Consumer Confidence in Economy & Housing is Soaring
The success of the housing market is strongly tied to the consumer’s confidence in the overall economy. For that reason, we believe 2017 will be a great year for real estate. Here is just a touch of the news coverage on the subject.
HousingWire:
“Consumers’ faith in the housing market is stronger than it’s ever been before, according to a newly released survey from Fannie Mae.”
Bloomberg:
“Americans’ confidence continued to mount last week as the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index reached the highest point in a decade on more-upbeat assessments about the economy and buying climate.”
Yahoo Finance:
“Confidence continues to rise among America’s consumers…the latest consumer sentiment numbers from the University of Michigan showed that in March confidence rose again.”
MarketWatch:
“U.S. consumers are the most confident in the U.S. economy in 15 years, buoyed by the strongest job market since before the Great Recession. The survey of consumer confidence rose…according to the Conference Board, the private company that publishes the index. That’s the highest level since July 2001.”
Ivy Zelman, in her recent Z Report, probably best capsulized the reports:
“The results were incredibly strong and…offer one of the most positive consumer takes on housing since the recovery started.”
Why Home Prices Keep Going Up
Even though higher mortgage rates has caused buyer demand to moderate, home prices are going back up is because there still aren’t enough homes for sale for all the people who want to buy them.
Are Higher Mortgage Rates Here To Stay?
Experts typically recommend focusing your search on the right home purchase — not the interest rate environment.
Key Skills You Need Your Listing Agent To Have
A listing agent, also known as a seller’s agent, helps market and sell your house while advocating for you every step of the way.
Are You a Homebuyer Worried About Climate Risks?
Homebuyers are interested in finding out if the house they want will be exposed to things like floods, extreme heat, and wildfires.
Home Prices Are Not Falling
Don’t fall for the negative headlines and become part of this statistic. Remember, data from a number of sources shows home prices aren’t falling anymore.
Unpacking the Long-Term Benefits of Homeownership
Higher mortgage rates, rising home prices, and ongoing affordability concerns may make you wonder if you should buy a home right now.
Why Your House Didn’t Sell
For insight on why your home didn’t sell, rely on a trusted real estate agent. A great agent will offer expert advice on relisting your house with effective strategies to get it sold.
The Return of Normal Seasonality for Home Price Appreciation
Don’t let the terminology confuse you or let any misleading headlines cause any unnecessary fear.
Beginning with Pre-Approval
Pre-approval gives you critical information about the homebuying process that’ll help you understand how much you may be able to borrow.
Your Home Equity Can Offset Affordability Challenges
Some homeowners are reluctant to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on their next home, but what about home equity?