First Time Home Buyers – Page 41 – Jerry Torres Blog | #TechieLoanOriginator | Best Mortgage Lender & Broker in Hacienda Heights, CA

Year-Over-Year Rental Prices on the Rise

Looking ahead, 2020 is projected to be a strong year for homeownership. According to the Freddie Mac Forecast,

“We expect rates to remain low, falling to a yearly average of 3.8% in 2020.”

If you’re currently renting, 2020 may be a great time to think about making a jump into homeownership while mortgage rates are low.

As noted in the National Rent Report,

“the national rent index increased by 1.4 percent year-over-year.”

With average rents on the rise, this year-over-year increase may not sound like much, but it can add up – fast. The math on how much extra it will cost you over time surely doesn’t lie.

Here’s an example: On a $1,500 rental payment, an increase of 1.4% adds an additional $21 dollars per month to your payment. When multiplied by the twelve months in a year, it’s a $252 overall annual increase. The price continues to multiply when you rent year after year, as rental prices rise.

History shows how average rental prices have been increasing each year, and there doesn’t seem to be much end in sight. Here’s a look at how rents have grown since 2012 alone:Why not lock down your monthly housing expense, and at the same time build additional net worth for you and your family? If you’re thinking about buying a home, consider the financial benefits of what homeownership can do for you, especially while the market conditions are strong and current mortgage rates are low.

Bottom Line

With average rents continuing to rise, now may be a great time to stabilize your monthly payment by becoming a homeowner and locking into a low mortgage rate. Let’s get together to discuss how taking advantage of the current market conditions might work for you.

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

When a House Becomes a Happy Home

December 24, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers /by Jerry Torres

We talk a lot about why it makes financial sense to buy a home, but more often than not we’re drawn to the emotional reasons for homeownership.

No matter the size or shape of a living space, the feeling of a home means different things to different people. Whether it’s a certain scent or a favorite chair, the feel-good connections to our own homes are typically more important to us than the financial ones. Here are some of the reasons why

1. Owning your home offers stability to start and raise a family

From the best neighborhoods to the top school districts, even those without children at the time of purchase may have this in the back of their minds as a major reason for choosing the location of the home they purchase.

2. There’s no place like home

Owning your own home offers not only safety and security, but also a comfortable place where you can simply relax and kick-back after a long day. Sometimes, that’s just what we need to feel re-charged and truly content.

3. You have more space for you and your family

Whether your family is expanding, an older family member is moving in, or you need to have a large backyard for your pets, you can take all this into consideration when buying your dream home, so the space truly works for you.

4. You have control over renovations, updates, and style

Looking to actually try one of those complicated wall treatments you saw on Pinterest? Tired of paying an additional pet deposit for your apartment building? Maybe you want to finally adopt that fur-baby puppy or kitten you’ve been hoping for. Who’s to say you can’t do all of these things in your own home?

Bottom Line

Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a move-up buyer who wants to start a new chapter in your life, now is a great time to reflect on the intangible factors that make a house a happy home.

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

December 2019: The Buyer Stakes Are High Because Inventory Is Low

December 16, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers /by Jerry Torres

The reality of what we’re seeing this month is that homes are selling fast. In today’s strong seller’s market, bidding wars are common and expected with starter or entry-level homes.

In most areas of the country, first-time buyers have been met with fierce competition throughout their homebuying experience. Some have been out-bid multiple times before finally going into contract on a home to call their own.

Right now, inventory is the big challenge. Here’s what we know today:

According to the latest Existing Home Sales Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there is currently a 3.9-month supply of homes for sale, which can drive this kind of hefty buyer competition. Remember, anything less than 6 months of inventory is a seller’s market.

Even though the month’s supply of inventory is not increasing, ironically, the number of homes for sale is. This means homes are coming up for sale, but they’re being sold quickly. The graph below shows the year-over-year change in inventory over the last 12 months.As depicted above, the percentage of available inventory has fallen for four consecutive months when compared to the previous year.

So, what does this mean? If you’re a buyer, be sure to get pre-approved for a mortgage and be ready to make a competitive offer, so you can move quickly. Chances are, homes high on your wish list are likely going to go fast.

Bottom Line

If you’re thinking of buying a home, make sure you’re taking the right steps at the beginning of the process, so you’re a top contender if you ultimately find yourself in a bidding war. Let’s get together to discuss what you need to do to make your move toward homeownership.

