Sharon R. Starke - NMLS 14138-Cardinal Financial

The “Take It or Leave It” Attitude Is Fading from the Market – What That Means for You

Sellers and builders are both giving buyers more to work with this year. Want to know what’s realistic to expect in concessions and incentives in our market? Let’s connect.

The “Take It or Leave It” Attitude Is Fading from the Market – What That Means for You Negotiations are back. More buyers are asking for better deals, and more sellers are giving them. Builders are throwing in extras, too.

Student Loans Are Back in the News. Don't Let It Put Your Homeownership Plans on Hold.

Student loans don't have to be the thing standing between you and owning a home. If you've been putting off your homebuying plans because of that debt, talk to a lender about your options. It may not be the barrier you think it is.

Student Loans Are Back in the News. Don't Let It Put Your Homeownership Plans on Hold. Student loans are back in the spotlight. And whether you've been following the headlines closely or just catching bits and pieces here and there, there's a good chance they've been on your mind lately.

A lot of buyers and sellers are holding back right now because they're worried we're headed for another 2008. But look at the numbers.

In 2008, homeowner equity and mortgage debt were nearly identical. That means, if someone hit a rough patch, they had almost nothing to fall back on. That's part of what made that crash so bad.

Today? Home equity is at $34.9 trillion. Debt is at $14.4 trillion. So, homeowners aren't stuck. They have equity built up in their homes – which means if they needed to sell, many could and they’d still come out ahead. They have a cushion.

This isn’t a crash. Today’s market still has a solid foundation.

And if worries about a crash have been keeping you on the sidelines, it might be worth having a conversation about what a move could look like for you right now.