Is It A Good Time to Buy a House?
January 08, 2024
Is It a Good Time to Buy a House?Mortgage rates are falling, but year-over-year home prices are up and inventory remains tight.By Barbara Marquand and Abby Badach Doyle Updated Jan 4, 2024 10:08 a.m. PSTEdited by Alice Holbrook Reviewed by Michael Soon Lee Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners ...
Reaching Your Homeownership Goals in 2024
January 08, 2024
In order to reach your homeownership goals in 2024, it is essential to have a thorough understanding of today's housing market. Making an informed decision about buying a home requires knowledge about the current trends, prices, and availability.One crucial step to take before embarking on this journey is to determine your "why" - your motivation for ...
Illinois Real Estate Market Statistics
January 05, 2024
Average Home Prices: The average median home price in Illinois is $272,300, up by 6.2% YoY. In 2024, experts predict the median sale price will increase due to the tight inventory. Currently, the sale-to-list price ratio is at 99.4%, with a decline of 1.0 pt YoY compared to September 2022.Home Sales: As per September ...
Housing Forecast: What’s in Store for ‘24?
January 04, 2024
Unemployment rates are low, inflation growth is cooling and gross domestic product (GDP) is growing, according to a new study from LendingTree.While the U.S. economy is doing better, inflation remains elevated, housing is prohibitively expensive for many, debt delinquency rates are rising, personal savings rates are low, and household debt is high.Even if some negatives aren’...
Keep Your Sidewalks Clear of Snow
December 22, 2023
Keep Your Sidewalks Clear of SnowBy Tom Nelson, HUD LLB-Real Estate One-Rochester, MIBuying a HUD Property Series December 2023Winter is just around the corner and in much of the country this means temperatures below freezing. With those cold temperatures comes snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice.None of those things make driving easy. They also make for ...
FED RATE HIKES MAY BE DONE
December 17, 2023
Central bank holds policy rate in 5.25%-5.50% range....Officials see 75 basis points of cuts next year.....Fed's 'soft landing' scenario still on the table.....The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged on Wednesday and U.S. central bank chief Jerome Powell said the historic tightening of monetary policy is likely over as inflation falls ...
Short Term Rentals - how to choose the best property
December 15, 2023
Short-term rentals (STRs) have become an increasingly popular way to invest in real estate. They offer the potential for high returns, but it's important to choose the right type of property. Not all properties are created equal when it comes to STRs.Here are a few things to consider when choosing an STR property:Location: This is the most ...
Open House
December 15, 2023
An open house is a great opportunity for potential home buyers to walk through the property with or without their real estate agent. These tours provide prospective buyers with more time to view the home than a one-on-one showing. They can also feel less formal and provide an opportunity to casually explore the neighborhood.Public AwarenessOpen houses are often ...
"Marry the house, date the rate."
December 15, 2023
Waiting for those rates to drop before making a move? Many people are. The only issue you could face is less inventory by the time the rates drop to your liking. This would lead to higher demand and increased difficulty getting the home you want vs. one that isn't "the one".As of today (12/15/23) the mortgage ...
Does Buying a Home Make Sense Than Renting
December 15, 2023
With rents much higher now than they were in more normal, pre-pandemic years, owning your home may be a better option, especially if the long-term trend of rents increasing each year continues. In contrast, homeowners with a fixed-rate mortgage can lock in a monthly mortgage payment for the duration of their loan (typically 15-30 years). Homeownership Allows You ...
The Benefits of Working with a Real Estate Agent
December 15, 2023
Title: Unlocking Success: The Benefits of Working with a Real Estate AgentIn the age of online listings and DIY everything, some may question the necessity of enlisting the help of a real estate agent when buying or selling a property. However, those who have experienced the process firsthand understand the invaluable role that a skilled agent plays in achieving ...
Reasons to Sell during the Holidays!
December 12, 2023
Reasons to Sell during the Holidays:1) Your home will look its best decorated for the holidays which could create stronger emotional ties with potential buyers.2) There are generally fewer homes for sale during the holidays. So, there is less competition from other listings.3) If a buyer is purchasing during the holidays, they tend to be a ...
Should you buy in the winter?
December 12, 2023
Winter is usually the cheapest time of year to purchase a home historically. Sellers are often motivated, which automatically translates into an advantage to you. Most people suspend their listings from around Thanksgiving to the New Year because they assume buyers are scarce. Sellers who do list at that time usually want to sell as soon as possible. They ...
