Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed?

Hi Friends!

Spring is definitely making her presence known - and aren't we all thankful for a little more blue skies & sunshine?

As time continues to click forward, I'm often asked where are mortgage rates going.  And while I don't have a crystal ball (wouldn't that be nice, & fun!) for what rates will exactly be - it is good to have resources available to at least have projections.

I've attached an article here for you:
Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed?

The trend that is expected, from big boys like FreddieMac, is for rates to continue an upward trend thru 2015.  And those increasing rates directly impact your purchasing power in our stabilizing real estate market!

So if you, or someone you know, are considering making your first or next home purchase - please let us know how we can best help.  Who doesn't want their money to go farther?
 

Let me know if you have any questions!

~Amy

Source: KCMBlog.com

2015: A Year of Housing Opportunity

Hi Friends!
We're half way thru the 1st quarter of 2015 - and I wanted to share the article below with you.  The market place is heading towards a more positive, stable place.
2015: A Year of Housing Opportunity
If you're looking to buy or sell - this may be your year!
 

Let me know if you have any questions, or I can help you in your move!

 

~Amy

Source: KCM Blog

 

The Difference Between A Home's Cost vs Price

Hi Friends,
During my weekly reading I came across this article that offers some clarity of a home's upfront price versus its overall cost.
Take a look at this article, The Difference Between A Home's Cost vs Price.  Waiting to sell or buy may not be your best option when looking at today's market compared to forecasts of Q4 2015. 


As always, let me know if you have any questions!

~Amy

Did It Make Sense To Wait?

Hi Friends!

There's often a sentiment from many Buyers that they want to "wait & see" where the market goes before deciding to make their first or next purchase.

Some times this can benefit Buyers - but it can also lead to missed or delayed opportunities in a purchase.

Take a look at this I article I came across that speaks directly to this:
"Did It Make Sense to Wait?"

If you're looking to make your first or next purchase - please let me know how I can best assist!

~Amy 

*Source: KCMBlog.com

A Different Christmas Poem

 Merry Christmas Friends,

Please take a few moments to read "A Different Christmas Poem":

"The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
       I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
       My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
       My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
       Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
       Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
       Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
     My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
       Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
       In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
       So slumbered I, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
       But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,

Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
       And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

       Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
       A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

 

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
       Perhaps a Trooper, huddled here in the cold.

      Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
       Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
       "Come in this moment. It's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
      You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

       For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
       Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
      Then he sighed and he said, "It's really all right,
       I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
       To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
       For when we come home, either standing or dead,
      To know you remember we fought and we bled.
      Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
     That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

May we always remember our Service Men & Women during this Christmas season

~Amy

RE/MAX Monthly Housing Report

Hi Friends,
Every month RE/MAX National puts together a detailed report on what is happening in Real Estate across the country.  I wanted to share this month's report with you - so you can see how the Real Estate market is fairing in the last quarter of 2014.
Take a look at this month's housing report: RE/MAX National Housing Report
Keep in mind, this information is a snapshot review of the real estate marketplace nationwide. So if you're interested in a more detailed look at the Salem-Keizer market, please let me know & I'll be happy to put together some information for you!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions at all!

~Amy

3 Questions to Ask Before Buying A Home

Hi Friends,


From: 3 Question to Ask Before Buying a Home:
 
"If you are thinking about purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family have your best interests at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real estate. Let’s look at whether or not now is actually a good time for you to buy a home. 

There are three questions you should ask before purchasing in today’s market:

1. Why am I buying a home in the first place?
This truly is the most important question to answer. Forget the finances for a minute. Why did you even begin to consider purchasing a home? For most, the reason has nothing to do with finances. A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University reveals that the four major reasons people buy a home have nothing to do with money:

• A good place to raise children and for them to get a good education
• A place where you and your family feel safe
• More space for you and your family
• Control of the space

What non-financial benefits will you and your family derive from owning a home? The answer to that question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.

2. Where are home values headed?

When looking at future housing values, Home Price Expectation Survey provides a fair assessment. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over one hundred economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number.
Here is what the experts projected in the latest survey:

• Home values will appreciate by 4% in 2015.
• The cumulative appreciation will be 19.5% by 2018.
• Even the experts making up the most bearish quartile of the survey still are projecting a cumulative appreciation of over 11.2% by 2018.

3. Where are mortgage interest rates headed?

A buyer must be concerned about more than just prices. The ‘long term cost’ of a home can be dramatically impacted by an increase in mortgage rates.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase by approximately one full percentage over the next twelve months.

Bottom Line

Only you and your family can know for certain the right time to purchase a home. Answering these questions will help you make that decision."


And as always, please let me know if you have any questions or I can be of any help at all.
~Amy
Source: KCMBLOG.com