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

Holiday Gifts Are Not the Only Hot Things Right Now

December 12, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers /by Jerry Torres

Black Friday is behind us and holiday gifts are flying off the shelves in stores and online. Unlike last year, however, there’s another type of buyer that is very active this winter – the homebuyer.

Each month, ShowingTime releases their Showing Index, which tracks the average number of appointments received on active U.S. house listings. The latest index revealed:

“Traffic was more active once again compared to 2018, as the nation saw its third straight month of higher year-over-year showing activity…The 5.5% increase in showings nationwide was the largest jump in activity during the now three-month streak of year-over-year increases vs. 2018.”

The same report indicates showings increased in every region of the country:

The South increased by 10.8%
The West increased by 8.6%
The Northeast increased by 3.8%
The Midwest increased by 1.5%

Why is the traffic more active?

One of the main reasons buyer traffic has increased year-over-year is that mortgage rates have fallen dramatically. According to Freddie Mac, the average mortgage rate last December was 4.64%. Today, the rate is almost a full percentage point lower!

Bottom Line

There are first-time, move-up, and move-down buyers actively looking for the home of their dreams this winter. If you’re thinking of selling your house in 2020, you don’t need to wait until the spring to do it. Your potential buyer may be searching for a home in your neighborhood right now.

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

Have You Outgrown Your Home?

December 11, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers /by Jerry Torres

It may seem hard to imagine that the home you’re in today – whether it’s your starter home or just one you’ve fallen in love with along the way – might not be your forever home.

The good news is, it’s okay to admit if your house no longer fits your needs.

According to the latest Home Price Insights from CoreLogic, prices have appreciated 3.5% year-over-year. At the same time, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports inventory has dropped 4.3% from one year ago.These two statistics are directly related to one another. As inventory has decreased and demand has increased, prices have been driven up.

This is great news if you own a home and are thinking about selling. The equity in your house has likely risen as prices have increased. Even better is the fact that there’s a large pool of buyers out there searching for the American dream, and your home may be high on their wish list.

Bottom Line

If you think you’ve outgrown your home, let’s get together to discuss local market conditions and determine if now is the best time for you to sell.

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

A 365 Day Difference in Homeownership

December 10, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers /by Jerry Torres

Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen more than a full percentage point. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them:

Refinance: If you already own a home, you may want to decide if you’re going to refinance. It’s one way to lock in a lower monthly payment and save substantially over time, but it also means paying upfront closing costs too. You have to answer the question: Should I refinance my home?
Move-up or Downsize: Another option is to consider moving into a new home, putting the equity you’ve likely gained in your current house toward a down payment on a new one that better meets your needs – something that’s truly a perfect fit for your family.
Become a First-Time Homebuyer: There are many financial and non-financial benefits to owning a home, and the most important thing is to first decide when the time is right for you. You have to determine that on your own, but know that now is a great time to buy if you’re considering it. Just take a look at the cost of renting vs. buying

Why 2019 Was a Great Year for Homeownership

Last year at this time, mortgage rates were 4.63% (substantially higher than they are today). If you’re one who waited for a better time to make a move, market conditions have improved significantly. Today’s low mortgage rates combined with increasing wages are making homes much more affordable than they were just one year ago, so it’s a great time to get more for your money and consider a new home.

The chart below shows how much you would save based on today’s rates, compared to what you would have paid if you purchased a house exactly one year ago, depending on how much you finance. A 365 Day Difference in Homeownership | Simplifying The Market

Bottom Line

If you’ve been waiting since last year to make your move into homeownership, or to find a house that better meets your needs, today’s low mortgage rates may be just what you need to get the process going. Let’s get together to discuss how you can benefit from the current rates.

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

Have You Budgeted for Closing Costs?

December 9, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Move-Up Buyers, Pricing /by Jerry Torres

Saving for a down payment is a key step in the homebuying process, and it’s not the only piece you need to include in your budget. Another factor that’s important to plan for is the closing costs required to obtain a mortgage.

What Are Closing Costs?

According to Trulia,

“When you close on a home, a number of fees are due. They typically range from 2% to 5% of the total cost of the home, and can include title insurance, origination fees, underwriting fees, document preparation fees, and more.”

For those who buy a $250,000 home, for example, that amount could be between $5,000 and $12,500 in closing fees. Keep in mind, if you’re in the market for a home above this price range, your costs could be significantly greater. As mentioned before,

Closing costs are typically between 2% and 5% of your purchase price.

