Home Buying Trends – Are You Average?

Home Buying Trends – Are You Average?

Continuing a trend since 2007, the share of home buyers purchasing

a previously owned home has increased 53%, while the share purchasing

a new home has declined, 47%. The typical home purchased was 2,200

square feet, had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, was built in

1990, and was 12 miles from the buyer’s previous residence. 90% of buyers

purchased a single family home, median age 36, median income $87K.

Once buyers find the home they are looking for they plan to

stay in their home for 10 years. 

 

front door of a house

American Attitudes About Home Ownership have not changed much

over decades.  Home ownership is still considered one of the foundations

of American life.  That said, many young people are waiting longer

to marry and start families, so home ownership is not entered into

as early as their parents and grandparents.  This may account for the

rise in single homeowners, both male and female.  Their median age

is 41, and they tend to buy smaller homes, average 1450-1550 square feet.

 

First Time Home Buyers’ median age is 30, they earn $59,900, and

74% purchase a single family home.  The youngest group of home buyers

are the 18-24 year olds, their median income is $49,000, 98% are first time

home buyers, and they purchase a home of about 1400 square feet.

Data from NAR

Additional Articles About Home Buying:

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Realtor

First Time Buyer Mistakes

Which Mortgage Do I Choose?

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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in

West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing

metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical

research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

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Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

Contact Terry   616-292-7263

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Buying a Home – Budget Basics

Buying a Home – Budget Basics

Budgeting has always been a part of my life.  My parents

taught me basic budgeting by example.  We were supplied all

the necessities but luxuries were handed out sparingly, if at all.

If we really wanted something, we had to prove it wasn’t a passing

fancy and then plan for, or work for the money to buy the items

we wanted.

 

Buying a home in today’s economy is much the same.  You must

have your financial “ducks in a row”.  Getting prequalified with a mortgage

lender is a necessity in today’s real estate market.  Gone are the

days of writing an offer, getting it accepted, and then worrying about

financing your purchase.  Today’s sellers wants to know you are serious

and can afford to buy their houses. 

 

the perfect Grand Rapids house

January is a perfect time to analyze last years budget and see

where  you spent your money.  Before meeting with a mortgage lender, you

should have this information at hand.  Lots of online sources exist to

help you with this project, such as online banking reports which are

down-loadable every month and at year-end.  We have a basic budget

analyzer page on our web site if you don’t know where to start.

 

If you know you can’t afford to buy a home but would like to work

towards purchasing one, there are many sources that can help. 

Home Repair Services in Grand Rapids offers free classes on money

management and repairing your credit.  Or give me a call to discuss

home buying basics at 616-292-7263.

 

Additional Articles:

You Want to Buy a House, Now What?

Which Mortgage is Best for Me?

Grand Rapids Michigan Online Relocation Guide

_____________________________________________

The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,

the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in

West Michigan. Grand Rapids Michigan is a vibrant, growing

metropolitan area with a diverse business community, great medical

research & services, numerous universities, plus lively arts and

entertainment of all kinds.

We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!

search for Grand Rapids homes Find Grand Rapids Home Value Grand Rapids Relocation Guide

Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

                          Contact Terry   616-292-7263

OUR FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM