JoAnne Hamberg

Outdoor area of a residential property

Housing Market Predictions for the Second Half of the Year

If you’re considering buying or selling a house, you’re at an exciting decision point. And anytime you make an impactful decision like that, one thing you should always consider is timing. So, what does the rest of the year hold for the housing market? Here’s what experts have to say. The Number of Homes Available for Sale Is […]

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Sellers Have Exceptional Leverage in Today’s Market

Sellers Have Exceptional Leverage in Today’s Market

With mortgage rates climbing above 3% for the first time in months, serious buyers are more motivated than ever to find a home before the end of the year. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), puts it best, saying: “Housing demand remains strong as buyers likely want to secure a home before mortgage rates increase even further

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A Roof in Brown Color Shade With White Frame

Housing Supply Is Increasing. What Does That Mean for You?

An important factor in today’s housing market is the number of homes for sale. While inventory levels continue to sit near historic lows, there are indications we may have hit the lowest point we’ll see. Odeta Kushi, Deputy Chief Economist at First American, recently said of our supply challenges: “It looks like inventory may have hit a bottom (we’ve seen this

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Americans See Real Estate as a Better Investment Than Stocks or Gold

Americans View Real Estate as a Better Investment Than Stocks or Gold

Last month, in a post on the Liberty Street Economics blog, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noted that Americans believe buying a home is definitely or probably a better investment than buying stocks. Last week, a Gallup Poll reaffirmed those findings. In an article on the current real estate market, Gallup reports: “Gallup usually finds that Americans regard real estate as the best long-term investment

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How Your Tax Refund and Stimulus Savings Can Help You Become A Homeowner This Year

How Your Tax Refund and Stimulus Savings Can Help You Become A Homeowner This Year

If you’re planning to buy a home this year, saving for a down payment is one of the most important steps in the process. One of the best ways to jumpstart your savings is by starting with the help of your tax refund. Using data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), it’s estimated that Americans can expect an average

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What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage?

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage?

According to data from the most recent Origination Insight Report by Ellie Mae, the average FICO® score on closed loans reached 753 in February. As lending standards have tightened recently, many are concerned over whether or not their credit score is strong enough to qualify for a mortgage. While stricter lending standards could be a challenge for some, many buyers may be

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