Trulia gives more great advice, saying,

“There will be lots of paperwork in front of you on closing day, and not enough time to read them all. Work closely with your real estate agent, lender, and attorney, if you have one, to get all the documents you need ahead of time.

The most important thing to read is the closing disclosure, which shows your loan terms, final closing costs, and any outstanding fees. You’ll get this form about three days before closing since, once you (the borrower) sign it, there’s a three-day waiting period before you can sign the mortgage loan docs. If you have any questions about the numbers or what any of the mortgage terms mean, this is the time to ask—your real estate agent is a great resource for getting you all the answers you need.”

Bottom Line

Let’s get together to discuss the homebuying process, to be sure your plan includes budgeting for what you need to purchase your dream home – without any surprises!

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

Millennials Are on the Move as First-Time Homebuyers [INFOGRAPHIC]

December 6, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, Infographics, Millennials /by Jerry Torres

Some Highlights:

According to NAR’s latest Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, the median age of all first-time homebuyers is 32.
With more millennials entering a homebuying phase of life, they are driving a large portion of the buyer appetite in the market, keeping buyer activity strong.
More and more “old millennials” (ages 25-36) are realizing that homeownership is now within their grasp, and they’re actively dominating the first-time homebuyer market!

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

What is the Best Investment for Americans?

December 5, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, Housing Market Updates, Move-Up Buyers /by Jerry Torres

Some are reporting that there is trepidation regarding the real estate market in the United States. Apparently, the American people are quite comfortable.

Porch.com, a major network helping homeowners with their renovation projects, recently conducted a survey which asked Americans:

“What do you believe is the safest investment over the next 10 years?”

U.S. housing came in at number one, beating out other investments such as gold, stocks, bonds, and savings.

Here is a graph showing the top five investments Americans selected:The findings of the Porch.com survey also coincide with two previous surveys done earlier this year:

The Federal Reserve Bank’s 2019 Consumer Expectations Housing Survey reported that 65% of Americans believe homeownership is a good financial investment, and that the percentage has increased in each of the last four years.
The Gallup survey showed that Americans have picked real estate as the “best” investment for six straight years.

Bottom Line

Based on all three surveys done this year, we can see that Americans still believe in homeownership as a great investment, and that feeling continues to grow.

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro

It’s ‘National Roof Over Your Head’ Day!

December 3, 2019/in First Time Home Buyers, For Buyers, For Sellers, Move-Up Buyers, Rent vs. Buy /by Jerry Torres

Did you know that each year in the United States, we celebrate “National Roof Over Your Head Day” on December 3^rd?

As noted on the National Calendar, it was “created as a day to be thankful for what you have, starting with the roof over your head. There are many things that we have that we take for granted and do not stop to appreciate how fortunate we are for having them.”

From bungalows to cottages, and farmhouses to treehouses, today we show our appreciation and gratitude for the places we call home. Owning the roof that shelters us is something many renters still aspire to, knowing there are so many financial and non-financial benefits to homeownership.

According to the 2019 State of the Nation’s Housing from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University,

“Cost-burdened renters now outnumber cost-burdened homeowners by more than 3.0 million. In addition, renters make up 10.8 million of the 18.2 million severely burdened households that pay more than half their incomes for housing.”

Homeownership drives many benefits, including providing families with a place to feel secure. It also helps promote confidence that they are investing proactively in themselves and their communities. That is why there are 77.7 million owner-occupied housing units in the United States.

Many, however, fear it is too expensive to own a home. In reality, however, it’s actually more expensive to rent. Here’s the breakdown as a percentage of income necessary for both – affording median rent and owning a home: It’s ‘National Roof Over Your Head’ Day! | Simplifying The Market

Bottom Line

Today we pause to appreciate the places we call home, and all of the other reasons we have to be truly thankful. For those who don’t own yet and would like to, it’s a wonderful time to start identifying the steps to take toward homeownership. Let’s connect today to begin creating your plan.

JERRY TORRES
TEAM

Sr. Mortgage Loan Originator | Vision One Mortgage, Inc
NMLS #365615
| Company NMLS 7861

“THE PERFORMANCE TEAM”

Cell: (626) 269-9945
Fax: (800) 339-5004

https://www.JerryTorres.Pro/

#TechieLoanOriginator | #JerryTorresPro