Pony 4 Precious: Where Compassion Meets Connection for a Life-Changing Experience

  Headlines matter. Right now, it’s hard to read about real estate without seeing a headline that suggests homes have become unaffordable for most Americans states Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott. In reality, there’s hard evidence that shows how owning a home is more affordable than   renting   in most parts of the country, as record-low interest rates are keeping monthly mortgage payments about 23%   lower   than the typical payment of 20 years ago. Despite the facts, misleading headlines persist, and they impact how hopeful homebuyers perceive the market. In a recent  survey  by  realtor.com , home shoppers indicated they were surprised by what they could actually afford when buying their first home. In fact, 47% discovered their budget was larger than they expected. George Ratiu,  Senior Economist  at  realtor.com , explains: “For first-time buyers, especially, the drop in the 30-year mortgage...

   Home values appreciated by about ten percent in 2020, and they’re forecast to appreciate by about five percent this year states Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott. This has some voicing concern that we may be in another housing bubble like the one we experienced a little over a decade ago. Here are three reasons why this market is totally different. 1. This time, the housing supply is extremely limited The price of any market item is determined by supply and demand. If supply is high and demand is low, prices normally decrease. If supply is low and demand is high, prices naturally increase. In real estate, supply and demand are measured in “ months’ supply of inventory ,” which is based on the number of current homes for sale compared to the number of buyers in the market. The normal monthly’ supply of inventory for the market is about 6 months. Anything above that defines a buyers’ market, indicating prices will soften. Anything below that...

  Over the past year, our homes have become an integral part of our lives more than ever states Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott. They’re much more than the houses we live in. They’re our workplaces, virtual schools, and safe havens that provide shelter, stability, and protection through the evolving health crisis. Today,   65.8%   of Americans are fortunate enough to call their homes their own. As we continue to think about the future, our goals for the year, and what we want to achieve well beyond 2021, it’s a great time to look at the benefits of owning a home. Below are some  highlights  and quotes on the benefits of homeownership shared by the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR). From feel-good motivations to economic and social impacts on the local community, these items may give you a reason to believe homeownership stretches well beyond your financial investment. Non-Financial Benefits Owning a home brin...

   In today’s housing market, there are clear financial benefits to owning a home increasing   equity , the chance to build your   net worth , and   appreciating   home values, just to name a few states  Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott:  . If you’re a renter, it’s never too early to think about how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here’s a dive into three often-overlooked financial benefits of homeownership and how preparing for them now can steer you in the direction of greater financial security and savings. 1. You Won’t Always Have a Monthly Housing Payment Personal finance advisor Dave Ramsey  explains : “Every payment brings you closer to owning the house. When you pay your rent, that money is spent. Gone. Bye. Not returning. But when you pay your mortgage, you work toward full ownership.” As a homeowner, you can eventually eliminate the monthly payment you make on your house. Th...

   Every year, households across the country make the decision to rent for another year or take the leap into homeownership states Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott. They look at their earnings and savings and then decide what makes the most financial sense. That equation will most likely take into consideration monthly housing costs, tax advantages, and other incremental expenses. Using these measurements, recent studies show that it’s still more   affordable   to own than rent in most of the country. There is, however, another financial advantage to owning a home that’s often forgotten in the analysis –  the wealth built through equity when you own a home. Odeta Kushi,  Deputy Chief Economist  for  First American , discusses this point in a recent blog post. She  explains : “Once you include the equity benefit of price appreciation, owning made more financial sense than renting in 48 out of the 50 top mark...

  As we approach the anniversary of the hardships we’ve faced through this pandemic and the subsequent recession, it’s normal to reflect on everything that’s changed and wonder what’s ahead for 2021. While there are signs of economic recovery as vaccines are being issued States Mike Eastwood Chief Executive Officer of West USA Realty of Prescott, we still have a long way to go. It’s at times like these we want exact information about anything we’re doing. That information brings knowledge, and this gives us a sense of relief and comfort in uncertain times. If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home today, the same need for information is very real. But, because it’s such a big step in our lives, that desire for clear information is even greater in the home buying or selling process. Given the current level of overall anxiety, we want that advice to be truly perfect. The challenge is, no one can give you “perfect” advice. Experts can, however, give you the best advice possibl...