Buying today means buying high, say most homebuyers and owners

Buying today means buying high, say most homebuyers and owners

Earlier this week, a “rare bear” who caught national attention by accurately predicting the last housing crash in 2005 returned to the headlines. The famed money manager sounded the alarm that current housing "valuation extreme" looks a lot like it is 2005 all over. And he used the b-word, cautioning homebuyers are again in denial of a bubble just as they did before 2007. 

There are no doubt both many bear and bull economists right now, each with their own opinions on the subject. But, to the non-economist homebuyers, this is all just more conflicting noise that impacts their confidence and decision making.

Is the American housing market healthy?

Is the American housing market healthy?

Last month, Fannie Mae – a perennially reliable source we trust – found a 5 percent-point drop in Americans’ home buying confidence from a month prior, and an 8 percent-point drop from a year ago. At the same time, reported sentiment of “now as a good time to sell a home” shot up 21 percentage points year-over-year.

We are also hearing more about emerging housing trends that some might consider unconventional: dramatic increase in second units of housing built in a relative’s backyard, rising desirability of living in a trailer park. These – along with tiny homes, among other new home-buying trends – may be results of decreasing housing affordability, but do they indicate the market is unhealthy?

What do homebuyers think of the mortgage industry?

What do homebuyers think of the mortgage industry?

It’s a popular time for new year resolution, so how about a little self-assessment of the mortgage industry? We have always wondered what homebuyers think of mortgage lending, so we asked 1,019 of them for some feedback in the latest ValueInsured Modern Homebuyer Survey.

Spoiler alert: it’s not unilaterally glowing, but when homebuyers speak up, and when we listen, it could help inform the long-term success of any lender.

2018 housing off to a confusing start + 5 factors that can make it worse

2018 housing off to a confusing start + 5 factors that can make it worse

Welcome to 2018 and Happy New Year!

What a fantastic year we had in housing for 2017 (unless you were a buyer). Interest rates stayed low (then began to rise toward the end), home prices broke record for many major markets (but according to CoreLogic, many are overvalued), and the mortgage industry had a good year in spite of lower refinance activities (however, profit margins are narrowing)…So, it was a good housing year, but not without many caveats. 

Homebuyers knew, so they wait

Homebuyers knew, so they wait

After weeks of resistance from the nation’s realtors, builders and mortgage lenders, our policy makers voted to proceed with a tax reform bill that some say would fuel economic growth, while others say could trigger a housing crash. At ValueInsured, we are not political pundits or policy lobbyists; but what we devote ourselves to everyday is homebuyers’ confidence – how we can help them buy their dream home, build memories with their family, while sleeping soundly at night. 

Here's our take...

A Banner Year for Down Payment Protection - Thank You!

A Banner Year for Down Payment Protection - Thank You!

As you and your families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, we would like to express our thanks to our partners and friends that have helped us deliver down payment protection to homebuyers across the United States.  As we look back on 2017 and ahead to 2018, we are left with great optimism that we can sincerely help today's homebuyers - and the industry as a whole - by reducing the risk of home buying and motivating buyers to get into the homes they want.  We have some great new data to share with you next week from our recent ValueInsured Modern Homebuyer Survey.  Until then, Happy Thanksgiving!

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Millennials want to buy a home, but unsure in today's market

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Millennials want to buy a home, but unsure in today's market

A recent August survey by Freddie Mac found 3 in 4 renters (76%) now believe renting is more affordable than owning a home, up from 68% in March. The survey also reported that 63% of young Millennials ages 21-27 said renting fits their current lifestyle.

ValueInsured through its Modern Homebuyer Survey has been asking similar questions quarterly to gauge desire and preference in buying versus renting. While the desire to own a home remains high among all Americans, including Mllennials, ValueInsured’s researchers have noticed a similar drop in positive attitudes toward buying.

Move over washer and dryer, Americans want to protect their home down payment.

Move over washer and dryer, Americans want to protect their home down payment.

To learn more about homebuyers’ priorities, ValueInsured has used its quarterly Modern Homebuyer Survey to explore what types of home-buying related challenges keep them up at night, what they are willing to give us to fit within their budget. In the latest survey, ValueInsured posed this hypothetical question:  If you had $10 per month to spend to insure and protect one thing in your new home, what would you choose to spend that $10 on?

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