Where Did Americans Move in 2017? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

Atlas Van Lines recently released the results of their annual Migration Patterns Survey in which they tracked their customer’s movement from state-to-state over the course of 2017.
Idaho held on to the top spot of ‘high inbound’ sta…

What Impact Will the New Tax Code Have on Home Values?

Every month, CoreLogic releases its Home Price Insights Report. In that report, they forecast where they believe residential real estate prices will be in twelve months. Below is a map, broken down by state, reflecting how home values are forecasted to change by the end of 2018 using data from the most recent report. As we […]

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

61% of First-Time Buyers Put Down Less than 6% | Simplifying The MarketAccording 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 […]

Wondering If You Can Buy Your First Home?

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 […]

Thinking of Selling? Now is the Perfect Time

Thinking of Selling? Now is the Perfect Time | Simplifying The MarketIt is common knowledge that a great number of homes sell during the spring-buying season. For that reason, many homeowners hold off on putting their homes on the market until then. The question is whether or not that will be a good strategy this year. The other listings that do come out in the spring […]

The Impact Staging Your Home Has on Sales Price [INFOGRAPHIC]

Some Highlights:

The National Association of Realtors surveyed their members & released the findings of their Annual Profile of Home Staging.
50% of staged homes saw a 1-10% increase in dollar value offers from buyers.
77% of buyer’s agents sa…

93% Believe Homeownership Is Important in Attaining the American Dream

93% Believe Homeownership Is Important in Attaining the American Dream | Simplifying The MarketAmericans 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 […]

FICO® Scores on Approved Home Loans Drop Again

FICO® Scores on Approved Home Loans Drop Again | Simplifying The MarketAccording 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 […]

The Impact of Tight Inventory on the Housing Market

The Impact of Tight Inventory on the Housing Market | Simplifying The MarketThe housing crisis is finally in the rear-view mirror as the real estate market moves down the road to a complete recovery. Home values are up, home sales are up, and distressed sales (foreclosures and short sales) have fallen to their lowest points in years. It seems that the market will continue to strengthen in […]

712,000 Homes in the US Regained Equity in the Past 12 Months!

712,000 Homes in the US Regained Equity in the Past 12 Months! | Simplifying The MarketCoreLogic’s latest Equity Report revealed that “over the past 12 months, 712,000 borrowers moved into positive equity.” This is great news, as the share of homeowners with negative equity (those who owe more than their home is worth), has dropped more than 20% since the peak in Q4 of 2009 (26%) to 4.9% today. The […]