Wednesday, August 28, 2024 / by Dick Keenan
As we look ahead to 2025, it’s essential to understand what experts are predicting for the housing market. Whether you’re considering buying or selling a home next year, having a clear understanding of the projected trends can help you make well-informed decisions about your real estate plans.
Here’s a closer look at the latest forecasts for mortgage rates, home sales, and home prices in 2025.
Mortgage Rates Expected To Gradually Decline
Mortgage rates are a key factor in the housing market, influencing affordability for buyers and overall market activity. According to forecasts from Fannie Mae, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and Wells Fargo, mortgage rates are anticipated to decrease slightly throughout 2025.
This expected decline in mortgage rates is largely attributed to the easing of inflation and a modest increase in unemployment rates—indicators of a strong but slowing economy. Many experts b. ...
Read More
real estate, keller williams, central coast, selling a home, home purchase, home ownership, housing affordability, housing market update, real estate market update, market update
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 / by Dick Keenan
You’ve probably heard the saying: "Don’t believe everything you hear." This advice rings especially true when it comes to today’s housing market. With so much misinformation floating around, it’s more important than ever to rely on accurate, research-based information, especially if you’re thinking about buying or selling a home.
By partnering with a knowledgeable real estate agent, you can cut through the noise and get the facts. Here are some of the most common housing market myths—and the reality behind them.
1. “I’ll Get a Better Deal Once Prices Crash”
There’s a popular belief that home prices are on the verge of crashing, and if you wait, you’ll score a great deal. However, the data tells a different story. While home prices can vary by location, there’s no indication that a crash is on the horizon.
Back in 2008, a significant oversupply of homes led to a dramatic drop in prices. Today, however, w. ...
Read More
real estate, home buyer, home purchase, selling a home, realtor, home ownership, first time home buyer, low rates
Wednesday, August 28, 2024 / by Dick Keenan
In the past few years, many people have found it challenging to buy a home due to affordability issues. While it's still tough out there, there are signs that things might be getting a bit easier, with potential for further improvement as the year progresses. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), puts it this way:
“Housing affordability is improving ever so modestly, but it is moving in the right direction.”
Let's take a closer look at the three key factors that influence home affordability: mortgage rates, home prices, and wages.
1. Mortgage Rates
Mortgage rates have been quite volatile this year, fluctuating between the mid-6% to low 7% range. However, there's some positive news. Data from Freddie Mac shows that since May, rates have generally been on a downward trend.
This improvement in mortgage rates is partly due to recent economic, employment, and inflation data. While we can expect some ongoing fluctuations, expe. ...
Read More
real estate, keller williams, central coast, home buyer, home purchase, house for sale, first time home buyer, housing affordability, low interest rates, mortgage rates, affordability, cost of housing in california, afford more home, economy
Monday, August 19, 2024 / by Dick Keenan
If you’re considering buying or selling a home, mortgage rates are likely at the forefront of your thoughts. These rates play a crucial role in determining how much you’ll pay each month on your mortgage, so it’s important to factor them into your plans. Here’s what you need to know about the current mortgage rate landscape and how it affects your buying power.
What’s the Current Trend with Mortgage Rates?
Recently, mortgage rates have been on a downward trend, which is promising news for those looking to buy a home. However, it’s essential to remember that mortgage rates can be unpredictable. They are influenced by a variety of factors, including the state of the economy, the job market, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s policies.
As Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, points out, “The ongoing deceleration in inflation, coupled with the Federal Reserve’s recent indication of potential rate cuts [in 20. ...
Read More
real estate, keenan carter group, keller williams, central coast, home buyer, san luis obispo county, home purchase, home ownership, california, buying, first time home buyer, real estate market, housing market update, mortgage rates, budget, for home buyers, move up buyers, affordability, home loan, home pricing, refinance
Monday, August 19, 2024 / by Dick Keenan
If you're in the market to buy a home, you might have heard some buzz about recent changes in how buyer's agents are compensated, especially after a significant settlement with the National Association of Realtors (NAR). While these updates might sound a bit daunting at first, don't worry—we're here to help you navigate through it all with ease and clarity.
What’s Changed?
Traditionally, when you purchase a home, the seller's agent (or listing agent) would offer a portion of their commission to the buyer’s agent as an incentive to bring buyers to the table. This commission was typically baked into the total sale price of the home, meaning that buyers didn’t have to worry about paying their agent directly.
However, as part of the recent NAR settlement, there have been some changes to this model, primarily to increase transparency in the process. The key difference now is that as a buyer, you'll have more visibility into how your agent is compensated and ! ...
Read More
real estate
