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A recent federal court ruling challenged some of the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) practices. NAR reached a settlement that included significant changes to real estate transactions.
Traditionally, listing agents offer a portion of the total commission charged to a seller as compensation to buyer agents as part of the marketing strategy to sell a property. Offering buyer's agent compensation is one of the most effective uses of marketing funds because it ensures targeted and efficient use of funds, as payment occurs only when the property is sold. Unlike other advertising methods that require upfront investment without guaranteed results, buyer's agent compensation is performance-based-payment occurring only when the property is sold. This approach increases market exposure and aligns the seller's investment with the desired outcome of a successful sale. This commission customarily would cover the cost of the buyer's agent fee,...
If one of the main reasons you're hesitant to buy a home is because you're worried about the upkeep, here's some information you may find interesting on both new home construction and existing homes (a home that's been lived in by a previous owner).
Newly Built Homes Need Less Upfront Maintenance
If you can afford it, you may find a newly built home could help ease your worries about maintenance costs. Think about it, if everything in the house is brand new, it won't have the wear and tear you may see in an existing home – and that means it's less likely to need repairs. As LendingTree says:
"Since the systems, appliances, roof and foundation are new, you're less likely to pay for major or minor repairs within the first few years of homeownership. That can make a big difference for first-time homebuyers who are adjusting to owning rather than renting."
Plus, many builders also have warranties on their homes that...
If you've been considering purchasing a home, your main concerns are probably mortgage rates and home prices. This might even be the reason you've suddenly delayed your plans. Some buyers discovered that the numbers simply didn't make sense for their budget when rates increased last year. However, there might be some good news for you!
Economic Data Manager at Realtor.com, Sabrina Speianu, says "The spring housing market could shape up to provide home shoppers with a more plentiful supply of less expensive homes than last year," and although inventory is still not as plentiful as in the pre-pandemic days, "home shoppers will have more choice, and in particular more choice of lower-priced homes."
The number of homes actively for sale in February was up 14.8% from February of 2023, and more inventory means more choices for buyers!
Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they're turning to homeownership. According to the latest Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors, 30% of Gen Z buyers transitioned straight from living under their parents' roofs to owning their own homes. If you're a member of this generation, and you're interested in pursuing your own dream of homeownership, here's some information you may find helpful on why and where your peers are buying.
A recent survey by Rocket Mortgage identifies some of the top motivators driving Gen Z buyers to purchase a home:
"Of those surveyed, 34% said that sta...
Ready to buy your first home in 2023? Ruhl&Ruhl Realtors specializes in helping first-time home buyers like you find their dream property. Before you start searching for homes online, it's important to take the first step to house shopping: Getting pre-approved for a mortgage. According to our in-house lender service, Ruhl Mortgage, pre-approval is good for about 30-90 days. When you're ready, contact us and we'll set you up with a licensed loan officer we know and trust. They can help you decide which loan best suits your needs, along with determining the loan amount and purchase price you can afford, and what your monthly payments will be.
Once you've got your pre-approval letter in hand, it's time to start the search! Before you hop into the home search, we like to advise clients to create a "Needs" list and...
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