The Enormous Divide Between the Headline and the Truth

By Jennifer Ruspini | March 26, 2019

The Enormous Divide Between the Headline and the Truth | Simplifying The Market“I have observed that not the man who hopes when others despair, but the man who despairs when others hope, is admired by a large class of persons as a sage.” – John Stuart Mill (1840s) Even back in the mid-1800s, people knew that negative news sells. That is still true today. All forms of […]

Your Tax Refund Is The Key To Homeownership!

By Jennifer Ruspini | March 25, 2019

Your Tax Refund Is The Key To Homeownership! | Simplifying The MarketAccording to data released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Americans can expect an estimated average refund of $3,143 this year when filing their taxes. This is down slightly from the average refund of $3,436 last year. Tax refunds are often thought of as ‘extra money’ that can be used toward larger goals. For anyone looking to buy a […]

20 Tips for Preparing Your House for Sale This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Jennifer Ruspini | March 22, 2019

Some Highlights:

When listing your house for sale, your top goal will be to get the home sold for the best price possible!
There are many small projects that you can do to ensure this happens!
Your real estate agent will have a list of specific sugg…

Is Your House Priced To Sell Immediately (PTSI)?

By Jennifer Ruspini | March 21, 2019

In today’s real estate market, with more houses coming to market every day and eager buyers searching for their dream home, setting the right price for your house is one of the most important things you can do. According to CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index, home values have risen at over 6% a year over […]

Do 46 Million Millennials Know They Are Mortgage Ready?

By Jennifer Ruspini | March 20, 2019

Do 46 Million Millennials Know They Are Mortgage Ready? | Simplifying The MarketMany have written about the millennial generation and whether or not they, as a whole, believe in homeownership as part of attaining the American Dream. Millennials have taken longer to obtain traditional milestones than the generations before them, such as getting married, having kids, and buying a home. However, that does not mean that they […]

What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy A House?

By Jennifer Ruspini | March 19, 2019

What Credit Score Do You Need To Buy A House? | Simplifying The MarketThere are many misconceptions about the credit score needed to buy a house. Recently, it was reported that 24% of renters believe they need a 780-800 credit score to be considered for a mortgage. The reality is they are misinformed! Only 25% of the Americans have a FICO® Score between 740 and 800. Here is […]

Want To Increase Your Family’s Wealth? Here’s How!

By Jennifer Ruspini | March 18, 2019

Want To Increase Your Family’s Wealth? Here’s How! | Simplifying The MarketEveryone should realize that unless you are living somewhere rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s. Buying your own home provides you with a form of ‘forced savings’ that allows you to use your monthly housing costs to increase your family’s wealth. Every month that you pay your mortgage, you are paying off a […]

Don’t Let Your Luck Run Out! Buy A Home This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Jennifer Ruspini | March 15, 2019

Some Highlights:

Interest Rates for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage have dropped to 4.41% from near 5% in 2018.
Take advantage of more inventory coming to market in the spring to find your dream home!
Buying now will allow you to start earning equity…

Mortgage Interest Rates are Still Going Up… Should You Wait to Buy?

By Jennifer Ruspini | October 2, 2018

Mortgage Interest Rates are Still Going Up… Should You Wait to Buy? |Simplifying The MarketMortgage interest rates, as reported by Freddie Mac, have increased by close to a quarter of a percent over the last several weeks. Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association, and the National Association of Realtors are all calling for mortgage rates to rise another quarter of a percent by next year. In addition to the predictions from the four major reporting agencies […]

How Does the Supply of Homes for Sale Impact Buyer Demand?

By Jennifer Ruspini | October 1, 2018

How Does the Supply of Homes for Sale Impact Buyer Demand? | Simplifying The MarketThe price of any item is determined by the supply of that item, as well as the market’s demand for it. The National Association of REALTORS (NAR) surveys “over 50,000 real estate practitioners about their expectations for home sales, prices and market conditions” for their monthly REALTORS Confidence Index. Their latest edition sheds some light on the relationship between seller traffic (supply) […]