The Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 22, 2019

Some Highlights:

With interest rates around 3.66%, now is a great time to look back at where they’ve been over the past few decades. Comparatively, they’re pretty low!
According to Freddie Mac, rates are projected to increase to 3.9% by this time n…

How Long Can This Economic Recovery Last?

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 21, 2019

How Long Can This Economic Recovery Last? | Simplifying The MarketThe economy is currently experiencing the longest recovery in our nation’s history. The stock market has hit record highs, while unemployment rates are at record lows. Home price appreciation is beginning to reaccelerate. This begs the question: How long can this economic recovery last? The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Survey of Economists recently called for […]

Buyers Are Looking Now. Are You Ready to List Your Home?

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 20, 2019

Buyers Are Looking Now. Are You Ready to List Your Home? | Simplifying The MarketInventory on the market today is low, especially among existing homes in the entry and middle-level tiers of the market. It is hovering well below the 6-month supply typically found in a more normal market, as shown in the graph below: With inventory being one of the biggest housing market challenges today, finding a starter […]

Buyers Are Looking Now. Are You Ready to List Your Home?

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 20, 2019

Buyers Are Looking Now. Are You Ready to List Your Home? | Simplifying The MarketInventory on the market today is low, especially among existing homes in the entry and middle-level tiers of the market. It is hovering well below the 6-month supply typically found in a more normal market, as shown in the graph below: With inventory being one of the biggest housing market challenges today, finding a starter […]

Expert Advice: 3 Benefits to Owning a Home

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 19, 2019

Expert Advice: 3 Benefits to Owning a Home | Simplifying The MarketSuccess is something often worth repeating, and Brent Sutherland, a Certified Financial Planner and Real Estate Investor, has certainly made his way in a momentum-driving direction. Here are 3 tips he shares from a recent piece in Business Insider on the benefits of owning real estate: 1. Real estate diversifies your income “While it is […]

2 Myths Holding Back Home Buyers

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 18, 2019

2 Myths Holding Back Home Buyers | Simplifying The MarketIn a recent article, First American shared how millennials are not really any different from previous generations when it comes to the goal of homeownership; it is still a huge part of their American Dream. The piece, however, also reveals,  “Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest obstacles faced by first-time home […]

The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 15, 2019

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%…

This is Not 2008 All Over Again: The Mortgage Lending Factor

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 14, 2019

This is Not 2008 All Over Again: The Mortgage Lending Factor | Simplifying The MarketSome are afraid the real estate market may be looking a lot like it did prior to the housing crash in 2008. One of the factors they’re pointing at is the availability of mortgage money. Recent articles about the availability of low-down payment loans and down payment assistance programs are causing concern that we’re returning […]

Buyer Demand Growing in Every Region

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 13, 2019

Buyer Demand Growing in Every Region | Simplifying The MarketBuyers are out in full force this fall, increasing the demand for homebuying in all four regions of the country. According to the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, “Home showing activity was up again nationwide with a 4.6 percent rise in traffic, as the traditionally slow fall season began with a marked boost in buyer interest.” […]

Homeownership Rate Remains on the Rise

By Jennifer Ruspini | November 12, 2019

Homeownership Rate Remains on the Rise | Simplifying The MarketIn the third quarter of 2019, the U.S. homeownership rate rose again, signaling another strong indicator of the current housing market. The U.S. Census Bureau announced, “The homeownership rate of 64.8 percent was not statistically different from the rate in the third quarter 2018 (64.4 percent), but was 0.7 percentage points higher than the rate […]