Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today




Wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the Census shows rents have been climbing pretty steadily since 1988. 

And, data from the latest rental report from Realtor.com shows rents continue to grow today, even though it’s at a slower pace than we saw at the height of the pandemic:

“In March 2023, the U.S. rental market experienced single-digit growth for the eighth month in a row . . . The median asking rent was $1,732,up by $15 from last month and down by $32 from the peak but is still$354 (25.7%)…

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The Power of Pre-Approval




If you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge. With so few homes on the market right now, plus higher mortgage rates, it’s essential to have a firm grasp on your homebuying budget. You’ll also need a sense of determination to find the right house and act quickly when you go to put in an offer. One thing you can do to help you prepare is to get pre-approved.

To understand why it’s such an important step, you need to know what pre-approval is. As part of the process, a lender looks at your finances to determine what they’d be willing to loan you. From there, your lender will give you a pre-approval letter to help you understand how much money you can borrow.

Freddie Mac explains…

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Think Twice Before Waiting for Lower Home Prices




As the housing market continues to change, you may be wondering where it’ll go from here. One factor you’re probably thinking about is home prices, which have come down a bit since they peaked last June. And you’ve likely heard something in the news or on social media about a price crash on the horizon. As a result, you may be holding off on buying a home until prices drop significantly. But that’s not the best strategy.

A recent survey from Zonda shows 53% of millennials are still renting right now because they’re waiting for home prices to come down. But here’s the thing: the most recent data shows that home prices appear to have bottomed out and are now on the rise again. Selma Hepp, Chief…

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The Big Advantage If You Sell This Spring




Thinking about selling your house? If you’ve been waiting for the right time, it could be now while the supply of homes for sale is so low. HousingWire shares:

“. . . the big question is whether we are finally starting to see the seasonal spring increase in inventory. The answer is no, because active listings fell to a new low last week for 2023 . . .”

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) confirms today’s housing inventory is low by looking at the months’ supply of homes on the market. In a balanced market, about a six-month supply is needed. Anything lower is a sellers’ market. And today, the number is much lower:

“Total housing inventory registered at the end of February was 980,000 units,…

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Facts About Closing Costs




Some Highlights

  • If you’re thinking about buying a home, be sure to plan for closing costs.
  • Closing costs are typically 2% to 5% of the total purchase price of a home, and they can include things like government recording costs, appraisal fees, and more.
  • Let’s connect so I can answer your questions about the homebuying process.

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Get Ready: The Best Time To List Your House Is Almost Here




If you’re thinking about selling this spring, it’s time to get moving – the best week to list your house is fast approaching.

Experts at realtor.com looked at seasonal trends from recent years (excluding 2020 as an uncharacteristic year due to the onset of the pandemic) and determined the ideal week to list a house this year:

“Home sellers on the fence waiting for that perfect moment to sell should start preparations, because the best time to list a home in 2023 is approaching quickly. The week of April 16-22 is expected to have the ideal balance of housing market conditions that favor home sellers, more so than any other week in the year.”

If you’ve been waiting for the best time…

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Balancing Your Wants and Needs as a Homebuyer This Spring




Though there are more homes for sale now than there were at this time last year, there’s still an undersupply with fewer houses available than in more normal, pre-pandemic years. The Monthly Housing Market Trends Report from realtor.com puts it this way: 

“While the number of homes for sale is increasing, it is still 43.2% lower than it was before the pandemic in 2017 to 2019. This means that there are still fewer homes available to buy on a typical day than there were a few years ago.”

The current housing shortage has an impact on how you search for a home this spring. With limited options on the market, buyers who consider what’s a necessity versus what’s a nice-to-have will be more…

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 Are you curious who qualifies to receive a VA loan?


Per Kori Weiss at KTL Performance Mortgage, here is some in-depth information on who qualifies for a VA loan.

In general, the following types of service are eligible:

  • Active Duty
  • Veterans
  • Reservists
  • National Guard
  • Surviving Spouses may be eligible if their spouse died in the line of duty or as a result of a service-related disability. To be eligible, a surviving spouse cannot have remarried.

Typically, veterans and service members are eligible if:

  • They have served 90 consecutive days of active service during wartime, OR
  • They have served 181 days of active service during peacetime, OR
  • They have more than 6 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves
    • …

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An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your House

An Expert Makes All the Difference When You Sell Your House | MyKCM

If you’re thinking of selling your house, it’s important to work with someone who understands how the market is changing and what it means for you. Here are five reasons working with a professional can ensure you’ll get the most out of your sale.

1. They’re Experts on Market Trends

With today’s housing market defined by change, it’s critical to work with someone who knows the latest information and how it impacts your goals. An expert real estate advisor knows about national trends and your local area too. More importantly, they’ll give insight to what all of this means for you, so they’ll be able to help you make a decision based on trustworthy, data-bound information.

2. A…

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Checklist for Selling Your House This Spring 

Checklist for Selling Your House This Spring [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

  • As you get ready to sell your house, there are specific things you can add to your to-do list.
  • These include decluttering, taking down personal photos and items, and power washing outdoor surfaces.
  • Let’s connect so you have advice on what you may want to do to get your house ready to sell this season.

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