house buying: Why So Many People Fall in Love with Homeownership - 02/14/24 09:48 AM
Chances are at some point in your life you’ve heard the phrase, home is where the heart is. There’s a reason that’s said so often. Becoming a homeowner is emotional.
So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to keep on renting or if you’re ready to buy a home this year, here’s why it’s so easy to fall in love with homeownership.
Customizing to Your Heart’s Desire Your house should be a space that’s uniquely you. And, if you’re a renter, that can be hard to achieve. When you rent, the paint colors are usually the standard shade of … (1 comments)

house buying: Key Terms Every Homebuyer Should Learn - 01/19/24 06:52 AM
Some Highlights Buying a home is a big deal and can feel especially complicated if you don't know the terms used during the process. If you want to become a homeowner this year, it's a good idea to learn these key housing terms and understand how they relate to the current housing market. That will help you feel confident when you buy a home. Let’s connect so you can get expert help with any questions you have.  
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PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
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Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not … (0 comments)

house buying: Why Mortgage Rates Could Continue To Decline - 12/20/23 08:52 AM
When you read about the housing market, you’ll probably come across some information about inflation or recent decisions made by the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But how do those two things impact you and your homebuying plans? Here's what you need to know.
The Federal Funds Rate Hikes Have StalledOne of the Fed’s primary goals is to lower inflation. In order to do that, they started raising the Federal Funds Rate to slow down the economy. Even though this doesn’t directly dictate what happens with mortgage rates, it does have an impact.
Recently inflation has started to cool, a signal those increases worked … (1 comments)

house buying: VA Loans Help Heroes Achieve Homeownership - 11/11/23 05:02 PM
Some Highlights VA home loans can help people who served our country become homeowners. These loans can help qualified individuals purchase a VA-approved home or condo, build a new home, or enhance their current one. Owning a home is the American Dream, and one way to show our appreciation to veterans is by providing them with important information about the advantages of VA home loans.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee … (5 comments)

house buying: Affordable Homeownership Strategies for Gen Z - 10/26/23 01:35 PM
The idea of owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream. It's a symbol of stability, independence, and having a place to truly call your own. But for Gen Z, the "Zoomers" born between 1997 and 2012, making that dream a reality can feel like quite the challenge today with higher mortgage rates and rising home prices.
But achieving that goal of owning your first home can still be attainable, even today, with some strategic planning and resourcefulness.
Explore Down Payment Assistance Options With prices rising all around you, it can be hard to save up … (2 comments)

house buying: The Difference Between Renting and Buying a Home - 10/13/23 07:44 AM
Some Highlights When deciding between buying a home or renting, think about these three important factors. Buying a home means avoiding rising rents, owning a tangible and valuable asset, and growing your wealth over time. If you’re ready to enjoy the advantages of owning a home, let’s connect to discuss your options.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. … (2 comments)

house buying: Growing Your Net Worth with Homeownership. - 10/12/23 07:26 AM
Take a moment to imagine where you want to be in a few years. You might be thinking about your job, money, wanting more stability, or goals you want to reach soon. Is homeownership a part of that vision? If it is, you should know owning a home has a whole lot of financial benefits.
One of the many reasons to buy a home is that it’s a great way to build wealth and gain financial stability. That’s because the value of most homes increases over time, which in turn grows your net worth. Here’s how home values are rising right now. … (1 comments)

house buying: Where are Mortgage Rates Headed Through the End of 2023? by Mark Fleming - 10/05/23 08:44 AM
Two of the three key drivers of the Real House Price Index (RHPI), nominal house prices and mortgage rates, dragged affordability lower in June. The 30-year, fixed mortgage rate increased by 0.3 percentage points and nominal house prices accelerated by 0.8 percent compared with May. While household income increased by 0.4 percent, it was not enough to offset the affordability-dampening impact from higher mortgage rates and prices. Consumer house-buying power declined by nearly $9,000 compared with May and remains $32,000 lower than one year ago. The outlook for house-buying power is heavily dependent on the path for mortgage rates, and that … (2 comments)

house buying: How Remote Work Helps with Your House Hunt - 09/22/23 11:43 AM
Some Highlights While remote work peaked during the pandemic, many people still work from home today. If you’re one of them, it could have an unexpected benefit when you’re looking to buy a home. If you can work from home, you might have more choices for where to live. Let’s connect to talk about your options and what's most important to you.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee or warrant the … (2 comments)

house buying: Remote Work Is Changing How Some Buyers Search for Their Dream Homes - 09/20/23 03:45 PM
The way Americans work has changed in recent years, and remote work is at the forefront of this shift. Experts say it’ll continue to be popular for years to come and project that 36.2 million Americans will be working remotely by 2025. To give you some perspective, that's a 417% increase compared to the pre-pandemic years when there were just 7 million remote workers.
If you’re in the market to buy a home and you work remotely either full or part-time, this trend is a game-changer. It can help you overcome some of today’s affordability and housing inventory challenges.
How Remote … (4 comments)

