Doug Harman - First Choice Realty

14 Years Running: Why Real Estate Is Still America’s Favorite Investment

For 14 years straight, Americans have called real estate the best long-term investment, and confidence in owning a home is on the rise. If you've been weighing whether buying is worth it, let's connect and talk through what that first step could look like for you.

14 Years Running: Why Real Estate Is Still America’s Favorite Investment Quick gut reaction. Which investment do Americans trust more than stocks, gold, savings accounts, and bonds? The answer hasn't changed in 14 years.

Think Nobody's Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again.

This year's housing market may be moving slower than many of us hoped. But, buyer demand is more resilient than the headlines suggest.

If you're wondering whether there are enough buyers for your house, let's connect. I'll show you what's happening in our local market and build a strategy that helps you take advantage of the momentum that's already here.

Think Nobody's Buying Homes Right Now? Think Again. If you've been thinking about selling, you've probably seen plenty of headlines suggesting buyers have just about disappeared.

When you look up a property, you'll often see two values that don't match: the assessed value and the market value. They're both correct — they just answer different questions.

The assessed value is what the county or municipal tax assessor has assigned to the property for the purpose of calculating property taxes. It usually reflects a formula the local tax authority uses — sometimes a percentage of estimated value, sometimes tied to the last sale price, sometimes capped by law so it can't rise more than a certain amount per year.

The market value is what the property would likely sell for today, based on comparable recent sales, condition, location, and current demand. It's an estimate of what a buyer would actually pay.

The two figures can diverge quite a bit. A home that hasn't been reassessed in years might have a low assessed value even in a hot market. Or a property might be assessed higher than it would actually sell for after a downturn.

Understanding both helps make sense of what you're seeing in the record.

Look up an address at PropertyRecord.com

Student Loans Are Back in the News. Don't Let It Put Your Homeownership Plans on Hold.

Student loans don't have to be the thing standing between you and owning a home. If you've been putting off your homebuying plans because of that debt, talk to a lender about your options. It may not be the barrier you think it is.

Student Loans Are Back in the News. Don't Let It Put Your Homeownership Plans on Hold. Student loans are back in the spotlight. And whether you've been following the headlines closely or just catching bits and pieces here and there, there's a good chance they've been on your mind lately.

Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021

Down payments are smaller than they’ve been in years, and that opens the door for more buyers.

And with added help from assistance programs and a little help from loved ones, you may have more ways forward than you realized. Connect with a trusted lender to talk through your options.

Down Payments Are Smaller Than They’ve Been Since 2021 Saving for a down payment can feel like the hardest part of buying a home.

The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now

When it comes to prices, where you are matters more than ever right now, and a local real estate agent is the best person to help you make sense of it.

Reach out today and let's build a plan that fits our market.

The 1 Factor That Explains Everything Happening with Home Prices Right Now You've probably heard that home prices are cooling off.