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Tuesday, October 1, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

This Is the Sweet Spot Homebuyers Have Been Waiting For

After months of sitting on the sidelines, many homebuyers who were priced out by high mortgage rates and affordability challenges finally have an opportunity to make their move. With rates trending down, today’s market is a sweet spot for buyers—and it’s one that may not last long.
So, if you’ve put your own move on the back burner, here’s why maybe you shouldn’t delay your plans any longer.
As you weigh your options and decide if you should buy now or wait, ask yourself this: What do you think everyone else is going to do?
The truth is, if mortgage rates continue to ease, as experts project, more buyers will jump back into the market. A survey from Bankrate shows over half of homeowners would be motivated to buy this year if rates drop below 6% (see graph below):
With rates already in the low 6% range, we’re not terribly far off from hitting that threshold. The bottom line is, that when they. ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, mortgage rates, home buyers

Monday, September 30, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

Buying Beats Renting in 22 Major U.S. Cities

That’s right—according to a recent study from Zillow, in 22 of the 50 largest metro areas, monthly mortgage payments are now lower than rent payments (see chart below):
As mortgage rates have eased off their recent peak, home prices have moderated, and inventory has ticked up, affordability has improved significantly. When you add all of that up, it’s getting less expensive to buy a home than to rent one in many parts of the country.
This is a big deal if you’ve been renting for a while now. But if you don’t see your city on this list, don’t sweat it. Things are moving fast, and your area might be joining these top metros soon.
You see, talking with a local real estate agent about what’s happening in your market before this happens in your ideal neighborhood could really change the game for you. It’s all about being informed by a true expert, and understanding what was out of r. ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, mortgage rates, home prices

Wednesday, September 25, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

Why Buying Now May Be Worth It in the Long Run

Should you buy a home now or should you wait? That’s a question a lot of people have these days. And while what’s right for you is going to depend on a lot of different factors, here’s something you’ll want to consider as you make your decision.
As soon as you buy, you’ll start gaining equity. And you’d be surprised how quickly that can add up – even with more moderate home price appreciation.
Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey. It asks over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists what they forecast for home prices over the next five years. In the latest release, experts project prices will continue to rise nationally through at least 2028 (see the graph below):
While home prices are going to vary from one local area to the next, this shows they’re expected to keep going up nationally. The size of the increase varies from year. ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, mortgage rates, home prices

Friday, September 20, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

Lower Mortgage Rates Boost Your Buying Power

Some Highlights

Mortgage rates are trending down and that’s great news for your bottom line.
As rates drop, your monthly payment on your next home does too. Even a small change in mortgage rates can have a big impact on your purchasing power.
If you put your search on hold when mortgage rates were higher, think about how much you could save now that rates are coming down. ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, mortgage rates

Thursday, September 19, 2024   /   by Joyce Dungca

Falling Mortgage Rates Are Bringing Buyers Back

If you’ve been hesitant to list your house because you’re worried no one’s buying, here’s your sign it may be time to talk with an agent.
After months of high rates keeping buyers on the sidelines, things are starting to shift. Rates are already coming down due to a number of economic factors. And yesterday the Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate for the first time since they began raising that rate in March 2022. And while they don’t control mortgage rates, this sets the stage for mortgage rates to fall even further than they already have – especially since more cuts from the Fed are expected into next year. And lower mortgage rates are bringing more buyers back into the market. Lisa Sturtevant, Chief Economist at Bright MLS, says:
“A drop in the cost of borrowing will help fuel more homebuyer demand . . . Falling rates will also bring more sellers into the market.”
The best part? You. ...

  team raj jaggi, buyers, sellers, mortgage rates