Like it or not, Millennials are changing the housing market!

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 It’s long been projected that Millennials are destined to dominate the housing market in upcoming years. Now, new data from Realtor.com reveals that it’s finally happening. Millennials are buying houses. Lots of them.

What’s new is that Millennials also finally surpassed older generations in the total dollar amount of those mortgages. According to the data, Millennials now represent the largest dollar volume by age group as well.

Celebrating the holidays!

LL&TS toasted the holidays with a Christmas party for customers and clients on December 4th, 2018.  The event was held at our office with yummy food, festive drinks, merry fellowship, and even a few gifts from Santa.  Thank you to all of our friends who were able to come and celebrate a successful 2018 with us!

LLTS hosts RCCC Business After Hours

LLTS hosts RCCC Business After Hours

oktoberfest-logo-625x285Prost!  (Cheers!)

Lawyers Land and Title Services, LLC along with Kious, Rodgers, Barger, Holder & King, PLLC hosted the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event on October 9, 2018.  The Oktoberfest theme incorporated the sights, sounds and smells of the historical food and beer festival.  To create the atmosphere of a biergarten, a large tent was decorated in the traditional blue, white and yellow swags and streamers with lights, Bavarian checkered flags and fall decor.  Tables were lined up like a beer hall, and Polkawagen, a German oompah band complete with lederhosen, provided the background music. Dallas & Jane Catering prepared tasty Bavarian bites including bratwurst and spaetzle, pork schnitzel sliders, German potato salad, jumbo soft pretzels, apple strudel and gingerbread heart cookies.  Three Oktoberfest craft beers and a signature fall cocktail were served up by Julie’s Bartending in souvenir beer steins.  The weather cooperated and it was a fun night of networking, food and fun.  Danke schoen to all who came out and supported us!

 

Americans say buying a home is the most stressful event in modern life.  30% are reduced to tears while buying first home.

Americans say buying a home is the most stressful event in modern life.  30% are reduced to tears while buying first home.

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It’s no secret that buying a home can be a complicated and even confusing process – and now one survey showed just how stressful Americans say that process is.

 

As it turns out, many Americans, about 40%, say buying a new home is the most stressful event in modern life, according to a survey of 2,000 Americans by Homes.com. Another 44% said they felt nervous throughout the home-buying process.

In fact, many say that going on a job interview, hosting Thanksgiving dinner and applying for college are all less stressful life events than buying a home.

“First-time homebuyers are often stressed and overwhelmed when making such a large purchase like a home,” said David Hoegerman, Homes.com senior manager of content. “As a result, they are looking for guidance and assistance to help make the process easier and smoother.”

Here are some of the specific problems buying a home causes, according to the survey:   continue reading

30% of homeowners are making a mistake that could cost them thousands

30% of homeowners are making a mistake that could cost them thousands

mortgage rate 1Nearly a third of American homeowners may have no idea what their mortgage rate is.

That’s according to new data from Bankrate, which surveyed 2,194 adults, including 1,330 homeowners. When asked, 29 percent of respondents with a mortgage either didn’t know their rate or wouldn’t say.  Understanding your mortgage rate is crucial because even the smallest difference can add up to tens of thousands of dollars over time. It’s an especially important number for homeowners with adjustable-rate mortgages, which rise and fall.

Let’s use a $200,000 home, since that’s approximately the median home value in the U.S., with 20 percent down and a 30-year mortgage as an example. A rate of 3 percent means you’d pay about $82,843 in interest over the length of the mortgage. A rate just 1 percent higher would cost $114,991 in interest — an increase of over $32,000.  With mortgage rates rising to their highest level in years, it’s becoming an increasingly important decision for homeowners with adjustable rates to consider switching to a fixed rate.