TIM GRISSETT's (gtim) Blog

If you’re shopping for a mortgage right now, chances are you’ve heard a lot of opinions about how much you should spend on a down payment. Many people think that the more you can spend on a down payment the better, but there are some factors at play that may dissuade you from making a large down ...

Earlier this month, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released a special study titled Single-Family Home Price Gains by Years of Tenure. The study estimates median home price appreciation over the last 30 years based on the length of homeownership.Below are three graphs depicting the mos...

When you think of wallpaper, you may recall the popular bold prints of the 1960s and 1970s in psychedelic and harvest colors. Even in the 1980s, many homes still put up wallpaper in sticky-sweet pastels. Over time, the fad faded and fewer homeowners were installing wallpaper to create patterns in...

One thing helping homeowners right now is price appreciation, especially in the entry-level market. In the latest Home Price Insights report, CoreLogic reveals how home prices increased by 4% year-over-year and projects prices will rise 5.2% by December 2020.Why is this good news for the homeowne...

It’s imperative that you do your research before deciding whether to buy a condo or a co-op. Many people are unaware of their differences, but we’re here to change that. Keep reading to get the lowdown on condos versus co-ops.The Co-op LowdownWhat you own: Contrary to what you might think when yo...

After over a year of moderating home prices, it appears home value appreciation is about to reaccelerate. Skylar Olsen, Director of Economic Research at Zillow, explained in a recent article: “A year ago, a combination of a government shutdown, stock market slump and mortgage rate spike caused a ...

There’s comfort in being around people who share common interests, goals, and challenges. That comfort in a community doesn’t wane with age – it actually deepens. Whether it’s proudly talking about grandchildren or lamenting the fact that our eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, it helps to be...

In the spring, many excited buyers get ready to enter the housing market. Others continue dreaming about the homes they’d like to buy. The truth is, many potential buyers continue to dream longer than they need to, simply because they’re confused about the homebuying process. Thankfully, working ...

There are many clear financial benefits to owning a home: increasing equity, building net worth, growing appreciation, and more. If you’re a renter, it’s never too early to make a plan for how homeownership can propel you toward a stronger future. Here’s a dive into three often-overlooked financi...

There's a fine difference between a second home and a vacation home.  If you are going to primarily use the home for yourself, then, it is probably a second home.  If you're going to use it some during the year and rent it out the rest of the time, it is probably a vacation home.There is another ...