Home Buying

Why Inflation Shouldn't Stop You from Buying a Home in 2022

Why Inflation Shouldn't Stop
You from Buying a Home in 2022 | MyKCM

If you're following along with the news today, you're probably hearing a lot about record-breaking home prices, rising consumer costs, supply chain constraints, and more. And if you're thinking about purchasing a home this year, all of these inflationary concerns are likely making you wonder if you should wait to buy. Investopedia explains that during a period of high inflation, prices rise across the board. And while home prices aren't immune from this increase, here's why inflation shouldn't stop you from buying a home in 2022.

Homeownership Offers Stability and Security

Home prices have been increasing for quite some time, and experts say they're going to continue to climb throughout 2022. So, as a buyer, how can you protect yourself from rising costs for things like...

Homebuyers Are Going on a Shopping Spree This Winter

Homebuyers Are Going on a
Shopping Spree This Winter | MyKCM

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are over, which means some shoppers have wrapped up their holiday buying. But there's still a group of buyers that are very active this holiday season – homebuyers.

Experts anticipate the real estate market will see a flurry of activity this winter, and that's great news for today's sellers. If you're planning on listing your home, there's no need to wait until the spring for better conditions – today's real estate market is already heating up.

Buyers Have Warmed Up to the Idea of Purchasing This Winter

The past 18 months brought about significant lifestyle changes for many of us, including the rise in remote work, job changes, and even early retirement for some. For many people, it's prompting a search for their next home now rather than waiting for warmer months.

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), points out how this winter may see...

Two Graphs That Show Why You Shouldn't Be Upset About 3% Mortgage Rates

Two Graphs That Show Why You
Shouldn't Be Upset About 3% Mortgage Rates | MyKCM

With the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac climbing above 3%, rising rates are one of the topics dominating the discussion in the housing market today. And since experts project rates will rise further in the coming months, that conversation isn't going away any time soon.

But as a homebuyer, what do rates above 3% really mean?

Today's Average Mortgage Rate Still Presents Buyers with a Great Opportunity

Buyers don't want mortgage rates to rise, as any upward movement increases your monthly mortgage payment. But it's important to put today's average mortgage rate into perspective. The graph below shows today's rate in comparison to average rates over the last five years:Two
Graphs That Show Why You Shouldn't Be Upset About 3% Mortgage Rates | MyKCM...

Experts Project Mortgage Rates Will Continue To Rise in 2022

Experts Project Mortgage
Rates Will Continue To Rise in 2022 | MyKCM

Mortgage rates are one of several factors that impact how much you can afford if you're buying a home. When rates are low, they help you get more house for your money. Within the last year, mortgage rates have hit the lowest point ever recorded, and they've hovered in the historic-low territory. But even over the past few weeks, rates have started to rise. This past week, the average 30-year fixed rate was 3.14%.

What does this mean if you're thinking about making a move? Waiting until next year will cost you more in the long run. Here's a look at what several experts project for mortgage rates going into 2022.

Freddie Mac:

The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) is expected to be 3.0 percent in 2021 and 3.5 percent in 2022.

Doug Duncan, Senior VP & Chief Economist, ...

Housing Challenge or Housing Opportunity? It Depends.

Housing Challenge or Housing
Opportunity? It Depends. | MyKCM

The biggest challenge in real estate today is the lack of available homes for sale. The low housing supply has caused homes throughout the country to appreciate at a much faster rate than what we've experienced historically.

There are many reasons for the limited number of homes on the market, but as you can see in the graph below, we're well below where we've been for most of the past 10 years. Today, across the country, there is only a 2.4-month supply of homes available for sale.Housing Challenge or Housing Opportunity? It Depends. | MyKCM

The Opportunity

This lack of homes for sale is creating a challenge for many buyers who are growing frustrated in their search. On the other hand, this is a huge opportunity for sellers as low supply is driving up home values. According to CoreLogic, the average home has appreciated by more than $50,000 over the ...

What Does the Future Hold for Home Prices?

What Does the Future Hold for
Home Prices? | MyKCM

If you're looking to buy or sell a house, chances are you've heard talk about today's rising home prices. And while this increase in home values is great news for sellers, you may be wondering what the future holds. Will prices continue to rise with time, or should you expect them to fall?

To answer that question, let's first understand a few terms you may be hearing right now.

It's important to note home prices have increased, or appreciated, for 114 straight months. To find out if that trend may continue, look to the...

The Truth About Today's Buyer Demand

The Truth About Today's Buyer
Demand | MyKCM

When it comes to the latest news in real estate, there are a lot of sensational headlines in the media. In times like this, when it can be hard to know what to believe, put your trust in the experts. Those of us in the housing market respect that buying or selling a home is a major life decision, and we offer advice based on what the data shows.

Despite what you may have read, the housing market is still undeniably strong. Here's a look at what leading experts have to say about buyer demand today and how it continues to shape the industry:

Michael Lane, President at ShowingTime:

In general, there are definite...

