orlando real estate: Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades? - 08/11/21 03:36 PM
Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades?
There are many headlines about how housing affordability is declining. The headlines are correct: it’s less affordable to purchase a home today than it was a year ago. However, it’s important to give this trend context. Is it less expensive to buy a house today than it was in 2005? What about 1995? What happens if we go all the way back to 1985? Or even 1975?
Obviously, the price of a home has appreciated dramatically over the last 45 years. So have the prices of milk, bread, and just about … (0 comments)

orlando real estate: Looking for a Place To Call Home? Consider a Condominium. - 08/10/21 06:01 PM
Looking for a Place To Call Home? Consider a Condominium.
It’s no secret that one of the top stories in today’s real estate market is low housing supply and high buyer demand. If you’re a first-time buyer looking for a starter home or are someone who’s interested in downsizing, it may be worth considering a condominium (condo) as a worthwhile option.
In fact, trends indicate condos are gaining popularity among buyers. In the latest Existing Homes Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the data shows condo sales rising throughout the first half of this year (see graph below):There are a few reasons more and more people … (0 comments)

orlando real estate: The Community and Economic Impacts of a Home Sale - 08/09/21 05:24 PM
The Community and Economic Impacts of a Home Sale
If you’re thinking of buying or selling a house, chances are you’re focusing on the many extraordinary ways it’ll change your life. What you may not realize is that decision impacts people’s lives far beyond your own. Home purchases and sales are significant drivers of economic activity. They have a major impact on your community and the entire U.S. economy via the multiple industries and professionals that take part in the process.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) releases a report each year that highlights just how much economic activity a home sale generates. The chart below shows … (0 comments)

orlando real estate: Ready To Sell, but Don’t Know Where You’ll Go?  - 08/06/21 06:05 PM
Ready To Sell, but Don’t Know Where You’ll Go? 
Some Highlights If you’re thinking of selling your house but don’t know what you should buy, you have options. Existing homes offer a wide variety of home styles, an established neighborhood, and lived-in charm. Meanwhile, new home construction lets you create your perfect home, cash in on energy efficiency, and minimize repairs. Whether you’re looking for newly built or existing homes, both have their perks. If you’re ready to sell your house, let’s connect today to go over the perks of both existing and newly built homes to find out what’s right for you. … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Surprising Shift Favors Homeowners: Buyers Now Prefer Existing Homes - 08/05/21 07:57 AM
Surprising Shift Favors Homeowners: Buyers Now Prefer Existing Homes
In April, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) posted an article, Home Buyers’ Preferences Shift Towards New Construction, which reported:
“60% of people who were looking to buy a home in 2020 said they'd prefer new construction to an existing home.”
However, it seems buyers are now shifting their preferences back to existing homes. The latest Consumer Confidence Survey reveals the percentage of Americans planning to buy a home in the next six months is virtually the same as it was back in March. However, the percentage that plan to buy a newly constructed home is lower … (2 comments)

orlando real estate: Sellers: Make Today’s Home Price Appreciation Work for You - 08/05/21 04:27 AM
Sellers: Make Today’s Home Price Appreciation Work for You
Home prices continue to rise as we move through the summer, and that’s good news for sellers who are looking to maximize their home’s potential. If you’re on the fence about whether to list your house now or later, the question you should really ask is: will this price appreciation last?
Here’s what three leading industry experts have to say about what lies ahead: Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist, National Association of Realtors (NAR): “At a broad level, home prices are in no danger of a decline due to tight inventory conditions, but I do expect prices to appreciate at a slower … (2 comments)

