Virginia Mortgage Loans

  As a renter, you’re constantly faced with the same dilemma: keep renting for another year or purchase a home? Your answer depends on your current situation and future plans, but there are a number of   benefits to homeownership   every renter needs to consider. Here are a few things you should think about before you settle on  renting  for another year. 1. Rents Are Rising Quickly Rent increasing each year isn’t new. Looking back at  Census  data confirms rental prices have gone up consistently for decades  (see graph below): If you’re a renter, you’re faced with payments that continue to climb each year.  Realtor.com  recently shared the  September Rental Report , and it shows price increases accelerating from August to September  (see graph below) : As the graph shows, rents are still on the rise. It’s important to keep this in mind when the time comes for you to sign a new lease, as  your monthly rental payment may increase substantially when you do. 2. Renters Miss Out on Equity

  With the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from   Freddie Mac   climbing above 3%, rising rates are one of the topics dominating the discussion in the housing market today. And since experts   project   rates will rise further in the coming months, that conversation isn’t going away any time soon. But as a homebuyer, what do  rates  above 3%  really  mean? Today’s Average Mortgage Rate Still Presents Buyers with a Great Opportunity Buyers don’t want mortgage rates to rise, as any upward movement increases your monthly mortgage payment. But it’s important to put today’s average mortgage rate into perspective. The  graph  below shows today’s rate in comparison to average rates over the last five years: As the graph shows, even though today’s rate is above 3%,  it’s still incredibly competitive. But today’s rate isn’t just low when compared to the most recent years. To truly put today into perspective, let’s look at the last 50 years  (see graph below): When we look back even further,

  Rents have increased significantly this year. The latest  National Rent Report   from   Apartmentlist.com   shows rents are rising at a rate much higher than the three years leading up to the pandemic: “Since January of this year,  the national median rent has increased by a staggering 16.4 percent.  To put that in context, rent growth from January to September averaged just 3.4 percent in the pre-pandemic years from 2017-2019.” Looking back, we can see rents rising isn’t new. The median rental price has  increased  consistently over the past 33 years  (see graph below) : If you’re thinking of  renting  for another year, consider that rents will likely be even higher next year. But that alone doesn’t paint the picture of the true  cost  of renting. The Money Renters Stand To Lose This Year A homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment pays for their shelter, but it also acts as an investment. That investment grows in the form of  equity  as a homeowner makes their mortgage payment each mont

  Buyers in today’s market often have questions about the importance of getting a home appraisal and an inspection. That’s because high buyer demand and  low housing supply   are driving intense competition and leading some buyers to consider waiving those contingencies to stand out in the crowded market. But is that the best move? Buying a home is one of the most  important  transactions in your lifetime, and  it’s critical to keep your best interests in mind.  Here’s a breakdown of what to expect from the appraisal and the inspection, and why each one can potentially save you a lot of time, money, and headaches down the road. Home Appraisal The home  appraisal  is a critical step for securing a mortgage on your home. As  Home Light  explains: “. . . lenders typically require an appraisal to ensure that your loan-to-value ratio falls within their underwriting guidelines. Mortgages are secured loans where the lender uses your home as collateral in case you default on the agreed-upon pa

  Sellers have a great opportunity this season as buyer demand still heavily outweighs the current supply of homes for sale. According to the   National Association of Realtors   (NAR), today’s housing inventory sits at only a 2.6-month supply. To put that into perspective, a neutral market typically features a 6-month supply.  That places today’s market firmly in the  sellers’ market  category . That same NAR data also shows today’s inventory of single-family homes is trailing behind the level we saw last year  (see graph below) : Because of the ongoing supply challenges, buyers can feel like they’re wandering across a vast, empty desert when searching for their next home.  That means your house could provide an oasis for  buyers  thirsty for options  – and it could increase the chances of buyers entering a bidding war for your home. The latest  Realtors Confidence Index Survey  from NAR shows houses are  receiving an average of 3.8 offers . A multiple-offer scenario lets you select t

  A recent survey from   LendingTree.com   found there are multiple reasons why Americans would choose to purchase a home instead of   renting . Some of the most popular   non-financial   reasons given include: The flexibility to make the space your own The pride homeownership offers The sense of stability In the same survey, 41% of respondents say they’d rather own a home than rent because of the unique way  homeownership  builds wealth  over time. And experts agree – the home you own is an important tool for building your net worth.  Here’s what many of those experts have to say about building long-term financial stability through homeownership. According to the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR): “Homeowners who purchased a typical single-family existing-home 30 years ago at the median sales price of $103,333 with a 10% down payment loan and who sold the property at the median sales price of $357,700 in 2021 Q2  accumulated housing wealth of $349,258 , . . . ” Mark Fleming, Ch