![Economic Impact of Every Home Sold [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Economic-Impact.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Every time a home is sold, the surrounding economy feels a boost.
- Different industries and businesses benefit at each stage of the process of moving into a home!
- Hawaii leads the way with a $177,000 boost to the local economy.
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If you were worried about the Feds increasing interest rates, you're in luck. Last Thursday, the Federal Open Market Committee opted not to raise interest rates, to much surprise. Arguing that higher interest rates would only harm potential buyers, officials decided to keep the key interest rate at near-zero. Although US economic conditions have improved thanks to job market gains and declining unemployment, issues in the global financial market are causing officials to remain cautious. Financial instability in global players like China, who have a big impact on world markets, could negatively affect the US. Plus, low inflation caused by drops in oil prices has a negative effect on workers' income, which could hold back economic growth.
While officials are holding off on raising interest rates for now, policymakers warned that rates would be raised by the end of the year. At the moment, however, they are waiting to see if the labor market will grow stronger before doing so.
Very proud to announce we closed 3 transactions in 1 day! This 3BD/1BA cottage has been beautifully remodeled to feature hardwood floors, a fireplace, all new windows, sliders, and doors, a new kitchen and bath, and newly finished stucco exterior. Located mere blocks from Carpinteria's shops, restaurants and beaches.
Sold for $895,000
The Baby Boomer generation, first of all, is defined in two categories in the 2015 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report; people born from 1955-1964 are called Younger Boomers and those born from 1946-1954 are Older Boomers. We will refer to the general group as “Baby Boomers” unless distinct research indicates differences for the two subcategories.
Combined, Baby Boomers account for 31 percent of the home buying population. This category gets overshadowed as a home buying demographic because they do not stand out as first-time buyers, as the Millennials do – which are a hot topic in the media and largely are first-time home buyers, and they are often not seen as buying large family homes with children under the age of 18 like Generation X. As a demographic, statistically speaking, their relative importance compared to Millennials appears to be less substantial because they are broken down into two categories.
Notably, Younger Boomers purchased more multi-generational homes in 2014 than any other age group at 21 percent. Baby Boomers in general have a strong purchasing power. Older Boomers have the same median income as Millennials approximately $76,000 for each and Younger Boomers have a higher purchasing power with a median income of $96,600.
NAR’s Generational Trends Report also shows that Baby Boomers are buying detached single-family homes more than any other home type. Eighty-one percent of Younger Boomers bought single-family homes as did 72 percent for Older Boomers. Baby Boomers are selling their larger homes and downsizing for smaller places predominantly in the suburbs or small towns. Younger Boomers cited that the primary reason for purchasing a home was a job-related relocation (16 percent) followed by the desire for a smaller home (13 percent). For Older Boomers, they bought homes first for retirement (15 percent) and second to be closer to friends and family (nine percent).
Additionally, there are senior-related housing communities that cater specifically to the Baby Boomer and the Silent Generation. For all buyers over the age of 49 who purchased in senior related housing, their housing preferences are delineated in the chart below:
Compared to other home buyers, Baby Boomers combined are 31 percent of the home buying population just after Millennials at 32 percent. Younger Boomers has the largest population of single females purchasing homes at 23 percent followed by Older Boomers at 21 percent. Single female Millennials are just half that pool of Baby Boomers at 12 percent. Single female Baby Boomers also purchased homes priced $100,000-150,000 more than any other price range.
Types of Homes Purchased by Baby Boomers
Older Boomers’ top reason for buying a new home more than any other age group (29 percent) was to enjoy the amenities of new home construction communities, to avoid renovations or problems with plumbing or electricity (28 percent), followed by the desire to customize the design features (25 percent). Factors that influenced Older Boomers were largely quality of the neighborhood, convenience to friends and family, shopping, and health facilities. Younger Boomers also prioritized the quality of the neighborhood but wanted convenience to jobs, schools, and shopping. Predominantly, Baby Boomers purchased homes ranging from $200,000-300,000 with three rooms and two bathrooms. About one-quarter of Baby Boomers bought homes that were built between 1960 and 1986 that are 1,501-2,500 square feet.
Heating and cooling costs were more important to Baby Boomers than other generations. Gen Y and Millennials were most concerned with commuting costs. Baby Boomers were more likely than other generations to report that they made no compromises on the home they purchased, whereas Millennials noted they compromised on price and size. Younger Boomers foresee that moving could be caused by life changes such as relocation for work whereas Older Boomers viewed their purchased as permanent and their ‘forever home.’
The Home Search Process for Baby Boomers
For Baby Boomers, they were twice as likely to contact a real estate agent first when starting the home search process compared to Millennials. All buyers looked online at 43 percent and Older Boomers drove by homes in various neighborhoods. Baby Boomers in general were half as likely as Millennials to use a mobile device to search for information about homes and utilized online video sites and newspaper ads more than other generations. Almost all generations equally visited 10 homes before they purchased.
