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The Homebuyers Opportunity This Spring

March 8, 2022 by Kevin Martini

Is there truly an opportunity for homebuyers this spring since we are in a sellers’ market? YES, there is a homebuyer opportunity this spring even with higher mortgage rates, tight inventory, and inflation. Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini goes beyond the headlines to look at the real homebuyer opportunity this spring in this special episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, episode 133 (note: the Martini Mortgage Podcast is available on all streaming services).

If you are a renter and there is nothing wrong with being a renter and there is a time to rent however that time is not now. Rents are rising and the only way one can truly escape rising rents is to consider purchasing a home and secure a fixed rate mortgage to lock in your housing costs.
Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini in episode 133 of Martini Mortgage Podcast

As a Certified Mortgage Advisor the hot talking points the families I serve have right now is inflation, mortgage rates and concern relating to where home values are headed.
Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini in episode 133 of Martini Mortgage Podcast

…it is sad that some fear the homebuyer’s opportunity this spring is not existent because of inflation. It seems like today every news article includes the topic of inflation. I understand why, inflation is a real thing, and you may be concerned about inflation as it relates to purchasing a home and you may think it is better to sit on the sidelines because of inflation. Inflation should not stop you from buying a home.
Certified Mortgage Advisor Kevin Martini in episode 133 of Martini Mortgage Podcast

martini mortgage group transcript episode 132 martini mortgage podcast (1)

The Homebuyers Opportunity This Spring Transcript

Are you thinking of buying a home as a first-time homebuyer? Are you a current homeowner however it is likely that soon your current house will not meet your needs or the needs of your family in the future or worse, you have already outgrown your house, or your home has outgrown you! For one that is thinking of buying a home for the first-time, for one who is a repeat homebuyer that is looking to upgrade or for one that is a repeat homebuyer looking to downsize – OH BY THE WAY, downsizing does not mean downgrading – this spring is a great time to take action.

My name is Kevin Martini, and I am a Certified Mortgage Advisor and this is episode 133 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast that I am calling, the homebuyer opportunity this spring.

It is always a great time to explore the benefits homeownership. One can never be too early to explore homeownership options and one can never be too late to explore homeownership options. In case you are wondering, it is a great time right now even in a competitive market like we are in today. If you are a renter and there is nothing wrong with being a renter and there is a time to rent however that time is not now. Rents are rising and the only way one can truly escape rising rents is to consider purchasing a home and secure a fixed rate mortgage to lock in your housing costs.

Yes, I get it, inventory right now is tight and may represent a challenge but, even though the number of homes available for sale is low and could represent challenges, the search is worth it! Whatever way you look at it, homeownership is not just a stable long-term investment, homeownership allows you to lock in your housing costs for the long-term.

I know what you are saying, what about taxes and insurance? Yes, property taxes and homeowner insurance are not fixed costs since they can change from year to year and they may rise but your pure housing payment, which is the biggest portion of your housing expense will remain the same with a fixed rate mortgage.

It is a fact; homeownership can create wealth. Wealth is created by appreciation and wealth is created by the retirement of your mortgage. Listen, if you rent today you are paying for a mortgage, granted you are not paying your mortgage, you are paying your landlords mortgage for them. On the topic of wealth creation, last year the average homeowner gained $56,700 of equity and renters gained nothing.

The pandemic has highlighted that homeownership has not just tangible financial benefits but intangible benefits too! Homeownership has many perks but to me it provides me and my family with security and stability even in turbulent times like we experienced that last couple of years. Homeownership is not just about the dollar and cents however the dollar and cents make sense.

As a Certified Mortgage Advisor the hot talking points the families I serve have right now is inflation, mortgage rates and concern relating to where home values are headed. Let me share what I share with the families I serve, let me start with mortgage rates.

There is no question that today, home loan rates are higher than they were last spring but from a historical perspective, mortgage rates are low and if I may say, mortgage rates are epic today. For crumb sakes, when my wife and I purchased our first home the rate was in the mid 9’s!

In case you are wondering, experts believe that rates later this year will be higher than they are today. Yes, home loan rates are expected to continue to rise and when they do, it will cost you and your family more. Essentially when mortgage rates move upward by 1% your buying power is reduced by 10%. You just have to accept it, your buddy that purchased a home last year got a lower rate than you will today, it is what it is and however the current mortgage rate environment is still very favorable maybe not as favorable as it was but today it is more favorable than the experts are predicting by the end of the year. Here is the Kevin Martini bottom line: mortgage rates are expected to continue to rise and that means in the simplest form, it is going to cost you and your family more to wait to buy a home. If the thought of buying a home this year or maybe next year is beeping on your radar however you are waiting for rates to drop, you will be waiting in a line that is going nowhere and current home loan rate environment will be in the rearview mirror and you will likely say, ‘I wish I took advantage of the mortgage rate environment in the spring of 2022’.

