Buying a home can be SCARY…Until you know the FACTS
Some Highlights:
Many potential homebuyers believe they need a 20% down payment and a 780 FICO® score to qualify to buy a home. This stops many people from even trying to jump into homeownership! Here are some facts to help take the fear out of the process:
- 71% of buyers who purchased homes have put down less than 20%.
- 78.1% of loan applications were approved last month.
- In September, the average credit score for approved loans was 737.
What’s Shaping the Future of Real Estate?
Rising mortgage rates and economic shifts continue to influence housing affordability and accessibility. Homeowners' insurance costs have surged due to climate risks, prompting state-led policy solutions.
Single & Secure: Financial Planning Tips
Sharing expenses with friends or family, like splitting groceries or carpooling, helps reduce costs. Establishing an emergency fund ensures financial security; aim to save 3-6 months of expenses.
New Year, New Home: Buying & Selling Tips
Start Early: Sellers should begin the process early, evaluating their home and preparing for the market.Home Preparation: Sellers should invest in updates, cleaning, and professional staging to increase appeal.
How Insurance Can Help With Retirement Planning
Long-term care insurance shields retirement funds by covering care costs like home care or assisted living. Cash-value life insurance offers tax-deferred growth, ideal for those maximizing retirement plans and seeking additional savings.
How to Protect Your Belongings With Insurance
Ensure your coverage includes extended or guaranteed replacement cost to cover spikes in repair costs. Don’t skip flood insurance—99% of counties faced flooding between 1996-2019, according to FEMA.
3 buildings in Utah among hundreds of federal properties ‘designated for disposal’
Three federal properties in Utah, including the IRS Service Center in Ogden, the St. George Federal Building, and the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building in Salt Lake, are among hundreds designated for disposal by the GSA. These buildings are considered “non-core” and...
How Stable Is Utah’s Housing Market?
Utah's housing market has a 20.7% chance of a 5% price drop over the past 25 years, lower than the US 26.4% avg. Since 2000, the median home price ↑ 210%, higher than the national ↑ 196%.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
St Patrick's Day is the day we all turn a bit Irish. 13 million pints of Guinness are consumed worldwide on St. Patrick's Day. Green is now the traditional color of St. Patrick's Day.
US Market Trends: Is Passive Investing Out?
Positive sentiment is growing, with lower interest rates fostering liquidity and selective investment opportunities.Investors must focus on active management and asset selection as the market evolves post-2024.
Fed Holds Rates Steady at 4.24%-4.5%
The Federal Reserve held key interest rates at 4.25%-4.5% despite Trump’s calls for immediate cuts.Inflation remains at 2.9%, with steady job growth and strong consumer spending supporting the economy.The Fed’s next policy meeting is scheduled for March 18-19, 2025.
