As you venture into the world of home buying in Illinois, there are various costs and taxes you should be aware of. One such cost is the Real Estate Transfer Tax. As a title insurance agency, we routinely assist our clients in navigating these costs, ensuring a seamless and transparent property transfer experience. What is […]
Home Buying
U.S. Avoids Housing Market Crash Despite Challenges Remaining for Buyers
In a remarkable turn of events, the U.S. housing market has skillfully sidestepped the looming threat of a catastrophic crash, sparking widespread interest and fueling fervent discussions among experts and enthusiasts alike. This dynamic and ever-shifting terrain has emerged as a central focal point of contemplation and analysis, captivating the attention of those vested in […]
Understanding Climate Risk: Why Mortgage Lenders Prioritize Its Impact
Climate change is causing significant disruptions to natural disasters and weather patterns worldwide, prompting mortgage lenders to acknowledge the implications of emerging threats on the American real estate market. This article explores the reasons why mortgage lenders are closely examining climate risk and its effects on the industry. Defining Climate Risk in Mortgage Lending In […]
Home Buyer Affordability: Real Estate Market Now Sees Steady Improvements
Home buyer affordability—a measurement of the overall affordability of homes in certain areas compared to average income—is steadily improving in thirty-two states across the country. The median payment applied for by applicants decreased from $1,844 to $1,839, dropping for the third consecutive month. All of this is according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Purchase Applications […]
Buyers’ Market in 2022: A Changing of the Tide?
As inflation soars and loan applications plummet, real estate analysts are starting to see evidence of a buyers’ market in 2022. For the past several years, many real estate analysts considered the housing market to be a ‘seller’s market’. In the real estate world, home prices rose, interest rates fell, and demand reached one of […]
February 2022 Real Estate Reporting Presents Mixed Bag for Housing Market
As previously mentioned, 2021 marked one of the best years for real estate in recent memory. After the coronavirus pandemic stifled home sales throughout the country, the real estate market rebounded at a quicker pace than anticipated. However, the real estate market still deals with longstanding housing inventory challenges. In addition, rising home prices and […]
Home Buyers Face Strong Barriers in the Housing Sector
In the United States housing sector, home buyers face strong barriers heading into 2022. While December 2021 saw major FHFA changes, housing starts and home sales remain competitive. Home Buyers Face Strong Barriers to Entry in Housing Inventory In 2022, home buyers face strong barriers in the real estate market. The first major barrier stems […]
Housing Starts Fall Short & Spending Skyrockets to End the Year
The end of the year saw housing starts fall short of expectations. Meanwhile, consumer spending skyrocketed heading into the holiday season. After November surpassed October’s 30-year inflation high, the Fed planned to expedite its timeline for tapering bond purchasing. Finally, analysts expect to see plenty of volatility in mortgage markets towards the end of December […]
Demand for Second Homes: What’s Really Causing the Rise?
With 2021’s low interest rates, real estate analysts noticed a surprising trend: demand for second homes. In today’s competitive real estate market, buying one home can be challenging enough. This is especially true in the era of COVID-19. However, analysts did not originally predict current homeowners to lead the charge on purchasing that second property. […]
The Difference Between Owner’s and Lender’s Title Insurance
Most people understand the necessity behind purchasing title insurance, but few know that there are two distinct kinds of title insurance, and even fewer know the differences between them. Owner’s and Lender’s title insurance are similar in nature but cover two different sides of a real estate transaction. The Types of Title Insurance There are […]