buy vs rent – The Real Estate Beat

Three Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

Buying your first home is a major decision and an exciting milestone. Even though it can feel daunting at times, it has the power to change your life for the better. If you’re looking to purchase your first home, you may be wondering what’s happening in the housing market today, how much you need to save, and where to start.

Here are three things that can help give you the information you need to confidently pursue your dream of homeownership.

1. Consider All Options When the Number of Homes for Sale Is Low

Today, there are far more buyers in the market than there are homes available for sale. When that happens, it’s a good idea to do what you can to increase your pool of options. That could mean expanding your search to include additional housing types. For first-time buyers, considering condominiums (condos) and townhomes can be an excellent way to increase your choices. According to Bankrate:

“Townhomes often cost less than single-family homes of a similar size in the same location.”

In another article, Bankrate also says:

“Buying a condo can be a great way to dive into homeownership without worrying about the upkeep that comes with single-family homes and townhouses.”

Condos and townhomes are both great entryways into homeownership. When you buy either one, you can start building equity which increases your net worth and can fuel a future move.

2. Know Your Down Payment Could Be More Within Reach Than You Think

Saving for a down payment can feel like one of the biggest obstacles for homebuyers, but that doesn’t have to be the case. As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) says:

“One of the biggest misconceptions among housing consumers is what the typical down payment is and what amount is needed to enter homeownership.”

Data from NAR shows the median down payment hasn’t been over 20% since 2005. The graph below breaks down the median down payment by age group for recent homebuyers according to the 2022 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from NAR (see graph below):

Three Tips for First-Time Homebuyers | Keeping Current Matters

Based on the data above, the median down payment for all homebuyers is only 13%. That’s well below the common misconception of 20%, and it’s even lower for younger buyers. This could mean you may not need to save as much for a down payment as you initially thought.

There are also down payment assistance programs available for many buyers. Not to mention, some loan options require as little as 3.5% (or even 0%) down for buyers who qualify. While there are advantages to putting 20% down, especially in today’s competitive market, know that you have options. To get more information on how much you may need to save and the help that’s available, talk with a professional.

3. Work with a Trusted Real Estate Advisor Throughout the Process

Finally, no matter where you’re at in your homeownership journey, the best way to make sure you’re set up for success is to work with a real estate professional.

If you’re just starting out, they can help you with the initial steps, like educating you on the process and connecting you with a trusted lender to get pre-approved. Once you’re ready to begin your search, a real estate professional can help you understand your local market and search for available homes. And when it’s time to make an offer, they’ll be an expert advisor and negotiator to help your offer stand out above the rest.

Bottom Line

Knowledge is key to succeeding on your homebuying journey. Knowing market trends, what you need for a down payment, and what options you have as a buyer today can give you the confidence you need to buy a home. Connect with a local real estate professional so you have an expert on your side who can help you navigate the homebuying process.

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Yes, It’s Still More Affordable to Buy Than Rent

Yes, It’s Still More Affordable to Buy Than Rent

Best news I’ve heard all day…

In about two-thirds of the country – or 66 percent of the largest U.S. counties – it’s more affordable to buy a home than to rent one, according to a report by ATTOM Data Solutions.

They compared the monthly rents of three-bedroom apartments to monthly payments on median-priced homes (including the mortgages, property taxes, and insurance) across 540 counties.

“It feels like buying a home is getting tougher and tougher from an affordability standpoint,” says Daren Blomquist, ATTOM’s senior vice president. “But the low interest rates have really helped.”

Mortgage rates, however, are expected to rise in the near future. That could dampen the affordability prospects in the future.

“Even a fairly slight increase in mortgage rates could flip the equation and make it more affordable to rent than to buy,” Blomquist says.

According to the report, rents have been surging faster than home prices in about 27 percent of the markets measured.

In the country’s most populated counties, the following places topped the list as most affordable to buy than rent: Cook County (Chicago), Ill.; Maricopa County (Phoenix), Arizona, Miami-Dade County, Fla.; San Bernardino County, Cal. in inland Southern California; Clark County (Las Vegas), Nev.; Tarrant County, Texas in the Dallas metro area; Wayne County (Detroit), Mich.; Broward County, Fla. in the Miami metro area; Bexar County (San Antonio), Texas; and Philadelphia County, Pa.

I read this article at: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2017/01/10/yes-it-s-still-more-affordable-buy-rent?om_rid=AACmlZ&om_mid=_BYdS80B9XLEoEI&om_ntype=RMODaily

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Good News for Landlords: Rents Still Rising – Bad News for Tenants

The article below is both good and bad news. For investors, whom have scooped up deals on the San Francisco Peninsula through the bust, they are raking in the gold with high rents. For the rentals properties I service, it’s been amazing to see the increase in rent year over year. But demand is there – and with few homes to buy – the rental market is booming.

