July 2018 – Keeping Current Matters

Whether you are a rookie homebuyer or have gone through the process many times, having a local real estate expert who is well versed in the neighborhood you are looking to move to, as well as the trends of that area, should be your goal while home shopping.

For Buyers, For Sellers, For Sale by Owner

You Need an Agent Who Will Always Put You First

Whether you are a rookie homebuyer or have gone through the process many times, having a local real estate expert who is well versed in the neighborhood you are looking to move to, as well as the trends of that area, should be your goal while home shopping.

July 31, 2018/by KCM CREW

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released the results of their latest Existing Home Sales Report which revealed that home sales declined 0.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.38 million in June from 5.41 million in May, and are 2.2% below a year ago. Some may look at these numbers and think that now is a bad time to sell their house, but in fact, the opposite is true.

For Sellers, Move-Up

The #1 Reason to Put Your House on The Market TODAY!

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) released the results of their latest Existing Home Sales Report which revealed that home sales declined 0.6% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.38 million in June from 5.41 million in May, and are 2.2% below a year ago. Some may look at these numbers and think that now is a bad time to sell their house, but in fact, the opposite is true.

July 30, 2018/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, Infographics, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up, Rent vs. Buy

Americans Rank Real Estate Best Investment for 5 Years Running! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

Real estate has outranked stocks/mutual funds, gold, savings accounts/CDs, and bonds as the best long-term investment among Americans for the last 5 years!
The generations agree! Real estate is the best investment!
Generation X leads the way with 37% believing in real estate as the top investment.

July 27, 2018/by KCM CREW

With home prices continuing to appreciate above historic levels, some are concerned that we may be heading for another housing ‘boom & bust.’ It is important to remember, however, that today’s market is quite different than the bubble market of twelve years ago.

For Buyers, For Sellers

4 Reasons Why We Are Not Heading Toward Another Housing Bubble

With home prices continuing to appreciate above historic levels, some are concerned that we may be heading for another housing ‘boom & bust.’ It is important to remember, however, that today’s market is quite different than the bubble market of twelve years ago.

July 26, 2018/by KCM CREW

As more and more baby boomers enter retirement age, the question of whether or not to sell their homes and move will become a hot topic. In today’s housing market climate, with low available inventory in the starter and trade-up home categories, it makes sense to evaluate your home’s ability to adapt to your needs in retirement.

For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up

Will Your Current House Fit Your Needs in Retirement?

As more and more baby boomers enter retirement age, the question of whether or not to sell their homes and move will become a hot topic. In today’s housing market climate, with low available inventory in the starter and trade-up home categories, it makes sense to evaluate your home’s ability to adapt to your needs in retirement.

July 25, 2018/by KCM CREW

Every homeowner wants to make sure that they maximize their financial reward when selling their home, but how do you guarantee that you receive the maximum value for your house?

For Sellers, Home Prices, Move-Up

Selling Your Home? Here’s 2 Ways to Get the Best Price!

Every homeowner wants to make sure that they maximize their financial reward when selling their home, but how do you guarantee that you receive the maximum value for your house?

July 24, 2018/by KCM CREW

As the real estate market continues to move down the road to a complete recovery, we see home values and home sales increasing while distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) continue to fall to their lowest points in years. There is no doubt that the housing market will continue to strengthen throughout 2018.

For Sellers, Move-Up

Lack of Listings Slowing Down the Market

As the real estate market continues to move down the road to a complete recovery, we see home values and home sales increasing while distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) continue to fall to their lowest points in years. There is no doubt that the housing market will continue to strengthen throughout 2018.

July 23, 2018/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, Infographics, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Process [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

Many buyers are purchasing a home with a down payment as little as 3%.
You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don't have perfect credit.
Take advantage of the knowledge of your local professionals who are there to help you determine how much you can afford.

July 20, 2018/by KCM CREW

Some experts are calling for a slowdown in the economy later this year and most economists have predicted that the next recession could only be eighteen months away. The question is, what impact will a recession have on the housing market?

For Buyers, For Sellers

Housing Will Not Fall Victim to Next Economic Storm

Some experts are calling for a slowdown in the economy later this year and most economists have predicted that the next recession could only be eighteen months away. The question is, what impact will a recession have on the housing market?

July 19, 2018/by KCM CREW

Across the United States, there is a severe mismatch between the low number of houses for sale and the high demand for those houses! First-time homebuyers are out in force and are being met with a highly competitive summer real estate market.

For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up

Demand for Homes to Buy Continues to Climb

Across the United States, there is a severe mismatch between the low number of houses for sale and the high demand for those houses! First-time homebuyers are out in force and are being met with a highly competitive summer real estate market.

July 18, 2018/by KCM CREW

We often talk about why it makes financial sense to buy a home, but more often than not, the emotional reasons are the more powerful or compelling ones.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up, Rent vs. Buy

4 REAL Reasons Why We Buy A Home!

We often talk about why it makes financial sense to buy a home, but more often than not, the emotional reasons are the more powerful or compelling ones.

