Category: For Buyers

Whether You Rent or Buy, Either Way You’re Paying a Mortgage!

First Time Buyers, For Buyers, Interest Rates, Move Up BuyersChrysti Tovani
There are some people who have not purchased homes because they are uncomfortable taking on the obligation of a mortgage. Everyone should realize, however, that unless you are living with your parents rent-free, you are paying a mortgage – either yours or your landlord’s. As Entrepreneur Magazine, a premier source for small business, explained in their article, “12 Practical Steps to Getting Rich”: “While renting on a temporary basis isn’t terrible, you should most certainly own the roof over your head if you’re serious about your finances. It won’t make you rich overnight, but by renting, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage. In effect, you’re making…

5 Reasons Homeowners Can Throw Better Super Bowl Parties! [INFOGRAPHIC]

First Time Buyers, For Buyers, Infographics, Move Up BuyersChrysti Tovani
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! Chrysti TovaniChrysti Tovani is a REALTOR® based in Fair Oaks, CA, serving the greater Sacramento area—including Orangevale, Carmichael, and nearby neighborhoods. She’s also a…

Study Shows “Millennials Deserve More Credit”

First Time Buyers, For BuyersChrysti Tovani
When it comes to talking about millennials, there are many stereotypes out there that have influenced the way the public feels about the generation. Whether it’s the assumption that millennials are irresponsible with money and would rather buy avocado toast than save for a down payment, or that millennials jump from job to job, the majority of these stereotypes paint the generation in a negative light. A new study by Bank of America entitled Better Money Habits Millennial Report recently came to the defense of the generation when it reported that: “Millennials deserve more credit – both from themselves and…

2 Major Myths Holding Back Home Buyers

First Time Buyers, For Buyers, Move Up BuyersChrysti Tovani
Urban Institute recently released a report entitled, “Barriers to Accessing Homeownership,” which revealed that “eighty percent of consumers either are unaware of how much lenders require for a down payment or believe all lenders require a down payment above 5 percent.” Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment” Buyers often overestimate the down payment funds needed to qualify for a home loan. According to the same report: “Consumers are often unaware of the option to take out low-down-payment mortgages. Only 19% of consumers believe lenders would make loans with a down payment of 5% or less… While 15% believe lenders…

5 Reasons Millennials Choose to Buy [INFOGRAPHIC]

First Time Buyers, For BuyersChrysti Tovani
Chrysti TovaniChrysti Tovani is a REALTOR® based in Fair Oaks, CA, serving the greater Sacramento area—including Orangevale, Carmichael, and nearby neighborhoods. She’s also a multimedia journalist and founder of I Love Fair Oaks, a local media platform spotlighting the people, places, and businesses that make Fair Oaks feel like home. With a background in real estate, mortgages, and marketing, Chrysti helps clients move through life’s transitions with strategy, empathy, and confidence. Serving Fair Oaks, Sacramento, Placer & El Dorado Counties 916-320-2663 | c@chrystitovani.com DRE# 01118449 | Nick Sadek Sotheby’s International Realty Seller’s Playbook: https://stan.store/chrystitovani/ Schedule a Call: https://stan.store/chrystitovani/p/lets-talk-strategy-for-your-next-move www.chrystitovani.com/

Gap Between Homeowners & Appraisers Narrows to Lowest Mark in 2 Years

For Buyers, For SellersChrysti Tovani
In today’s housing market, where supply is very low and demand is very high, home values are increasing rapidly. Many experts are projecting that home values could appreciate by another 4% or more over the next twelve months. One major challenge in such a market is the bank appraisal. When prices are surging, it is difficult for appraisers to find adequate, comparable sales (similar houses in the neighborhood that recently closed) to defend the selling price when performing the appraisal for the bank. Every month in their Home Price Perception Index (HPPI), Quicken Loans measures the disparity between what a homeowner who is seeking to…

Why You Need a Professional on Your Team When Buying a Home

First Time Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, FSBOsChrysti Tovani
Many people wonder whether they should hire a real estate professional to assist them in buying their dream homes or if they should first try to go through the buying process on their own. In today’s market: you need an experienced professional! You Need an Expert Guide If You Are Traveling a Dangerous Path The field of real estate is loaded with landmines; you need a true expert to guide you through the dangerous pitfalls that currently exist. Finding a home that is priced appropriately and is ready for you to move into can be tricky. An agent listens to…

Buying A Home Is More Affordable Than Renting In 54% Of US Counties

First Time Buyers, For BuyersChrysti Tovani
According to ATTOM Data Solutions’ 2018 Rental Affordability Report, “buying a median-priced home is more affordable than renting a three-bedroom property in 240 of 447 [or 54% of] U.S. counties analyzed for the report.” For the report, ATTOM Data Solutions compared recently released fair market rent data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development with reported income amounts from the Department of Labor and Statistics to determine the percentage of income that a family would have to spend on their monthly housing cost (rent or mortgage payments). Daren Blomquist, Senior Vice President of ATTOM Data Solutions had this to say: “Although buying is still more affordable than renting in…

61% of First-Time Buyers Put Down Less than 6%

Down Payment, For BuyersChrysti Tovani
According to the National Association of Realtors’ latest Realtors Confidence Index, 61% of first-time homebuyers purchased their homes with down payments below 6% from October 2016 through November 2017. Many potential homebuyers believe that a 20% down payment is necessary to buy a home and have disqualified themselves without even trying. The median down payment for all buyers in 2017 was just 10% and that percentage drops to 6% for first-time buyers. Zillow Senior Economist Aaron Terrazas’ recent comments shed light on why buyer demand has remained strong, “Looking into 2018, rent is expected to continue gaining. More widespread rent…

Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home?

Down Payment, First Time Buyers, For Buyers, Sacramento Housing MarketChrysti Tovani
There are many people sitting on the sidelines trying to decide if they should purchase a home or sign a rental lease. Some might wonder if it makes sense to purchase a house before they are married and have a family, others might think they are too young, and still, others might think their current income would never enable them to qualify for a mortgage. We want to share what the typical first-time homebuyer actually looks like based on the National Association of REALTORS most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers. Here are some interesting revelations on the first-time…

93% Believe Homeownership Is Important in Attaining the American Dream

First Time Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Sacramento Housing MarketChrysti Tovani
Americans continue to believe that homeownership is important in achieving the American Dream. A recent survey by NeighborWorks America reported that: “Owning a home remains a core element of the American Dream.” When asked “How important a part of the American dream is owning a home?” 18% of those surveyed said it was the most important part 53% of those surveyed said it was very important 22% of those surveyed said it was somewhat important Homeownership and Financial Stability The survey also revealed that 81% of Americans believe that owning a home leads to a family being more financially stable.…

FICO® Scores on Approved Home Loans Drop Again

First Time Buyers, For BuyersChrysti Tovani
According to Ellie Mae’s latest Origination Report, the average FICO® Score on all closed loans dropped to 722 which is its lowest mark since April. The average includes all approved refinance and purchase loans. FHA and VA loans showed the most opportunity for millennials looking to enter the market with low down payments and even lower FICO® Score requirements. Ellie Mae’s Millennial Tracker revealed that those who purchased homes in December with an FHA Loan were able to do so with an average down payment of 4% and a FICO® Score of only 684. Joe Tyrell, EVP of Corporate Strategy…
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