8 Common Homebuying Emotions

8 Common Homebuying Emotions

March 24, 2022

Looking for a home can be a stressful experience, even in normal times. A house is the largest single purchase that most people make, and over the last two years, it’s been anything but normal. Prices have skyrocketed, inventory dwindled, and 10-20 offers with bidding wars have become commonplace. What IS normal is the series of emotions buyers tend to go through from the moment they begin their home search through taking possession of their house keys. If you’re building a home, this can come with its own set of stress. And, if you already own a home you plan

4 Simple Graphs Showing Why This Is Not a Housing Bubble

February 28, 2022

A recent survey revealed that many consumers believe there’s a housing bubble beginning to form. That feeling is understandable, as year-over-year home price appreciation is still in the double digits. However, this market is very different than it was during the housing crash 15 years ago. Here are four key reasons why today is nothing like the last time. 1. Houses Are Not Unaffordable Like They Were During the Housing Boom The affordability formula has three components: the price of the home, wages earned by the purchaser, and the mortgage rate available at the time. Conventional lending standards say a purchaser should

San Antonio Homebuyers: Be Ready to Act This Winter

December 27, 2021

To succeed as a buyer in today’s market, it’s important to understand which market trends will have the greatest impact on your home search. Danielle Hale, Chief Economist at realtor.com, says there are two factors every buyer should keep their eyes on: “Going forward, the conditions buyers face are primarily dependent on two things: mortgage rates and housing supply.” Here’s a look at each one. Mortgage Rates Projected To Rise in 2022 As a buyer, your interest rate directly impacts how much you’ll pay on your monthly mortgage when you purchase a home. Rates are beginning to rise, and experts forecast they’ll continue going up in 2022 (see

Which is the better city: San Antonio or Austin?

August 31, 2021

In Texas, we love a little debate. From sports to city life to who’s getting more Californians, no one in Houston, Dallas, Austin, or San Antonio will admit the other has more to offer. Although there are many similarities in the major cities of Texas, each has its own unique personality and it’s hard to compare them. But, in San Antonio and Austin, we’ve seen an influx of people moving in from out-of-state and asking the question: Which is the better city to live in, San Antonio or Austin? Well, I’ve lived in both San Antonio and Austin, and I’m

A Real Estate Expert is Crucial in this Unprecedented Market

June 14, 2021

In a normal market, it’s good to have an experienced guide coaching you through the process of buying or selling a home. That person can advise you on important things like pricing your home correctly or the first steps to take when you’re ready to buy. However, the market we’re in today is far from normal. As a result, an expert isn’t just good to have by your side – an expert is essential. Today’s San Antonio housing market is full of extremes. Mortgage rates hovering near record-lows are driving high buyer demand. On the other hand, an absence of sellers is creating record-low housing inventory. This imbalance in

Buying a Home is Still Affordable

May 26, 2021

The last year has put emphasis on the importance of one’s home. As a result, some renters are making the jump into homeownership while some homeowners are re-evaluating their current house and considering a move to one that better fits their current lifestyle. Understanding how housing affordability works and the main market factors that impact it may help those who are ready to buy a home narrow down the optimal window of time in which to make a purchase. There are three main factors that go into determining how affordable homes are for buyers: Mortgage Rates Mortgage Payments as a

Why Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You a Small Fortune

May 6, 2021

Many people are sitting on the fence trying to decide if now’s the time to buy a home. Some are renters who have a strong desire to become homeowners but are unsure if buying right now makes sense. Others may be homeowners who are realizing that their current home no longer fits their changing needs. To determine if they should buy now or wait another year, they both need to ask two simple questions: Do I think home values will be higher a year from now? Do I think mortgage rates will be higher a year from now? Let’s shed some