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Homeownership and retirement account are two largest factors when it comes to net worth, according to U.S. Census Bureau researchers
New research is highlighting the benefit of owning a home when it comes to net worth. As reported by Mortgage News Daily, a few U.S. Census Bureau researchers analyzed data in 2015 and discovered home ownership, as well as having a retirement account, are two of the...
Tips for Generation Z to properly manage an increase in consumer credit
As the next generation enters their mid 20s it is important for them to be strategic about their credit. New data from TransUnion indicates that Generation Z, or those who are currently in their early 20s, are taking on more consumer credit. Specifically, 44 percent...
Millennials move around every two years, according to Porch study
If you are a Millennial, chances are you are thinking about moving sometime in the near future. According to a recent study from Porch, Millennials move around every two years, which is two years more often than Generation Xers move, and nearly four years more often...
Uptick in Millennial refinances due to low rates, according to Ellie Mae
Millennials are taking advantage of low rates* by refinancing their mortgages, according to new data from Ellie Mae. Over the last year, the number of refinances from those who fall within the ages of the Millennial generation jumped from 8 percent to 14 percent among...
Low rates could continue into 2020, according to Freddie Mac
The economy is doing well at the moment, and with that has come 30-year-fixed-rate mortgage rates* that have dropped below 4 percent, according to Freddie Mac. Mortgage News Daily states that this has prompted an increase in mortgage applications. And experts are...
West Roseville set to become more connected thanks to new road construction, according to city
Connectivity to west Roseville will soon get much easier when the construction of several new roads are complete. According to the city of Roseville, by 2020, Westpark Drive, Westbrook Boulevard and Blue Oaks Boulevard are all expected to connect in West Roseville...
Rents increased by 3.3 percent in Roseville, according to The Sacramento Bee
It is an age-old question: Should I rent, or should I buy? Many home owners asked themselves this at one point or another. If you live in Roseville and are a renter, you may be noticing something that makes this question a little more important: rent prices are going...
A market update on real estate inventory
If you are looking to purchase a home in Roseville, or just tend to follow market trends, you are probably interested in where things are currently at with real estate inventory. That is why we have decided to provide some key stats as to where inventory stands right...
Report: 8.2 million current home owners could currently refinance
Has refinancing been in the back of your mind? Well, it might be time to begin to seriously consider it. That is because a new report is stating that some 8.2 million home owners could refinance and subsequently obtain a lower interest rate. Specifically, as reported...
Sellers and buyers express optimism about the real estate market in new report
A new report is highlighting some of the current trends in the real estate market in terms of optimism from sellers and buyers. Data released from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the following: 46 percent of people believe right now is an ideal time...
Worried about affordability? Here are some tips on saving money
No matter how much home ownership seems like the natural next step for people, the perception that affordability will be a barrier continues to persist. A new report states that despite the healthy economy, many potential home buyers are still concerned about...
Dispelling misconceptions about down payments for a mortgage
A new report is shedding some light on the fact that home buyers still aren’t quite aware of what the down payment requirements are for home loans. Fannie Mae recently released a study that highlighted various misconceptions consumers have about the home loan process....
Loan Product Info – USDA Financing!
Did you know that the whole island of Kauai is USDA eligible? Did you know that the USDA loan program allows for you to put down 0% if qualified? Below is some information on the program that will help you learn more about the USDA loan program. The US Department of...
Placer Parkway Project
If you’re like me you’ve been stuck in annoyingly slow traffic on Highway 65 between Lincoln and I-80 (happens to me almost daily). But did you know about the Placer Parkway project, and that it is already underway? Once completed the $660 million new highway will...
Refinances are on the rise
The real estate market is currently experiencing an uptick in the number of refinances taking place. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, more borrowers with home loans are refinancing. The Mortgage Bankers Association reports that the Refinance Index jumped...
