The Reason Mortgage Rates Are Projected to Increase and What It Means for You

by Stig Bergquist | Feb 23, 2021 | Buyers, Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers

We’re currently experiencing historically low mortgage rates. Over the last fifty years, the average on a Freddie Mac 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has been 7.76%. Today, that rate is 2.81%. Flocks of homebuyers have been taking advantage of these remarkably low rates...

47% of New Buyers Surprised by How Affordable Homes Are Today

by Stig Bergquist | Feb 11, 2021 | Buyer, Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers

Headlines matter. Right now, it’s hard to read about real estate without seeing a headline that suggests homes have become unaffordable for most Americans. In reality, there’s hard evidence that shows how owning a home is more affordable than renting in most parts of...

Do I Really Need a 20% Down Payment to Buy a Home?

by Stig Bergquist | Feb 3, 2021 | Buyers, Buying a Home, Buying Myths

Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home right now? You may be eager to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the brakes. Today, there’s still a...

Want to Build Wealth? Buy a Home This Year.

by Stig Bergquist | Feb 2, 2021 | Buyers, Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers, Housing Market Updates

Every year, households across the country make the decision to rent for another year or take the leap into homeownership. They look at their earnings and savings and then decide what makes the most financial sense. That equation will most likely take into...

What’s the Difference between an Appraisal and a Home Inspection?

by Stig Bergquist | Jan 26, 2021 | Buyers, Buying Myths, First Time Home Buyers

If you’re planning to buy a home, an appraisal is an important step in the process. It’s a professional evaluation of the market value of the home you’d like to buy. In most cases, an appraisal is ordered by the lender to confirm or verify the value of the home prior...

Financial Fundamentals for Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

by Stig Bergquist | Jan 22, 2021 | Buyers, Buying Myths, Extraordinary Homes, First Time Home Buyers, Infographic

Some Highlights When you’re thinking about buying a home, there are a few key steps to take before you even start to look at houses. From saving for your down payment to getting pre-approved for a mortgage, you’ll want to make sure you keep your financial plan on...