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 First Step: Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC] If you’re looking to buy a home in 2024, getting pre-approved is a key piece of the puzzle. Mortgage pre-approval means a lender checks your finances and decides how much you’re qualified to borrow. As more buyers re-enter the market, it’ll help you make a strong offer that stands out from the crowd. Talk to a trusted professional to learn more and begin your homebuying process today. ~ Wizards of... [read more]

Do You Know About the Non-Financial Benefits of Homeownership?   Purchasing and owning a home can have a significant impact on your life. While there are financial reasons to become a homeowner, it is also important to consider the non-financial advantages that make a home more than just a place to live. Here are a few of the most compelling non-financial reasons to purchase a home.   94% respondents of a Fannie Mae survey stated... [read more]

How Changing Mortgage Rates Can Affect You   The 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been bouncing between 6% and 7% this year. If you’ve been on the fence about whether to buy a home or not, it’s helpful to know exactly how a 1%, or even a 0.5%, mortgage rate shift affects your purchasing power. The chart below helps show the general relationship between mortgage rates and a typical monthly mortgage payment: Even a 0.5% change can have a big impact on your... [read more]

Americans Still View Homeownership as the American Dream The American Dream means different things to different people. But for  many people, it's a sign of freedom, success, and wealth. These are all benefits that property ownership can provide. In a recent study, Bankrate inquired as to what people consider to be the pinnacle of the American Dream. Based on the comments, it's clear that home ownership is still highly valued by many... [read more]