Threshold for home appraisals could increase from $250k to $400k homes, according to Mortgage Daily News
The threshold for when an appraisal is required on the purchase of a home could be changing. A new rule, which still needs to be signed by the Federal Reserve, would require that home loans on houses sold for $400,000 or less may not require an appraisal, according to...
Tips for increasing savings and decreasing debt before buying a home
If you’re a Millennial who has been putting off buying a home because of a less-than-stellar financial history, you’re not alone. Nearly 60 percent of Millennials own homes, and that many who don’t yet own are delaying the process because they believe that they aren’t...
Fort Collins Whitewater Park slated to open in September, according to city
Chances are if you live in the Fort Collins area then you appreciate the outdoors. There are plenty of recreation opportunities in the area and a new one is slated to be opening soon. The Poudre River Whitewater Park will offer residents a place to kayak and go tubing...
Millennials consider home improvement projects a good investment, according to Home Depot CFO
Purchasing a home, generally speaking, is considered an investment, and a new report shows that Millennials take this seriously. In a recent interview, the chief financial officer of Home Depot stated that the company’s research indicates that Millennials believe in...
Real estate market trends could mean now is a good time to buy
The real estate market is heating up over the summer months. Nationwide, the number of homes that went into contract in June exceeded expectations with a 2.8 percent increase in the number of pending sales, according to the National Association of Realtors. The annual...
Home price growth slows, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency
Home prices continue to slow in terms of growth, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Specifically, the House Price Index indicates that there was a slowdown in the price appreciation of houses in May with prices only increasing 0.1 percent over the...
Ohana Bowls food truck opening restaurant in Fort Collins, according to the Coloradoan
The popular Ohana Bowls food truck has landed its first restaurant in Fort Collins. Ohana Bowls is becoming a staple in Fort Collins with its delicious acai and pitaya bowls. According to the Coloradoan, the owners of the food truck are now opening up shop at 514 S....
Colorado makes top 10 list of best places to live in America, according to CNBC study
If you are looking for a place to set down roots, then Colorado should be one of the top destinations on your list. That is because the state recently ranked on a top 10 list of the best places to live in the U.S. The study analyzed several pieces of data on all of...
With inventory potentially on the rise again, here are three tips to make your offer stand out
You may have heard the reports about the lack of housing inventory easing up, but a new report is indicating the amount of homes on the market is on the decline nationwide again. Specifically, the report states that inventory dropped .3 percent at the end of June,...
Fort Collins makes top 10 list of safest drivers in America
Fort Collins is a wonderful place to raise a family, try some great dining options, find employment and enjoy safety. One particular facet of that last one is safety on the roads. According to a recent report, Fort Collins has ranked in the top 10 cities in the...
Colorado named to list of top 10 states to be a homeowner
If you are wondering whether you should become a home owner in the Fort Collins area, research is proving that it may be a good idea. Colorado has been named on a top 10 list of the best states to become a homeowner. Specifically, the state is tied for sixth place...
Clarifying some of the myths about credit scores
American consumers still have a lot of misconceptions about how the home loan process works. This has become a big barrier for potential home owners. A recent Fannie Mae study revealed that most believe it is more difficult to qualify for a home loan than it actually...
With inventory on the rise, buyers should get their credit in order
The increase in home inventory that many buyers have been waiting a few years for may finally be here. According to new information from realtor.com, top markets are experiencing a boost in inventory at a pace of 14.6 percent. At the same time, sale price growth of...
High number of prospective home buyers are currently looking for homes
Consumers are increasingly entering the real estate market. In fact, many prospective buyers are actively involved in searching for a home. A new report highlights that of the adults who expect to purchase real estate over the next year, 46 percent are hunting down a...
65 percent of Americans consider buying a home an investment
You may have heard the phrase that purchasing a home is a wise investment. We believe that is the case and so do the majority of people in the U.S. That is according to a recent survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Specifically, the study found...
