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From White Picket to Upcycled Pallet Fences: Millennials and Housing
by Jim Harney
Critiques and defenses about Millennials abound. However, I think an overlooked aspect of the kerfuffle over Generation Y is the question “Why?” Although it is great to spur the generation on to great heights, it is crucial we understand some of the hurdles they are facing, economically and socially in order to anticipate how the market will have to change and adjust to accommodate a new generation’s capabilities and values.
Educational Debt & Credit
No big newsflash here: millennials are facing unprecedented levels of debt, between the various recessions, housing bubbles, and explosion of educational debt. New legislation in the works is attempting to help set up a more stable higher education financing system as well as relieve the staggering debt loads. Although debt forgiveness is the big buzzword these days, most students will still face shouldering a majority of their debt. Fortunately for the economic outlook, the legislation focuses on creating more income-based repayment plans that won’t put millennials on the street. However, the big question that remains is how will this affect their credit?
Public vs. Private Sector
With the specter of the 2008 housing bubble burst looming over everyone’s head, the situation is no longer about whether or not millennials are willing to take on more debt or have the income to cover minimum payments, it is about if lenders are willing to take on the risk. President Obama has rolled out plans that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be gradually diminished, leaving the private sector to provide the backbone of risk management. With first-time buyers being edged out of the market due to new credit requirements, we could see a short-term slowdown in home-buying.
Uncertainty
Surprisingly, the instability recently exhibited by the U.S. government shutdown and continued clamor over the debt ceiling may actually work in the market’s advantage. Millennials, wary of being overly reliant on vacillating government promises, might become increasingly inclined to use their savvy to explore home equity loans and carefully consider newly-revised reverse mortgages as part of their retirement plans. Having front-row seating for the recent economic meltdowns, the newest generation will be more inclined to do their research and not bite off more than they can chew, meaning they might, actually, leave a positive legacy for the housing industry.
American Dream
Homeownership is still an important idea to many Americans. If the government and the private sector work together to slowly adjust the system and increase stability, which is already the direction we are driving in, we can expect to see homeownership continue to increase with this generation. However, we should expect to hold the memory of Desi and Lucy fondly in our hearts, and leave them there as the face of home buyers will be forever changed.
It is a pervasive misconception that millennials are thoroughly disenchanted with the concept of settling down. The revitalized home-making movement—as evidenced on social media platforms like Pinterest–within more progressive millennial circles would indicate that although it might take a bit longer for the birds to return from their explorations, they will inevitably nest.
Furthermore, the creativity and frugality of Generation Y will provide them fresh incentives to invest in housing as home ownership opens up new avenues hosting friends and international travelers. As this new group of home-buyers realizes that a mortgage doesn’t necessarily clip their wings, we should be able to anticipate a new, stronger, and invigorated market of responsible borrowers. These iPod-wearing, tweeting, bicycle-riding youngsters just might be the market we’ve been looking for.
Please contact us with any of your real estate related questions, we would love to help you out in any way we can!
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Windermere Real Estate/FN
Seattle-Northwest
122502 Greenwood Ave N
Seattle WA 98133
call/text: 206-769-9577
email: stevehill@windermere.com
Check out these useful links:
BrennerHill.com
Best In Client Satisfaction
Seattle Real Estate Statistics
Windermere Housing Trends Newsletter
Our Preferred Lenders
George Runnels
Washington First Mortgage
WaFirstMortgage.com
call/text: 206-604-4545
Jackie Murphy
Cobalt Mortgage
CobaltMortgage.com
call/text: 425-260-6834
Chicken Little is Wrong: Homeownership Still the American Dream
After the harrowing challenges experienced by so many homeowners over the last few years, many housing experts had predicted that the belief in homeownership as a major element of the American Dream would soon die. There is now conclusive evidence that these experts were wrong. As we reported back in September, The Joint Center of Housing Studies at Harvard University completed a study which concluded:
“The long term cultural preference for owning seems to have weathered the recent housing crisis.”
Now, a second source recently announced similar results. Fannie Mae just released their National Housing Survey of Delinquent Mortgage Borrowers. The survey asked questions about the value of homeownership to the most sensitive of all groups – those delinquent on their mortgages. Here is what they found:
Of those delinquent borrowers:
- 74% still see homeownership as better than renting when building up wealth
- 71% still see homeownership as better than renting when saving for retirement
- 73% still see homeownership as better than renting for overall financial stability
- 80% still see homeownership as better than renting as an investment plan
- 70% still see homeownership as better than renting for creating an overall tax strategy
Bottom Line
Homeownership has always been and will always be a crucial piece of the American Dream.
Are you interested in The American Dream? Give us a call, email or text, we would love to help you fullfill your dream!
-Steve and Sandra
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Windermere Real Estate/FN
122502 Greenwood Ave N
Seattle WA 98133
call/text: 206-769-9577
email: stevehill@windermere.com
Check out these useful links:
BrennerHill.com
Best In Client Satisfaction
Windermere Housing Trends Newsletter
Our Preferred Lenders
George Runnels
Washington First Mortgage
WaFirstMortgage.com
call/text: 206-604-4545
Jackie Murphy
Cobalt Mortgage
CobaltMortgage.com
call/text: 425-260-6834
Thinking of Selling Your House? 5 Reasons to Do it Now
Many now realize that it is a great time to buy a home. Today, we want to look at why it might also be an opportune time to sell your house. Here are the Top 5 Reasons we believe now may be a perfect time to put your house on the market.
