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Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables
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Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables

Real Estate

Worried About Mortgage Rates? Control the Controllables

By Ashley Billins|2024-06-21T13:35:56-05:00June 21, 2024|Real Estate|

Chances are you’re hearing a lot about mortgage rates right now. You may even see some headlines talking about last week’s Federal Reserve (the Fed) meeting and what it means for rates. But the Fed doesn’t determine mortgage rates, even if the headlines make it sound like they do. The truth is, mortgage rates are impacted by a lot of factors: geo-political uncertainty, inflation and the economy, and more. And trying to pin down when all those factors will line up enough for rates to come down is tricky. That’s why it’s generally not worth it to try to time the market. There’s too much at play that you can’t [...]

Strategic Tips for Buying Your First Home

By Ashley Billins|2024-02-25T08:14:23-06:00February 25, 2024|Real Estate|

Buying your first home is a big, exciting step and a major milestone that has the power to improve your life. As a first-time homebuyer, it's a dream you can make come true, but there are some hurdles you'll need to overcome in today’s housing market – specifically the limited supply of homes for sale and ongoing affordability challenges. So, if you're ready, willing, and able to buy your first home, here are three tips to help you turn your dream into a reality. Save Money with First-Time Homebuyer Programs Paying the initial costs of homeownership, like your down payment and closing costs, can feel a bit daunting. But [...]

Thinking About Using Your 401(k) To Buy a Home?

By Ashley Billins|2023-11-10T12:38:34-06:00November 10, 2023|Real Estate|

Are you dreaming of buying your own home and wondering about how you’ll save for a down payment? You're not alone. Some people think about tapping into their 401(k) savings to make it happen. But before you decide to dip into your retirement to buy a home, be sure to consider all possible alternatives and talk with a financial expert. Here’s why. The Numbers May Make It Tempting The data shows many Americans have saved a considerable amount for retirement (see chart below): It can be really tempting when you have a lot of money saved up in your 401(k) and you see your dream home on the horizon. [...]