Keeping Current Matters

Keeping Current Matters How Your Equity Can Grow over Time How Your Equity Can Grow over Time It’s true that record levels of home price appreciation have spurred significant equity gains for homeowners over the past few years. As Diana Olick, Real Estate Correspondent at CNBC, says: “The stunning jump in home values over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic has given U.S. homeowners record amounts of housing wealth.” That’s great […]
Keeping Current Matters Real Estate Consistently Voted Best Investment [INFOGRAPHIC] Real Estate Consistently Voted Best Investment [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights Based on a recent Gallup poll, real estate has been rated the best long-term investment for nine years in a row. Owning real estate is more than just a place to call home. It’s also an investment in your future. That’s because it’s typically a stable and secure asset that can grow in […]
Keeping Current Matters Homeownership Could Be in Reach with Down Payment Assistance Programs Homeownership Could Be in Reach with Down Payment Assistance Programs A recent survey from Bankrate asks prospective buyers to identify the biggest obstacles in their homebuying journey. It found that 36% of those polled said saving for a down payment is one of their primary hurdles to buying a home. If you feel the same way, the good news […]
Keeping Current Matters A Key Opportunity for Homebuyers A Key Opportunity for Homebuyers There’s no denying the housing market has delivered a fair share of challenges to homebuyers over the past two years. Two of the biggest hurdles homebuyers faced during the pandemic were the limited number of homes for sale and the intensity and frequency of bidding wars. But those two things […]
Keeping Current Matters Why an Agent Is Essential When Pricing Your House [INFOGRAPHIC] Why an Agent Is Essential When Pricing Your House [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights When it comes to pricing your house, there’s a lot to consider. The only way to ensure you price it right is by partnering with a local real estate professional. To find the best price, your agent balances current market demand, the values of […]
Keeping Current Matters Home Price Appreciation vs Inflation Rate The graph below shows how the average home price appreciation outperformed the average inflation rate in most decades going all the way back to the seventies – making homeownership a historically strong hedge against inflation (see graph below):
Keeping Current Matters Homeownership Is a Great Hedge Against the Impact of Rising Inflation Homeownership Is a Great Hedge Against the Impact of Rising Inflation If you’re following along with the news today, you’ve heard about rising inflation. Today, inflation is at a 40-year high. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): “Consumer prices accelerated again in May as shelter, energy and food prices continued to surge at the fastest pace in […]
Keeping Current Matters Things To Avoid After Applying for a Home Loan Things To Avoid After Applying for a Home Loan | MyKCM Once you’ve applied for a mortgage to buy a home, there are some key things to keep in mind. While it’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating, be careful when it comes to making any big purchases. Here are a few things you may not realize you need to avoid after applying for your home loan. Don’t Deposit Large Sums of Cash Lenders need to source your money, and cash isn’t easily traceable. Before you deposit any amount of cash into your accounts, discuss the proper way to document your transactions with your loan officer. Don’t Make Any Large Purchases It’s not just home-related purchases that could disqualify you from your loan. Any large purchases can be red flags for lenders. People with new debt have higher debt-to-income ratios (how much debt you have compared to your monthly income). Since higher ratios make for riskier loans, borrowers may no longer qualify for their mortgage. Resist the temptation to make any large purchases, even for furniture or appliances. Don’t Co-Sign Loans for Anyone When you co-sign for a loan, you’re making yourself accountable for that loan’s success and repayment. With that obligation comes higher debt-to-income ratios as well. Even if you promise you won’t be the one making the payments, your lender will have to count the payments against you. Don’t Switch Bank Accounts Lenders need to source and track your assets. That task is much easier when there’s consistency among your accounts. Before you transfer any money, speak with your loan officer. Don’t Apply for New Credit It doesn’t matter whether it’s a new credit card or a new car. When you have your credit report run by organizations in multiple financial channels (mortgage, credit card, auto, etc.), it will have an impact on your FICO® score. Lower credit scores can determine your mortgage interest rate and possibly even your eligibility for approval. Don’t Close Any Accounts Many buyers believe having less available credit makes them less risky and more likely to be approved. This isn’t true. A major component of your score is your length and depth of credit history (as opposed to just your payment history) and your total usage of credit as a percentage of available credit. Closing accounts has a negative impact on both of those aspects of your score. In Short, Consult an Expert To sum it up, be upfront about any changes when talking with your lender. Blips in income, assets, or credit should be reviewed and executed in a way that ensures your home loan can still be approved. If your job or employment status has changed recently, share that with your lender as well. Ultimately, it’s best to fully disclose and discuss your intentions with your loan officer before you do anything financial in nature. Bottom Line You want your home purchase to go as smoothly as possible. Remember, before you make any large purchases, move your money around, or make any major life changes, be sure to consult your lender – someone who’s qualified to explain how your financial decisions may impact your home loan. Things To Avoid After Applying for a Home Loan Once you’ve applied for a mortgage to buy a home, there are some key things to keep in mind. While it’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating, be careful when it comes to making any big purchases. Here are a few things you may […]
