about the "Home Office" deduction. *This article was written by the National Association of Realtors and is not intended to be Tax Advice. Always consult a Tax Professional! When buying, selling, or leasing residential or commercial properties please consider Dynamic Home Selling, LLC to be you first consideration!
We have affiliates serving Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, or Florida In April, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) posted an article, Home Buyers’ Preferences Shift Towards New Construction, which reported: “60% of people who were looking to buy a home in 2020 said they’d prefer new construction to an existing home.” However, it seems buyers are now shifting their preferences back to existing homes. The latest Consumer Confidence Survey reveals the percentage of Americans planning to buy a home in the next six months is virtually the same as it was back in March. However, the percentage that plan to buy a newly constructed home is lower for that same period. NAHB confirms this sentiment in their latest Housing Trends Report. The organization explains that existing homes are now the top preference among today’s buyers. Here’s a breakdown of those findings: Why the shift?
There are several reasons why buyer preference is shifting. Here are two that impact purchasers looking to move in now:
Bottom LineIf you’re a homeowner looking to sell, your house is more attractive to a greater number of buyers as compared to earlier in the year. This might be the time for us to connect to discuss the possibility. Are you clamoring for extra rooms or a more functional floorplan in your house? Maybe it’s time to make a move. If you’ll be able to work remotely for the long-term or your overall needs have simply changed, it’s a great time to sell your house and move up. Why? With mortgage rates in their favor and higher-priced home sales powering more moves across the country, sellers in today’s market are finding the space they need (and have always dreamed of) by purchasing a home in the upper end of the housing market. With so few homes available for sale and high demand from today’s homebuyers, sellers are profiting in major ways this season. Bidding wars are gaining traction, driving up the sale price of more and more homes throughout the country. This means sellers are able to leverage extra cash from higher-priced sales while also taking advantage of today’s low mortgage rates when they purchase their next home. It’s the perfect scenario to move up into a true dream home. According to the April Luxury Market Report from the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing: “The Institute’s recent analysis of sales in 2020 for homes over 5,000 square feet support the continuing preference for larger homes. The analysis determined that there was a 17% increase in the number of 5,000+ sq ft homes sold when compared to the number of sales in 2019. Luxury home prices continue to see record highs in the majority of affluent ex-urban communities, as the influence of being able to work from home is still driving buyers away from living in high density areas. Low interest rates also remain in play, allowing buyers to realize the affordability of owning a larger property, which further reinforces this trend.” Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), also explains: “The market is hot pretty much everywhere and across all price points . . . The only area where there is sufficient inventory is in $1 million-plus homes . . . .” While this price range certainly doesn’t fit every budget, if it’s in your reach this summer, you may want to make your move sooner rather than later. Today, more homes are available in this segment of the market, but as the report mentions, more buyers are investing here too, so competition may heat up sooner rather than later. Bottom Line If you’re planning to sell your current home to move into a larger one, let’s connect today. We’ll discuss your current situation and the opportunities in our local market. Should you be thinking along these lines, please contact Jerry!