Let me shift gears and talk about home values. I am a Certified Mortgage Advisor and some people call me a mortgage strategist but no one calls me a real estate agent. Since I am not real estate agent, I need to research what leading real estate experts are saying. I look at what CoreLogic, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the Mortgage Bankers Association, the National Association of Realtors and at the Home Price Expectation Survey shares. Not one of these entities believes that home values will be lower in 2022. They all are forecasting that home prices will increase in 2022. Granted home values will likely not increase at same record levels we have seen in the past, but home prices are not going to be retreating. Here is the Kevin Martini bottom line, if you are waiting for home prices to drop because you think homes will be more affordable in a few years you need to know that there is no data that supports this. If homeownership is right for you and your family, you have a remarkable opportunity to get ahead of the curve by purchasing a home before the cost of the home goes higher and cost to ge the mortgage goes higher too!

Finally, it is sad that some fear the homebuyer’s opportunity this spring is not existent because of inflation. It seems like today every news article includes the topic of inflation. I understand why, inflation is a real thing, and you may be concerned about inflation as it relates to purchasing a home and you may think it is better to sit on the sidelines because of inflation. Inflation should not stop you from buying a home. Let me say it again for the people in the back, inflation should not stop you from buying a home if anything it should accelerate your plans.

Here is the Kevin Martini breakdown…

Home prices have been increasing and experts forecast home values will climb through the years ahead. The only way you can protect yourself from higher housing costs is by locking in a historic fixed rate mortgage rate on a home you buy sooner than later. History has shown the best hedge against inflation is a fixed housing costs.

WOW, that was a lot of stuff. If you want more information about what you heard or if you are not sure where to start let me share this fact, the homebuying process starts with the home loan not with the house. Connect with mortgage strategist with the Martini Mortgage Group by calling (919) 238-4934.

It is never too soon to explore your homeownership options…it is never too late to explore your homeownership options either. If homeownership is right for you and your family then know this…the first step is always the loan not the home.

There is never a substitute for having price and cost clarity before you start looking for a home. Get pre-approved before your home search not just pre-qualified! To a seller a pre-qualification says you are just ready and willing whereas a pre-approval with a Certified Mortgage Advisor with the Martini Group says you are ready, willing and able. It also communicates to the seller you are making a ‘same-as-cash’ offer and that is important to share in any market, especially in a tight real estate market like we are in today.

If you want trusted advice with a digital mortgage process that offer a great rate with certainty check out my website by going to: www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com – you can find some real world information there and you can also securely apply online or book an appointment with me.

My name is Kevin Martini and thank you for tuning into episode 133 which has been called; ‘The Homebuyers Opportunity This Spring’

Now it is time for the disclaimer:

This material has been prepared for marketing purposes only. This is not a loan commitment or guarantee of any kind. Loan approval and rate are dependent upon borrower credit, collateral, financial history, and program availability at time of origination. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. The Martini Mortgage Group at PCL Financial is a division of Celebrity Home Loans, NMLS # 227765 with a Branch address of 507 N Blount St Raleigh, North Carolina 27604. You can contract Certified Mortgage Advisor and Producing Branch Manager, Kevin Martini NMLS# 143962 by calling the Branch and that number is 919.238.4934. For a full list and more licensing information please visit: www.NMLSConsumerAccess.org or by visiting www.MartiniMortgageGroup.com – Equal Housing Lender

Housing Bubble or Opportunity

March 1, 2022 by Kevin Martini

In Raleigh, is Perception Reality as it Relates to Housing?

Many homeowners and future homebuyers are concerned that a housing bubble is beginning to be formed and some believe we are already in a bubble. Is this perception realty? It is understandable why some have this perception however perception is not always reality. Episode 132 of Martini Mortgage Podcast takes a deep dive into the data to compare 2007 to 2022.

SPOILER ALERT: the 2022 real estate market is nothing like the 2007 real estate market.

Certified Mortgage Advisor, Kevin Martini with the Martini Mortgage Group at PCL Financial Group will share 4 reason why real estate today is not a housing bubble: 1) Affordability 2) Mortgage Standards 3) Foreclosures 4) Inventory.