orlando real estate: With Rents on the Rise – Is Now the Time To Buy? With Rents on the Rise – Is Now the Time To Buy? | MyKCM According to recent data from realtor.com, median rental prices have reached their highest point ever recorded in many areas across the country. The - 08/03/21 05:20 PM
With Rents on the Rise – Is Now the Time To Buy?
According to recent data from realtor.com, median rental prices have reached their highest point ever recorded in many areas across the country. The report found rents rose by 8.1% from the same time last year. As it notes:
“Beyond simply recovering to pre-pandemic levels, rents across the country are surging. Typically, rents fluctuate less than 1% from month to month. In May and June, rents increased by 3.0% and 3.2% from each month to the next.”
If you’re a renter concerned about rising prices, now may be the time to consider purchasing a home.
Monthly Rents Are Higher … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home - 08/02/21 07:12 PM
Key Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying a Home
Sometimes it can feel like everyone has advice when it comes to buying a home. While your friends and loved ones may have your best interests in mind, they may also be missing crucial information about today’s housing market that you need to make your best decision.
Before you decide whether you’re ready to buy a home, you should know how to answer these three questions.
1. What’s Going on with Home Prices? Home prices are one factor that directly impacts how much it will cost to buy a home and how much … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You - 07/30/21 06:16 PM
Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You
Some Highlights If you’re thinking of buying a home but wondering if waiting a few years will save you in the long run, think again. The longer the wait, the more you’ll pay, especially when mortgage rates and home prices rise. Even the slightest change in the mortgage rate can have a big impact on your buying power no matter your price point. Don’t assume waiting will save you money. Let’s connect to set the ball into motion today while mortgage rates are hovering near historic lows. … (3 comments)

orlando real estate: Home Sellers: There Is an Extra Way To Welcome Home Our Veterans - 07/29/21 06:12 PM
Home Sellers: There Is an Extra Way To Welcome Home Our Veterans
Some veterans are finding it difficult to obtain a home in today’s market. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR):
“Conventional conforming mortgages (mortgages that conform to guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac), accounted for 74% of mortgages obtained by homebuyers in May 2021, an increase from about 65% during 2018 through 2019…The share of VA-guaranteed loans has also decreased to 7% in May 2021 from about 10% in past years.”
Recent data in the latest Origination Insight Report from Ellie Mae sheds light on the continuation of this trend. Below, we can see just how small of … (0 comments)

orlando real estate: 4 Reasons Why the End of Forbearance Will Not Lead to a Wave of Foreclosures - 07/29/21 08:43 AM
4 Reasons Why the End of Forbearance Will Not Lead to a Wave of Foreclosures
With forbearance plans about to come to an end, many are concerned the housing market will experience a wave of foreclosures like what happened after the housing bubble 15 years ago. Here are four reasons why that won’t happen.
1. There are fewer homeowners in trouble this time After the last housing crash, about 9.3 million households lost their home to a foreclosure, short sale, or because they simply gave it back to the bank.
As stay-at-home orders were issued early last year, the overwhelming fear was the … (0 comments)

orlando real estate: A Look at Housing Supply and What It Means for Sellers - 07/27/21 05:31 PM
A Look at Housing Supply and What It Means for Sellers
One of the hottest topics of conversation in today’s real estate market is the shortage of available homes. Simply put, there are many more potential buyers than there are homes for sale. As a seller, you’ve likely heard that low supply is good news for you. It means your house will get more attention, and likely, more offers. But as life begins to return to normal, you may be wondering if that’s something that will change.
While it may be tempting to blame the pandemic for the current inventory shortage, the pandemic can’t … (0 comments)

orlando real estate: 3 Hot Topics in the Housing Market Right Now - 07/26/21 07:18 AM
3 Hot Topics in the Housing Market Right Now

