Monday, August 28, 2023 / by Raj Jaggi
Top Team | Blog
Wednesday, May 3, 2023 / by Raj Jaggi
Buyer Activity Is Up Despite Higher Mortgage Rates
Data from the latest ShowingTime Showing Index, which is a measure of buyers actively touring homes, helps paint the picture of how much buyer demand has increased in recent months (see graph below):
As the graph shows, the first two months of 2023 saw a noticeable increase in buyer traffic. That’s likely because the limited number of homes for sale kept shoppers looking for homes even during colder months.
To help tell the story of why the latest report is significant, let’s compare foot traffic this February with each February for the last six years (see graph below). It shows this was one of the best Februarys for buyer activity we’ve seen in recent memory.
In the last six years, we saw the most February buyer traffic in 2021 . ...
Monday, May 1, 2023 / by Raj Jaggi
Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today
And, data from the latest rental report from Realtor.com shows rents continue to grow today, even though it’s at a slower pace than we saw at the height of the pandemic:
“In March 2023, the U.S. rental market experienced single-digit growth for the eighth month in a row . . . The median asking rent was $1,732, up by $15 from last month and down by $32 from the peak but is still $354 (25.7%) higher than the same time in 2019 (pre-pandemic).”
With rents much higher now than they were in more normal, pre-pandemic years, owning your home may be a better option, especially if the long-term trend of rents increasing each year continues. In contrast, homeowner; ...
Friday, April 28, 2023 / by Raj Jaggi
Ways To Overcome Affordability Challenges in Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]
With so few homes on the market right now, widening the scope of your search to include nearby areas could help you find more options in your budget.
You can also work with a trusted lender to consider alternative financing options and search for down payment assistance.
If you’ve been searching for a home but are concerned about rising costs, make sure you have a team of trusted real estate professionals for expert advice. ...
Thursday, April 27, 2023 / by Raj Jaggi
Why Today's Foreclosure Numbers Are Nothing Like 2008
According to a recent report from ATTOM, a property data provider, foreclosure filings are up 6% compared to the previous quarter and 22% since one year ago. As media headlines call attention to this increase, reporting on just the number could actually generate worry and may even make you think twice about buying a home for fear that prices could crash. The reality is, while increasing, the data shows a foreclosure crisis is not where the market is headed.
Let’s look at the latest information with context so we can see how this compares to previous years.
It Isn’t the Dramatic Increase Headlines Would Have You Believe
In recent years, t. ...