What Is an Underwriter: The Unseen Approver of Your Mortgage
December 12, 2023
By Angela ColleyDec 12, 2023Once you have found a house you like, made an offer and been pre-approved for a mortgage, you might think you are home free. However, you still have an important hurdle to clear: working with an underwriter and getting through the loan underwriting process. So what is an underwriter and what can you expect from ...
2023 Was the Least Affordable Year on Record. Will 2024 Follow Suit?
December 11, 2023
According to a new report from Redfin, 2023 was the least affordable housing year to the beginning of their records, but things are looking up for 2024. The median income for an individual in 2023 stood at $78,642 meaning someone trying to get into a median priced home at $408,806 would have to spend 41.4% ...
McHenry County Illinois Real Estate News
December 09, 2023
Some information about the real estate market in McHenry County, Illinois. Here are some of the latest news and trends that I found from various sources:According to Redfin1, McHenry County home prices were up 10.0% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $330K in August 2023. On average, homes in McHenry County sell after 43 ...
How to Up Your Winter Curb Appeal to attract buyers quicker!!
December 09, 2023
How to Up Your Winter Curb AppealRegardless of the season, your home should make a good first impression on potential home buyers. Here are some helpful tips for boosting your home’s curb appeal during the winter months.Light It UpWith less sunshine and shorter days, adding outdoor lighting to your home will help illuminate it and could make ...
Holiday Party Ideas for Christmas 2023
December 08, 2023
The holiday season is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time to start planning your Christmas party for 2023. Whether you're a seasoned party host or a first-timer, we've got you covered with some amazing holiday party ideas that will make your event a memorable one. From festive decorations to delightful dishes and exciting ...
Holiday buyers
December 06, 2023
It is well known in real estate that people who are looking at homes now, during the holidays, usually are more apt to be needing a new home now. Most buyers dont start out looking in Novemeber and December, they always wait till spring.Sellers whould know that each showing in November, December and January, will usually have ...
MORTGAGE DEMAND FROM HOMEBUYERS GETS A BOOST AS INTEREST RATES CONTINUE TO FALL
December 06, 2023
Mortgage demand from homebuyers gets a boost as interest rates continue to fallPUBLISHED WED, NOV 29 20237:00 AM ESTUPDATED WED, NOV 29 20238:22 AM ESTDiana Olick@IN/DIANAOLICK@DIANAOLICKCNBC@DIANAOLICK KEY POINTSThe average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($726,200 or less) decreased to 7.37% last week from 7.41% the previous week.Mortgage applications to ...
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT HOMESTEAD TAX EXEMPTIONS?
December 06, 2023
Owning a home involves much more than mortgage payments. You must also budget for homeowners insurance, property taxes, home maintenance, and other expenses. The numbers can add up quickly! That’s why most homeowners are eager to find ways to trim their bills, including keeping their property taxes as low as possible. Of course, states ...
Jackson launches 100 Homes Program to provide new housing for residents
December 03, 2023
City of JacksonOctober 24, 2023 100 new homes will be taking shape on vacant lots across the City of Jackson in the coming years, providing affordable housing for residents and rebuilding neighborhoods. The 100 Homes Program is now launching from the City of Jackson Community Development Department after seven months of planning. The program intends to construct 100 single-family ...
FHA Proposes Enhancements to Make Home Rehabilitation Program More Effective for Homebuyers and Homeowners
December 01, 2023
HUD No. 23-266HUD Public Affairs(202) 708-0685FOR RELEASEWednesdayNovember 29, 2023FHA Proposes Enhancements to Make Home Rehabilitation Program More Effective for Homebuyers and HomeownersProposed changes to the 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program are designed to expand FHA-insured mortgage financing for families purchasing or refinancing single family homes in need of repair or rehabilitation.WASHINGTON - Today, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) ...
County breaks ground on Valley Hi expansion
November 17, 2023
WOODSTOCK, Ill. – McHenry County officials broke ground on a new memory care wing for Valley Hi Nursing & Rehabilitation, and presented nursing home staff with their recently earned national award for quality service.After years of planning and multiple feasibility studies demonstrating the need for affordable and certified memory care in McHenry County, the Oct. 18 groundbreaking ...
Tips for buyers - Buying a Home in Today's Market
November 16, 2023
2023 home buying is not like past years! Mortgage rates have gone from 3% to 7%, lack of inventory of move in ready homes and mortgage rates are the biggest obstacles for many buyers. It's a unique market. This is what you need to prepare and compete. First step - get your finances ...