If you’re a prospective buyer or seller, it’s important to understand the current real estate market conditions and how they affect you. The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) just released its Top Ten Issues Affecting Real Estate report. Here are three hot topics from the list and how they impact today’s housing market.
Technology Acceleration and InnovationThe past year ushered in many changes to the real estate industry, especially when it comes to technology. The CRE report elaborates on this:
“Lockdown-driven changes in our work, in the economy, in social structures, and in our personal behavior have pushed our reluctance … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Pop Quiz: Can You Define These Key Terms in Today’s Housing Market?  - 07/23/21 06:21 PM
Pop Quiz: Can You Define These Key Terms in Today’s Housing Market? 
Some Highlights The language of buying and selling a home may sound scary at first, but knowing how key terms relate to today’s market can help you. For example, current low mortgage rates and higher wages positively impact affordability for buyers, while home price appreciation continues to grow home equity, which sellers can use to fuel a move up. Terms like appraisal (what lenders rely on to validate a home’s value) and contingencies (which buyers can minimize to make their offer stand out) directly impact the transaction. You don’t need to be fluent in the language of the market to … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Today’s Real Estate Market Explained Through 4 Key Trends - 07/22/21 05:50 PM
Today’s Real Estate Market Explained Through 4 Key Trends
As we move into the second half of the year, one thing is clear: the current real estate market is one for the record books. The exact mix of conditions we have today creates opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Here’s a look at four key components that are shaping this unprecedented market.
A Shortage of Homes for Sale Earlier this year, the number of homes available for sale fell to an all-time low. In recent months, however, inventory levels are starting to trend up. The latest Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com says:
“In June, newly listed … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Remote Work Has Changed Our Home Needs. Is It Time for Your Home To Change, Too? - 07/21/21 05:45 PM
Remote Work Has Changed Our Home Needs. Is It Time for Your Home To Change, Too?
Over the past year, many homeowners realized what they need in a home is changing, especially with the rise in remote work. If you’re longing for a dedicated home office or a change in scenery, now may be the time to find the home that addresses your evolving needs.
Working from Home Isn’t a Passing Fad Before the pandemic, only 21% of individuals worked from home. However, if you’ve recently discovered remote work is your new normal, you’re not alone.
A survey of hiring managers conducted by Statista and Upwork projects 37.5% of U.S. workers … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: 3 Charts That Show This Isn’t a Housing Bubble - 07/20/21 04:40 PM
3 Charts That Show This Isn’t a Housing Bubble
With home prices continuing to deliver double-digit increases, some are concerned we’re in a housing bubble like the one in 2006. However, a closer look at the market data indicates this is nothing like 2006 for three major reasons.
1. The housing market isn’t driven by risky mortgage loans. Back in 2006, nearly everyone could qualify for a loan. The Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI) from the Mortgage Bankers’ Association is an indicator of the availability of mortgage money. The higher the index, the easier it is to obtain a mortgage. The MCAI more than doubled … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Diving Deep into Today’s Biggest Buyer Concerns - 07/15/21 05:24 PM
Diving Deep into Today’s Biggest Buyer Concerns
Last week, Fannie Mae released their Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). Though the survey showed 77% of respondents believe it’s a “good time to sell,” it also confirms what many are sensing: an increasing number of Americans believe it’s a “bad time to buy” a home. The percentage of those surveyed saying it’s a “bad time to buy” hit 64%, up from 56% last month and 38% last July.
The latest HPSI explains:
“Consumers also continued to cite high home prices as the predominant reason for their ongoing and significant divergence in sentiment toward homebuying and home-selling conditions. While all … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Housing Supply Is Rising. What Does That Mean for You? - 07/14/21 05:37 PM
Housing Supply Is Rising. What Does That Mean for You?
An important factor in today’s market is the number of homes for sale. While inventory levels continue to sit near historic lows, there are indications we may have hit the lowest point we’ll see. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, recently said of our supply challenges:
“It looks like inventory may have hit a bottom (we’ve seen this in the higher frequency data as well). Unsold inventory in May was at 2.5 months supply, up from 2.4.”
To put it into perspective, the graph below shows levels of inventory rising since the beginning of the year:We’re still … (1 comments)

orlando real estate: Why This Isn’t Your Typical Summer Housing Market - 07/13/21 05:23 PM
Why This Isn’t Your Typical Summer Housing Market
In real estate, it’s normal to see ebbs and flows in the market. Typically, the summer months are slower-paced than the traditionally busy spring. But this isn’t a typical summer. As the economy rebounds and life is returning to normal, the real estate market is expected to have an unusually strong summer season.
Here’s how this summer is stacking up against the norm and what it means for you.
Inventory is increasing. According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), inventory levels have been rising since February of this year. Looking at … (0 comments)