Millennials found their homes on the internet 51 percent of the time compared to Older Boomers that found their homes first with a real estate agent 39 percent of the time and only 34 percent on the internet. Thirty-two percent of Older Boomers looked at foreclosures whereas 59 percent of Millennials considered it. All generations noted that the most difficult part of the home buying process was finding the right property. Millennials noted that understanding the process was difficult 27 percent of the time whereas Baby Boomers only cited this as an impediment seven percent of the time. Most notably, Baby Boomers used virtual tours 25 percent more frequently than Millennials. The Silent Generation reported they were the most satisfied with the home buying process above all other generations at 68 percent compared to 52 percent of Millennials.
The map shows the median expected price change in the next 12 months for each state based on the May–July 2015 RCI surveys.10 REALTOR® respondents from Colorado and Florida had the most upbeat price expectations, with a median expected price growth in the range of five to six percent. In Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Texas, and Georgia, the median expected price growth was four to five percent. Prices are expected to increase at a modest pace of less than three percent in many Northeast states.
We are excited to have represented a fantastic family in the purchase of their ideal home! This charming 3BD/2.5BA custom-built Tudor home has expansive views and excellent proximity to schools and shopping. Sold for $1,080,000
We are excited to announce the sale of this spacious 3BD/2BA town home, located in the heart of downtown Carpinteria. This Barry-Berkus designed home features elevated ceilings, a ground floor master, 2 private patios, a 2-car garage, a community pool, and is only steps away from Carpinteria's pristine beaches. Sold for $640,000
If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are surely getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family will have your best interest at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in real estate.
Let’s look at whether or not now is actually a good time for you to buy a home.
There are 3 questions you should ask before purchasing in today’s market:
1. Why am I buying a home in the first place?
This truly is the most important question to answer. Forget the finances for a minute. Why did you even begin to consider purchasing a home? For most, the reason has nothing to do with finances.
A study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University reveals that the four major reasons people buy a home have nothing to do with money:
- A good place to raise children and for them to get a good education
- A place where you and your family feel safe
- More space for you and your family
- Control of that space
What non-financial benefits will you and your family derive from owning a home? The answer to that question should be the biggest reason you decide to purchase or not.
2. Where are home values headed?
When looking at future housing values, Home Price Expectation Survey provides a fair assessment. Every quarter, Pulsenomics surveys a nationwide panel of over 100 economists, real estate experts and investment & market strategists about where prices are headed over the next five years. They then average the projections of all 100+ experts into a single number.
Here is what the experts projected in the latest survey:
- Home values will appreciate by 4.1% in 2015.
- The cumulative appreciation will be 18.1% by 2019.
- Even the experts making up the most bearish quartile of the survey still are projecting a cumulative appreciation of over 10.5% by 2019.
So what does that really mean for you and your family?
The chart below was made using the Home Price Expectation Survey’s predictions:
If the experts are right and you were to purchase a home by January 2016 for $250,000, that home would appreciate by over $34,000 over the next four years! As we have reported before, homeownership is one of the best ways to build your family’s wealth.
3. Where are mortgage interest rates headed?
A buyer must be concerned about more than just prices. The ‘long term cost’ of a home can be dramatically impacted by an increase in mortgage rates.
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the National Association of Realtors and Freddie Mac have all projected that mortgage interest rates will increase by approximately one full percentage over the next twelve months as you can see in the chart below:
Bottom Line
Only you and your family will know for certain if now is the right time to purchase a home. Answering these questions will help you make that decision.
![A+ Reasons To Hire A Real Estate Professional [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/A-Reasons-To-Use-A-RE-Pro.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- Hiring a Real Estate Professional to buy your dream home, or sell your current house is one of the most 'educated' decisions you can make!
- A Real Estate Professional has the experience needed to help you through the entire process.
- Make sure that you hire someone who knows current market conditions & can simply & effectively explain them to you & your family!
We are excited to have successfully represented another client in the purchase of their dream home! Spacious, Spanish-tiled roof home is located in the beautiful and serene San Antonio Creek neighborhood. Features include 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, impressive vaulted ceilings, courtyard, 2-car garage and panoramic views of the surrounding Santa Barbara foothills.
Sold for $1,900,000
![Home Prices Up in 93% of Measurable Markets [INFOGRAPHIC] | Keeping Current Matters](http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/20150821-Metro-Prices-Graph.jpg)
Some Highlights:
- The national median home price for Q2 is up 8.2% to $229,400
- The income needed to afford the median home in each region is directly impacted by the amount of the down payment. The larger the down payment the lower the income needed to pay the monthly mortgage payment.
- The West led the way with the highest median home price at $325,200.
The future is here! Listed at $35 million, 4305 Marina Drive is a fully automated "smart home," designed for easy, comfortable living. Situated on the statuesque bluffs of Hope Ranch, this contemporary 10,000+ square foot home overlooks the ocean and features glass walls on both levels with breathtaking views of the coast. The expansive 3.7 acre property includes a home theatre, a dance studio, a private tennis court, a workshop, as well as both rose and vegetable gardens. This 4BD/7BA home even has its own rooftop spa looking upon the ocean, ideal for unwinding after a long day! Check out the photos below for a look at this modern marvel.
Listed by Sotheby's International Realty.