What You Can Do Right Now To Prepare for Homeownership

What You Can Do Right Now To
Prepare for Homeownership | MyKCM

As rent prices continue to soar, many renters want to know what they can do to get ready to buy their first home. According to recent data from ApartmentList.com:

The first half of 2021 has seen the fastest growth in rent prices since the start of our estimates in 2017. Our national rent index has increased by 11.4 percent since January . . . .

Those rising rental costs may make it seem impossible to prepare for homeownership if you're a renter. But the truth is, there are ways you can – and should – prepare to purchase your first home. Here's some expert advice on what to do if you're ready to learn more about how to escape rising rents.

Start Saving – Even Small Amounts – Now

Experts agree, setting aside what you can – even smaller amounts of money – into a dedicated savings account is a great starting point when it comes to saving for a ...

Waiting To Buy a Home Could Cost You [INFOGRAPHIC]

Waiting To Buy a Home Could
Cost You [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

  • If you're thinking of buying a home but wondering if waiting a few years will save you in the long run, think again.
  • The longer the wait, the more you'll pay, especially when mortgage rates and home prices rise. Even the slightest change in the mortgage rate can have a big impact on your buying power no matter your price point.
  • Don't assume waiting will save you money. Let's connect to set the ball into motion today while mortgage rates are hovering near historic lows.

Looking for experienced real estate representation in the Bay Area? Let the Bay Area Modern Team help you with your Marin real estate and ...

Remote Work Has Changed Our Home Needs. Is It Time for Your Home To Change, Too?

Remote Work Has Changed Our
Home Needs. Is It Time for Your Home To Change, Too? | MyKCM

Over the past year, many homeowners realized what they need in a home is changing, especially with the rise in remote work. If you're longing for a dedicated home office or a change in scenery, now may be the time to find the home that addresses your evolving needs.

Working from Home Isn't a Passing Fad

Before the pandemic, only 21% of individuals worked from home. However, if you've recently discovered remote work is your new normal, you're not alone.

A survey of hiring managers conducted by Statista and Upwork projects 37.5% of U.S. workers will work remotely in some capacity over the next 5 years (see chart below):Remote Work Has Changed Our Home Needs. Is It Time for Your Home To
Change, Too? | MyKCM

Working from Home Gives You More Flexibility and...

The Truths Young Homebuyers Need To Hear

The Truths Young Homebuyers
Need To Hear | MyKCM

For many young or first-time homebuyers, purchasing a home can feel intimidating. A recent survey shows some homebuyers ages 25 to 40 may be unsure about the homebuying process and what they can afford. It found:

  • 1 in 4 underestimated their buying potential by $150k or more
  • 1 in 4 underestimated the increase in value by $100k or more
  • 47% don't know what a good interest rate is

Because they feel uncertain, many young homebuyers have given up on their search, or worse, they've decided homebuying isn't for them and never started on their journey to begin with.

If you're interested in buying but aren't sure where to begin, here are three key concepts about homeownership you should understand before you get started.

1. What You Need To Know About Down Payments

Saving for a down payment is sometimes viewed as one of the biggest obstacles for homebuyers, but that doesn't have to be the case. As Freddie Mac says:

...

Homebuyers: Hang in There [INFOGRAPHIC]

Homebuyers: Hang in There [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

Contact the Marin Modern Team, your Marin County real estate connection, for assistance buying or selling a home in Marin County California.

...

Pre-Approval Makes All the Difference When Buying a Home

Pre-Approval Makes All the
Difference When Buying a Home | MyKCM

You may have been told that it's important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today's market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand out to sellers as a serious homebuyer.

Being intentional and competitive are musts when buying a home right now. Pre-approval from a lender is the only way to know your true price range and how much money you can borrow for your loan. Just as important, being able to present a pre-approval letter shows sellers you're a qualified buyer, something that can really help you land your dream home in an ultra-competitive market.

With limited housing inventory, there are many more buyers active in the market than there are sellers, and that's creating some serious competition. According to the ...

Hope Is on the Horizon for Today's Housing Shortage

Hope Is on the Horizon for
Today's Housing Shortage | MyKCM

The major challenge in today's housing market is that there are more buyers looking to purchase than there are homes available to buy. Simply put, supply can't keep up with demand. A normal market has a 6-month supply of homes for sale. Anything over that indicates it's a buyers' market, but an inventory level below that threshold means we're in a sellers' market. Today's inventory level sits far below the norm.

According to the Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

Total housing inventory at the end of April amounted to 1.16 million units, up 10.5% from March’s inventory and down 20.5% from one year ago (1.46 million). Unsold inventory sits at a 2.4-month supply at the current sales pace, slightly up from March’s 2.1-month supply and down from the 4.0-month supply recorded in April 2020. These numbers continue to represent near-record lows.

Basically, while we are seeing some improvement, we're still at near-record lows for housing inventory (as shown in the graph below). Here's why. Since the pandemic began, sellers have been cautious when it comes to putting their homes on the market. At the same time that fewer people are listing their homes, more and more people are trying to buy them thanks to today's...