706.577.0507 Call/Text Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com There’s a lot of discussion about affordability as home prices continue to appreciate rapidly. Even though the most recent index on affordability from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows homes are more affordable today than the historical average, some still have concerns about whether or not it’s truly affordable to buy a home right now. When addressing this topic, there are various measures of affordability to consider. However, very few of the indexes compare the affordability of owning a home to renting one. In a paper just published by the Urban Institute, Homeownership Is Affordable Housing, author Mike Loftin examines whether it’s more affordable to buy or rent. Here are some of the highlights included. 1. Renters pay a higher percentage of their income toward their rental payment than homeowners pay toward their mortgage. The report explains: “When we look at the median housing expense ratio of all households, the typical homeowner household spends 16 percent of its income on housing while the typical renter household spends 26 percent. This is true, you might say, because people who own their own home must make more money than people who rent. But if we control for income, it is still more affordable to own a home than to rent housing, on average.” Here’s the data from the report shown in a graph: 2. Renters don’t have extra money to invest in other assets. The report goes on to say: “Buying a home is not a decision between investing in real estate versus investing in stocks, as financial advisers often claim. Instead, the home buying investment simply converts some portion of an existing expense (renting) into an investment in real estate.” It explains that you still have a housing expense (rent payments) even if you don’t buy a home. You can’t live in your 401K, but you can transfer housing expenses to your real estate investment. A mortgage payment is forced savings; it goes toward building equity you will likely get back when you sell your home. There’s no return on your rent payments. 3. Your mortgage payment remains relatively the same over time. Your rent keeps going up. The report also notes: “Whereas renters are continuously vulnerable to cost increases, rising home prices do not affect homeowners. Nobody rebuys the same home every year. For the homeowner with a fixed-rate mortgage, monthly payments increase only if property taxes and property insurance costs increase. The principal and interest portion of the payment, the largest portion, is fixed. Meanwhile, the renter’s entire payment is subject to inflation. Consequently, over time, the homeowner’s and renter’s differing trajectories produce starkly different economic outcomes. Homeownership’s major affordability benefit is that it stabilizes what is likely the homeowner’s biggest monthly expense, assuming a buyer has a fixed-rate mortgage, which most American homeowners do. The only portion of the homeowner’s housing expenses that can increase is taxes and insurance. The principal and interest portion stays the same for 30 years.” A mortgage payment remains about the same over the 30 years of the mortgage. Here’s what rents have done over the last 30 years: 4. If you want to own a home and can afford it, waiting could cost you.
As the report also indicates: “We need to stop seeing housing as a reward for financial success and instead see it as a critical tool that can facilitate financial success. Affordable homeownership is not the capstone of economic well-being; it is the cornerstone.” Homeownership is the first rung on the ladder of financial success for most households, as their home is most often their largest asset. Bottom Line If the current headlines reporting a supposed drop-off in home affordability are making you nervous, let’s connect to go over the real insights into our area. Homebuyers Are in the Mood to Buy Today According to the latest FreddieMac Quarterly Forecast, mortgage interest rates have fallen to historically low levels this spring and they’re projected to remain low. This means there’s a huge incentive for buyers who are ready to purchase. And homeowners looking for eager buyers can take advantage of this opportune time to sell as well. There’s a very positive outlook on interest rates going forward, as the projections from the FreddieMac report indicate continued lows into 2021: “Going forward, we forecast the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage to remain low, falling to a yearly average of 3.4% in 2020 and 3.2% in 2021.” With mortgage rates hovering at such compelling places, ongoing buyer interest is bound to keep driving the housing market forward. Rates also reached another record low last week, so homebuyers are in what FreddieMac is identifying as the buying mood: “While the rebound in the economy is uneven, one segment that is exhibiting strength is the housing market. Purchase demand activity is up over twenty percent from a year ago, the highest since January 2009. Mortgage rates have hit another record low due to declining inflationary pressures, putting many homebuyers in the buying mood. However, it will be difficult to sustain the momentum in demand as unsold inventory was at near record lows coming into the pandemic and it has only dropped since then.” There’s no doubt that even though buyers are ready to purchase, it’s hard for many of them to find a home to buy today. Mortgage rates aren’t the only thing hovering near all-time lows; homes available for sale are too. With housing inventory as scarce as it is today – a nearly 20% year-over-year decline in available homes to purchase – keeping buyers in the purchasing mood may be tough if they can’t find a home to buy (See graph below): What does this mean for buyers? Competition is hot with so few homes available for purchase and low mortgage rates are helping to drive affordability as well. Getting pre-approved now will help you gain a competitive advantage and accelerate the homebuying process, so you’re ready to go when you find that perfect home you’d like to buy. Working quickly and efficiently with a trusted real estate professional will help put you in a position to act fast when you’re ready to make your move. What does this mean for sellers? If you’re thinking of selling your house, know that the motivation for buyers to purchase right now is as high as ever with rates where they are today. Selling now before other sellers come to market in your neighborhood this summer might put your house high on the list for many buyers. Homebuyers are clearly in the mood to buy, and with today’s safety guidelines and precautions in place to show your house, confidence is also on your side. Bottom Line Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, there’s great motivation to be in the housing market, especially with mortgage rates hovering at this historic all-time low. Let’s connect today to make sure you’re ready to make your move. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction.
Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com to receive Free but critical information about your home and neighborhood. While growing up, we were taught by our parents and grandparents that owning a home is a financially savvy move. They explained how a mortgage is like a “forced savings plan.” When you pay rent, that money is lost forever. When you make a mortgage payment, much of that money accumulates as equity in the home. So, what exactly is equity? The equity in your home is the amount of money you can sell it for minus what you still owe on the mortgage. Every month you make a mortgage payment, and every month a portion of what you pay reduces the amount you owe. That reduction of your mortgage every month increases your equity. A recent study by CoreLogic explained that homeowners gained substantial equity over the last twelve months, and are essentially sitting on large sums of cash in their homes. In the study, Frank Nothaft, Chief Economist for CoreLogic explained: “The CoreLogic Home Price Index recorded a quickening of home price gains during the fourth quarter of 2019, helping to boost home equity wealth. The average family with a mortgage had a $7,300 gain in home equity during the past year, and a total of $177,000 in home equity wealth.” For most families, their home is their largest financial asset. This increase in equity drives the net worth, or family wealth, of the homeowner. Renters are not earning that benefit. Instead, they’re building the net worth of their landlord. Bottom Line Home price growth will moderate during the pandemic. But once a cure is available, most experts agree that home values will again begin to appreciate at levels similar to what we’ve seen over the last several years. In the long run, our family elders will be proven correct: owning a home is a savvy financial move. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction. Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com to help by giving Free but critical information about your home and neighborhood. For nearly two months, most of us have been following strict stay-at-home orders from our state and local governments. It is a whole new way of life that has put our daily lives on pause. On the other hand, many of us have also found a sense of comfort by slowing down and spending time at home, highlighting the feeling of security that comes with having a much-needed safe place for our families to live. The latest results of the Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS) provided by the U.S. Census Bureau shows how Americans place immense value in homeownership, and it is continuing to grow in the United States. The results indicate that the homeownership rate increased to 65.3% for the first quarter of 2020, a number that has been rising since 2016 and is the highest we’ve seen in eight years (see graph below): Why is the rate increasing? The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) explained: “Strong owner household formation with around 2.7 million homeowners added in the first quarter has driven up the homeownership rate, especially under the decreasing mortgage interest rates and strong new home sales and existing home sales in the first two months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the economy.” The NAHB also emphasizes the year-over-year increase in each generational group: “The homeownership rates among all age groups increased in the first quarter 2020. Households under 35, mostly first-time homebuyers, registered the largest gains, with the homeownership rate up 1.9 percentage points from a year ago. Households ages 35-44 experienced a 1.2 percentage points gain, followed by the 55-64 age group (a 0.9 percentage point increase), the 45-54 age group (a 0.8 percentage point gain), and the 65+ group age (up by 0.2 percentage point).” (See chart below): Homeownership is an important part of the American dream, especially in moments like this when many are feeling incredibly grateful for the home they have to shelter in place with their families. COVID-19 may be slowing our lives down, but it is showing us the emotional value of homeownership too. Bottom Line If you’re considering buying a home this year, let’s connect to set a plan that will help you get one step closer to achieving your dream. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction.
Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com to help by giving Free but critical information about your home and neighborhood. Spring is right around the corner, so flowers are starting to bloom, and many potential home-buyers are getting ready to step into the market. If you’re thinking of buying this season, here’s how mortgage interest rates are working in your favor. Freddie Mac explains: “If you're in the market to buy a home, today's average mortgage rates are something to celebrate compared to almost any year since 1971… Mortgage rates change frequently. Over the last 45 years, they have ranged from a high of 18.63% (1981) to a low of 3.31% (2012). While it's not likely that the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate will return to its record low, the current average rate of 3.45% is pretty close — all to your advantage.” To put this in perspective, the following chart from the same article shows how average mortgage rates by decade have impacted the approximate monthly payment of a $200,000 home over time: Clearly, when rates are low – like they are today – qualified buyers can benefit significantly over time. Keep in mind, if interest rates go up, this can push many potential home-buyers out of the market. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) notes: “Prospective home-buyers are also adversely affected when interest rates rise. NAHB’s priced-out estimates show that, depending on the starting rate, a quarter-point increase in the rate of 3.75% on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage can price over 1.3 million U.S. households out of the market for the median-priced new home.” Bottom Line You certainly don’t want to be priced out of the market this year, and waiting may mean a significant change in your potential mortgage payment should rates start to rise. If your financial situation allows, now may be a great time to lock in at a low mortgage rate to benefit greatly over the lifetime of your loan. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction. Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com to help by giving Free but critical information about your home and neighborhood. By the end of last year, many homeowners found themselves with more equity than they realized, and at the same time their wages were increasing. When those two factors unite, it can spark homeowners to think about making a move to a larger or more expensive home in the luxury space. That said, now is a perfect opportunity to take a look at the forecast for the 2020 luxury market. Three Things to Think About in the 2020 Luxury Housing Market 1. Prices The U.S. economy is strong today, with buying opportunities throughout the luxury end of the market. Thomas Veraguth, Strategist at UBS Global Wealth Management, says in Barrons.com, “There’s a good link between luxury real estate prices and [economic] growth.” Available inventory is a key element that can impact home prices. At the upper range, the inventory is greater in comparison to the entry-level market, making moving up to a luxury home a growing reality for many buyers right now. 2. Activity in the Market With more buying opportunities at the higher end, we should start to see an increase in activity. The same article states, “Affluent homebuyers will start to come out of the woodwork as they find rising luxury rents less appealing and sellers get even more negotiable on price.” Buyers looking in the luxury market are taking the opportunity to negotiate on price in a segment where there are more choices, too. According to the Luxury Market Report, homes sold for an average of 96.94% of the list price in December. Buyers are also getting more for their money with greater purchasing power due to the current low interest rates. 3. Buyers Are Coming Back Keep in mind, buyers are often sellers too, especially those looking to move up. Homeowners with an entry-level home can take advantage of the inventory shortage at the lower end of the market, thus driving higher sales prices for their current homes. Combined with growing equity in the homes they’re listing, it’s a great time for those who are ready to make a luxury move. The extra equity and greater purchasing power are bringing many buyers back to the market. The same article mentioned that, “We’ve already seen buyers who’ve been on the sidelines for two years tread back into the market.” Bottom Line If you’re considering entering the luxury market, 2020 is shaping up to be a great year for those who are ready to make that move. Let’s get together to set your real estate plan for the year. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction.
Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com to help by giving Free but critical information about your home and neighborhood. The gap between the increase in personal income and residential real estate prices has been used to defend the concept that we are experiencing an affordability crisis in housing today. It is true that home prices and wages are two key elements in any affordability equation. There is, however, an extremely important third component to that equation: mortgage interest rates. Mortgage interest rates have fallen by more than a full percentage point from this time last year. Today’s rate is 3.75%; it was 4.86% at this time last year. This has dramatically increased a purchaser’s ability to afford a home. Here are three reports validating that purchasing a home is in fact more affordable today than it was a year ago: CoreLogic’s Typical Mortgage Payment “Falling mortgage rates and slower home-price growth mean that many buyers this year are committing to lower mortgage payments than they would have faced for the same home last year. After rising at a double-digit annual pace in 2018, the principal-and-interest payment on the nation’s median-priced home – what we call the “typical mortgage payment”– fell year-over-year again.” The National Association of Realtors’ Affordability Index “At the national level, housing affordability is up from last month and up from a year ago…All four regions saw an increase in affordability from a year ago…Payment as a percentage of income was down from a year ago.” First American’s Real House Price Index (RHPI) “In 2019, the dynamic duo of lower mortgage rates and rising incomes overcame the negative impact of rising house price appreciation on affordability. Indeed, affordability reached its highest point since January 2018. Focusing on nominal house price changes alone as an indication of changing affordability, or even the relationship between nominal house price growth and income growth, overlooks what matters more to potential buyers – surging house-buying power driven by the dynamic duo of mortgage rates and income growth. And, we all know from experience, you buy what you can afford to pay per month.” Bottom Line Though the price of homes may still be rising, the cost of purchasing a home is actually falling. If you’re thinking of buying your first home or moving up to your dream home, let’s connect so you can better understand the difference between the two. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction. Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com to help by giving Free but critical information about your home and neighborhood. The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.
