Happy Holidays Dance to the Music

Vrbo vacation homes designed for dogs

 Short-term rental company Vrbo says it has seen a 40% increase in demand for pet-friendly vacation homes on its platform. With so many Americans showing interest in their pets, Vrbo has launched vacation homes designed for dogs.

https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/12/06/vrbo-targets-pet-lovers-with-vacation-doghouses

December is here! Happy holidays!

The first priority when starting a home search

There's no need to wait – get started on your home search today with Pre-Approval: the Best Opening Play to Make as a Homebuyer. This important first step will give you an edge in the market and help you avoid any surprises down the road. 

So how does it work? Just apply for pre-approval with one of our trusted lenders, and they'll do a check of your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and assets. Within moments, you'll be able to start browsing homes that fit your budget – and you can even lock in a great interest rate while you're at it!

Freddie Mac says “The pre-approval letter from your lender tells you the maximum amount you are qualified to borrow. Getting a pre-approval letter is not a loan guarantee, it simply states how much your lender is willing to lend you.”

They go on to say “This pre-approval allows you to look for a home with greater confidence and demonstrates to the seller that you are a serious buyer.”

Don't wait any longer – make Pre-Approval your Best Opening Play!

A Too Small House Does Have Some Benefits

 

You might have been raised to believe that bigger is better, but there are incredible benefits of making a smaller purchase. Maybe you've lived in a giant house for years and never noticed how much it costs each month, or the advantages of living with less space. 

In this book Aaron Nelson will show you the many ways small can be beautiful--and that standing in an overpriced American McMansion isn't worth it when your children still don't want to clean their rooms. And in order to help others "go small," he'll show them where they can do so without breaking the bank! This helpful guide will lead readers from renting tiny houses from quirky landlords who love creativity, to buying affordable houses on land parcels close-in proximity to city centers.

Small houses are incredibly affordable. What might you miss out on by always looking for the least expensive option? Brain scans show that people are less happy in bigger houses, with higher prices tags. You save more money each month than most people will ever earn at their job or find that they need during retirement. 

You may find yourself accumulating new friends and enjoying an overall sense of simplicity—a mental state of ease and simplicity grasped through decluttering, minimalizing one’s possessions, and living in a smaller home.

Sure, there were some downsides—like not being able to host BBQs for all of our friends or take after-work trips without feeling guilty about leaving whoever ended up watching the kids—but who even have those kinds of friends anymore? 

And with a place this small, everything looks newer—even though we're just old enough that it wouldn't matter if anything got dirty! Natural wood furniture is so easy to maintain because it won't be stained by dirt or liquids of any kind unless there's complete submersion involved! Great-looking products can be made with real solid wood--no exceptions! 

Now that you know how much money we actually saved by living in a smaller space, do you think maybe moving again is worth it?

3 Reasons why you should research getting your VA loan now

1. Borrowers who are using a VA Loan can purchase homes without putting down any money. In 2020, 350,000 individuals utilized this type of loan to make their dream come true and buy the house they always wanted!
2. The VA loan is a low-down payment option for veterans. It doesn't require Private Mortgage Insurance, which means they can save on their monthly housing costs and enjoy the benefits of owning property in America without paying more than necessary with taxpayer money!
3. The best loan for you is one that suits you, so take a look at what's available. While many loans have similar features and terms it's important to find out which ones are backed by the VA (Veterans Administration). These come with great benefits like lower interest rates than conventional lenders can offer!

As the Veterans Administration says of the program:


“The objective of the VA Home Loan Guaranty program is to help eligible Veterans, active-duty personnel, surviving spouses, and members of the Reserves and National Guard purchase, retain, and adapt homes in recognition of their service. . . .”

You sacrificed so much and deserve to achieve the American Dream: Homeownership! We can help veterans do just that by ensuring they know about all of their benefits with VA loans, such as low-down payments or interest rates on mortgages over 25 years depending upon disability status at time application is submitted. Thank you for your service.

American home equity gains result in dream home purchases

In the wake of a recent pandemic, Americans have been cashing in on their homes' increased value. Cash-out refinancing is up 33% from last year and it is clear that this trend will continue as more people cash out to make some extra money during these hard economic times.

Property values in America are on fire, and this year's pandemic seems to have fueled an even greater appreciation. The low rates on mortgages have also made it easier for home owners. Those who were previously unable to purchase property because of high interest rates before are now being able to do so, said Dan Roccato with Credible Financial Analysts. "A record number of people are now home owners thanks to rock-bottom mortgage rates."

The Fannie Mae forecast predicts that home prices will slow down in 2022 after reaching an all-time high 18% increase from 2021 levels. This is much faster than previous years' gains, which ranged anywhere between 5 to 11%.

The prediction was made after reports came out stating how hot housing markets were becoming around the country. Low inventory numbers and interest rates being at historic lows for an extended period of time contribute to the hot market.

When a neighbor sells their house at an eye-popping price, it increases the value of surrounding properties even if they’re not for sale. This is because lenders require appraisers to weigh recent sales based on so called comparable sales - meaning similar homes within proximity that went through recently in order to come up with fair market values. The result is your home appreciates in value as your neighborhood does.

Have you had a comparable market analysis done for your home? You may be surprised to find out how much equity you have in your property. It could be time to sell and move up to your dream home!