Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you're wondering:

  • Do you have to wait until you’ve paid off those loans before you can buy your first home?
  • Or is it possible you could still qualify for a home loan even with that debt?

Having questions like these is normal, especially when you’re thinking about making such a big purchase. But you should know, you may be putting your homeownership goals on the backburner unnecessarily.

Can You Qualify for a Home Loan if You Have Student Loans?

In the simplest sense, what you want to know is can you still buy your first home if you have student debt. Here’s what Yahoo Finance…

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Especially in areas where inventory is rising, both homebuilders and sellers are sweetening the deal for buyers with things like paid closing costs, mortgage rate buy-downs, and more. In the industry, it’s called a concession or an incentive.

What Are Concessions and Incentives?

When a seller or builder gives you something extra to help with your purchase, that’s called either a concession or an incentive. 

  • A concession is something a seller gives up or agrees to in order to reach a compromise and close a deal. 
  • An incentive, on the other hand, is a benefit a builder or seller advertises and offers up front to attract and encourage buyers.

Today, some of the most common ones are:

  • Help with closing costs
  • Mortgage rate…

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1021 Fire Fox Ct, St Charles, IL

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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 4 BEDROOMS 4 BATHROOMS 0.29 acres Lot Welcome to 1021 Fire Fox Ct, a luxury retreat tucked into a beautifully landscaped cul-de-sac lot in the prestigious Majestic Oaks neighborhood of St. Charles. This stunning home combines elegance and function with a freshly painted exterior, deck, and fence, plus a charming paver front porch and expansive fenced backyard with a large deck-perfect for entertaining. Inside, you'll find soaring vaulted and two-story ceilings, hardwood floors, transom windows, and crisp white trim. The…

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3341 Hillcrest Rd, Geneva, IL

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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 5 BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 0.25 acres Lot Welcome to 3341 Hillcrest Rd in Geneva's sought-after Fisher Farms neighborhood-where style, space, and location come together beautifully. This impressive 5-bedroom, 2.5-bath brick and vinyl two-story home offers over 4,800 square feet of finished living space on a fenced and landscaped lot that backs to scenic walking trails. Inside, you'll find hardwood floors, soaring ceilings, and architectural touches throughout. The 2-story family room stuns with a wall of windows,…

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Whether you’re planning to move soon or not, it’s smart to be strategic about which home projects you take on. Your time, energy, and money matter – and not all upgrades offer the payoff you might expect. As U.S. News Real Estate explains:

". . . not every home renovation project will increase the resale value of a home. Before you invest in a swimming pool or new addition, you should consider whether the project will pay itself off by getting prospective buyers in the door when it’s time to sell."

That’s why, before you pick up a power tool or call a contractor, your first step should be talking to a local agent.

Planning Ahead Pays Off

If you plan to move relatively soon, you’ll want to get a jump start on your to-do list. And even if moving…

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769 Bonita Ave, Elk Grove Village, IL

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$ CLICK FOR CURRENT PRICE 4 BEDROOMS 3 BATHROOMS 0.19 acres Lot Welcome to 769 Bonita Ave in Elk Grove Village, a spacious and thoughtfully updated 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath brick and stone ranch offering over 2,100 square feet of comfortable living. The eat-in kitchen includes a breakfast bar and table space and opens to the inviting family room with built-ins and a striking floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The large primary suite includes a private, handicap-accessible bath with a roll-in shower, grab bars by the toilet, and a roll-up sink with no…

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With all the uncertainty in the economy, the stock market has been bouncing around more than usual. And if you’ve been watching your 401(k) or investments lately, chances are you’ve felt that pit in your stomach. One day it’s up. The next day, it’s not. And that may make you feel a little worried about your finances.

But here’s the thing you need to remember if you’re a homeowner. According to Investopedia:

“Traditionally, stocks have been far more volatile than real estate. That's not to say that real estate prices aren't ever volatile—the years around the 2007 to 2008 financial crisis are just one memorable example—but stocks are more prone to large value swings.”

While your stocks or 401(k) might see a lot of highs and lows, home values are…

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Saving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a major roadblock.

But that’s actually a common misconception. Here’s the truth.

Do You Really Have To Put 20% Down When You Buy a Home?

Unless your specific loan type or lender requires it, odds are you won’t have to put 20% down. There are loan options out there designed to help first-time buyers like you get in the door with a much smaller down payment.

For example, FHA loans offer down payments as low as 3.5%, while VA and USDA loans have no down payment requirements for qualified applicants, like Veterans. So, while putting down more money does have its benefits, it’s not…

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a house with pie charts and numbers

Some Highlights

  • Thanks to recent home price appreciation, homeowners have near record amounts of equity – and you may too. On average, homeowners have $311K worth of equity.
  • Once you sell, you can use it to fund your down payment on your next home or maybe even to buy a smaller house in cash.
  • If you want to find out how much equity you have, let's connect. Because it may make a move a lot more feasible than you'd think.

Originally posted at Simplifying The Market.

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Talk about the economy is all over the news, and the odds of a recession are rising this year. That’s leaving a lot of people wondering what it means for the value of their home – and their buying power.

Let’s take a look at some historical data to show what’s happened in the housing market during each recession, going all the way back to the 1980s. The facts may surprise you.

A Recession Doesn’t Mean Home Prices Will Fall

Many people think that if a recession hits, home prices will fall like they did in 2008. But that was an exception, not the rule. It was the only time the market saw such a steep drop in prices. And it hasn’t happened since, mainly because inventory is still so low overall. Even in markets where the number of homes for sale has…

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