What are the Financial and Tax Benefits of Homeownership?

Benefits of being a homeowner

Homeowners who have owned and maintained their properties in good condition can see a significant return. Even adjusting for inflation, home values tend to have positive gains over the years. Note: Consult your licensed financial tax expert before making changes in homeownership for financial and tax purposes. Home Price Trends While the average home price…

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Median Home Prices Drop Again [Infographic]

August 2022 National Housing Market Infographic

Highlights Home listing prices decelerated for the second month in a row as of the end of August 2022. Buyers now have more active listings to choose from than at any time in the last 12 months. The national inventory of active listings in August 2022 increased by 26.6% over August 2021. Homes for sale…

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August Home Prices Down, Inventory Up [Video]

August 2022 Housing Market Report

The August housing market report finds home listing prices are down, home inventory is up, and homes for sale are spending more time on the market. Combined, this gives buyers more choices during what is typically the best time of year to buy a home.

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Renting vs. Owning a Home

Comparing renting and home ownership

Owning a home is a life-changing decision, and it’s something to take seriously. And while homeownership is the ultimate goal for most people, owning a home has several challenging aspects. According to a press release from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released in February 2022, over 326,000 individuals had, at one point,…

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Questions to Consider About an Investment Property Before Buying

Investment Property Questions for Investors

Successful real estate investing demands attention to detail. Careful analysis is especially important for investors who intend to purchase investment rentals or flip a property. Not adequately addressing all the elements of a real estate transaction can reduce the anticipated return or even result in financial loss. For example, overlooking weaknesses in a property, underestimating…

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How Home Appraisals Impact Buyers and Sellers

Essential things to know about real estate appraisals.

Home appraisals are unbiased professional insights into a home’s value based on the property’s condition, location, and features. A professional assessment is required for most real estate transactions to confirm the property is worth at least as much as a mortgage lender will lend to purchase the property. Similarly, when a homeowner wishes to refinance…

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July Home Inventory Rises As Price Reductions Increase [Video]

July 2022 U.S. Housing Market Report Video

July housing inventory levels continue to rise, providing more options to homebuyers who are actively looking for a new home. Home price reductions are also increasing as sellers adjust to the new normal. However, housing remains expensive and fast-paced, with the median asking price close to June’s all-time high.

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Housing Inventory Rises Again in July [Infographic]

July 2022 Housing Market Report Infographic

Highlights Nationally, the inventory of homes actively for sale on a typical day in July increased by 30.7% over July 2021, the largest inventory increase in Realtor.com® data history. Higher than June’s record-breaking growth rate of 18.7%. The total inventory of unsold homes, including pending listings, increased by just 3.5% year-over-year due to a decline…

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Questions to Ask Yourself Before Investing in Real Estate

Real Estate Investing Questions to Consider

Over the centuries, real estate investing has been a very lucrative endeavor. Even non-speculating homeowners who have owned and maintained investment properties for several years have achieved double and triple-digit investment returns. Private residence values have risen substantially, although there have been notable dips in recent history. According to a July 2022 Realtor® Magazine article,…

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Top Seven Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

First-time homebuyers with keys at new home

Purchasing a first home is an exciting time. The saving, researching, comparing, and final closing, followed by the excitement of the move-in, are experiences first-time homebuyers long remember. However, it is helpful for first-time buyers to exercise extreme caution with each step of the process since ignoring certain precautions can quickly turn to despair. Selecting…

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