archiveHousing

The ballooning value of property in America is exacerbating the gap between the haves and have-nots. As Fannie Mae CEO Priscilla Almodovar said late last year, U.S. housing is facing a major dichotomy.  “It’s a tale of two markets,” she told MarketWatch in an interview at the Mortgage Bankers Association’s annual conference. “Homeowners are in good shape because they probably have a lot of equity in their homes.” Meanwhile, those who aren’t yet owners are clamoring to break into an exceedingly expensive housing market with mortgage rates not seen in...

The process of buying a home can feel intimidating, whether it’s your first real estate purchase or your third. The housing market we’ve experienced over the past several years doesn’t help either, as buyers struggle with unaffordable home prices, higher mortgage rates and limited inventory.The key to making it less scary is to know what’s ahead and surround yourself with knowledgeable professionals who can help guide you. Here’s a step-by-step checklist for buying a house:1. Understand the Current Housing MarketThe housing market has been extremely volatile over the last several...