It's Buying Time!

If you've got the income. If you've got plenty of tenure on the job. If your credit is solid. If you can otherwise pass muster at the mortgage loan desk. If it's cheaper for you to buy than it is to rent.

Yes, there are lots of "ifs," but it's one of the best times in America to buy a home. And it won't last forever.

We're seeing first time home buyers finally coming to the realization that buying a home now is the best time ever.  As we move into the Winter months with a generally 'slower' market we will have to see if the historical markers hold true this year with interest rates as low as rates were back in the 1970's!

Many investors are seeking second and third properties to add to their portfolios.  Even vacation homes are seeing a boost in sales at this time.  Our first time buyer clients are able to 'move up' to a larger home.

If you've come to the realization that this is a time for you to buy and want to talk about more details on how we can help you assist you in your goals, don't hesitate to contact us.

Knock, Knock, Knocking on Your Door!

Your home's front door is the portal to your domain. What color you give it says a lot about what visitors can expect, from a warm welcome to a cold rejection. While the entire exterior color scheme has meaning, the color of paint on the front door is key. Like a necktie, which is the focal point of an outfit, the front door is the focal point of the home. The color there sends a strong message. Blue: Rest Stop - Behind the blue door is an owner who thinks first of the home as a refuge - calm, serene, and relaxing, the perfect retreat from an often harsh and demanding world. Green: Peace Conservatory - Green connotes health, safety, tranquility, and harmony, all highly desirable attributes for the home environment. Black: Power Center - A black front door projects strength, sophistication, power, and authority, indicating to all who enter or even passersby that the home is a serious place inhabited by a person of substance. Red: Passion Palace - A color with punch, red is vibrant, full of life, energy and excitement. Here's an exciting place to live. Brown: Holistic Home or Dark Dungeon - Painted or stained brown says "natural" and "organic" and feels warm, stable and reliable. However, darker shades can be foreboding, signaling a desire for privacy or isolation. If you've chosen the color for your front door, perhaps that's the way you want it and you viewed. If you inherited the color, maybe it's not sending the right message. Repainting your portal is a quick and easy task that can change minds.

Housing Confidence

While conditions continue to show signs of improvement, favorable mortgage rates are helping housing market confidence amongst consumers. According to Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey for August, 35% of survey participants expect home prices to rise over the next year. Consumer attitudes, while stabilized, increased from August 2011. When asked about mortgage rates, 40% of consumers expect low  rates are too good to last and will rise within the next 12 months. The National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Market Index reported that a net total of 19 housing markets were added to the list. To be included in the Improving Markets Index 3 increases must take place: the number of housing permits, employment and home price appreciation. According to CoreLogic, a mortgage and research analytics firm, home prices for July rose 3.8% above last year and is the largest annual gain in six years. Housing affordability continues to be high as low mortgage rates have continued and housing prices are still below their peak reached several years ago. FreeRateUpdate.com's survey of wholesale and direct lenders shows that mortgage rates stayed firm this past week with 30 year fixed mortgage rates at 3.375%, 15 year fixed mortgage rates at 2.750% and 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates at 2.125%, available with 0.7 to 1% origination fee provided borrowers have good credit. Home purchase loans and traditional mortgage refinances require full documentation for employment, income and credit, all of which will be verified by the lender.