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Real estate is still the best long-term investment

Real estate is still the best long-term investment

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful decision.

According to the experts at Gallup, real estate has been crowned the top long-term investment for a whopping 12 years in a row. It has consistently beat out other investment types like gold, stocks, and bonds. Just take a look at the graph below – it speaks volumes:Continue Reading

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Why homeowners are thankful they own

Why Homeowners are thankful they own

Countless people have set out on the exciting journey of homeownership. Ask around and you’ll find the vast majority are thankful they took the leap and bought a home. But why? It’s because of the many emotional and lifestyle benefits that come with being a homeowner.

So, if you’re trying to decide if you want to rent or buy a home, here are just a few of the many benefits you could look forward to if you buy.

It’s a Safe Haven

Owning a home goes beyond just having a roof over your head. It provides a sense of security and safety. In fact, in a survey from Fannie Mae, respondents say “having a sense of privacy and security” is one of the top reasons homeownership is preferred to renting. And in a different Fannie Mae survey, “living in a place where you and your family feels safe” is another one of the top benefits of homeownership.

Your home is a place where you can truly relax and unwind. Knowing that you have a sanctuary to return to at the end of the day is a great source of comfort.

It’s a Canvas for Self-Expression

For many homeowners, their home is a reflection of who they are. From the color of the front door to the art hanging on the walls, every detail contributes to a unique expression of personal style. Put simply, owning a home gives you the freedom to make changes and improvements that resonate with your personality.
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3 things to know about home equity

3 things 3 things to know about home equity

How much home equity you’ve built will directly impact how much cash (if any) you’ll walk away with when you sell your home. But what, exactly, is home equity? Why is it important? And how much equity should you build before you put your home on the market? Here are three important facts about equity that every buyer and seller should know:

1. What is home equity? Home equity is the difference between the market value of your home, and how much you currently owe on your mortgage. In other words, if you were to sell your home, it’s the amount of money you would have after paying off your mortgage.

2. Why is building equity in your home important? Equity is important because it determines how much money you will be left with after you sell your home and pay off your mortgage, and any sale related expenses. Home equity is also an asset; you can use it to finance other investments, or to make a down payment on a second home. It’s also a large source of many peoples’ overall net worth.

3. How much equity should you have in your home before you sell? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, ideally, you should aim to have at least 20 percent equity in your home before you sell. And while your equity can fluctuate based on a variety of factors — like market conditions, refinancing your loan and taking cash out against the equity, or opening a home equity line of credit — generally speaking, the longer you’re in your home, the more equity you’ll build, and the more you’ll potentially profit if and when you do sell.

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Top reasons to own your home

June is National Homeownership Month, and it’s a great time to consider the benefits of owning your own home. If you’re thinking of buying a home, it might just help you find the stability, community, and comfort you’ve been searching for over the past year.

Top Reasons To Own Your Home

Let’s connect today to determine if homeownership is the right next step for you.

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Buying a home makes more financial sense than renting

Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting Today

Wondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the Census shows rents have been climbing pretty steadily since 1988.

“In March 2023, the U.S. rental market experienced single-digit growth for the eighth month in a row,” according to data from the latest rental report from Realtor.com. “The median asking rent was $1,732, up by $15 from last month and down by $32 from the peak but is still $354 (25.7%) higher than the same time in 2019 (pre-pandemic).”

With rents much higher now than they were in more normal, pre-pandemic years, owning your home may be a better option, especially as rents continue to increase year after year. In contrast, homeowners with a fixed-rate mortgage can lock in a monthly mortgage payment for the duration of their loan (typically 15-30 years). And, as home values typically rise over time and you pay off your mortgage, you build equity. If you’re trying to decide whether to buy a home or continue renting, let’s connect to explore your options.

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4 hidden costs of not owning your own home

4 hidden costs of not owning your own home

There’s no arguing there’s costs associated with owning a home. But the opposite is also true; there are also definite costs associated with NOT owning a home.

The benefits of buying vs. renting has always been a hotly debated topic, with most people believing that — at least in the short term — renting is more cost effective. But most people don’t consider the hidden costs of not owning a home and sinking all of your money into your rental. Here are four sneaky ways that not owning a home will cost you:

1. Your cost is never guaranteed

When you own a home, there are no surprises when it comes to your monthly housing costs. Once you lock in your mortgage, your payment will remain constant throughout the length of your loan (unless you decide to refinance in the future). The stability of having a mortgage gives you the peace of mind of knowing what to expect each month — and not having to worry about unpleasant surprises that completely throw off your budget.

When you don’t own a home, you’re at the mercy of your landlord; they can (and often will) change the price of your rent often to keep up with market prices.

2. Investing in home improvement is a lost cause

Everyone wants to feel comfortable in the place they call home — whether they own or rent. When you own a home, making the improvements necessary to make your home feel comfortable makes sense. Whatever you do to improve your home will only increase the value, making it a sound investment choice.

But when you don’t own your home, making improvements to your home is like throwing money away. If you paint your walls or hang too much art on the walls, you’ll likely have the cost of getting the property repainted deducted from your security deposit when you move out. Some landlords might not even allow you to make any improvements or changes at all.Continue Reading

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Infographic: Should I rent or should I buy?

It’s worth considering the many benefits of home ownership before you make the decision to rent or buy a home.

When you buy, you can stabilize your housing costs, own a tangible asset, and grow your net worth as you gain equity. When you rent, you face rising housing costs, won’t see a return on your investment, and limit your ability to save.

Should I rent or should I buy?

If you want to learn more about the benefits of homeownership, let’s connect today.

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Growing home equity is great news if you plan to move

According to the latest data from CoreLogic, the average homeowner gained $64,000 in home equity over the past 12 months. That much equity can be a game-changer when you move. When you sell, it could be some (if not all) of what you need for a down payment on your next home.

Growing home equity is great news if you plan to move

To find out how much equity you have in your home and how you can use it, let’s connect today.

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Is homeownership still the American dream?

Is homeownership still the American dream?

Defining the American dream is personal, and no one individual will have the same definition as another. But the feelings it brings about – success, freedom, and a sense of prosperity – are universal. That’s why, for many people, homeownership remains a key part of the American dream. Your home is your stake in the community, a strong financial investment, and an achievement to be proud of.

A recent survey from Bankrate asked respondents to rank achievements as indicators of financial success, and the responses prove that owning a home is still important to so many Americans today (see graph below):

American Dream 2

As the graph shows, homeownership ranks above other significant milestones, including retirement, having a successful career, and earning a college degree. That could be because owning a home is a significant wealth-building tool and provides meaningful financial stability. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) explains:

“Homeownership builds financial security. With 65.5% of Americans owning homes, the net worth of a typical homeowner is nearly 40 times the net worth of a non-owner.”Continue Reading

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Russ Fortuno, Associate Broker

I'm a Southern Arizona native and Quail Creek resident. Whether you’re buying or selling a home in Quail Creek, you’ll experience unsurpassed service and professionalism at all stages of your real estate transaction. I welcome the opportunity to assist in your next home sale or purchase.
Meet Russ

Tierra Antigua Realty

18745 S. I-19 Frontage Rd., Ste. A105
Green Valley, AZ 85614
(520) 333-0446
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