Market Report: Winter Warmup

This year has seen challenges for home buyers, with higher rates and lower inventory. However as the year closes, current trends suggest a shift that could be beneficial for homebuyers. This change is primarily due to falling mortgage rates and an increase in the number of properties for sale. Decrease in Mortgage Rates: Freddie Mac reports that the rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage has fallen to an average of 7.03%. This is a considerable drop from its 23-year peak of just over 8% recorded in early October. Such a reduction in mortgage rates can greatly influence the affordability and appeal of buying a home. Surge in Mortgage Applications: In response to lower mortgage rates, Redfin has observed a 15% increase in mortgage applications since early November, which previously reached…
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FHA Announces New Loan Limits for 2024

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has recently made a significant announcement that will impact many homebuyers and homeowners across the United States. As we step into the calendar year 2024, the FHA has updated its loan limits for both Single Family Title II forward and Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) insurance programs. This change, driven by the persistent rise in home prices throughout 2023, brings new opportunities and considerations for borrowers. Reflecting on the Housing Market Trends Julia Gordon, the Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner, highlighted the changes as a response to the continuous upsurge in home prices witnessed nationwide in 2023. With affordability becoming a growing concern, these increased loan limits aim to make FHA’s low-down-payment financing more accessible, ensuring that well-qualified borrowers can still enter…
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