Many people plan to build their net worth by buying CDs or stocks, or just having a savings account. Recently, however, Economist Jonathan Eggleston and Survey Statistician Donald Hays, both of the U.S. Census Bureau, shared the biggest determinants of wealth, “The biggest determinants of household wealth [are] owning a home and having a retirement account.” (Shown in the graph below): This does not come as a surprise, as we often mention that homeownership can help you to increase your family’s wealth. This study reinforces that idea, “Net worth is an important indicator of economic well-being and provides insights into a household’s economic health.” Having equity in your home can help your family move in that direction, building toward substantial financial growth. According to the report noted above, people are not only creating net worth in the homes they live in, but many are also earning equity in rental property investments too. (See below): John Paulson said it well, “If you don’t own a home, buy one. If you own one home, buy another one, and if you own two homes buy a third and lend your relatives the money to buy a home.” Bottom Line There are financial and non-financial benefits to owning a home. If you would like to increase your net worth, let’s get together so you can learn all the benefits of becoming a homeowner. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction. Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com to help by giving Free but critical information about your home and neighborhood. The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.
Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Mortgage Bankers Association are all projecting home sales will increase nicely in 2020. Below is a chart depicting the projections of each entity for 2019, as well as for 2020.As we can see, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and the Mortgage Bankers Association all believe homes sales will increase steadily over the next year. If you’re a homeowner who has considered selling your house recently, now may be the best time to put it on the market. The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction.
Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com Last week realtor.com released the results of a survey that produced three major revelations:
Since we are currently experiencing the longest-ever economic expansion in American history, there is reason to believe a recession could occur in the not-too-distant future. And, it does make sense that buyers and sellers remember the horrors of 2008 when they hear the word “recession.” Ali Wolf, Director of Economic Research at the real estate consulting firm Meyers Research, addressed this point in a recent interview: “With people having PTSD from the last time, they’re still afraid of buying at the wrong time.” Most experts, however, believe if there is a recession, it will not resemble 2008. This housing market is in no way the same as it was just over a decade ago. Zillow Economist, Jeff Tucker, explained the difference in a recent article, Recessions Typically Have Limited Effect on the Housing Market: “As we look ahead to the next recession, it's important to recognize how unusual the conditions were that caused the last one, and what's different about the housing market today. Rather than abundant homes, we have a shortage of new home supply. Rather than risky borrowers taking on adjustable-rate mortgages, we have buyers with sterling credit scores taking out predictable 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. The housing market is simply much less risky than it was 15 years ago." George Ratiu, Senior Economist at realtor.com, also weighed in on the subject: “This is going to be a much shorter recession than the last one, I don't think the next recession will be a repeat of 2008...The housing market is in a better position.” In the past 23 years, there have been two national recessions – the dot-com crash in 2001 and the Great Recession in 2008. It is true that home values fell 19.7% during the 2008 recession, which was caused by a mortgage meltdown that heavily impacted the housing market. However, while stock prices fell almost 25% in 2001, home values appreciated 6.6%. The triggers of the next recession will more closely mirror those from 2001 – not those from 2008. Bottom LineNo one can accurately predict when the next recession will occur, but expecting one could possibly take place in the next 18-24 months is understandable. It is, however, important to realize that the impact of a recession on the housing market will in no way resemble 2008. When Buying or Selling A Home with Us - We work hard to help you to feel confident about the transaction.
Call, Text or email Jerry Today - 706-577-0507 Email: Jerry@DynamicHomeSelling.com |
Jerry W Williams
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