Last week, the average 30-year fixed   mortgage rate   from   Freddie Mac   jumped   from 3.22% to 3.45% states  Mike Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott . That’s the   highest point   it’s been in almost two years. If you’re thinking about buying a home, this news may have come as a bit of a shock. But the truth is, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Experts have been calling for rates to rise in their 2022 projections, and the forecast is now becoming a reality. Here’s a look at the   projections   from   Freddie Mac   for this year: Q1 2022:  3.4% Q2 2022:  3.5% Q3 2022:  3.6% Q4 2022:  3.7% As the numbers show, this jump in rates is in line with the expectations from  Freddie Mac . And what they also indicate is that mortgage rates are projected to continue climbing throughout the year.  But should you be worried about rising ...

  Homeownership has long been considered the American Dream, and it’s one every American should feel confident and powerful pursuing states  Mike Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott . But owning a home is also a deeply personal dream. Our home provides us with safety and security, and it’s a place where we can  grow and flourish . Today, we remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of us will remember his passion and determination for the causes he championed, including his famous “ I Have a Dream ” speech in 1963. As we reflect on his message today, it may inspire your own dream of homeownership. And if so, know you’re not alone. With a trusted  real estate advisor  at your side, you can begin your journey toward homeownership by answering the questions below. 1. Where Do I Start? The  process  of buying a home is not one to enter into lightly. You need to decide on k...

  After almost two years of double-digit increases, many experts thought home price appreciation would decelerate or happen at a slower pace in the last quarter of 2021 states  Mike Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott.  However, the latest   Home Price Insights Report   from   CoreLogic   indicates while prices may have plateaued, appreciation has definitely not slowed. The following graph shows year-over-year appreciation throughout 2021.   December data has not yet been released. As the graph shows, appreciation has remained steady at around 18% over the last five months. In addition, the latest  S&P Case-Shiller Price Index  and the  FHFA Price Index  show a slight deceleration from the same time last year – it’s just not at the level that was expected. However, they also both indicate there’s continued strong price growth throughout the country. FHFA reports a...

  If you’re following along with the news today, you’re probably hearing a lot about record-breaking home prices, rising consumer costs, supply chain constraints, and more states  Mike Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott . And if you’re thinking about   purchasing a home   this year, all of these inflationary concerns are likely making you wonder if you should wait to buy.   Investopedia   explains   that during a period of high inflation, prices rise across the board. And while home prices aren’t immune from this increase, here’s why inflation shouldn’t stop you from buying a home in 2022. Homeownership Offers Stability and Security Home prices  have been increasing for quite some time, and  experts  say they’re going to continue to climb throughout 2022. So, as a buyer, how can you protect yourself from rising costs for things like food, shelter, entertainment, and other good...

   If you’re on the fence about whether or not you want to sell your house this year, there is good news states  Mike Eastwood - Published Author/Chief Executive Officer of Bello Sol Inc-West USA Realty of Prescott . For nearly two years, real estate professionals have worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of   buyers   and   sellers   during the pandemic. Today, they’re seasoned experts, not just in the art of buying and selling homes, but also in how to keep you safe throughout the process.  Real estate professionals  have learned new technologies plus safety and sanitation measures. As new variants emerge, those lessons continue to be key ways agents add value. Real Estate Advisors Stay Current on Guidance for In-Person Showings Agents don’t leave your health up to chance. They follow guidance from the  Centers for Disease Control  (CDC) and the  National Association of Realtors  (NAR) to ensure in-person showings are ...