Hawaii Veterans can benefit from a VA Loan Streamlined Refinance
As we mentioned in July, more than 8 million Americans could refinance into a lower interest rate today, according to CNBC. This means millions could be saving money every month through a refinance, and this applies to Hawaii Veterans who have a VA Loan. Some Veterans...
Questions to ask your real estate agent when using your VA Loan benefit
Hawaii is home to many of our country’s Veterans and, because of that, it’s also home to many real estate professionals who specialize in VA Loans. When you’re first starting out on taking advantage of your VA Loan benefit, it may feel overwhelming when trying to...
As median sale prices rise in Oahu, homeowners could be sitting on a lot of equity
If you own a home in Oahu, chances are you are sitting on a fair amount of equity. That is because the July median sales price of a house in the area was $835,000, according to Hawaii News Now. In addition to this record high in sales price, the number of homes sold...
Hawaii Purple Heart recipients to have VA Loan funding fee waived in 2020 thanks to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019
Hawaii Veterans have a lot of opportunities to purchase a home, and a big reason why is the VA Loan Program. And beginning in 2020, Veterans who have received a Purple Heart for their service will be able to save even more money through a VA Loan. A new law that takes...
Oahu visitors and spending up, according to Hawaii Tourism Authority
If you are considering a new place to live, chances are you want that area to have a strong local economy. This can lead to better infrastructure, good schools, good amenities, places to eat and more. In Oahu, the tourism industry is a big deal that pulls in a lot of...
Hawaii Veterans don’t need a good credit score to obtain a VA Loan
VA Loans are a good option for Veterans, surviving spouses and Active Duty military personnel to obtain a home loan. These loans come with 100 percent financing* and no requirement for mortgage insurance. Additionally, Hawaii veterans can utilize these loans if they...
New lounge hosting grand opening celebration this weekend in Honolulu
If you are looking to try some new nightlife in the Honolulu area, a new sushi bar/lounge is opening its doors this weekend. Haus Supper Club has listed its Grand Opening Weekend as kicking off on July 19 on its website. The festivities, which will take place on...
Hawaii ranked as the best place to live in the U.S., according to CNBC study
Hawaii is widely known as one of the best places to visit for vacation, but did you know it is also considered the best place to live in the U.S.? A recent study ranked the top 10 states in the country to live, and Hawaii ranked No. 1. You may be thinking, “of course...
VA Loan caps removed by recently passed law
A new law that recently passed at the federal level will remove the cap on the amount a Veteran can borrow through the VA Loan Program. As part of the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs will leave it up to individual...
Three fireworks shows you won’t want to miss in Oahu
We are about to celebrate America next week and there may not be a better place in the country to see fireworks than Oahu. There are some fireworks shows on the island that families won't want to miss. We've put together the following schedule of events. Hukilau...
Home owners have built up a record amount of equity
Do you own a home in Oahu? If you do, you could be sitting on a whole lot of equity. That is because home values across the country are at a record high. According to recent data from the Federal Reserve, home values hit a collective $26.1 trillion, a record in the...
The VA Loan program funded its 24 millionth loan in 2019
This year is the 75th anniversary of the GI Bill signing, marking the beginning of the VA Loan Program. In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt opened the door to millions of military members to a chance at home ownership. Since its inception, the VA Loan Program has...
Hawaiian Culture
Since moving to Hawaii, I have heard and used the word ‘culture’ more than I ever have in my daily conversations. Culture is such an important thing about Hawaii. We knew this before moving here full time, and prepared for it as much as we could by reading books and...
Loan Product Info – USDA Financing!
Did you know that the whole island of Kauai is USDA eligible? Did you know that the USDA loan program allows for you to put down 0% if qualified? Below is some information on the program that will help you learn more about the USDA loan program. The US Department of...
Loan Product Info – Renovation Financing!
This is a super cool product that we offer, because it allows the purchaser to purchase or refinance a home in less-than perfect condition, make immediate improvements, and pay for them over time! Who does it benefit? Homebuyers – resolve property problems or required...
