Monday, June 3, 2024 / by Scott Parks
More Than a House: The Emotional Benefits of Homeownership
With all the headlines and talk about housing affordability, it can be tempting to get lost in the financial side of buying a home. That’s only natural as you think about the dollars and cents of it all.
And while you ultimately need to be able to afford a home you buy, don’t lose sight of why homeownership was so important to you in the first place. That’s because buying a home is so much more than just a financial transaction. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says:
“The benefits of purchasing and owning your place of residence are both financial and emotional – pride in homeownership and the feeling of security are huge intangible benefits.”
Here’s a look at just a few of those more emotional or lifestyle perks, to help anchor you to why homeownership is one of your goals.
A Sense of Satisfaction
Own. ...
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motivation
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 / by Scott Parks
Houses Are Still Selling Fast
Have you been thinking about selling your house? If so, here’s some good news. While the housing market isn't as frenzied as it was during the ‘unicorn’ years when houses were selling quicker than ever, they’re still selling faster than normal.
The graph below uses data from Realtor.com to tell the story of median days on the market for every January from 2017 all the way through the latest numbers available. For Realtor.com, days on the market means from the time a house is listed for sale until its closing date or the date it’s taken off the market. This metric can help give you an idea of just how quickly homes are selling compared to more normal years:
When you look at the most recent data (shown in green), it's clear homes are selling faster than they usually would (shown in blue). In fact, the only years when houses sold even faster than they are right now were. ...
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helping is who we are and how we serve!, supply and demand
Monday, February 5, 2024 / by Scott Parks
Why Having Your Own Agent Matters When Buying a New Construction Home
Finding the right home is one of the biggest challenges for potential buyers today. Right now, the supply of homes for sale is still low. But there is a bright spot. Newly built homes make up a larger percent of the total homes available for sale than normal. That’s why, if you’re craving more options, it makes sense to see if a newly built home is right for you.
But it’s important to remember the process of working with a builder is different than buying from a homeowner. And, while builders typically have sales agents on-site, having your own agent helps make sure you have proper representation throughout your homebuying journey. As Realtor.com says:
“Keep in mind that the on-site agent you meet at a new-construction office works for the builder. So, as the homebuyer, it’s a smart idea to bring in your own agent, as w. ...
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$newconstruction
Thursday, January 11, 2024 / by Scott Parks
The Dramatic Impact of Homeownership on Net Worth
If you're trying to decide whether to rent or buy a home this year, here's a powerful insight that could give you the clarity and confidence you need to make your decision.
Every three years, the Federal Reserve releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF), which compares net worth for homeowners and renters. The latest report shows the average homeowner’s net worth is almost 40X greater than a renter’s (see graph below):
One reason a wealth gap exists between renters and homeowners is because when you’re a homeowner, your equity grows as your home appreciates in value and you make your mortgage payment each month. When you own a home, your monthly mortgage payment acts like a form of forced savings, which eventually pays off when you decide to sell. As a renter, you’ll never see a financial return on the money you pay out in rent every . ...
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home price appreciation, homeownership is still affordable, wealth
Friday, December 8, 2023 / by Scott Parks
Your Homebuying Adventure [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights
Here are the key milestones you’ll encounter on your path to homeownership.
From building your team, to house hunting, all the way to moving into your new home – it’s an exciting adventure.
Your journey starts here. Let’s connect so you have expert guidance each step of the way. ...
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helping is who we are and how we serve!
