Buyer Traffic Is Still Stronger than the Norm




Are you putting off selling your house because you’re worried no one’s buying because of where mortgage rates are? If so, know this: the latest data shows plenty of buyers are still out there, and they’re purchasing homes today. Here’s the data to prove it.

The ShowingTime Showing Index is a measure of buyers touring homes. The graph below uses the latest numbers available and compares them to the same month in the last normal years to show just how active today’s buyers still are:

As you can see, when June 2023 numbers are stacked alongside what’s typical for the housing market at this time of year, it's clear buyers are still active. And, they’re actually a lot more active than the norm.

If…

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Why You May Still Want To Sell Your House After All




Even though you may feel reluctant to sell your house because you don’t want to take on a mortgage rate that’s higher than the one you have now, there’s more to consider. While the financial side of things does matter, your personal needs may actually matter just as much. As an article from Bankrate says:

“Deciding whether it’s the right time to sell your home is a very personal decision. There are numerous important questions to consider, both financial and lifestyle-based, before putting your home on the market.”

So, ask yourself this: why did I want to move in the first place?

Chances are your primary motivation wasn’t just financial in nature. Why you’re really thinking…

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Gen Z: The Next Generation Is Making Moves in the Housing Market




Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership. According to the latest Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 30% of Gen Z buyers transitioned straight from living under their parents' roofs to owning their own homes.

If you’re a member of this generation, and you’re interested in pursuing your own dream of homeownership, here’s some information you may find helpful on why and where your peers are buying.

The Reasons Gen Z Want To Become Homeowners

A recent survey by Rocket Mortgage identifies some of the…

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MARKET UPDATE - August 2023

Higher mortgage rates, along with elevated sales prices and a lack of housing inventory, have continued to impact market activity during the summer homebuying season. The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has remained above 6.5% since May, recently hitting a two-decade high in August, according to Freddie Mac. As a result, existing-home sales have continued to slow nationwide, dropping 2.2% month-over-month as of last measure, with sales down 16.6% compared to the same time last year, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR).

New Listings were up 17.1 percent to 616. Pending Sales decreased 8.6 percent to 478. Inventory grew 14.3 percent to 1,125 units.

Prices moved higher as Median Sales Price was up…

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Discover the Southern Charm: Beaufort, SC

In recent years, Beaufort, South Carolina, has been capturing the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life. This charming coastal town, nestled between Charleston and Savannah, is experiencing a surge in popularity, attracting both residents and visitors alike. From its rich history and stunning natural beauty to its vibrant community and thriving economy, Beaufort offers an irresistible combination that makes it a prime destination for those seeking a change of pace. In this article, we'll delve into the reasons why people are choosing Beaufort as their new home and why you might want to consider it too.

  1. Southern Hospitality and Charming Lifestyle

One of the most compelling reasons…

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MARKET UPDATE - July 2023

Affordability constraints have continued to limit homebuying activity this summer, with existing-home sales falling 3.3% month-over-month nationwide as of last measure, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Mortgage rates have approached 7% in recent months, leading many prospective buyers to put their home purchase plans temporarily on hold. But higher rates have also kept many existing homeowners from listing their homes for fear of giving up the low-rate mortgages they locked in a few years ago, when rates were significantly lower.

New Listings were down 8.7 percent to 543. Pending Sales increased 20.4 percent to 496. Inventory grew 0.7 percent to 1,045 units.

Prices moved higher as Median Sales…

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RBC Heritage Named a Premier Signature Event for 2024 FedExCup Season

In an announcement on August 7th, 2023, the PGA Tour set the stage for an exciting 2024 FedExCup Season, unveiling a lineup of eight highly anticipated Signature Events. In the announcement, the RBC Heritage secured a spot as one of only eight signature events on the esteemed PGA Tour.

The 2024 FedExCup Regular Season, encompassing a total of 36 events, will kick off in January with the "Opening Drive" at The Sentry and the Sony Open in Hawaii. All players will commence with a clean slate of zero FedExCup points, vying to establish a formidable position in the race for the FedExCup. As the Regular Season unfolds, the grand finale will be the Wyndham Championship, marking the point…

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There's Only Half the Inventory of a Normal Housing Market Today




Wondering if it still makes sense to sell your house right now? The short answer is, yes. Especially if you consider how few homes there are for sale today.

You may have heard inventory is low right now, but you may not fully realize just how low or why that’s a perk when you go to sell your house. This graph from Calculated Risk can help put that into perspective: 

As the graph shows, while housing inventory did grow slightly week-over-week (shown in the blue bar), overall supply is still low (shown in the red bars). Compared to the same week last year, supply is down roughly 10% – and it was already considered low at that time. But, if you look further back, you’ll see…

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Four Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity




If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years. Equity builds over time as home values grow and as you pay down your home loan. And, since home prices skyrocketed during the ‘unicorn’ years, you’ve likely gained more than you think.

According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the average homeowner has more than $274,000 in equity right now. That much equity can help you achieve certain goals. In a recent article, Bankrate elaborates: 

“While the pandemic created serious challenges, the silver lining for anyone who owned a home was the sizable equity gain. Understanding how home equity works, and how to leverage it, is important for any…

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How Inflation Affects Mortgage Rates




When you read about the housing market in the news, you might see something about a recent decision made by the Federal Reserve (the Fed). But how does this decision affect you and your plans to buy a home? Here's what you need to know.

The Fed is trying hard to reduce inflation. And even though there’s been 12 straight months where inflation has cooled (see graph below), the most recent data shows it’s still higher than the Fed’s target of 2%: 

While you may have been hoping the Fed would stop their hikes since they’re making progress on their goal of bringing down inflation, they don’t want to stop too soon, and risk inflation climbing back up as a result. Because of this, the Fed decided to increase…

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