Category: Montana First Time Home Buyer

Home prices have appreciated considerably over the last five years. This has some concerned that we may be in for another dramatic correction. However, recent statistics suggest home values will not crash as they did a decade ago. Instead, this time they will come in for a soft landing.

The previous housing market was fueled by an artificial demand created by mortgage standards that were far too lenient. When this demand was shut off, a flood of inventory came to market. This included heavily discounted distressed properties (foreclosures and short sales).

Today’s market is totally different. Mortgage standards are tighter than they were prior to the last boom and bust. There is no fear that a rush of foreclosures will come to market. The Mortgage Bankers’ Association just announced that foreclosures are lower today than at any time since 1996.

Case Shiller looks at the percentage of appreciation as compared to the same month the year prior. Here is a graph of their findings over the last ten months:

As we can see, home price appreciation is softening as more inventory comes to market. This shows that real estate prices are not crashing, but merely returning toward historic appreciation numbers of 3.6% annually.

Bottom Line

Home prices are leveling off. Long term, that is a good thing for the housing market.

The interest rate you secure when buying your home impacts more than just your monthly mortgage payment. The higher the rate, the more money you will pay for your home over the course of your loan. Let’s get together to discuss how to get you in your dream home at today’s historically low rates!  You can also get started by filling out a FREE Montana First Time Home Buyer Analysis: CLICK HERE

Some Highlights:

• Setting up an automatic savings plan that saves a small amount of every check is one of the best ways to save without thinking too much about it.
• Living within a budget right now will help you save money for down payments while also paying down other debts that might be holding you back.
• What are you willing to cut back on to make your dreams of home ownership a reality?

Study after study shows that no matter what generation Americans belong to, the vast majority believe that home ownership is an important part of their American Dream. The benefits of home ownership can be broken into two main categories: financial and non-financial (often referred to as emotional or social reasons.)

For Americans approaching retirement age, one of the greatest benefits to home ownership is the added net worth they have been able to achieve simply by paying their mortgage!

The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University focused on home owners and renters over the age of 65. Their study revealed that the difference in net worth between homeowners and renters at this age group was actually 47.5 times greater, with nearly half their net worth coming from home equity!

Homeowners over the age of 65 are much more financially prepared for retirement and often own their homes outright if they were fortunate enough to purchase their homes before the age of 36.

Their 30 years of mortgage payments have paid off as they gained equity through their monthly payments and as home values appreciated.

It is no surprise that lifelong renters have had a hard time accruing net worth as the latest Census report shows that the Median Asking Rent has been climbing consistently over the last 30 years.

 

Bottom Line

Your monthly mortgage payment is a form of ‘forced savings’ building your net worth with every payment!

Are you planning on buying a home this year? Show homeowners that you are serious about buying by getting pre-approved for a mortgage! Let’s get together to help you take the first step in making your dream of buying a home a reality!

Let us show you how we have helped so many people get qualified to purchase their dream home.  Qualify Here in 60 seconds!

Click Here To Get Started Today: Montana First Time Home Buyer Analysis