Careful…Don’t Get Caught in the Rental Trap. There are many benefits to homeownership. One of the top benefits is being able to protect yourself from rising rents by locking in your housing cost for the life of your mortgage.
Don’t Become Trapped
Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at realtor.com, reported on what he calls a “Rental Affordability Crisis.” He warns that,
“Low rental vacancies and a lack of new rental construction are pushing up rents, and we expect that they’ll outpace home price appreciation in the year ahead.”
In the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University’s 2016 State of the Nation’s Housing Report, they revealed that “The number of cost-burdened households rose to 21.3 million. Even more troubling, the number with severe burdens (paying more than 50% of income for housing) jumped to a record 11.4 million.” These households struggle to save for a rainy day and pay other bills, such as food and healthcare.
It’s Cheaper to Buy Than Rent
In Smoke’s article, he went on to say,
“Housing is central to the health and well-being of our country and our local communities. In addition, this (rental affordability) crisis threatens the future value of owned housing, as the burdensome level of rents will trap more aspiring owners into a vicious financial cycle in which they cannot save and build a solid credit record to eventually buy a home.” “While more than 85% of markets have burdensome rents today, it’s perplexing that in more than 75% of the counties across the country, it is actually cheaper to buy than rent a home. So why aren’t those unhappy renters choosing to buy?”
Know Your Options
Perhaps you have already saved enough to buy your first home. HousingWire reported that analysts at Nomura believe:
“It’s not that Millennials and other potential homebuyers aren’t qualified in terms of their credit scores or in how much they have saved for their down payment. It’s that they think they’re not qualified or they think that they don’t have a big enough down payment.” (emphasis added)
Many first-time homebuyers who believe that they need a large down payment may be holding themselves back from their dream home. As we have reported before, in many areas of the country, a first-time home buyer can save for a 3% down payment in less than two years. You may have already saved enough!
Bottom Line
Don’t get caught in the trap so many renters are currently in. If you are ready and willing to buy a home, find out if you are able. Let’s get together to determine if you can qualify for a mortgage now!
Builder Confidence Hits 11-Year High
Builder Confidence Hits 11-Year High Builder Confidence Hits 11- Year High. In many areas of the country, there are not enough homes for sale to satisfy the number of buyers looking to purchase their dream homes. Experts have long proposed that a ramp-up in new,...
Things to Consider When Selling Your Home – Winter 2017
Things to Consider When Selling Your Home. The housing crisis is finally in the rearview mirror as the real estate market moves down the road…
How Long Do Most Families Stay in Their Home?
How Long Do Most Families Stay in Their Home? The National Association of Realtors (NAR) keeps historical data on many aspects of homeownership. Findings conclude one of the data points that has changed dramatically is the median tenure of a family in a home. As the...
Over Half of All Buyers Are Surprised by Closing Costs
Over Half of All Buyers Are Surprised by Closing Costs. Keep in mind that if you are in the market for a home above this price range. your costs could be
Where Are Home Prices Heading in the Next 5 Years?
A real world view of the future of housing. Where Are Home Prices Heading in the Next 5 Years? Today, many real estate conversations center on housing prices and where they may be headed.
Existing Home Sales Reach Highest Mark Since 2007
January marked the 59th consecutive month of year-over-year price gains as the median home price rose 7.1% to $228,900.
Impact of Homeownership on Family Health vs Renters
Renters who become homeowners not only experience a significant increase in housing satisfaction but also obtain a higher satisfaction even in the same home in which they resided as renters.
Are You 1 of the 59 Million Planning to Buy This Year?
Are You 1 of the 59 Million Planning to Buy This Year? According to a survey conducted by Bankrate.com, one in four Americans are considering buying a home this year. As a result, if this statistic proves to be true, 59 million people will be looking to buy a home in...
Access: A Key Component in Getting Your House SOLD!
So, you’ve decided to sell your house. You’ve hired a real estate professional to help you with the entire process, and they have asked you what level of access you want to provide to potential buyers.
US Housing Market Is Moving into ‘Buy Territory’!
US Housing Market Moving Buy Territory. The index examines the entire US housing market and then isolates 23 major cities for comparison. The researchers “measure the relationship between purchasing property and building wealth through a buildup in equity versus renting a comparable property and investing in a portfolio of stocks and bonds.”
New Listing: 3073 Arlington Ave, Riverside – Ground Up Remodel
New Listing: 3073 Arlington Ave, Riverside – Ground Up Remodel Quiet and Serene, Remodeled in 2013. This home is simply beautiful! You're met with palms, green gardens and lush lawn. The front entry boasts an arts and craft inspired pergola protecting the entry from...
Do You Know the Real Cost of Renting vs. Buying? [INFOGRAPHIC]
Historically, the choice between renting or buying a home has been a close decision.
Looking at the percentage of income needed to rent a median-priced home today (30%), vs. the percentage needed to buy a median-priced home (15%), the choice becomes obvious.
Every market is different. Before you renew your lease again, find out if you could use your housing costs to own a home of your own!
The Impact of Homeownership on Civic Involvement
Homeowners have a much greater financial stake in their neighborhoods than renters. With the median national home price in 2015 at $223,900, even a 5% decline in home values will translate into a loss of more than $11,195 for a typical homeowner.
January 2017 Home Sales Report Riverside 92506
Real estate sales for zip code 92506, Riverside California were solid for January 2017. The biggest change is the number of homes listed for January 2017. That number increased 13.6% from 51 homes in January 2016 to 59 homes in January 2017
8 Tips To Downsize Your Parents Home – Boomers
This is an Ikea and Target generation. They live minimally, much more so than the boomers. As a result, they don’t have the emotional connection to things that earlier generations did.
Upland 91784 January 2017 Homes Sales Report
Rolling into 2017 has been much of the same as 2016. Home sales price are on a rise year over year and the number of home listings are down considerably.
92506 Real Estate Sales Year In Review Canyon Crest California
It’s that time of year when we review the 2016 real estate market in Riverside Canyon Crest California, specifically the 92506 zip code. We look at all factors. From average sold price, average days on market to the number of homes listed and as a result, we’re looking at a good 2017. Home prices are up and inventory is down consequently we’ll likely see an increase in home prices.
91784 A Real Estate Sales Year In Review for Upland California
It’s that time of year when we review the 2016 real estate market in Upland California, specifically the 91784 zip code. We look at all factors. From average sold price, average days on market to the number of homes listed and as a result, we’re looking at a good 2017. Home prices are up and inventory is down consequently we’ll likely see an increase in home prices.