19 Sep 2019
By noelkelman

Fed Policymakers Cut Key Rate Range by .25 Percent

Market Outlook, ,
The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee reduced its key short-term interest rate range one-quarter percent to 1.75 to 2.00 percent during it's September meeting. While FOMC members had mixed opinions on reducing the benchmark rate range for short term loans, the post-meeting statement suggested that reducing the federal funds rate was a hedge against inflation. The federal funds rate impacts short-term consumer loan rates for autos and adjustable rate mortgages, but does not impact fixed mortgage rates. FOMC monetary policy decisions are governed by the Federal Reserve's dual mandate of maintaining price stability and an inflation rate of 2.00…
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04 Sep 2019
By noelkelman

Young Home Buyers Are A Growing Trend

Real Estate, ,
A new group of young American adults is emerging as home buyers. These are the young adults who were born after 1995 and are part of the demographic group named Generation Z (Gen Z). In 2019, there are 31.5 million Gen Z members who are adult age. This will increase to 44.5 million adults in this demographic group by 2032 as all the younger members become adults. Right now, there are around 14 million adults in the Gen Z category who are using credit for the first time. Not Too Young To Buy A Home Transunion reports that most Gen…
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28 Aug 2019
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller: June Home Prices Grew at Slowest Pace in 12 Years

Market Outlook, ,
Home price growth continued to slow in June according to Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index. 17 cities reported higher home prices in June, but three cities reported lower home prices month-to-month. Seattle, Washington was the only city to report lower home prices year-over-year in June. Phoenix, Arizona Home Price Growth Highest in June Phoenix, Arizona toppled Last Vegas, Nevada's hold on first place for home price growth in June. According to Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index, home prices in Phoenix rose by 5.80 percent year-over-year in June. Las Vegas, Nevada followed closely with year-over-year home price growth of 5.50 percent.…
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20 Aug 2019
By noelkelman

Boom Or Bubble? – Home Prices Hit Record Highs Across America

Real Estate, ,
The rapidly rising home prices currently found in many parts of the United States make it seem like the Great Recession of 2008 never happened. It took approximately eight years for home prices to recover the values that were equivalent to those they had before the recession. After reaching this point of recovery, since around 2016, real estate prices have been going up very quickly in many cities. The Best Recovered Housing Markets Here are the fully-recovered housing markets analyzed by ATTOM data service for the second quarter of 2019 that have exceeded the peak valuations from before the recession.…
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14 Aug 2019
By noelkelman

A $400,000 Profit From Flipping A Single House?

Real Estate, ,
Flipping homes is popular once again. It took about eight years after the Great Recession that started in 2006 for home prices to rebound to the levels seen before the recession. Then, by 2016, in many areas, home prices started to rapidly increase. The increases in home prices caused more flipping activity due to the potential profits. CNN reports the average gross profit on a flipped home sold during the past three years was about 50%. In 2017, one real estate speculator took nearly one million dollars ($985,00) in cash and bought a home in an "as-is" condition, sight-unseen. That…
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17 Jul 2019
By noelkelman

NAHB: Housing Market Index Rises 1 Point in July

Market Outlook, ,
Home Builder sentiment rose one point in July according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index. 2019 builder confidence in housing market condition continued to fall short of 2018 levels. July's Housing Market Index reading of 65 was one point higher than June's reading. Component readings also rose one point each. Builder confidence in current housing market conditions rose to 72; the reading for builder confidence in market conditions for the next six months rose to 71. Builder confidence in buyer traffic in new housing developments rose to an index reading of 48; buyer traffic readings seldom…
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16 Jul 2019
By noelkelman

How To Find Hot Real Estate Markets

Real Estate, ,
A hot market in real estate is identified by a few things, which include higher prices, lower amounts of unsold inventory, and desirable neighborhoods. Neighborhoods can increase in value because of having an excellent location, high-paying jobs, quality schools, and a variety of attractive amenities. Hot Markets Are After The Fact Properties in a hot market may sell faster, for higher prices, and without needing to be in perfect condition or staged for sale. Real estate investors do not necessarily benefit from learning about a hot market unless they already own property in that market area. It is nice to…
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20 Jun 2019
By noelkelman

NAHB: Builder Confidence Slips in June

Market Outlook, ,
Homebuilder confidence dropped two points in June according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index. June's index reading was 64, which indicates strong sentiment among home builders for current housing market conditions. NAHB component readings also dropped in June with builder confidence in current home sales one point lower at an index reading of 71. Home builder confidence in home sales conditions over the next six months dropped two points to 70 and builder confidence in buyer traffic was one point lower at 48. Buyer traffic readings seldom exceed the NAHB benchmark reading of 50. Index readings…
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