1.) Demand Is High
The most recent Existing Home Sales Report by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed a 17.2 percent increase in sales over July 2012; sales have remained above year-ago levels for 25 months. There are buyers out there right now and they are serious about purchasing.
2.) Supply Is Beginning to Increase
Total housing inventory last month rose 5.6% to 2.28 million homes for sale. This represents a 5.1-month supply at the current sales pace, compared with 4.3 months in January. Many expect inventory to continue to rise as 3.2 million homeowners escaped the shackles of negative equity in the last 12 months and an additional 1.9 million are expected to enter positive equity in the next 12 months. Selling now while demand is high and before supply increases may garner you your best price.
3.) New Construction Is Coming Back
Over the last several years, most homeowners selling their home did not have to compete with a new construction project around the block. As the market is recovering, more and more builders are jumping back in. These ‘shiny’ new homes will again become competition as they are an attractive alternative for many purchasers.
4.) Interest Rates Are Rising
According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey, interest rates for a 30-year mortgage have shot up to 4.57% which represents a jump of more than a full point since the beginning of the year. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will continue to climb.
Whether you are moving up or moving down, your housing expense will be more a year from now if a mortgage is necessary to purchase your next home.
5.) It’s Time to Move On with Your Life
Look at the reason you are thinking about selling and decide whether it is worth waiting. Is the possibility of a few extra dollars more important than being with family; more important than your health; more important than having the freedom to go on with your life the way you think you should?
You already know the answers to the questions we just asked. You have the power to take back control of your situation by putting the house on the market today. The time may have come for you and your family to move on and start living the life you desire. That is what is truly important.
If you are considering selling, give us a call or text, we will be happy to provide you with a no-obligation market analysis and suggest those things you need and don't need to do to prepare your home for market.
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Best In Client Satisfaction
Windermere Real Estate
call/text 206-769-9577
BrennerHill.com
Why Do American Families Buy a Home?
There is a plethora of opinions voiced by real estate gurus as to why the dream of home ownership is so important to most Americans. However, study after study reveals the same five reasons families decide to buy a home. They…
- Want a good place to raise children
- Want a place where their family feels safe
- Want more living space
- Want control of that living space
- Realize that owning makes better financial sense than does renting
(For those who question the validity of number five after the recent housing crisis, Harvard University just finished a study on the issue)
If you are considering purchasing a home, look at the five reasons mentioned above. If any of them apply to you and your family, perhaps it is time for you to take the plunge. With both prices and interest rates rising, waiting will only increase your monthly cost as we move forward.
If you are considering a home purchase before home prices and interest rates rise, give us a call or text, we are ready to get to work for you.
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Best In Client Satisfaction
Windermere Real Estate
call/text 206-769-9577
BrennerHill.com
4 Things All Buyers Should Keep in Mind
No matter how you slice it, buying real estate is a complicated process that takes time and hard work to get right. Whether you’re looking for your dream home or an investment property to help build your retirement nest egg, here are a few things to keep in mind.
Mortgage interest rates are still low
Mortgage rates have bumped up a little lately, but they are still low by historical standards. Many people have stopped chasing their dream home or investment property because of the recent rate increases, but they’re making a huge mistake. Rates will likely head even higher over the next few years, and you’re going to kick yourself for failing to secure a 30-year fixed interest rate loan before those even higher rates kick in.
It sounds cliche, but real estate is buyer beware
Your real estate agent can guide you to make a smart purchase, but it’s your job to make every decision and do all the analysis that goes along with purchasing property. You’ve got to make sure it is a smart financial move to buy the property. You’ve got to review the title documents, mortgage loan documents and disclosures, homeowners association docs, home inspection reports, seller disclosures, etc. Each document contains important information that you need to understand to avoid problem properties. It’s a real challenge, but you must do the hard work needed to reduce your risk.
You should never buy a property that you don’t love
If you don’t love it, don’t buy it. Real estate is likely the most expensive and complicated purchase you will ever make. So don’t buy a property if it isn’t a great fit for what you want. Don’t buy if your attitude is “we just want to get something even though this isn’t a perfect property for us.” Note: No property is perfect — especially not at the price you’d like to pay — so be realistic when determining which property you “love.”
Shop properties for at least 4 to 12 months
Take your time. Look at dozens of properties. Drive the areas you like during the day, night and on weekend. Talk to neighbors. You’re probably risking your entire net worth when purchasing property, so make sure you are adequately educated on what you are buying — and that takes time!
When you are ready to purchase or sell a home, give us a call, we can guide you through every stage of the home buying and selling process.
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
5 Star Rated – Zillow.com
Windermere Real Estate
BrennerHill.com
call/text 206-769-9577
Should I Wait for Interest Rates to Come Back Down?
Above is a graph of the movement of the 30 year fixed mortgage rate since the beginning of 2012.
Some buyers are waiting to see if interest rates will come back down before making a decision about buying a home. Though no one can guarantee where rates will be in a few months, we don’t believe waiting is a good strategy.
Most experts believe rates may actually move higher. The Mortgage Bankers Association, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the National Association of Realtors are in unison projecting that rates will continue to climb.
With home prices increasing and interest rates projected to also increase, the cost of buying a house could quickly increase rather dramatically.
If you are searching for today's best rates on home mortgages, give George Runnels at Washington First Mortgage a call, he can find you the best terms for new or refinancing a home loan. 206-604-4545
Curious about interest rates and how they can affect your purchasing power? Give us a call or text to learn more.
Steve Hill and Sandra Brenner
Best In Client Satisfaction
Windermere Real Estate
call/text 206-769-9577
BrennerHill.com
