Higher mortgage interest rates and rising home prices put a damper on home purchases. Indeed, the profile of home buyers is changing. Although higher housing costs also discouraged home buyers at the low-end of the market, first-time buyers increased their share of home sales. The primary reason for this increase was the higher number of single, divorced, and widowed buyers who entered the housing market. For all types of home buyers, however, the average monthly mortgage payment demanded a larger portion of their income.
The trade-up market has been the key …

Purchasers scared by stories of spiraling prices - which often change from week to week - are snapping up new homes with an almost indecent haste. And, contrary to popular opinion, this method of buying doesn’t sit well with reputable home builders.
Purchasers scared by stories of spiraling prices - which often change from week to week - are snapping up new homes with an almost indecent haste. And, contrary to popular opinion, this method of buying doesn’t sit well with reputable home builders.
Many people spend only two or …

Becoming a parent is one of the most wonderful things in the world. To watch as your bundle of joy wriggles his tiny toes and crinkles his little eyes is sheer bliss. Other more experienced parents and loved ones come up with all kinds of tips that young parents could use. The baby gets heaps of presents even before it is born. Shopping for the baby is a thrilling time as you choose from among hordes of things that the baby would be needing.
However, even as you enjoy the process …

Be sure to take all of your monthly obligations into account such as car payments, credit card payments, personal loan payments or student loan payments, etc. when you’re figuring out just what you can afford to pay each month for a house payment. As the real estate market continues to expand and new technology gains ground, widely accepted beliefs that were true just a few months ago may not be true today. You don’t want to jump into anything blindly or sign any real estate contract or home mortgage loan …

Buying a house is as tough a task as it seems to be. This is what I realized when my wife and I went out to buy our own first house. We started with our own lists of what we want in a house. We then consulted some real estate brokers to assist us in locating our dream house. Most of the houses that we saw were nice in their own way. However, they did not match up to the perfect house that we were looking for.
Moreover, we were in …

Buying a house is quite a tough job. There are many things that can be purchased in a few moments. Batteries, toothbrushes, chicken, and even watches can be picked up off the shelf within a matter of minutes. However, when it comes to buying houses, you need to do a lot of research. After all, there is nothing remotely “use and throw” about an investment of this kind. This is a place that you will be living in for maybe even the rest of your lives. So you should …

An increasing number of graduates are unable to afford to take the first steps on the property ladder, new figures report.
In research carried out by Scottish Widows, some 56 per cent of those who have finished higher education are yet to buy their first property - an increase of three per cent from the same study carried out last year. Meanwhile, an estimated one in four people who graduated ten years ago are reported to not be on the housing ladder.
Statistics from the financial services provider revealed that increasing property …

Prospective first-time buyers in London are struggling even more to get into the housing market, an industry expert has claimed.
According to Paula John, editor of Your Mortgage, consumers in the capital are having to wait an average of five years before they are able to save up enough cash to purchase their first home - a rise of some 11 months from a study conducted last year. Consequently, Ms John reported that due to the increased amount of time it takes to put money away to meet property deposits and …

Like many financial decisions their are pros and cons of moving into the real estate market. This article examines the pros and cons of owning real estate.
Con: It goes down.
Just as nothing is completely certain, whether your real estate will be as profitable as you’d like depends on a variety of factors. Find out what you can about the area you’re buying in - scout out local businesses and talk to your potential neighbors. What good things are happening in your area? Are there aspects that worry you? Make …

One of the first steps before you start looking for your dream house is to ask yourself what you can afford to spend on a monthly house payment. Keep in mind when financing real estate that the lenders will be able to tell you only what you MIGHT be able to afford based on your salary and level of debt including any credit card debt. As the real estate market continues to grow and new technology gains ground, widely accepted beliefs that were true just a few years ago may …