Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home?

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 16, 2018

There are many people sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if they should purchase a home or sign a rental lease. Some might wonder if it makes sense to purchase a house before they are married and have a family, others might think they are too young, and still, others might think their current […]

Thinking of Selling? Now is the Perfect Time

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 15, 2018

Thinking of Selling? Now is the Perfect Time | Simplifying The MarketIt is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the spring-buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off on putting their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that will be a good strategy this year. The other listings that do come out in the spring […]

The Impact Staging Your Home Has on Sales Price [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 12, 2018

Some Highlights:

The National Association of Realtors surveyed their members & released the findings of their Annual Profile of Home Staging.
50% of staged homes saw a 1-10% increase in dollar value offers from buyers.
77% of buyer’s agents sa…

93% Believe Homeownership Is Important in Attaining the American Dream

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 11, 2018

93% Believe Homeownership Is Important in Attaining the American Dream | Simplifying The MarketAmericans continue to believe that homeownership is important in achieving the American Dream. A recent survey by NeighborWorks America reported that: “Owning a home remains a core element of the American Dream.” When asked “How important a part of the American dream is owning a home?” 18% of those surveyed said it was the most […]

FICO® Scores on Approved Home Loans Drop Again

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 10, 2018

FICO® Scores on Approved Home Loans Drop Again | Simplifying The MarketAccording to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Report, the average FICO® Score on all closed loans dropped to 722 which is its lowest mark since April. The average includes all approved refinance and purchase loans. FHA and VA loans showed the most opportunity for millennials looking to enter the market with low down payments and even […]

The Impact of Tight Inventory on the Housing Market

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 9, 2018

The Impact of Tight Inventory on the Housing Market | Simplifying The MarketThe housing crisis is finally in the rear-view mirror as the real estate market moves down the road to a complete recovery. Home values are up, home sales are up, and distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) have fallen to their lowest points in years. It seems that the market will continue to strengthen in […]

The Impact of Tight Inventory on the Housing Market

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 9, 2018

The Impact of Tight Inventory on the Housing Market | Simplifying The MarketThe housing crisis is finally in the rear-view mirror as the real estate market moves down the road to a complete recovery. Home values are up, home sales are up, and distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) have fallen to their lowest points in years. It seems that the market will continue to strengthen in […]

712,000 Homes in the US Regained Equity in the Past 12 Months!

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 8, 2018

712,000 Homes in the US Regained Equity in the Past 12 Months! | Simplifying The MarketCoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that “over the past 12 months, 712,000 borrowers moved into positive equity.” This is great news, as the share of homeowners with negative equity (those who owe more than their home is worth), has dropped more than 20% since the peak in Q4 of 2009 (26%) to 4.9% today. The […]

4 Reasons to Sell This Winter [INFOGRAPHIC]

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 5, 2018

Some Highlights:

Buyer demand continues to outpace the supply of homes for sale which means that buyers are often competing with one another for the few listings that are available!
Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply needed to sus…

Time on the Market Drops to New Low in 2017

By Jennifer Ruspini | January 4, 2018

According to recently released data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median amount of time a home spent on the market hit an all-time low of only three weeks in 2017. Strong buyer demand, a good economy, and a low inventory of new and existing homes for sale created the perfect storm to […]