Have you checked out home price gains recently? In the most recent quarterly report released by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, all states in the union experienced growth in property values. In fact, average growth in home prices is positive for every state whether you look at 3-month, 1-year, 5-year, 10-year or 30-year averages.

What does this mean for you?

• It reaffirms the potential for growth in your home's value.

• Even if you've tried before and couldn't, it can open doors for refinancing. You may be able to access cash or save on payments and mortgage insurance.

• It reassures you that short-term recessionary dips can be overshadowed by long-term gains.

Click the image below for both an overview of home price appreciation rates and an opportunity to drill down to prices in your zip code. You may even want to bookmark it, as the numbers are updated regularly.
 

If we can answer any home financing questions or provide assistance to you or a friend or family member, please reach out. We are happy to help.

Your holiday to-do list is probably pretty long, with all the decorating, shopping, wrapping and gathering. If you want to keep your credit sparkling like the holiday lights into the new year, you may want to think about adding some don’ts to your list as well.

• DON’T open new credit accounts. A 10% savings at checkout is tempting, but that extra credit card could lower your credit score.

• DON’T run up your credit card balances. In addition to knocking points off your credit score, higher balances can make meeting your minimum payment requirements more difficult.

• DON’T put off paying bills. With so much going on, it’s easy to forget a due date. Those late payments are another factor that can lower your score, plus you will likely pay penalties. You may want to preschedule online payments so no due dates are missed.

• DON’T miss out on your annual free credit report check. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com, where you can get free access to your credit reports from the three major credit reporting agencies once every 12 months. No time during the holidays? Take a moment to set a calendar reminder for January.

Now that we've covered the “don’ts,” here are a few holiday “do’s” for you too:

1. Do have fun.

2. Do be merry.

3. Do enjoy this time of year.

4. Do reach out if Greenway Mortgage can be of service to you.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season! 

Overwhelm - It's a real thing and Erin the Expert (ETE) wants to help get you the info you need to start the homebuying process! 

When someone is thinking about buying or selling a home, they want to be well-informed. They want to make the right decision for themselves and their family. They scour the internet for any information they can find about the housing market.

Today, there is an abundance of information available. It is often conflicting news. It can easily lead to confusion and concern, perhaps even causing a potential buyer or seller to cancel their plans to move altogether. Instead, the best things to do are sit down and take a deep breath.

In a recent article, Jeff Davidson, a recognized speaker on the subject of productivity, explained:

“The pace at which new information arrives will accelerate every day…Too often, the reflex to take action only exacerbates your time-pressure problems. Do not bite off more than you can chew, and acknowledge that often, the wisest response to too much competition for your time and attention is to simply slow down to assess the best way to proceed.”

To that point, here is an easy five-step process to follow if all of this information seems overwhelming:

1. Calm Down – Don’t let the confusion lead to concern or panic.
2. Slow Down – As Davidson suggests, just “slow down to assess.”
3. Think – Remember the reasons you wanted to move in the first place. Are they still important?
4. Plan – Determine whether or not the new information should change anything. If you need further clarification on some points, reach out to Erin for a better understanding for a better understanding.
5. Act – After thorough consideration, feel good about your decision, whether you decide to move or not.

Autumn is in full swing. Kids are back at school, football has started, and the weather is cooling off. In fact, fall is a great time to get a great deal on a new home especially because current market conditions are favorable toward buyers in many areas. 

Most home buyers assume buying in the spring or summer gets you the best selection and home shopping opportunities. Experts would disagree. Home buying the in the fall -- especially fall of 2019 -- can yield huge savings on the mortgage rate and home price. It’s wise to start shopping now and take advantage of this window, before the holidays and the cold weather hit.

Here are 3 Reasons why Fall 2019 is the Time to Buy:

Reason #1: Interest Rates are at Historical Lows

Rates are currently at or near three-year lows. And they’re expected to stay low through the autumn. If you’re thinking about buying a home, taking advantage of these low interest rates can be paramount for your purchasing power. Locking in a low interest rate will save you a lot of money later down the road and even in the near future.

Reason #2: Lower Prices

Fall produces urgent sellers. Most sellers list their homes in the spring and summer. If the seller’s house is still sitting on the market in the fall, they are likely willing to lower prices. For buyers, this is a leverage point for you to lock in a good rate and to get a great deal on the purchase price of a new home.

Reason #3: Less Competition

Between September and December there is less home buyers searching for homes. Why? Because many buyers and sellers get their real estate business done before the school year starts. Therefore, come the holidays, there is less home buyers searching. In addition, cooler weather also gives you an edge when looking for a home. Potential buyers favor warmer weather when they don’t have to brave the cold or snowy conditions.

Now is the Time

If you want to capitalize on the fall market, now is the time. We can’t stress enough that today’s low mortgage rates are favorable for buyers. Take advantage and lock in a low rate!

Get Ahead of the Game

Be sure to check out homes for sale, make sure to get pre-approved FIRST, and speak with your local Greenway Loan Officer to discuss your mortgage options.  With the right planning and preparation, you could land your desired home for less and be moved in before next year!