Have Your Day in the Sun by Moving Up This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC]

Have Your Day in the Sun by
Moving Up This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC] | MyKCM

Some Highlights

  • Longer days and sunny weather mean summer is upon us, and what better conditions than right now to upgrade to the home of your dreams?
  • If your needs have changed, it's a great time to upgrade – there's likely high demand for your current house, and today's low mortgage rates can help you afford your dream home.
  • If you're ready to upgrade to a home that matches your changing needs, let's connect today.

Contact Marin Modern Real Estate, experienced Marin County Realtors, for help purchasing or selling a home in Marin County.

...

Why This Is Not Like 2008 Again

Why This Is Not Like 2008
Again | MyKCM

During the Great Recession, just over a decade ago, the financial systems the world depended on started to collapse. It created a panic that drove some large companies out of business (ex. Lehman Brothers) and many more into bankruptcy.

The financial crisis that accompanied the current pandemic caused hardship to certain industries and hurt many small businesses. However, it hasn't rattled the world economy. It seems that a year later, things are slowly getting back to normal for many companies.

Why is there a drastic difference between 2008 and now?

In a post from RealtyTrac, they explain:

We changed the rules. We told banks they needed more reserves and that they could no longer underwrite toxic mortgages. It turns out that regulation — properly done — can help us navigate financial minefields.

Here are the results of that regulation, captured in a graph depicting the number of failed banks since 2007.Why
This Is Not Like 2008 Again | MyKCM...

In Today's Market, Listing Prices Are Like an Auction's Reserve Price

In Today's Market, Listing
Prices Are Like an Auction's Reserve Price | MyKCM

For generations, the process of buying and selling a home never really changed. A homeowner would try to estimate the market value of their house, then tack on a little extra to give themselves some negotiating room. That figure would become the listing price. Buyers would then try to determine how much less than the full price they could offer and still get the home. As a result, the listing price was generally the ceiling of the negotiation. The actual sales price would almost always be somewhat lower than what was listed. It was unthinkable to pay more than what the seller was asking.

Today is different.

The record-low supply of homes for sale coupled with very strong buyer demand is leading to a rise in bidding wars on many homes. Because of this, homes today often sell for more than the list price. In some cases, they sell for a lot more.

According to Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR):

For every listing there are 5.1 offers. Half of the...

Should I Move or Refinance?

Should I Move or Refinance? |
MyKCM

The level of equity homeowners have is at an all-time high. According to the U.S. Census, over 38% of owner-occupied homes are owned free and clear, meaning they don't have a mortgage. Those with a mortgage are seeing their equity skyrocket too. Every time real estate values increase, homeowners get a dollar-for-dollar gain in their home equity.

According to the first-quarter 2021 U.S. Home Equity Report from ATTOM Data Solutions:

17.8 million residential properties in the United States were considered equity-rich, meaning that the combined estimated amount of loans secured by those properties was 50 percent or less of their estimated market value.

The count of equity-rich properties in the first quarter of 2021 represented 31.9 percent, or about one in three, of the 55.8 million mortgaged homes in the United States. That was up from 30.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020, 28.3 percent in the third quarter and 26.5 percent in the first quarter of 2020.

This surge in home equity has given most homeowners the opportunity to use that equity in one of two ways:

  1. Refinance to cash out some of the equity or lower...

Don't Forget to Budget for Closing Costs

Don't Forget to Budget for
Closing Costs | MyKCM

When buying a home, it's important to have a budget and make sure you plan ahead for certain homebuying expenses. Saving for a down payment is the main cost that comes to mind for many, but budgeting for the closing costs required to get a mortgage is just as important.

What Are Closing Costs?

According to Trulia:

When you close on a home, a number of fees are due. They typically range from 2% to 5% of the total cost of the home, and can include title insurance, origination fees, underwriting fees, document preparation fees, and more.

For example, for someone buying a $300,000 home, they could potentially have between $6,000 and $15,000 in closing fees. If you're in the market for a home above this price range, your closing costs could be greater. As mentioned above, closing costs are typically between 2% and 5% of your purchase price.

Trulia gives more great advice, explaining:

There will be lots of paperwork in front of you on closing day, and not enough time to read them all. Work closely with your real estate...

Experts Say Home Prices Will Continue to Appreciate

Experts Say Home Prices Will
Continue to Appreciate | MyKCM

It's clear that consumers are concerned about how quickly home values are rising. Many people fear the speed of appreciation may lead to a crash in prices later this year. In fact, Google reports that the search for When is the housing market going to crash? has actually spiked 2450% over the past month.

In addition, Jim Dalrymple II of Inman News notes:

One of the most noteworthy things that came up in Inman's conversations with agents was that every single one said they've had conversations with clients about whether or not the market is heading into a bubble.

To alleviate some of these concerns, let's look at what several financial analysts are saying about the current residential real estate market. Within the last thirty days, four of the major financial services giants came to the same conclusion: the housing market is strong, and price appreciation will continue. Here are their statements on the issue:

Goldman Sachs' Research Note on Housing:

Strong demand...

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