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Keeping Current Matters A Majority of Consumers Say It’s a Good Time To Sell Your House A Majority of Consumers Say It’s a Good Time To Sell Your House If you’re a homeowner thinking about selling your house, you’re probably looking for the best time to make your move. That means you’re likely balancing a number of factors, like your changing needs, where you’ll go when you sell, and today’s mortgage rates in order […]
Keeping Current Matters What You Need To Know About Selling in a Sellers’ Market What You Need To Know About Selling in a Sellers’ Market Even if you haven’t been following real estate news, you’ve likely heard about the current sellers’ market. That’s because there’s a lot of talk about how strong market conditions are for people who want to sell their houses. But if you’re thinking about listing your house, you probably […]
Keeping Current Matters What Are the Best Options for Today’s First-Time Homebuyers? What Are the Best Options for Today’s First-Time Homebuyers? If you’re looking to buy your first home, you’re likely balancing several factors. Because both mortgage rates and home prices have risen this year, it costs more to buy a home than it did even just a few months ago. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your plans on […]
Keeping Current Matters Why the Growing Number of Homes for Sale Is Good for Your Move Up Why the Growing Number of Homes for Sale Is Good for Your Move Up Are you thinking about selling your current home? If so, the biggest question on your mind may be: if I sell now, where will I go? If this resonates with you, there’s something you should know. The number of homes coming onto the market is […]
Keeping Current Matters Why You Need an Expert To Determine the Right Price for Your House Why You Need an Expert To Determine the Right Price for Your House If your lifestyle has changed recently and you’re ready to make a move, taking advantage of today’s sellers’ market might be just the answer for your summer plans. With homes continuing to get multiple offers, this could be your moment to get the contract you’re looking […]
Keeping Current Matters History Proves Recession Doesn’t Equal a Housing Crisis History Proves Recession Doesn’t Equal a Housing Crisis [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights It’s important to understand history proves an economic slowdown does not equal a housing crisis. In 4 of the last 6 recessions, home prices actually appreciated. Home prices only fell twice – minimally in the early 90s and then by nearly 20% during the housing crash in 2008. If […]
Keeping Current Matters How Homeownership Impacts You How Homeownership Impacts You June is National Homeownership Month, and it’s the perfect time to reflect on how impactful owning a home can truly be. When you purchase a house, it becomes more than just a space you occupy. It’s your stake in the community, an investment, and a place you can put your stamp on. If you’re […]
Keeping Current Matters Why Home Loans Today Aren’t What They Were in the Past Why Home Loans Today Aren’t What They Were in the Past In today’s housing market, many are beginning to wonder if we’re returning to the riskier lending habits and borrowing options that led to the housing crash 15 years ago. Let’s ease those concerns. Several times a year, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) releases an index titled the Mortgage Credit Availability […]
Keeping Current Matters What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for the Housing Market? What Does the Rest of the Year Hold for the Housing Market? If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, you’re at an exciting decision point. And anytime you make a big decision like that, one thing you should always consider is timing. So, what does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here’s what […]
Keeping Current Matters How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits the Economy and Your Community How Buying or Selling a Home Benefits the Economy and Your Community If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, chances are you’re focusing on the many extraordinary ways it’ll change your life. But do you know it has a large impact on your community too? To measure that impact, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) releases a report each year to […]
Keeping Current Matters Sellers Have an Opportunity as Home Prices Re-Accelerate Sellers Have an Opportunity as Home Prices Re-Accelerate As mortgage rates started to rise this year, many homeowners began to wonder if the value of their homes would fall. Here’s the good news. Historically, when mortgage rates rise by a percentage point or more, home values continue to appreciate. The latest data on home prices seems to confirm […]
Keeping Current Matters Work With a Real Estate Professional if You Want the Best Advice Work With a Real Estate Professional if You Want the Best Advice Because buying or selling a home is such a big decision in our lives, the need for clear, trustworthy information and guidance is crucial. And while no one can give you perfect advice, when you align yourself with an expert, you’ll get the best advice for your situation. An […]