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Stay-at-Home Summer Dining on a Budget: 3 Steps to Creating the Ultimate Backyard Dining Experience
Guest article written by Ray Flynn from DiyGuys.netImage via Unsplash Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are changing the ways we spend our time at home — and we’re taking advantage of the great outdoors by going on lots of walks, bike rides, hikes, or simply lounging in our own backyards. Even when stay-at-home orders... Read More
Will Home Values Appreciate or Depreciate in 2020?
With the housing market staggered to some degree by the health crisis the country is currently facing, some potential purchasers are questioning whether home values will be impacted. The price of any item is determined by supply as well as the market’s demand for that item. Each month the National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveys “over 50,000 real... Read More
Buying a Home Right Now: Easy? No. Smart? Yes.
Through all the volatility in the economy right now, some have put their search for a home on hold, yet others have not. According to ShowingTime, the real estate industry’s leading showing management technology provider, buyers have started to reappear over the last several weeks. In the latest report, they revealed: “The March ShowingTime Showing Index® recorded... Read More
How Owning a Home Affects Your Net Worth
Many people plan to build their net worth by buying CDs or stocks, or just having a savings account. Recently, however, Economist Jonathan Eggleston and Survey Statistician Donald Hays, both of the U.S. Census Bureau, shared the biggest determinants of wealth, “The biggest determinants of household wealth [are] owning a home and having a retirement account.” (Shown in the graph below): This does... Read More
What Credit Score Do You Really Need to Qualify for a Mortgage?
While a recent announcement from CNBC shares that the average national FICO® score has reached an all-time high of 706, the good news for potential buyers is that you don’t need a score that high to qualify for a mortgage. Let’s unpack the credit score myth so you can to become a homeowner sooner than you may think.... Read More
How Your Daily Starbucks Latte Adds Up to the Down Payment on a Home
Some Highlights: The summertime latte is launching soon, so you may be tempted to spend your extra cash on a daily caffeine fix, but that small expense can add up to a big number – fast! Saving for a down payment takes a little discipline, so limiting your extra purchases (like a latte a day... Read More
When to Hire a Pro for Home Improvement Projects
Guest article written by Ray Flynn from DiyGuys.net It’s tempting to save money on home improvement by doing the work yourself. However, in many cases, you waste time and money if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing. Some projects require little skill, but others can be deceptively challenging — and even dangerous — if... Read More
The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home
Some Highlights: Historically, the choice between renting and buying a home has been a tough decision. Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (27.7%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (17.5%), the choice is clear. Every market is different. Before you renew your lease, find out if you... Read More
Checklist: Preparing to Buy a Home
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5 Reasons This is NOT Like What Happened to the Housing Market in 2008
With all of the volatility in the stock market and uncertainty about the Coronavirus (COVID-19), some are concerned we may be headed for another housing crash like the one we experienced from 2006-2008. The feeling is understandable. Ali Wolf, Director of Economic Research at the real estate consulting firm Meyers Research, addressed this point in a recent interview: “With... Read More