For those who are renting, they cringe when they see a letter from their landlord in the mailbox. Several clients of mine have emailed me this year concerned that their rent went up. Some as little as $50 – other a more substantial jump. These renters are the first time buyers of the future. Skipping dinners out to stash away cash for down payments and closing costs. And around here – where the median home price starts at $800,000 – we’re not talking pennies and dimes that need to be saved.

Right now the cheapest rental listed on the Multiple Listing Service is a 3 bedroom 1 bath home of about 1050 square feet in the Buri-Buri area of South San Francisco – asking rent is $3,000. The most expensive rental is a dated but spacious 3 bedroom 4 bath home of close to 4000 square feet in Portal Valley asking for $9,500 a month. The median rental listed today is a 3 bedroom 2 bath condo in Menlo Park listed at $4,250 a month.

Suddenly that $50 rent increase doesn’t sting as much.

But the word is out – the Bay Area is a wonderful place to live and we’re all paying for it now. Enjoy this article below…

Good News for Landlords: Rents Still Rising

Average rental prices have ticked up nearly 4 percent nationwide, according to the latest TransUnion Rental Screen Solutions industry report of data collected from property managers in September 2012 and September 2013.

Rents were on the rise for all four of the classifications of rental properties that TransUnion analyzes: newer institutional properties; older institutional properties; older properties in less desirable areas; and older properties in less desirable areas that are in need of renovations/updating. The average rent of all four types of properties was $1,072 in 2013.

The largest rental increases were seen in properties that were in less desirable areas that need renovations, up 4.2 percent to an average of $693.

“The rental market continues to be strong as demand for rental units remains high while consumer credit risk slowly improves,” says Michael Doherty, senior vice president of TransUnion’s rental screening solutions group. “The combination of improving rental risk scores and continued demand for rental properties is particularly good news for property managers. … When the credit risk of the population improves, property managers may be more inclined to tighten their criteria to ensure they are getting the best possible resident. This is integral because a resident who ‘skips’ out on a lease can cost a property manager thousands of dollars in lost revenues.”

By: DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS

I read this article at: http://realtormag.realtor.org/daily-news/2014/01/28/good-news-for-landlords-rents-still-rising?om_rid=AACmlZ&om_mid=_BS6BpXB838Asq2&om_ntype=RMODaily

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Email Sabrina & Susan at: Info@TheCatonTeam.com

Call us at: 650-568-5522 Office: 650-365-9200

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Home Buying – Much Cheaper than Renting in 2012…

On the San Francisco Peninsula I have to agree with this statement – Buying makes more sense than Renting these days.

I’ve had many requests this year to help clients find a rental. Sadly, when I get the budget and what they need – the search results come up nill. These days, for a studio (that means one room / no bedroom) rents on the peninsula start at $1500 and go up from there. Looking to rent a two bedroom? Better fork over at least $2000 a month – want a house, $3200+ easy – in choice areas. My eyes jump out of the head – $3000 a month – now that’s a mortgage payment!

Why are rents increasing? With the local Real Estate market hit with short sales and bank owned homes, many buyers are afraid to take the purchase plunge since buyers are unsure if we hit bottom. So instead of buying – they are renting. When demand for rentals rise above the supply of rental property – we see an increase in rents. It changes all the time. Real Estate is truly cyclical. As a Realtor – I can certainly say that Yes, on the SF peninsula we hit bottom in 2009/2010 for the single family homes market. Condos and Townhomes are on a different level – though they too will recover.

With the future changes in FHA lending, more up front mortgage fees, buying a home now will truly be less expensive for a buyer than in the near future. Right now Interest Rates are lovely and low – and as they increase, a buyers purchase power decreases.

So if you are on the fence, come in and chat with us. We’ll connect you with a lender who can give you your purchase price and then The Caton Team takes it from there – finding a home where your mortgage interest is tax-deductible, instead of a renting and paying too much!

Don’t just take my word for it – below is great article from CNN Money.

http://money.cnn.com/2012/03/21/real_estate/homes-buy-rent/index.htm?iid=HP_LN&hpt=hp_t3

Got Questions? – The Caton Team is here to help. Email us at Info@TheCatonTeam.com or visit our website at: http://thecatonteam.com/

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Please enjoy my personal journey through homeownership at: http://ajourneythroughhomeownership.wordpress.com/

Three Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

1. Consider All Options When the Number of Homes for Sale Is Low

2. Know Your Down Payment Could Be More Within Reach Than You Think

3. Work with a Trusted Real Estate Advisor Throughout the Process

Bottom Line

The Caton Team is here to help.

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