Home buyers are typically advised to put at least 20% down for a mortgage. Coming up with that amount can seem almost impossible if you have little to no money left over after paying bills each month. Fortunately, if you want to buy a house but are worried about coming up with the 20 percent down needed for a downpayment, you still have plenty of options. There are still plenty of programs that allow you to buy a home with a low down payment or even no money down in 2018. Here are some of the best programs that designed for homebuyers who don't have a massive chunk of cash to put down at closing. Maybe one of these options will be the perfect solution to make your dreams come … [Read more...]
Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Continues
November home prices grew by 5.60 percent year-over-year on a seasonally adjusted basis according to Case-Shiller's reading on National Home Prices. National average home prices rose 0.80 percent from October to November. Case-Shiller's 20-City home price index revealed that the West and Mountain regions continue to hold the top three growth rates for home prices. Seattle posted a seasonally adjusted growth rate of 10.40 percent which was closely followed by Portland, Oregon's year-over year average home price gain of 10.10 percent. Denver rounded out the top three home price growth rates included in the 20-CityiIndex with a year-over-year gain of 8.70 percent. Top readings for … [Read more...]
Graduating Soon? Tips to Prepare You for Your First Mortgage
If you've recently graduated from college, or will be graduating soon, and plan to become a homeowner, you're in a somewhat unique position. You're about to embark on a great journey, but at the same time, you may also be taking on an awful lot of debt. That said, it is possible to successfully manage a high debt load if you're careful. So how can you make sure you can pay your mortgage, your student loans, and your mortgage expenses all without losing your mind? Here's what you need to know. Make Sure You Have An Emergency Fund Managing a high debt load isn't necessarily a challenge if you have a consistent income stream. But if interest rates rise on your adjustable rate mortgage, if your … [Read more...]
S&P Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in July
Home prices dipped slightly in July according to the S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index. Year-over-year, home price growth dipped to 5.00 percent from June's reading of 5.10 percent. The Pacific Northwest led the nation in home price appreciation. Portland, Oregon had the highest year-over-year home price growth with a rate of 12.40 percent. Seattle, Washington posted year-over-year home price growth of 11.20 percent. Denver, Colorado was third with a year-over-year home price growth rate of 9.40 percent. Home prices in San Francisco, California slowed; year-over-year, home prices grew by 6.00 percent in contrast to home price growth topping the 20-city index in recent months. … [Read more...]
