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State of the Home Buyer: White House Promotes New Set of Tax Credits

Housing affordability remains out of reach for many in the U.S. population today. What’s the matter?

  • Mortgage interest rates haven’t eased in any kind of significant way so far this year. Maybe in June…
  • More than half of U.S. renters report struggling to pay for housing every month.
  • Some would like to buy their own homes, but at this point call that a dream.

Joe Biden’s March 2024 State of the Union address laid out the latest plan to help. Here’s an update on the issue, and how the administration intends to deal with it.

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Reverse Mortgage Scams? What Seniors Need to Know.

If you or someone you care about is 62+, you’ll know it’s important to avoid sketchy financial offers targeting older adults. But what about reverse mortgages?

From time to time, media outlets point to scams or high-pressure tactics involving reverse mortgages. And it’s true that reverse mortgages are designed for senior homeowners.

But are these loans deceptive? Let’s take a look.

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Bitcoin Creating New Home Buyers? Why We’re Watching the Crypto Effect on Real Estate Markets

Bitcoin is now available from mainstream financial managers. Suddenly, it’s a significant part of U.S. investment and retirement portfolios. So, bitcoin is joining real estate as an asset class.

At this point, the leading cryptocurrency can influence the costs of housing in some markets. Its rise even allows some people to buy their first homes.

Let’s take a closer look.

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Florida’s Highlands County Introduces New Ordinance for Real Estate Transactions with Roadway Verification Requirement

In a recent update from the Highlands County Board of County Commissioners, a new ordinance (No. 22-23-23) has been established that directly impacts real estate transactions within Highlands County, Florida. This article aims to provide an informative overview of this ordinance, its requirements, and its implications for property transfers in the area.

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Condo Shopping: Does My Agent Warn Me About HOA Red Flags?

Many of today’s buyers want condos. They’re compact and low-maintenance. Condos are cheaper, typically, than standalone homes. Still, it’s entirely possible to make a costly mistake by missing condo warning signs.

Sometimes, a real estate agent notices things the buyer won’t. A good agent becomes that extra pair of eyes, extra ears and nose…

Alert real estate agents save buyers money in the long run. Know what they look for. You’ll be better prepared to protect your best interests — long after the deed is yours.

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Anti-Money Laundering: Federal Rule Coming to Track Real Estate Cash

The federal government wants all-cash home buyers to be easy to find.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is part of the U.S. Treasury Department. FinCEN has proposed a new reporting rule. It wants real estate professionals to submit forms with details about cash sales when homes are sold to legal entities — like LLCs and trusts.

The goal? Making it hard for criminals to hide behind legal entities when they launder money from their crimes. The rule would make it much easier for investigators to track down people involved in the transfers of homes for cash.

The rule would not require the reporting of sales to individuals. It would affect some residential real estate investors who plan to make cash offers. But it actually matters to everyone. Take a Look.

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eRecording Is Next-Level Deed Processing. Know What It Is, and Why It’s Legal.

For centuries, deeds went through a manual filing process for transmitting, recording, and storing. This is changing, with eRecording emerging as the new standard.

Why the shift? The shutdowns in the early days of Covid jolted offices into a different mode of operating. Around the same time, county offices began strongly recommending eRecording.

Electronic signatures (eSignatures) and records, including sound files, are now as legally binding as traditional paper documents. And now, people can use encrypted digital signatures for identity protection.

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What Makes a Good Real Estate Agent and How Do I Find One?

Industry pros think home prices could easily rise 2%-5% this year, judging by the Spring 2024 home buying rush already underway. If you want to take the best advantage of a promising market, you might be thinking of hiring an agent.

Anyone selling or buying a home can benefit from a good agent’s support. The right agent will help you get the best deal on the best home for you in the market you’re in. And that person can help you understand the finer points of your particular transaction, title, and deed.

Good agents help homeowners make smart decisions leading up to a sale. They organize timelines and meetings. They guide buyers through appraisals, inspections, and negotiations. They help secure well-informed, fair agreements.

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Core of the American Dream? Three-Fourths Call Buying a Home Goal #1

The U.S. population has all sorts of goals. But of all that we strive for in our lives, seems we place the highest priority on owning a home. In recent surveys, three-fourths of respondents said owning a home is “the leading component of the American dream.”

And yet, just about the same percentage of people say housing is too expensive to buy. With each year, it feels like fewer can afford to buy a home. It’s almost like buying a home is a wealthy person’s thing.

Homeownership is still the centerpiece of the American dream, but affordability issues such as high home prices, income that is too low or not being able to afford the down payment and closing costs are holding back nearly 3-in-4 aspiring homeowners.

—Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate LLC

You said it, Greg.

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