If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates. Since mortgage rates impact what you can afford when you take out a home loan – and affordability is a challenge today – it’s a good time to look at the big picture of where mortgage rates have been historically compared to where they are now. Beyond that, it’s important to understand their relationship with inflation for insights into where mortgage rates might go in the near future. Giving Context to the Sticker Shock Freddie Mac has been tracking the 30 ..read more

Do you want to sell your house, but hesitate because you’re worried you won’t be able to find your next home in today’s market? You’re not alone, but there’s some good news that may ease your worries. New home construction is up and is becoming an increasingly significant part of the housing inventory. That means when you go to put your house on the market this summer, considering newly built homes is crucial for expanding the options you’ll have for your next move. Near-Record Percentage of New Home Inventory Newly built homes today make up a near-record percentage of the ..read more

Are you a current renter? Ready to finally have your own place? Keela McGraw is hosting a free event that’s all about buying your first home. It’s gonna be pressure free and full of helpful home buying info. Come as you are – listen in, ask for questions and just absorb the info. Details: WHO: anyone who wants to buy a house whether it’s soon or 5 years from now. WHAT: all the things to prepare and educate you for buying a home. WHEN: Saturday, June 17th from 10 am-11:30 am WHERE: 4025 Woodland Park Blvd, Suite 130, Arlington Texas 76013 WHY: Because we want to help prepare you ..read more

There’s been a lot of talk about higher mortgage rates and how they’re creating affordability challenges for today’s homebuyers. It’s true that rates climbed dramatically since the record-low we saw during the pandemic. But home affordability is based on more than just mortgage rates – it’s determined by a combination of mortgage rates, home prices, and wages. Considering how each one of these factors is changing gives you the full picture of home affordability today. Here’s the latest. 1. Mortgage Rates While mortgage rates are higher than they were a year ago, they’ve hovered primarily ..read more

A new year brings with it the opportunity for new experiences. If that resonates with you because you’re considering making a move, you’re likely juggling a mix of excitement over your next home and a sense of attachment to your current one. A great way to ease some of those emotions and ensure you’re feeling confident in your decision is to keep these three best practices in mind. 1. Price Your Home Right The housing market shifted in 2022 as mortgage rates rose, buyer demand eased, and the number of homes for sale grew. As a seller, you’ll want to recognize things ar ..read more

If you’re a homeowner, chances are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years as home prices skyrocketed and you made your monthly mortgage payments. Home equity builds over time and can help you achieve certain goals. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the average borrower with a home loan has almost $300,000 in equity right now. As you weigh your options, especially in the face of inflation and talk of a recession, it’s important to understand your assets and how you can leverage them. A real estate professional is the best res ..read more

Worried that you’ve missed your opportunity to sell your home because of real estate headlines? Here’s what you need to know. Buyer demand hasn’t disappeared. It’s just eased from the peak intensity we saw over the past two years. Buyer Demand Then and Now During the pandemic, mortgage rates hit record lows, and that spurred a significant rise in buyer demand. This year, as rates increased due to factors like rising inflation, buyer demand pulled back or softened as a result. The latest data from ShowingTime confirms this trend (see graph below): T ..read more

Some people believe there’s a group of homeowners who may be reluctant to sell their houses because they don’t want to lose the historically low mortgage rate they have on their current home. You may even have the same hesitation if you’re thinking about selling your house. Data shows 51% of homeowners have a mortgage rate under 4% as of April this year. And while it’s true mortgage rates are higher than that right now, there are other non-financial factors to consider when it comes to making a move. In other words, your mortgage rate is important, but you may have oth ..read more

We’ve been keeping a secret and can finally spill the beans! Fort Worth-based REALTOR® Keela McGraw has been featured on A&E’s new real estate television program Move Or Improve. Keela will appear in Season 1, Episode 13 to be aired on Saturday, September 24 at 11 am CST. A&E’s Move or Improve follows homeowners who are no longer happy with their home and find themselves at a real estate crossroads. With new babies in tow, kids leaving for college, or a remote work-from-home plan, these homeowners are stuck in limbo as they embark on the emotional journey to make one life-changing dec ..read more

We are experiencing some exciting times here at McGraw Group! Due to the amazing support that our friends and clients have shown us over the years, we have news to share! We are expanding our team. We are hiring a Showing Partner to join us. This customer-service rockstar is going to be our real estate market expert and provide a heightened level of care to our clients. Sounds like a fit for you or someone you know?  Please click this link to see the job details and apply. The post Join Our Team: Showing Partner appeared first on McGraw Group ..read more