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5 Reasons Homeowners Throw the Best Super Bowl Parties! [INFOGRAPHIC]

5 Reasons Homeowners Throw the Best Super Bowl Parties! [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Highlights:

  • Watching the big game at home with your friends & family offers many advantages.
  • There’s more room to entertain a large crowd, and you don’t have to worry about complaints to your landlord if you cheer too loudly!
  • The kitchen is big enough to make as many appetizers as you want, and if some of your guests are only there to watch the commercials, they can do so on a different TV in another room!

Some Highlights

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Think You Should For Sale By Owner? Think Again! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Think You Should For Sale By Owner? Think Again! [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the process of selling real estate without the representation of a real estate broker or real estate agent.
  • According to the National Association of Realtors’ Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, 36% of homeowners who decided to FSBO last year did so to avoid paying a commission or fee. But, homes sold with an agent net 6% more than those sold as a FSBO according to Collateral Analytics!
  • Before you decide to take on the challenges of selling your house on your own, let’s get together to discuss the advantages of having an agent on your side.
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What is the Cost of Waiting Until Next Year to Buy? [INFOGRAPHIC]

What is the Cost of Waiting Until Next Year to Buy? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • The cost of waiting to buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
  • Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 5.1% by the end of 2019.
  • CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 4.8% over the next 12 months.
  • If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, find out if you are able to!
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Top Renovations to Complete Before You Sell Your House [INFOGRAPHIC]

Top Renovations to Complete Before You Sell Your House [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • If you are planning on listing your house for sale this year, here are the top four home improvement projects that will net you the most Return on Investment (ROI).
  • Minor bathroom renovations can go a long way toward improving the quality of your everyday life and/or impressing potential buyers.
  • Upgrading your landscaping or curb appeal helps get buyers in the door. These upgrades rank as the 2nd and 4th best renovations for returns on investment.
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Where is the Housing Market Headed in 2019? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Where is the Housing Market Headed in 2019? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • ­Interest rates are projected to increase steadily throughout 2019, but buyers will still be able to lock in a rate lower than their parents or grandparents did when they bought their homes!
  • Home prices will rise at a rate of 4.8% over the course of 2019 according to CoreLogic.
  • All four major reporting agencies believe that home sales will outpace 2018!
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Buyers Are Looking for Your Home, Now [INFOGRAPHIC]

Buyers Are Looking for Your Home, Now [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • Existing home sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.32 million and have increased on a monthly basis for the last two months.
  • The inventory of existing homes for sale remains below the 6-months needed for a normal market and is now at a 3.9-month supply.
  • Inventory remains low due to high demand from buyers who are still looking for houses to buy!
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4 Reasons to Sell Your House This Winter [INFOGRAPHIC]

4 Reasons to Sell Your House This Winter [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • Buyer demand continues to outpace the supply of homes for sale which means that buyers are often competing with one another for the few listings that are available!
  • Housing inventory is still under the 6-month supply needed to sustain a normal housing market.
  • Perhaps the time has come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire.
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The Tale of Two Markets [INFOGRAPHIC]

The Tale of Two Markets [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • An emerging trend for some time now has been the difference between available inventory and demand in the premium and luxury markets and that in the starter and trade-up markets and what those differences are doing to prices!
  • Inventory continues to rise in the luxury and premium home markets which is causing prices to cool.
  • Demand continues to rise with lower-than-normal inventory levels in the starter and trade-up home markets, causing prices to rise on a year-over-year basis for 80 consecutive months.
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Existing Home Sales Slowed by a Lack of Listings [INFOGRAPHIC]

Existing Home Sales Reverse Trend as Buyers Return [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • Existing home sales are currently at an annual pace of 5.22 million, which is up 1.4% over last month. This reverses the six-month trend of dips in sales every month.
  • The inventory of existing homes is still below the 6-month supply needed for a normal market and is now at a 4.3-month supply.
  • NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, had this to say: “After six consecutive months of decline, buyers are finally stepping back into the housing market. As more inventory enters the market and we head into the winter season, home price growth has begun to slow more meaningfully. This allows for much more manageable, less frenzied buying conditions.”
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The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC]

The Cost of Renting vs. Buying a Home [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • Historically, the choice between renting or buying a home has been a tough decision.
  • Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (28.4%) vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (17.5%), the choice becomes obvious.
  • Every market is different. Before you renew your lease again, find out if you can put your housing costs to work by buying this year!
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VA Home Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC]

VA Home Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • The Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan is a benefit that is available to more than 22 million veterans & 2 million active duty service members which helps them achieve their dreams of homeownership.
  • In 2017, $189 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program.
  • VA Purchase Loans are on the rise in 46 out of 50 states and Washington, DC.
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Buying a Home Can Be Scary... Until You Know the Facts [INFOGRAPHIC]

Buying a Home Can Be Scary... Until You Know the Facts [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

Many potential homebuyers believe that they need a 20% down payment and a 780 FICO® score to qualify to buy a home which stops many of them from even trying! Here are some facts:
  • 72% of buyers who purchased homes this year have put down less than 20%.
  • 76.4% of loan applications were approved last month.
  • The average credit score of approved loans was 727 in September.
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Buying a Home? Do You Know the Lingo? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Buying a Home? Do You Know the Lingo? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • Buying a home can be intimidating if you are not familiar with the terms used during the process.
  • To start you on your path with confidence, we have compiled a list of some of the most common terms used when buying a home.
  • The best way to ensure that your home-buying process is a confident one is to find a real estate professional who not only puts your family’s needs first, but will guide you through every aspect of the transaction with ‘the heart of a teacher.’
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Buying a Home is Cheaper than Renting in 38 States! [INFOGRAPHIC]

Buying a Home is Cheaper than Renting in 38 States! [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • According to a study by GOBankingRates, it is cheaper to buy a home than rent in 38 states across the country.
  • In six states the difference between buying & renting would account for less than a $50 monthly difference, leaving the choice up to the individual family.
  • Nationwide, it is now 26.3% cheaper to buy.
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Should I Buy Now? Or Wait Until Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Should I Buy Now? Or Wait Until Next Year? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • The cost of waiting to buy is defined as the additional funds it would take to buy a home if prices & interest rates were to increase over a period of time.
  • Freddie Mac predicts interest rates to rise to 5.2% by the third quarter of 2019.
  • CoreLogic predicts home prices to appreciate by 5.1% over the next 12 months.
  • If you are ready and willing to buy your dream home, find out if you are able to!
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Is Buying a Home Really More Stressful Than Planning a Wedding? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Is Buying a Home Really More Stressful Than Planning a Wedding? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • According to a new survey from Open Listings, 62% of Americans ages 25-54 believe that buying a home is more stressful than planning a wedding.
  • Many young couples are saving for a wedding and a home at the same time.
  • The average US wedding now costs 66% of a median home down payment, according to The Knot.
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A+ Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Pro [INFOGRAPHIC]

A+ Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Pro [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • Hiring a real estate professional to help you buy your dream home or sell your current house is one of the most 'educated' decisions you can make!
  • A real estate professional has the experience needed to help you through the entire process.
  • Make sure that you hire someone who knows current market conditions and can simply and effectively explain them to you and your family!
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What State Gives You the Most ‘Bang for Your Buck’? [INFOGRAPHIC]

What State Gives You the Most ‘Bang for Your Buck’? [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights

  • The majority of states in the Midwest and South offer a lower cost of living than states in the Northeast and West.
  • The ‘biggest bang for your buck’ comes in Mississippi where, compared to the national average, you can actually purchase $115.74 worth of goods for $100.
  • For more information regarding the methodology used to create this map, visit the Tax Foundation.