Homes of the Napa Valley

Serving the North Bay community for over 20 years

707-257-6000
Christine Hannah, Broker /Owner Ca BRE # 01273087

VA Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC] Veteran Special!

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VA Loans by the Numbers [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Since the creation of the VA Home Loans Program, 22 million veterans have been able to achieve the American Dream of homeownership.
  • In 2017, $188 billion was loaned to veterans and their families through the program.
  • VA Purchase Loans are on the rise in 46 out of 50 states and Washington, DC.
  • We have Investor loans for Veterans. Our CEO Alan Vaughn served in US Airforce.

The Cost of Waiting: Interest Rates Edition [INFOGRAPHIC]

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The Cost of Waiting: Interest Rates Edition [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market The Cost of Waiting: Interest Rates Edition [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Some Highlights:

  • Interest rates are projected to increase steadily heading into 2019.
  • The higher your interest rate, the more money you end up paying for your home and the higher your monthly payment will be.
  • Rates are still low right now. Don’t wait until rates hit 5% to start searching for your dream home!
  • Call me to get a comparison on your current mortgage, or rent and future payment. Christine Hannah 707.257.6000

You Can Save for a Down Payment Faster Than You Think!

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You Can Save for a Down Payment Faster Than You Think! | Simplifying The Market Saving for a down payment is often the biggest hurdle for a first-time homebuyer. Depending on where you live, median income, median rents, and home prices all vary. So, we set out to find out how long it would take to save for a down payment in each state. Using data from the United States Census Bureau and Zillow, we determined how long it would take, nationwide, for a first-time buyer to save enough money for a down payment on their dream home. There is a long-standing ‘rule’ that a household should not pay more than 28% of their income on their monthly housing expense. By determining the percentage of income spent renting in each state, and the amount needed for a 10% down payment, we were able to establish how long (in years) it would take for an average resident to save enough money to buy a home of their own. According to the data, residents in Ohio can save for a down payment the quickest in just under 3 years (2.44). Below is a map that was created using the data for each state: You Can Save for a Down Payment Faster Than You Think! | Simplifying The Market

What if you only needed to save 3%?

What if you were able to take advantage of one of Freddie Mac’s or Fannie Mae’s 3%-down programs? Suddenly, saving for a down payment no longer takes 5 or 10 years, but becomes possible in a year or two in many states as shown on the map below. You Can Save for a Down Payment Faster Than You Think! | Simplifying The Market

Bottom Line

Whether you have just started to save for a down payment, or have been saving for years, you may be closer to your dream home than you think! Let’s meet up so I can help you evaluate your ability to buy today.   Because we at Homes of the Napa Valley are a Boutique Style Real Estate company, we have special deals for First Time Home buyers and Veterans. Call me today and let me help you. Christine Hannah 707.257.6000

Is Now a Good Time to Rent in Napa?

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Is Now a Good Time to Rent? | Simplifying The Market In Napa people often ask if now is a good time to buy a home, but nobody ever asks when it’s a good time to rent. Regardless, we want to make certain that everyone understands that today is NOT a good time to rent. The Census Bureau recently released their 2017 fourth quarter median rent numbers. Here is a graph showing rent increases from 1988 until today: Is Now a Good Time to Rent? | Simplifying The Market As you can see, rents have steadily increased and are showing no signs of slowing down. If you are faced with making the decision of whether or not you should renew your lease, you might be pleasantly surprised at your ability to buy a home of your own instead.

Bottom Line

One way to protect yourself from rising rents is to lock in your housing expense by buying a home. If you are ready and willing to buy, meet with Christine Hannah  of Homes of the Napa Valley and  determine if you are able to today!

5 Reasons to Love Using A Real Estate Pro in Napa [INFOGRAPHIC]

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5 Reasons to Love Using A RE Pro [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Highlights:

  • Hiring a real estate professional to guide you through the process of buying a home or selling your house can be one of the best decisions you make!
  • They are there for you to help with paperwork, understanding the process, negotiations, and helping you with pricing (both when making an offer or setting the right price for your home).
  • One of the top reasons to hire a real estate professional is their understanding of your local market and how the conditions in your neighborhood will impact your experience.
  • Experience is a very important factor for a successful closing. There are so many things which may or may not go wrong.
  • Christine Hannah has 18 years of real estate experience in the Napa Valley. She has learned from each and every of her 175 closings. Call her for an consolation before your next move. 707.257.6000