Using Your Tax Refund To Achieve Your Homeownership Goals This Year

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on April 11, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers.

If you’re buying or selling a home this year, you’re likely saving up for a variety of expenses. For buyers, that might include things like your down payment and closing costs. And for sellers, you’re probably working on a bit of spring cleaning and maintenance to spruce up your house before you list it. Either way, any money you get back from your taxes can help you achieve your goals. Using a tax refund is a common tactic for buyers and sellers. SmartAsset estimates the average American will receive a $2,897 tax refund this year. The map below provides a more detailed estimate by state: If...

Do You Know How Much Equity You Have in Your Home? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on April 8, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Infographics, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers.

Some Highlights If you’re a homeowner, your net worth has gotten a big boost. That’s because recent home price appreciation has increased your equity. Your equity grows as you pay down your loan and as your home increases in value. Over the past year, the average homeowner’s equity grew by $55,300. Ready to sell? Let’s connect to talk about how you can use that equity to fuel your next move. Content previously posted on Keeping Current Matters

The Future of Home Price Appreciation and What It Means for You

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on April 7, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

Many consumers are wondering what will happen with home values over the next few years. Some are concerned that the recent run-up in home prices will lead to a situation similar to the housing crash 15 years ago. However, experts say the market is totally different today. For example, Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, tweeted just last week on this issue: “. . . We do need price appreciation to slow today (it’s not sustainable over the long run) but high price growth today is supported by fundamentals- short supply, lower rates & demographic demand. And we are in a...

What You Need To Budget for When Buying a Home

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on April 5, 2022. Posted in Buying Myths, Cedar Key Mortgage, Down Payments, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers.

When it comes to buying a home, it can feel a bit intimidating to know how much you need to save and where to find that information. But you should know, you’re not expected to have all the answers yourself. There are many trusted professionals who can help you understand your finances and what you’ll need to budget for throughout the process. To get you started, here are a few things experts say you should plan for along the way. 1. Down Payment As you set your savings goal for your purchase, your down payment is likely already top of mind. And, like many other people, you may believe you...

Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer Today

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on April 4, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers.

Since the number of homes for sale is low today, it can feel challenging to find one that checks all your boxes. But if you know which features are absolutely essential in your next home and which ones are just nice bonuses, you can land a home that fits your needs. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist for realtor.com, explains it like this: “Focus on the goal you set out for yourself, like your list of must-haves and nice-to-haves and your budget, . . . Stick to that. Be persistent.” So how do you go about creating your list of desired features? The first step is to get pre-approved for your mortgage....

How an Energy Efficient Home Can Be a Bright Idea [INFOGRAPHIC]

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on March 25, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers.

Some Highlights With inflation driving up the cost of everyday items, seeking out an energy-efficient home can be a great way to decrease the expenses you can control. Energy efficiency can help lower your utility bills and possibly even save you money on your taxes. Options to look for include efficient appliances, windows, and solar panels. If you’re planning to buy a home this year, consider energy efficiency in your search. Let’s connect so you can better understand features that can save you money for years to come. Content previously posted on Keeping Current Matters

What You Need To Know if You’re Thinking About Building a Home

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on March 23, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers, New Construction.

If you’re ready to move up, you may be trying to decide whether you want to buy a home that’s already on the market or build a new one. And since the supply of homes available for sale today is low, you’re willing to consider either avenue. While home builders are doing everything they can to construct more houses and help narrow the supply shortage, they’re also facing delays due to factors outside of their control. Here’s the latest on some of the key challenges homebuilders are experiencing today and how they could impact your plans to move up. When you know what’s happening in the industry,...

Did Your Dream Home Just Come on the Market?

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on March 17, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers.

For the first time in a long time, the number of newly listed homes is beginning to rise. In their latest monthly release, realtor.com reveals the number of existing homes entering the market has increased for two months in a row (this comes after six months of declines). Here’s a graph showing the monthly new listings going back to January of last year. The green bars indicate the first gains since June. However, buying demand is still outpacing housing supply. Though the increase in homes coming to the market is great news for prospective homebuyers, the number of buyers is still outpacing...

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard by Closing Costs

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on March 15, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers.

As a homebuyer, it’s important to plan and budget for the expenses you’ll encounter when you purchase a home. While most people understand the need to save for a down payment, a recent survey found 41% of homebuyers were surprised by their closing costs. Here’s some information to help you get started so you’re not caught off guard when it’s time to close on your home. What Are Closing Costs? One possible reason some people are surprised by closing costs may be because they don’t know what they are or what they cover. According to U.S. News and World Report: “Closing costs encompass a variety...

This Spring Presents Sellers with a Golden Opportunity

Written by Cedar Key Mortgage Syndicated User on March 14, 2022. Posted in Cedar Key Mortgage, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Interest Rates, Mortgage Cedar Key, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing.

If you’re thinking of selling your house this year, timing is crucial. After all, you’ll want to balance getting the most out of the sale of your current home and making the best investment when you buy your next one. If that’s the case, you should know – you may be able to get the best of both worlds today. Here are four reasons why this spring may be your golden window of opportunity. 1. The Number of Homes on the Market Is Still Low Today’s limited supply of houses for sale is putting sellers in the driver’s seat. There are far more buyers in the market today than there are homes available....

Category: Move-Up Buyers