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Articles for Home Buyers

How to Put Your Housing Cost to Work for You

How to Put Your Housing Cost to Work for You | Simplifying The MarketThere has been a lot written about the benefits of homeownership. One benefit that continues to rise to the top is the added wealth homeowners gain simply by paying their mortgage while their home increases in value over time. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently broke down the equity gained from price appreciation and […]

Data Says April is the Best Month to List Your Home for Sale

Data Says April is the Best Month to List Your Home for Sale | Simplifying The MarketThe spring housing market is off to the races! The inventory of homes for sale is increasing, buyers are out in force, and interest rates have remained low, peaking the interest of buyers and sellers previously on the fence about making a move. New research from realtor.com shows that the first week of April is […]

The Enormous Divide Between the Headline and the Truth

The Enormous Divide Between the Headline and the Truth | Simplifying The Market“I have observed that not the man who hopes when others despair, but the man who despairs when others hope, is admired by a large class of persons as a sage.” – John Stuart Mill (1840s) Even back in the mid-1800s, people knew that negative news sells. That is still true today. All forms of […]

Your Tax Refund Is The Key To Homeownership!

Your Tax Refund Is The Key To Homeownership! | Simplifying The MarketAccording to data released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Americans can expect an estimated average refund of $3,143 this year when filing their taxes. This is down slightly from the average refund of $3,436 last year. Tax refunds are often thought of as ‘extra money’ that can be used toward larger goals. For anyone looking to buy a […]

Is Your House Priced To Sell Immediately (PTSI)?

In today’s real estate market, with more houses coming to market every day and eager buyers searching for their dream home, setting the right price for your house is one of the most important things you can do. According to CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index, home values have risen at over 6% a year over […]

Do 46 Million Millennials Know They Are Mortgage Ready?

Do 46 Million Millennials Know They Are Mortgage Ready? | Simplifying The MarketMany have written about the millennial generation and whether or not they, as a whole, believe in homeownership as part of attaining the American Dream. Millennials have taken longer to obtain traditional milestones than the generations before them, such as getting married, having kids, and buying a home. However, that does not mean that they […]

20 Tips for Preparing Your House for Sale This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

When listing your house for sale, your top goal will be to get the home sold for the best price possible!
There are many small projects that you can do to ensure this happens!
Your real estate agent will have a list of specific sugg…

What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy A House?

What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy A House? | Simplifying The MarketThere are many misconceptions about the credit score needed to buy a house. Recently, it was reported that 24% of renters believe they need a 780-800 credit score to be considered for a mortgage. The reality is they are misinformed! Only 25% of the Americans have a FICO® Score between 740 and 800. Here is […]

Want To Increase Your Family’s Wealth? Here’s How!

Want To Increase Your Family’s Wealth? Here’s How! | Simplifying The MarketEveryone should realize that unless you are living somewhere rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s. Buying your own home provides you with a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to use your monthly housing costs to increase your family’s wealth. Every month that you pay your mortgage, you are paying off a […]

Don’t Let Your Luck Run Out! Buy A Home This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

Interest Rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage have dropped to 4.41% from near 5% in 2018.
Take advantage of more inventory coming to market in the spring to find your dream home!
Buying now will allow you to start earning equity…

Homeownership is a Cornerstone of the American Dream

Homeownership is a Cornerstone of the American Dream | Simplifying The Market“The rumors of my death are greatly exaggerated.” The famous quote attributed to Mark Twain can apply to homeownership in the United States today. During the housing bubble of the last decade, the homeownership rate soared to over sixty-nine percent. After the crash, that percentage continued to fall for the next ten years. That led […]

7 Things To Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage!

7 Things To Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage! | Simplifying The MarketCongratulations! You’ve found a home to buy and have applied for a mortgage! You are undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to decorate your new home! But before you make any big purchases, move any money around, or make any big-time life changes, consult your loan officer. They will be able to tell you how your […]

What’s Going On with Bidding Wars?

What’s Going On with Bidding Wars? | Simplifying The MarketIn a strong seller’s market, like the one we have experienced over the past few years, bidding wars are common and expected. This makes sense! A seller’s market is defined as a market in which the inventory of homes for sale cannot satisfy the number of buyers who want to purchase a home. According to […]

4 Reasons to Buy a Home in the Spring

4 Reasons to Buy a Home in the Spring | Simplifying The MarketSpring has sprung, and it’s a great time to buy a home! Here are four reasons to consider buying today instead of waiting. 1. Prices Will Continue to Rise CoreLogic’s latest U.S. Home Price Insights reports that home prices have appreciated by 4.4% over the last 12 months. The same report predicts that prices will […]

Preparing to Spring Forward [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

In the majority of the country, this weekend marks the start of Daylight Savings Time as we set our clocks forward an hour on Sunday at 2:00 AM EST.
Whether you plan on buying or selling this spring, these tips could help you ‘spri…