Baby Boomers looking to stay in their home long-term could benefit from a refinance
If you are over the age of 45, then chances are you are thinking about staying in the home you are currently in far into your retirement years. That is according to a recent study highlighted by HousingWire, that found that more than 50 percent of Baby Boomers desire...
Black Knight report: Millions could be savings monthly by refinancing
Homeowners – Have you been reviewing your monthly mortgage statement and thinking, “I wish I could lower this.”? A recent report indicates that the current market may just allow for that through a refinance. Data from Black Knight revealed that more than 8 million...
Consumers are confident in the housing market, according to Fannie Mae
Consumers are feeling confident about the housing market, which could mean it is a good time to buy in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma areas. The confidence stems from good employment numbers, low mortgage rates* and less bidding wars. More consumers said in July that it...
Home prices are falling in Seattle, according to S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller
Good news for homebuyers interested in a single-family home in the Seattle area – prices are dropping, according to data from S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller. Specifically, the price of a home in Seattle dropped 1.2 percent from this time last year. This marks the...
Credit availability has increased for Jumbo Loans, according to Mortgage Bankers Association
The Seattle area can be an ideal place for homebuyers to take advantage of Jumbo Loans, which can help extend funding for real estate in higher-priced markets. New data from the Mortgage Credit Availability Index, courtesy of the Mortgage Bankers Association, shows...
Data from CoreLogic reveals how much things have changed in real estate over last decade
Much has changed in the housing market over the last decade. As the nation climbed out of the Great Recession, the housing industry remained in the spotlight to see how and when it would rebound from that down time and the economic implications that came with it. New...
Lower premiums could be on the way for FHA Loans
Premiums for FHA Loans could be going down for first-time home buyers. New legislation, called the Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2019, has been approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. FHA Loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and have been...
Housing market expected to heat up in summer
The month of May brought a jump in the number of pending homes for sale across the country. This, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), which found that recently signed contracts for the purchase of real estate increased to 105.4, up...
Refinances are on the rise – here is why they are beneficial.
Do you own a home in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma areas? If so, you may want to consider refinancing if you were to follow the trend across the rest of the U.S. According to recent reports, mortgage applications this week were 40 percent higher than they were at this...
More home buyers utilizing FHA Loans
If you have been considering utilizing an FHA Loan in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma areas, then you aren't alone. According to a recent report by the Wall Street Journal, more and more Americans are utilizing down payment assistance programs such as FHA Loans. In fact,...
Study shows consumers are confident that now is a good time to buy a home
Consumers have a lot of confidence about now being a good time to buy a home. A new report from Fannie Mae highlights its Home Purchase Sentiment Index that reached almost as high as a year ago in May. In fact, the report indicated that there has been a 13 percent...
Buying a home sooner rather than later may be ideal given expected price increases
If you are considering purchasing real estate in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma areas, sooner may be better based on a recent report. According to the report, home prices are expected to jump nearly 5 percent over the next year (up until April 2020). This is more than a 3...
With Tacoma becoming the hottest market in the U.S., here are some tips for first-time buyers
Looking to purchase real estate in the Seattle area, but are concerned about pricing? Like many others, you may consider Tacoma. According to a recent report, Tacoma has dethroned Seattle as the hottest real estate market in the U.S. The report states that homes in...
Seattle-area home owners could have a lot of equity built up
Recent reports indicate that homeowners could be sitting on quite a bit of equity right now. According to the National Association of Realtors, the average homeowner in the U.S. saw price gains around $9,500 year over year. Having said that, home prices are not...
Home prices falling in Seattle region opens opportunity for buyers
If you have been waiting on the sidelines in the Seattle/Renton/Tacoma areas for home prices to drop before you enter the market, then we have some good news to share. According to data from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, the median price of a single-family...