Real Estatin' the Facts

   Here's the weekly round-up of news. Check it out, save it for later, and/or share it with your friends. First-time homebuyer guide: steps to get you started Source: Fox Business News Owning a home has been a pillar of the American dream for decades, and for good reason. Homeownership brings financial benefits like stable monthly payments and tax deductions, and intangibles like the ability to put down roots in your community. But now may or may not be the right time for you to take the leap and buy your first home. Before you go any further, you’ll first want to go through some steps including deciding whether homeownership is right for you, getting your finances into shape, setting your budget and saving for a down payment.   READ MORE...  CA housing affordability inches up in 4th-quarter 2021 Source: CALIFORNIA ASSN. OF REALTORS® A tempering of home price growth combined with a solid increase in household incomes improved the affordability outlook for Californians in the fourt

   Here's the weekly round-up of news. Check it out, save it for later, and/or share it with your friends.  Buyers view record low number of homes before purchasing Source: National Assn. of REALTORS® Last year, home buyers viewed a median of eight homes before purchasing — the lowest number on record, according to research from the National Association of REALTORS®. That’s fewer than in 2009 and 2011, when housing inventory was more plentiful and buyers viewed a median of 12 homes before buying. Among the median eight homes viewed by buyers, three were viewed online only with the help of virtual and video tours as well as virtual open houses, according to NAR data.  READ MORE... Upgraded building codes help reduce wildfire risk Source: Market Watch Upgrading California’s building codes reduced the average risk of structural loss in a wildfire by roughly 40% for homes built in 2008 or later, as compared with a home built in 1990, researchers from University of California, San Diego

   Here's the weekly round-up of news. Check it out, save it for later, and/or share it with your friends. Enjoy! HUD gives owner-occupied buyers early chance Source: Federal Housing Administration In an effort to make more HUD-owned properties available to owner-occupants and non-profit organizations, the Federal Housing Administration doubled its exclusive listing period on certain HUD single-family and real estate-owned homes that will give owner-occupant buyers more time to bid on the properties ahead of investor competition. The extended exclusive listing period for bids will begin on March 1. Individuals, families, HUD-approved nonprofit organizations, and government entities will then have 30 days to review new listings of single-family homes on HUD’s REO sale site, HUD HomeStore. That is up from a 15-day exclusive period that is currently in place.  READ MORE...   2021 CA housing market posts best performance in more than a decade Source: CALIFORNIA ASSN. OF REALTORS® Calif