Real Estate Blog - Mortgage

House Hunting Just Got Easier – Here’s Why

If you’ve been frustrated by the lack of homes for sale over the past few years, here’s some good news. You have more options, so it may finally be time to kick off your home search again. As Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin, explains:

The number of homes for sale has grown compared to last year, and even more options are on the way. While this is typical for the busy spring season, here’s why this is so important right now.

Homeowners are listing their houses at the highest pace we’ve seen in a while.

New Listings Are on the Rise

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Townhomes: A Smart Solution for Today’s First-Time Buyers

Buying your first home in today’s market can feel tough. Between high home prices and mortgage rates, affordability is still a big challenge. And some buyers are making one simple trade-off that’s getting them in the door faster: square footage.

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 35% of buyers are willing to purchase something smaller to make homeownership happen. And one place you can usually find a smaller footprint (and sometimes better affordability) is in townhomes.

Why Townhomes Are Gaining Popularity

Townhomes typicallycost less than single-family homes due to their more limited size.And that’s a big plus for today’s budget-conscious buyer. As Realtor.com says:

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Here’s What a Recession Could Mean for the Housing Market

Recession talk is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. And that leaves people wondering what would happen to the housing market if we do go into a recession.

Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in housing for each recession going all the way back to the 1980s.

A Recession Doesn’t Mean Home Prices Will Fall

Many people think that if a recession hits, home prices will fall like they did in 2008. But that was an exception, not the rule. It was the only time we saw such a steep drop in prices. And it hasn’t happened since.

In fact, according to data from CoreLogic, in four of the last six recessions, home prices actually went up (see graph below):

So, if you’re thinking…

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Buying Your First Home? It’s Okay To Feel Nervous

Buying your first home is exciting, but let’s be real – it can also feel overwhelming. It’s a big step, and with that comes plenty of questions. Am I making the right decision? Can I really afford this right now? Will I be able to make ends meet if I have unexpected repairs? What if I lose my job?

Here’s the thing: every first-time homebuyer has these thoughts.

The homebuying process has always been a mix of excitement and nerves, and that’s completely normal. Here's some information that can give you a bit of perspective, so you don’t have these concerns.

Focus on What You Can Control

Since homeownership is new to you, you’re probably feeling like it’s hard to know what to budget for. And that can be a bit scary. You’ll have the…

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The Real Benefits of Buying a Home This Year

Have you been wondering whether you should keep renting or finally make the leap into homeownership? It’s a big decision, and let’s be real — renting can feel like the easier option, especially if buying a home feels out of reach.

But here’s the thing: a recent report from Bank of America highlights that 70% of prospective buyers fear the long-term consequences of renting, including not building equity and dealing with rising rents.

Maybe you’re feeling that too — concerned about where renting might leave you down the road, but still unsure if you'd even be able to buy right now. The truth is, if you’re able to make the numbers work, buying a home has powerful long-term financial benefits.

Let’s break down why homeownership is worth…

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Should You Buy a Home Now or Wait? Here’s What You Need to Know in Brookings, South Dakota

It’s a big question on many people’s minds these days: Should I buy a home now or wait? Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to move into a new property, the decision comes with a lot of factors to weigh. The good news is, once you purchase a home, you immediately begin to build equity—and that can add up faster than you might expect, even with more modest increases in home prices.

So, let’s take a look at what’s happening with home prices and what that means for your future wealth.

Home Prices Are Expected to Keep Rising

Each quarter, Fannie Mae releases the Home Price Expectations Survey (HPES), which gathers insights from over one hundred economists, real estate experts, and market strategists. They predict home prices will…

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Unlock the Power of Down Payment Assistance: How First-Time Buyers Can Maximize Their Opportunities

Believe it or not, almost 80% of first-time homebuyers qualify for some form of down payment assistance, but shockingly, only 13% actually take advantage of it. If you're a first-time buyer in Brookings, South Dakota, or the surrounding area, this is a huge gap that you definitely want to close—and fast!

In this competitive housing market, every bit of financial assistance helps, and you don't want to leave any money on the table. Here's how you can amplify your down payment potential and make the most of the available resources.

Amplify Your Down Payment Potential

When it comes to buying your first home, down payments can feel overwhelming. But the good news is that there are numerous programs designed to help buyers like you. Many…

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Why Getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage Is Key to Buying a Home in Brookings, SD

With home inventory increasing and mortgage rates starting to come down, you might be thinking this is finally your moment to jump into the Brookings area real estate market. But before you start shopping for your dream home, there’s one crucial step you need to take: getting pre-approved for a mortgage.

The pre-approval process involves a lender reviewing your financial information, such as your W-2s, tax returns, credit score, and bank statements, to determine how much they are willing to loan you. Once this is done, you’ll receive a pre-approval letter, which is your golden ticket to house hunting. Here are two big reasons why this is a must in today’s real estate market.

Pre-Approval Helps You Understand Your Budget

Although home…

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The Difference Between an Inspection and an Appraisal

When you decide to buy your first home, you may come across a number of terms and conditions you’re not familiar with. While you may have a general idea of what an inspection is, maybe you’re not sure why you need one or how it’s different from an appraisal. To keep it simple, here’s an explainer of each one and what they mean for you as a homebuyer.

Home Inspection

Once you’re under contract on a home you’d like to buy, getting an inspection is a key part of the process. An inspection gives you a clear idea of the safety and overall condition of the home – which is important for such a big transaction. As a recent Realtor.com article explains:

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Housing Market Forecast: What's Ahead for the 2nd Half of 2024

As we move into the second half of 2024, here’s what experts say you should expect for home prices, mortgage rates, and home sales.

Home Prices Are Expected To Climb Moderately

Home prices are forecasted to rise at a more normal pace. The graph below shows the latest forecasts from seven of the most trusted sources in the industry:

The reason for continued appreciation? The supply of homes for sale. Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

While inventory is up compared to the last couple of years, it’s still low overall. And…

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