house buying: Where Are People Moving Today and Why? - 08/14/23 02:58 PM
Plenty of people are still moving these days. And if you’re thinking of making a move yourself, you may be considering the inventory and affordability challenges in the housing market and wondering what you can do to help offset those. A new report from Gravy Analytics provides insight into where people are searching for homes and what they’re prioritizing most right now. That information could help you plan your own move.
1. People Are Moving to Cities with Lower Housing Costs One big factor motivating where buyers are going is affordability and that’s no big surprise. People are relocating to areas … (4 comments)

house buying: The Value of an Agent When Buying Your New Construction Home - 08/09/23 03:08 PM
Buying a new construction home can be an exciting experience. From being the very first owner, to customizing your home’s features, there are a lot of benefits. But navigating the complexities of buying a home that’s under construction can also be a bit overwhelming. This is where a skilled real estate agent can make all the difference.
An article from The Mortgage Reports sums it up like this:
“Your Realtor or real estate agent will be key to helping you navigate this process. . . . they can guide you through construction and help anticipate and solve for any possible snags … (2 comments)

house buying: How To Know If You’re Ready to Buy a Home - 08/02/23 07:17 AM
If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to buy a home, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates and home prices, the limited supply of homes for sale, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make.
While housing market conditions are definitely a factor in your decision, your own life and your finances may be even more important. As an article from NerdWallet says:
“Housing market trends give important context. But whether this is a good time to buy a house also depends on … (1 comments)

house buying: Don’t Fall for the Next Shocking Headlines About Home Prices - 07/25/23 07:32 AM
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? And it’s no surprise you don’t have the clarity you need on that topic. Part of the issue is how headlines are talking about prices.
They’re basing their negative news by comparing current stats to the last few years. But you can’t compare this year to the ‘unicorn’ years (when home prices reached record highs that were unsustainable). And as prices begin to normalize now, they’re talking about it like it’s a bad thing and making people … (2 comments)

house buying: Evaluating Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Matters More Today. - 07/08/23 08:56 AM
When it comes to buying a home, especially with today’s affordability challenges, you’ll want to be strategic. Mortgage rates impact how much it costs to borrow money for your home loan. And, to help offset the higher borrowing costs today, some homebuyers are taking a close look at their wish list and re-evaluating what features they really need in their next home to avoid overextending. As a recent NerdWallet article says:
“A pool, for example, may be nice to have, but it may not provide as much day-to-day value as a garage or a space for a home office . . … (4 comments)

house buying: Reasons To Own Your Home. - 06/16/23 07:38 AM
Some Highlights June is National Homeownership Month, and it’s a perfect time to think about all the benefits that come with owning your home. Owning a home not only makes you feel proud and accomplished, but it’s also a big step toward having a secure and stable financial future. Are you ready to enjoy all the amazing advantages that come with owning a home? Let’s get in touch to startthe process today.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
Let’s Connect:
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as … (7 comments)

house buying: Your Needs Matter More Than Today’s Mortgage Rates - 06/13/23 09:16 AM
If you’re thinking about selling your house right now, chances are it’s because something in your life has changed. And, while things like mortgage rates are a key part of your decision on what you’ll buy next, it’s important to not lose sight of the reason you want to make a change in the first place.
It’s true mortgage rates have climbed from the record lows we saw in recent years, and that has an impact on affordability. With rates where they are right now, some homeowners are deciding they’ll wait to sell because they don’t want to move and have … (7 comments)

house buying: 2023’s Most Affordable Cities for Home Buyers - 05/23/23 06:49 AM
With the median home sales price having skyrocketed from $313,000 in Q1 2019 to $436,800 in Q1 2023, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2023’s Most Affordable Cities for Home Buyers, as well as expert commentary.
In order to determine the most affordable cities for home buyers, WalletHub compared 300 U.S. cities across ten key metrics. The data set ranges from the costs of homes and their maintenance to tax rates and vacancy rates. 
Source: WalletHub Best vs. Worst
Springfield, Illinois, has the most affordable housing (median house price divided by median annual household income), 1.67, which is 17.5 times cheaper than … (2 comments)

house buying: The Impact of Changing Mortgage Rates. - 05/19/23 06:40 AM
Some Highlights If you’re looking to buy a home, you should know even a small change in mortgage rates has an impact on your purchasing power. These charts show how rates generally affect your monthly payment. The best way to navigate changing mortgage rates and make an informed buying decision is to rely on the expertise of a local real estate professional and mortgage lender.  
Contact us:
PHP Houses
142 W Lakeview Ave
Unit 1030
Lake Mary, FL 32746
Ph: (407) 641-1531
Fax: (407) 205-1951
email: info@phphouses.com
Let’s Connect:
Facebook
Linkedin
Twitter
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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. The author does not guarantee … (2 comments)

house buying: The Impact of Inflation on Mortgage Rates. - 05/10/23 06:57 AM
If you’re reading headlines about inflation or mortgage rates, you may see something about the recent decision from the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But what does it mean for you, the housing market, and your plans to buy a home? Here’s what you need to know.
Inflation and the Housing Market While the Fed’s working hard to lower inflation, the latest data shows that, while the number has improved some, the inflation rate is still higher than the target (2%). That played a role in the Fed's decision to raise the Federal Funds Rate last week. As Bankrate explains:
 
“Keeping its … (4 comments)