Why Home Prices Keep Going Up   If you've ever considered purchasing your own home or selling your current home to upgrade, you're familiar with the emotional rollercoaster that fluctuating home prices can create. It is a story of financial goals, uncertainty, and a touch of anxiety that many have experienced. However, if you put off relocating out of concern that home prices will decline, you should know that they will not. In fact, the opposite is true. National... [read more]

The Impact of Changing Mortgage Rates [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights If you’re looking to buy a home, you should know even a small change in mortgage rates has an impact on your purchasing power. These charts show how rates generally affect your monthly payment. The best way to navigate changing mortgage rates and make an informed buying decision is to rely on the expertise of a local real estate professional and... [read more]

How Inflation Affects the Housing Market Have you ever thought about how inflation affects the housing market? They are, believe it or not, linked. When one is changed, the other is affected. Here's a high-level outline of the two's relationship. The Connection Between Housing and Overall Inflation   Shelter inflation is a measure of price rise in the housing market. It is based on a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) study of renters and homeowners. Renters are... [read more]

The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price Appreciation   One of the most important things you probably want to know right now if you want to move is what's going on with home prices. Home prices aren't going down across the country, despite what you may be hearing in the news. It's just that price rise is starting to return to normal. This is the background you need to fully grasp that trend. There are certain waves that happen every year in the housing... [read more]

Homeowners Have a Lot of Equity Right Now [INFOGRAPHIC]   Some Highlights Your equity grows as you pay down your home loan and as home prices increase. With home prices rising again, your equity is getting an extra boost. Almost half of homeowners are equity rich because they have at least 50% equity in their homes. If you’ve been in your home for a while, you might have gained a considerable amount of equity, too. Want... [read more]