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What Does Homeownership Mean To You: Home vs. Investment

August 18, 2021

What does the word “home” mean to you? Everyone has different motives when purchasing a home, whether they are seeking personal comfort, being part of a community, making a solid long-term investment, or all of the above! There is an endless list to consider before purchasing a home and it can be overwhelming. One important word to keep in mind throughout the homebuying process is “future.” Can you see yourself living there in one, five or ten years from now? Will the home increase in value over time? These are just some points to keep in mind before your big purchase.


Home ownership can mean different things to different people. For many, home is a sanctuary where you feel comfort, security and sense of family when you walk through the doors. From the outside, you may see home as a house, building or just a yard. But on the inside lies your whole world, a place where you can live, laugh and learn. It’s an exciting feeling to add your own personal touch to your home and if that's not exciting enough, settling down in a neighborhood can help build long lasting friendships with other neighbors which helps to create a sense of community. The home and place where you settle down can lead to life milestones such as starting a family, a new job or taking advantage of a work from home situation. Due to the ever evolving Covid-19 pandemic, Americans may be spending much more time in their homes going forward, so being able to clearly identify what you are looking for in a home takes on a whole new meaning these days!


Whether you are a first-time home buyer and making “The American Dream” and homeownership reality, upgrading to a larger home, downsizing or considering an investment or vacation property, having a good grasp on the investment opportunity should be a big piece of the equation. You may not initially think much about investment when you make your purchase, but the truth is your home is a huge investment in multiple ways. When you buy a home you have the opportunity to build equity as you pay off your loan as opposed to renting and paying off someone else’s mortgage. There is also an open door to turn this investment into a rental property which is a fabulous way to contribute to personal wealth. In addition, the more you pay off your mortgage, the more money you can have going into your retirement account. Over time, houses typically increase in value depending on the location and the status of the economy. Not to forget, when it comes time for tax season, owning a home only helps with deductions you can claim on your taxes!


The biggest takeaway is that buying a house is not only a roof over your head but a great long-term investment. New friendships can be forged, becoming active in your community, and just relaxing in the comfort of your own family room are just a few of the joys of owning a home. By doing your homework before purchasing your home, you could be making an investment of a lifetime! During the process don’t forget to determine what goals you have for the future. This is a perfect time to take advantage of the historically low rates and the perfect time for you to start a new life in a place you call “your own”.


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Q1 Recap

By Mikaylah Collins • April 12, 2023
We've begun to see signs that the Spring Market is here and could be robust! Here is what we know: According to NAR, home sales were up 14% in February over the previous month which marked the biggest monthly increase since July 2020. While March results are not yet published, the mortgage industry saw an increase in purchase applications for the 3rd straight month; a great sign for the housing market. Driving much of this activity is the stabilization of rates in January & February and lower interest rates this past month. We’re starting to see signs of a slowing economy and the markets are now pricing this in. This week we saw the 10-yr Treasury drop under 3.4%, a level it has not reached for quite some time and the lowest it’s been since September 9, 2022. This is great news for consumers as decreasing rates mean more home affordability. Over the past year, most markets have seen home prices stabilize if not even decline, albeit by a very small amount. This stabilization was still a relief for homebuyers as it helped to offset higher interest rates. As rates continue to decrease, we would expect home prices to again increase due to demand increases. In addition to increased demand, there is still a shortage of homes for sale nationwide and that will continue to worsen as more and more homebuyers enter the market.  So what does it all mean? Now is a GREAT time to buy a home! Rates and home prices are stable, there is not as much competition as there will be when rates do decrease, and buying a home is still extremely affordable for most. Once rates fall, we will likely see home prices rise and the competition for the shortage of homes will increase alongside it making the window of a buyer-dominated market very small.

Q1 2023 Market Outlook

By Sarah Rubin • February 10, 2023
We are well into Q1 and feel confident saying that the market appears to be stabilizing. Before we start looking forward, let’s quickly look back at the end of 2022.

Finding The Right Listing Agent For You

By Sarah Rubin • December 15, 2022
Buying a home is a huge investment and one we talk about often - BUT the flipside is that you have an opportunity to cash in on that investment when you’re ready to sell your home! While you do have the chance to cash-in, a lot more work goes into selling a home than you might think! If you are considering selling your home, working with a listing agent will help you market your home, negotiate with potential buyers, work through paperwork, and ultimately close on your home! So what is a listing agent? In its most basic terms, a listing agent is a real estate professional who represents the seller in a real estate transaction. The listing agent lists the home for sale and works on behalf of the seller to sell the home at the best price and terms for their client. Listing your home is a BIG deal and it is not a place to try and DIY. But why can’t you just grab a sign at Home Depot and try and sell yourself? Well, there are lots of reasons some of which include: Professional consultation: A listing agent will walk you through each step and tell you what to expect along the way! They should understand the specific community you’re in and the current market environment and will help you determine a competitive but realistic asking price for your home. Marketing and selling your home: Your listing agent will list your home on the multiple listing service (MLS) in order to better market your home to potential buyers. They also can make staging recommendations and hire a photographer to best show off your home and its features. They’ll schedule house showings, and can be present to answer any questions. Communication and negotiation: Communication is key to both buying and selling a home in order to minimize stress and misunderstandings. Listing agents take care of this important task, by staying in touch with interested buyers and their agents, fielding questions, handling paperwork, and negotiating the final sale price and terms. Recommendations: Seasoned listing agents might come with a list of professionals who they have worked with in the past that they enjoy working with in order to make the selling process smoother for you! Some of these professionals include: real estate attorneys or title companies, inspectors, stagers, those who specialize in home improvement AND of course trusted Loan Officers. How do I find the right listing agent for my situation? In order to find the right listing agent for you, make sure your agent is licensed and has experience, references, and a professional website where you can learn more about them and their qualifications. Most real estate agents work with both buyers and sellers, but some might specialize in one or the other. Once you find a few agents through referrals or online research, meet with them in person to ensure they meet your needs and work well with your personality. It is also important to ask questions during your meeting with them and it’s imperative that you determine what you’re looking for in an agent so you make sure you are happy with the product being delivered. Selling a home can be stressful, especially for first-time sellers. A listing agent can help by taking on some of the burden and providing the information and resources needed to help sellers make informed decisions. We work with agents on both sides of the transaction – if you have any questions or would like a recommendation for an agent in your area, please reach out to us!
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