Is Owning a Home Still the American Dream for Younger Buyers?




Everyone has their own idea of the American Dream, and it's different for each person. But, in a recent survey by Bankrate, people were asked about the achievements they believe represent the American Dream the most. The answers show that owning a home still claims the #1 spot for many Americans today (see graph below):

 


In fact, according to the graph, owning a home is more important to people than retiring, having a successful career, or even getting a college degree. But is the dream of homeownership still alive for younger generations?

A recent survey by 1000watt dives into how the two generations many people believed would be the renter generations (Gen Z and…

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Are the Top 3 Housing Market Questions on Your Mind?




When it comes to what’s happening in the housing market, there’s a lot of confusion going around right now. You may hear one thing in conversation with your friends, see something totally different on the news, and read something on social media that contradicts both of those thoughts. And, if you’re thinking about making a move, that can leave you with a lot of lingering questions. That’s where a trusted local real estate agent comes in.

Here are the top 3 questions people are asking about today’s housing market, and the data to help answer them.

1. What’s Next for Mortgage Rates?

Mortgage rates are higher than they’ve been in recent years. And, if you’re looking to buy a home, that…

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Is Wall Street Buying Up All the Homes in America?




If you’re thinking about buying a home, you may find yourself interested in the latest real estate headlines so you can have a pulse on all of the things that could impact your decision. If that’s the case, you’ve probably heard mention of investors, and wondered how they’re impacting the housing market right now. That could leave you asking yourself questions like:

  • How many homes do investors own?
  • Are institutional investors, like large Wall Street Firms, really buying up so many homes that the average person can’t find one?

To answer those questions, here’s the real story of what’s happening based on the data.  

Let’s start with establishing how many single-family homes (SFHs)…

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Why Homeowners Are Thankful They Own




Countless people have set out on the exciting journey of homeownership. Ask around and you’ll find the vast majority are thankful they took the leap and bought a home. But why? It’s because of the many emotional and lifestyle benefits that come with being a homeowner.

So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to rent or buy a home, here are just a few of the many benefits you could look forward to if you buy.

It’s a Safe Haven

Owning a home goes beyond just having a roof over your head. It provides a sense of security and safety. In fact, in a survey from Fannie Mae, respondents say “having a sense of privacy and security” is one of the top reasons homeownership is preferred to renting. And in a…

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Home Prices Still Growing – Just at a More Normal Pace




If you’re feeling a bit muddy on what’s happening with home prices, that’s no surprise. Some people are still saying prices are falling, even though data proves otherwise. Part of that misconception is because people are getting their information from unreliable sources. But it’s also coming from some media coverage misrepresenting what the data really shows.

So, to keep things simple, here’s what you really need to know using real data you can trust.

Normal Home Price Seasonality Explained

In the housing market, there are predictable ebbs and flows that happen each year. It’s called seasonality. Spring is the peak homebuying season when the market is most active. That activity is…

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Are There Actually More Homes for Sale Right Now?




If you’re looking to make a move, you want to be sure you have the latest information on the housing market. To help make that possible, here’s an update on the supply of homes for sale today. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell, the number of homes available in your local market matters to you. Take a look below.  

What’s the Truth About Today’s Housing Inventory?

While the story for the past few years has been how few homes are on the market, recent national data may leave you feeling a bit confused. That’s because Realtor.com shows inventory is actually growing a bit month-over-month in many parts of the country (see the blue states in the map below):


As the map shows,…

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Data Reveals Top Feeder Markets for the Carolina Coastline

The charming coastal towns and natural beauty of the Lowcountry continue to attract home buyers from near and far. But exactly where are these out-of-state buyers coming from, and what counties fuel local demand? A recent MLS Demand Report from realtor.com provides some insightful answers.

Diving into the data from realtor.com’s report, we analyzed where consumer demand originates for Lowcountry real estate listings on their platform. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:


Top Out-Of-State Feeder Markets for Lowcountry Home Demand

New York County, NY - Nearly 15% of non-local demand for Lowcountry listings originates from New York County, encompassing the boroughs of Manhattan,…

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A Look at the Key Real Estate Metrics for the Beaufort Real Estate Market from November 2023

The real estate market in the Beaufort-Jasper County region showed signs of moderation over the past 12 months, ending in November 2023. While home prices continued rising on a year-over-year basis, the rate of appreciation slowed down. Meanwhile, sales activity and housing inventory moved in directions favoring buyers.

Key Metrics - Year-Over-Year Comparison:

  • New Listings: The number of new listings coming onto the market decreased 5.2% compared to the previous year. In raw numbers, new listings fell from 4,322 to 4,100. This dip in fresh inventory contributed to the decline in closed sales.
  • Pending Sales: Pending home sales in the region decreased…

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Hilton Head Real Estate 2023: New Listings Down, Prices and Days on Market Up as Inventory Rises

The Hilton Head Island real estate market remains strong, although data from the Hilton Head Association of Realtors shows signs of balancing after years of seller's market conditions. The 12-month period ending November 2023 brought moderating price growth, stabilizing sales activity, and expanded choices for buyers.

New Listings:

New Listings experienced a decline, marking an 8.3% decrease. This reduction in new properties entering the market may have contributed to other dynamics observed within the region.

Pending Sales:

Similarly, Pending Sales decreased by 9.7%, a trend reflecting a slightly slower pace in buyer-seller agreements compared…

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Hilton Head Market Update: A Mix of Transactions and New Construction Trends

 

The Hilton Head Island real estate market remains strong and competitive in 2023. So far this year, a total of 4,753 homes and villas have sold, according to a recent search on the Hilton Head Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  As we delve into the year-to-date statistics, a clearer picture emerges of the trends shaping the market.

Sales are comprised of a mix of cash transactions, conventional loans, and FHA loans:

  • Cash Transactions: 2,076 (44% of sales)
  • Conventional Loans: 2,555 (54% of sales)
  • FHA Loans: 122 (2% of sales)

Financing Methods:

  • Cash Transactions: Year-to-date, a substantial number of transactions—2,076 to be exact—have been…

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