Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home?

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 income would never enable them to qualify for a mortgage.

source: Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home? | Real Estate with Keith Kreis

FICO® Scores on Approved Home Loans Drop Again

According 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. Buyhome
FHA and VA loans showed the most opportunity for millennials looking to enter the market with low down payments and even lower FICO® Score requirements.

source: FICO® Scores on Approved Home Loans Drop Again

The Benefits of Homeownership Go Beyond the Financial

Homeownership is a major part of the American Dream. As evidence of that, 91% of Americans believe that owning a home is either essential (43%) or important (48%) to achieving that “dream.” In a market where some people may be unsure about the benefits and possibilities of buying a home, it is important that we remember this.
Homeownership is NOT just about the money. In fact, some of the major benefits are non-financial. Here are a few of those benefits as per the National Association of Realtors:

READ MORE: The Benefits of Homeownership Go Beyond the Financial | Real Estate with Keith Kreis

How Rising Prices Will Help You Build Family Wealth in 2018

Over the next five years, home prices are expected to appreciate on average by 3.35% per year and to grow by 24.34% cumulatively, according to Pulsenomics’ most recent Home Price Expectation Survey.

So, what does this mean for homeowners and their equity position?

Readmore: How Rising Prices Will Help You Build Family Wealth in 2018 | Real Estate with Keith Kreis

Top 4 REAL Reasons We Buy a Home

We often talk about the financial reasons why buying a home makes sense. But, more often than not, the emotional reasons are the more powerful or compelling reasons.
No matter what shape or size your living space is, the concept and feeling of home can mean different things to different people. Whether it’s a certain scent or a favorite chair, the emotional reasons why we choose to buy our own homes are typically more important to us than the financial ones.

1. Owning your home offers stability to start and raise a family

2. There’s no place like home

3. You have more space for you and your family

4. You have control over renovations, updates, and style

Read FULL Details @ Top 4 REAL Reasons We Buy a Home

Top 5 Benefits of Hiring a Real Estate Agent

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently released their 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers in which they surveyed recent home buyers and sellers about their experiences. An entire section of the profile is dedicated to buyers’ experiences with their real estate agents.
If you are looking to buy in 2018, here are the top 5 benefits of using a real estate agent when buying your dream home as cited by recent buyers:

1. Helped the buyer understand the process – 60%

2. Pointed out unnoticed features/faults with the property – 56%

3. Negotiated better sales contract terms – 47%

4. Provided a better list of service providers – 46%

5. Improved the buyer’s knowledge of search areas – 44%

Read full details at Buy Real Estate - Top 5 Benefits of Hiring a Real Estate Agent

4 Reasons to Buy a Home This Winter!

Here are four great reasons to consider buying a home today instead of waiting.

1. Prices Will Continue to Rise

2. Mortgage Interest Rates Are Projected to Increase 

3. Either Way, you are Paying a Mortgage

4. It’s Time to Move on with Your Life

Read full story @ https://keithkreis.com/4-reasons-to-buy-a-home-this-winter