Laurie Wacks's Blog Posts

Don’t Let Frightening Headlines Scare YouThere’s a lot of anxiety right now regarding the coronavirus pandemic. The health situation must be addressed quickly, and many are concerned

New Homes Coming to the Housing Market This YearThe number of building permits issued for single-family homes is the best indicator of how many newly built homes will begin to come to market over

Interest Rates Over Time [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:With interest rates hovering at near historic lows, now is a great time to look back at where they’ve been, and how much they’ve

The Overlooked Financial Advantages of HomeownershipThere are many clear financial benefits to owning a home: increasing equity, building net worth, growing appreciation, and more. If you’re a

The #1 Reason to List Your House Right NowThe success of the U.S. residential real estate market, like any other market, is determined by supply and demand. This means we need to look at how many

Great News for Renters Who Want to Buy a HomeRents in the United States have been skyrocketing since 2012. This has caused many renters to face a tremendous burden when juggling their housing

Three Reasons Why Pre-Approval Is the First Step in the 2020 Homebuying JourneyWhen the number of buyers in the housing market outnumbers the number of homes for sale, it’s

Strength of the Economy Is Surprising the ExpertsWe’re currently in the longest economic recovery in U.S. history. That has caused some to ask experts to project when the next economic

Should I Sell My House This Year?If one of the questions you’re asking yourself today is, “Should I sell my house this year?” the current Housing Opportunities and

2020 Homebuying ChecklistSome Highlights:If you’re thinking of buying a home, plan ahead and stay on the right track, starting with pre-approval.Being proactive about the

Where Homebuyers Are Heading By Generation [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:Whether capitalizing on job opportunities, affordability, or warm-weather places to retire, Americans are making moves to

Homes Are More Affordable Today, Not Less AffordableThere’s a current narrative that owning a home today is less affordable than it has been in the past. The reason some are making this claim

Buying a Home Early Can Significantly Increase Future WealthAccording to an Urban Institute study, homeowners who purchase a house before age 35 are better prepared for retirement at age.

The New Spring Real Estate Market is Here. Are You Ready?Which month do you think most people who are considering buying a home actually start their search? If you’re like most of us, you

3 Benefits to Buying Your Dream Home This YearOutside of a strong economy, low unemployment, and higher wages, there are three more great reasons why you may want to consider buying your dream home

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Home in 2020It’s exciting to put a house on the market and to think about making new memories in new spaces, but we can have deep sentimental attachments to

Get Your House Ready To Sell This WinterSome HighlightsWinter is a great time to list a house, since inventory is traditionally low, and most sellers are holding off until spring to put their homes

Have You Outgrown Your Home?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

The Cost Across Time [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:With interest rates around 3.66%, now is a great time to look back at where they’ve been over the past few decades. Comparatively, they&rsquo

VA Home Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:The Veterans Administration (VA) Home Loan is a benefit that is available to more than 22 million veterans and 2 million active

Forget the Price of the Home. The Cost is What Matters.Home buying activity (demand) is up, and the number of available listings (supply) is down. When demand outpaces supply, prices appreciate.&

The #1 Reason to List Your House in the WinterMany sellers believe spring is the best time to put their homes on the market because buyer demand traditionally increases at that time of year. What

Thinking of Selling Your Home? The Waiting Is The Hardest Part.Tom Petty famously penned the words, “the waiting is the hardest part” in his early 80’s hit song The

Think Prices Have Skyrocketed? Look at Rents.Much has been written about how residential real estate values have increased since the housing market started its recovery in 2012. However, little has

Depending on the Price, You’re Going to Need AdviceTo understand today’s complex real estate market, it is critical to have a local, trusted advisor on your side – for more reasons

Homes Are Selling Quickly [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:The National Association of REALTORS® surveyed their members for the release of their Confidence Index.The REALTORS;

What You Need to Know About the Mortgage Process [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:Many buyers are purchasing homes with down payments as little as 3%.You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don

Homeownership is the Top Contributor to Your Net WorthMany people plan to build their net worth by buying CDs or stocks, or just having a savings account. Recently, however, Economist 

Existing-Home Sales Report Indicates Now Is a Great Time to SellThe best time to sell anything is when demand for that item is high and the supply of that item is limited. The latest Existing

4 Tips to Improve Your Home and Save on Your Energy BillAs a homeowner, it’s important to keep your home running efficiently, not only to save money, but also to help the environment thrive.

5 Homebuying Acronyms You Need to Know [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:Learning the lingo of homebuying is an important part of feeling successful when buying a home.From APR to P&I, you need to

What Is the Cost of Waiting Until Next Year to Buy? [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:The “cost of waiting to buy” is defined as the additional funds necessary to buy a home if prices and

Homeowners Are Happy! Renters? Not So Much.When people talk about homeownership and the American Dream, much of the conversation revolves around the financial benefits of owning a home. However, two

What Buyers Need to Know About HOAsWhen searching for a home, you may end up selecting a property in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA). Before you buy, it’s important to know how

Things to Avoid After Applying for a MortgageCongratulations! You’ve found a home to buy and have applied for a mortgage! You're undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to decorate your new

Everybody Calm Down! This Is NOT 2008Last week realtor.com released the results of a survey that produced three major revelations:53% of home purchasers (first-time and repeat

5 Reasons to Sell This FallBelow are 5 compelling reasons listing your home for sale this fall makes sense.1. Demand Is StrongThe latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National

What’s the Latest on Interest Rates?Mortgage rates have fallen by over a full percentage point since Q4 of 2018, settling at near-historic lows. This is big news for buyers looking to get more

Seniors Are on the Move in the Real Estate MarketDid you know August 21st is National Senior Citizens Day? According to the United States Census, we honor senior citizens today

Buying a Home: Do You Know the Lingo? [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:Buying a home can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with the terms used throughout the process.To point you in the right

5 Real Estate Reality TV Myths ExplainedHave you ever been flipping through the channels, only to find yourself glued to the couch in an HGTV binge session? We’ve all been there, watching

American Confidence in Housing at an All-Time HighFannie Mae just released the July edition of their Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI). The HPSI takes information regarding

Rent Vs. Own [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:Owning your own home vs. renting may lead to some great options, such as locking in your monthly payments and having the freedom to customize your living

Millionaire to Millennials: The Costly Mistake of Not Buying NowOn his personal website, self-made millionaire David Bach makes a striking statement: “Not prioritizing homeownership

How to Judge the Impact of the Next Economic Slowdown on HousingWe’ve experienced economic growth for almost a decade, which is the longest recovery in the nation’s history. Experts know

3 Powerful Reasons to Buy a Home NowWhether you are a first-time buyer or looking to move up to the home of your dreams, now is a great time to purchase a home. Here are three major reasons to buy

Should I Refinance My Home?With the recent lower interest rates, many homeowners are wondering if they should refinance.To decide if refinancing is the best option for your family, start by asking

Home Price Appreciation ForecastQuestions continue to come up about where home prices will head throughout the rest of this year, as well as where they may be going over the few years beyond.We;

Is Your First Home Now Within Your Grasp? [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights:According to the US Census Bureau, “millennials” are defined as 18-36-year-olds.According to NAR’s

Millennials Are Increasing the Demand for CondominiumsWhen deciding to buy a home, people are presented with many different options. The type of home you buy depends on your needs, budget, and in