Found 83 blog entries tagged as Buying Myths.

Think you need a 20% down payment to buy a home? Or that your credit score has to be flawless? Think again! These long-standing home-buying myths are stopping many potential homeowners in their tracks. In reality, buying a home is often easier and more attainable than most people realize.

If you’ve been holding off on purchasing a home because of these misconceptions, it’s time to separate fact from fiction. In this article, we’ll bust the biggest home-buying myths so you can make informed decisions about homeownership.

Let’s dive in!

Myth #1: You Need a 20% Down Payment to Buy a Home

One of the most common misconceptions about buying a home is that you must put down 20% of the home’s purchase price. While a 20% down payment is ideal,…

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Picture this: You've finally found your perfect home. The kitchen is exactly what you’ve dreamed of, the backyard is perfect for your summer barbecues, and you can already see yourself lounging in your new living room. Everything seems to be falling into place, but suddenly, disaster strikes—a higher offer comes in, leaving you frustrated and heartbroken. Sound familiar?

Buying a home, especially for the first time, is often an emotional rollercoaster. From the excitement of finding that “just-right” property to the disappointment of losing out to another buyer, it can be a wild ride. But what if there was a way to smooth out the bumps and avoid the common mistakes that trip up most first-time homebuyers? What if you could turn the house-hunting…

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Choosing between renting and buying a home in St. Charles, IL is a significant decision that can have a long-lasting impact on your financial stability, lifestyle, and future. With the cost of living fluctuating, the real estate market evolving, and personal circumstances always changing, it’s no wonder that many people are unsure of which path to take. Should you continue renting, enjoying the flexibility and low commitment it offers? Or is it time to invest in homeownership and reap the long-term benefits of owning property?

This guide will walk you through the pros and cons of renting and buying a home in St. Charles, IL, helping you weigh your options so you can make the best decision for your personal and financial future.

Rent vs. Buy a Home…

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Are big investors really buying up all the homes today?

If you’re trying to find a house to buy, this may be something you’re wondering about. Maybe you’ve read about it or seen reels on social media saying investors buying all the homes is making it even harder to find what the average buyer is looking for. But spoiler alert – there’s a lot of misinformation out there. To clear things up, here's the scoop on what's really happening. A lot of the big investor activity is actually in the rearview mirror already.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) explains:

“Investors of all sizes spent billions of dollars buying homes during the pandemic. At the 2022 peak, they bought more than one in every four single-family homes sold, though more recently their…

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a poster of a company's process

Some Highlights

  • Hiring an agent when buying a home helps you understand the buying process and the local market.
  • They’ll also go over contracts and fine print with you, so you understand what you're agreeing to. Plus, they're good at negotiating, making sure you get the best deal.
  • Expert advice from a trusted real estate professional is priceless. Let’s connect today.

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As the realm of real estate continuously evolves, it's vital to stay informed, especially if you're on the cusp of buying or selling a home. Today's focus is on clarifying the haze surrounding the recent National Association of Realtors settlement in the Sitzer Burnett case. With a plethora of misinformation floating around, we're here to set the record straight.

Debunking Myths About Realtor Fees

A prevalent rumor claims that this settlement will compel brokers to slash their fees. It's essential to bust this myth: the settlement does not regulate what Realtors can charge or the services they provide. The beauty of real estate transactions has always been in the negotiation - the fees you agree upon with your agent remain as flexible as…

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One of the biggest hurdles buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of homes available for sale. But that’s starting to change.

The graph below uses the latest data from Realtor.com to show there are more homes on the market in 2024 than there have been in any of the past several years (2021-2023):

a graph of a number of homes for sale


Does That Mean Finding a Home Is Easier?

The answer is yes, and no. As an article from Realtor.com says:

“There were nearly 15% more homes for sale in February than a year earlier . . . That alone could jolt the housing market a bit if more “For Sale” signs continue to appear. However, the nation is still suffering from a housing shortage even with all of that new inventory.”

Context is important. On the one hand, inventory…

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In today's housing market, more and more single women are becoming homeowners. According to data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 19% of all homebuyers are single women, while only 10% are single men.

If you're a single woman trying to buy your first home, this should be encouraging. It means other people are making their dreams a reality – so you can too.

Why Homeownership Matters to So Many Women

For many single women, buying a home isn't just about having a place to live—it's also a smart way to invest for the future. Homes usually increase in value over time, so they’re a great way to build equity and overall net worth. Ksenia Potapov, Economist at First American, says:

“. . . single women are increasingly pursuing…

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Before making the decision to buy a home, it's important to plan for all the costs you’ll be responsible for. While you're busy saving for the down payment, don't forget you’ll want to prep for closing costs too.

Here’s some helpful information on what those costs are and how much you should budget for them.

What Are Closing Costs?

A recent article from Bankrate explains:

“Closing costs are the fees and expenses you must pay before becoming the legal owner of a house, condo or townhome . . . Closing costs vary depending on the purchase price of the home and how it’s being financed . . .”

Simply put, your closing costs are the additional fees and payments you have to make at closing. According to Freddie Mac, while they can vary by location…

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Going into 2023, there was a lot of talk about a possible recession that would cause the housing market to crash. Some in the media were even forecasting home prices would drop by as much as 10-20%—and that might have made you feel a bit unsure about buying a home.

But here’s what actually happened: home prices went up more than usual. Brian D. Luke, Head of Commodities at S&P Dow Jones Indices, explains:

“Looking back at the year, 2023 appears to have exceeded average annual home price gains over the past 35 years.”

To put last year’s growth into context, the graph below uses data from Freddie Mac on how home prices have changed each year going back to 1980. The dotted line shows the long-term average for appreciation:

 a graph showing the average of a home appreciation


The big…

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