Article from The M Report Despite the nationwide rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations and a return to life as once was normal, pandemic-driven demand for second homes is soaring, as many remote workers are opting to spend at least part of their time in vacation destinations, even as some companies are planning for workers to return […]
Let’s compare how the real estate market in Monmouth and Ocean counties performed in March compared to last year. This time last year (3/21/20), New Jersey issued stay at home orders to try and help fight the spread of the coronavirus. Real estate was deemed an essential business, so realtors were allowed to show houses […]
WRITTEN BY: Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council of the National Association of REALTORS® Look around your home, close your eyes, and make a mental list of everything you own. Few people can recall more than a small fraction of their home’s contents. But suppose you are the unfortunate victim of a major disaster like a […]
ARTICLE BY NICOLE FRIEDMAN of Mansion Global The residential real-estate market is on its biggest tear since 2006, just before the housing bubble burst and set off a global recession. Yet in nearly every meaningful way, today’s market is the inverse of the previous boom. Anthony Lamacchia, a broker and owner of a real-estate company […]
Right now, the housing market is full of outstanding opportunities for both buyers and sellers. Whether you’re thinking of buying your first home, moving up to a bigger one, or selling so you can downsize this spring, there are perks today that are powering big moves for people across the country. Here are the top two to […]
Freddie Mac recently released their Quarterly Refinance Statistics report which covers refinances through 2020. The report explains that the dollar amount of cash-out refinances was greater in 2020 than in recent years. A cash-out refinance, as defined by Investopia, is: “a mortgage refinancing option in which an old mortgage is replaced for a new one with a larger amount than owed on […]
According to data from the most recent Origination Insight Report by Ellie Mae, the average FICO® score on closed loans reached 753 in February. As lending standards have tightened recently, many are concerned over whether or not their credit score is strong enough to qualify for a mortgage. While stricter lending standards could be a challenge for some, many buyers may be […]
When thinking about selling, homeowners often feel they need to get their house ready with some remodeling to make it more appealing to buyers. However, with so many buyers competing for available homes right now, renovations may not be as vital as they would be in a more normal market. Here are two things to keep in […]
Last year started off with a bang. Unemployment was under 4%, forecasters were giddy with their projections for the economy, and the residential housing market had the strongest January and February activity in over a decade. Then came the announcement on March 11, 2020, from the World Health Organization declaring COVID-19 a worldwide pandemic. Two days later, […]
The “warning signs” look all too familiar. Escalating home prices have both buyers & sellers worried that the market is just “too good to be true,” and agents across the U.S. are getting bombarded with the ultimate question: “Are we in a housing bubble?” Let’s take a look at 3 key factors that suggest we’re […]
There are many financial and non-financial benefits of homeownership, and the greatest financial one is wealth creation. Homeownership has always been the first rung on the ladder that leads to forming household wealth. As Freddie Mac explains: “Homeownership has cemented its role as part of the American Dream, providing families with a place that is their own and […]
Today’s homebuyers are faced with a strong sellers’ market, which means there are a lot of active buyers competing for a relatively low number of available homes. As a result, it’s essential to understand how to make a confident and competitive offer on your dream home. Here are five tips for success in this critical stage of the […]