July 17, 2018/by KCM CREW

According to the Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors, 61% of first-time homebuyers purchased their homes with down payments below 6% in 2017.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Rent vs. Buy

First-Time Home Buyers Continue to Put Down Less Than 6%!

According to the Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors, 61% of first-time homebuyers purchased their homes with down payments below 6% in 2017.

July 16, 2018/by KCM CREW

For Sellers, Infographics, Move-Up

Want to Sell Your House Faster? Don’t Forget to Stage! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

The National Association of Realtors surveyed their members & released the findings of their Profile of Home Staging.
62% of seller’s agents say that staging a home decreases the amount of time a home spends on the market.
50% of staged homes saw a 1-10% increase in dollar-value offers from buyers.
77% of buyer’s agents said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize the home as their own.
The top rooms to stage in order to attract more buyers are the living room, master bedroom, kitchen, and dining room.

July 13, 2018/by KCM CREW

We keep hearing that home affordability is approaching crisis levels. While this may be true in a few metros across the country, housing affordability is not a challenge in the clear majority of the country. In their most recent Real House Price Index, First American reported that consumer “house-buying power” is at

For Buyers, Home Prices, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

House-Buying Power at Near-Historic Levels

We keep hearing that home affordability is approaching crisis levels. While this may be true in a few metros across the country, housing affordability is not a challenge in the clear majority of the country. In their most recent Real House Price Index, First American reported that consumer “house-buying power” is at "near-historic levels.”

July 12, 2018/by KCM CREW

Since the beginning of the year, mortgage interest rates have risen over a half of a percentage point (from 3.95% to 4.52%), according to Freddie Mac. Even a small rise in interest rates can greatly impact a buyer’s monthly mortgage payment.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Mortgage Rates, Move-Up

Rising Interest Rates Have Not Dampened Demand

Since the beginning of the year, mortgage interest rates have risen over a half of a percentage point (from 3.95% to 4.52%), according to Freddie Mac. Even a small rise in interest rates can greatly impact a buyer’s monthly mortgage payment.

July 11, 2018/by KCM CREW

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) keeps historical data on many aspects of homeownership. One of their data points, which has changed dramatically, is the median tenure of a family in a home, meaning how long a family stays in a home prior to moving.

For Sellers, Move-Up

How Long Do Most Families Live in a House?

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) keeps historical data on many aspects of homeownership. One of their data points, which has changed dramatically, is the median tenure of a family in a home, meaning how long a family stays in a home prior to moving.

July 10, 2018/by KCM CREW

If you are debating whether or not to list your house for sale this year, here is the #1 reason not to wait!

For Sellers, Move-Up

The #1 Reason to List Your House for Sale NOW!

If you are debating whether or not to list your house for sale this year, here is the #1 reason not to wait!

July 9, 2018/by KCM CREW

For Buyers, Infographics, First-Time Buyers, Mortgage Rates, Move-Up

Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights

With interest rates still around 4.5%, now is a great time to look back at where rates have been over the last 40 years.
Rates are projected to climb to 5.1% by this time next year according to Freddie Mac.
The impact your interest rate makes on your monthly mortgage cost is significant!
Lock in a low rate now while you can!

July 6, 2018/by KCM CREW

Rising home prices have many concerned that the average family will no longer be able to afford the most precious piece of the American Dream – their own home.

For Buyers, Home Prices, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

Homes More Affordable Today than 1985-2000

Rising home prices have many concerned that the average family will no longer be able to afford the most precious piece of the American Dream – their own home.

July 5, 2018/by KCM CREW

Since the creation of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loans Program, over 22 million veterans have achieved the American Dream of homeownership. Many veterans do not know the details of the program and therefore do not take advantage of the benefits available to them.

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

VA Loans: Making a Home for the Brave Possible

Since the creation of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loans Program, over 22 million veterans have achieved the American Dream of homeownership. Many veterans do not know the details of the program and therefore do not take advantage of the benefits available to them.

July 4, 2018/by KCM CREW

When homeowners decide to sell their houses, they obviously want to get the best possible price for their home with the least amount of hassles along the way. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is actually getting their homes sold.

For Sellers, Move-Up

Why Should You Use A Professional to Sell Your Home?

When homeowners decide to sell their houses, they obviously want to get the best possible price for their home with the least amount of hassles along the way. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is actually getting their homes sold.

July 3, 2018/by KCM CREW

Summer is traditionally a busy season for real estate. Buyers come out in force and homeowners list their houses for sale hoping to capitalize on those buyers who are looking to purchase before the new school year. This year will be no different!

For Buyers, First-Time Buyers, Move-Up

Buying This Summer? Be Prepared for Bidding Wars

Summer is traditionally a busy season for real estate. Buyers come out in force and homeowners list their houses for sale hoping to capitalize on those buyers who are looking to purchase before the new school year. This year will be no different!

July 2, 2018/by KCM CREW