Listen, enjoy and reach out to the Martini Mortgage Group by calling (919) 238-4934 with questions.

Some Key Quotes from Episode 132 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast

In an annual Gallup poll, 71% of U.S. adults predict home values of homes where they live will increase over the next year. This poll has also highlighted that real estate is the best long-term investment – oh by the way, real estate has been the best long-term investment for the past 8-years over stocks, gold and savings accounts.
Martini Mortgage Podcast with Kevin Martini | Episode 132 ‘Housing Bubble or Opportunity’

There are 3 components to affordability, and they are: the price of the home, wages earned by the homebuyer and the current mortgage rate. 15-years ago, home prices were very high, wages were low and mortgage rates we over 6%. Yup, today home prices are still high, and you know what else is higher today, wages. You know what is not high today, mortgage rates. Home loan rates today are lower than they were 15-years ago and from a historical standard they are very low and below where they were in 2007.
Martini Mortgage Podcast with Kevin Martini | Episode 132 ‘Housing Bubble or Opportunity’

As a primer for all, the housing supply inventory needed to sustain a normal real estate market is approximately a 6-month supply of home for sale. More than 6-months of supply is considered an overabundance. Overabundance will cause prices to depreciate. Less than 6-months is a shortage of housing inventory and will lead to home appreciation. In 2007 to 2010 there was an overabundance, and most were distressed sales which caused prices to crash. Today there is a shortage of inventory, and the shortage of housing inventory is causing an acceleration in home values. It is critical to highlight a housing shortage does not mean that buyers cannot find a home. Every day at the Martini Mortgage Group families are getting their offers accepted by sellers.
Martini Mortgage Podcast with Kevin Martini | Episode 132 ‘Housing Bubble or Opportunity’

Transcript from Episode 132 of the Martini Mortgage Podcast

martini mortgage group transcript episode 132 martini mortgage podcast

There are some consumers today that have the perception that there is a housing bubble beginning or worse their perception is that we are already in a real estate bubble.

I have a news flash…perception is not reality and in this special episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast, I am going to show real factual data to show why we are not in a housing bubble but a housing opportunity.

If you are a first-time listener to the Martini Mortgage Podcast welcome and thank you for tuning in. If you are repeat listener, thank you and welcome back and buckle up because this is going to be a very impactful episode.

My name is Kevin Martini and I am a Certified Mortgage Advisor and the founder of the Martini Mortgage Group with PCL Financial Group which has its headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina however we help families all over the great state of North Carolina and in almost every state in the U.S. … if you want trusted mortgage advise I am here to help – with that said, let me dig into this episode, episode 132.

In an annual Gallup poll, 71% of U.S. adults predict home values of homes where they live will increase over the next year. This poll has also highlighted that real estate is the best long-term investment – oh by the way, real estate has been the best long-term investment for the past 8-years over stocks, gold and savings accounts.

If you are thinking of buying a home in 2022, this poll should provide confirmation that owning real estate is great investment. Real estate is a great investment and maybe even a required investment to make during times of high inflation like we are experiencing today. As you know, inflation has reached it highest level in 40-years. In the simplest form, inflation means prices are increasing everywhere however when you have a mortgage that carries a fixed rate, you are locking in your housing costs, and by locking your housing costs, this shields you and your family from increasing housing payments.

I know what you are saying, what about taxes and insurance? Yes, property taxes and homeowner insurance are not fixed costs since they can change form year to year and they may rise but your pure housing payment, which is the biggest portion of your housing expense will remain the same with a fixed rate mortgage.

Here is a Kevin Martini nugget I must share…if you rent, you do not have the same benefit of locking in your housing costs so, you are not protected from increases in your housing costs since rent are rising expositional. For most of the families I work with as their Certified Mortgage Advisor, we have found that renting is less affordable than homebuying.

Let me circle back on the inflation for a hot second…when you own a home, your home is an asset that will typically increase in value over time, even during periods of inflation.

Why you ask?

Well, as prices rise, the value of your home does too and that make owning a home a great hedge during periods of inflation, especially in periods of high inflation.

OK, OK, you get it. Owning a home is a smart investment even during periods when inflation is rearing its ugly head.

Ok, OK you get that when you lock in a housing cost with a fixed rate mortgage, you are shielded from housing cost increases.

OK, OK, you understand what I am sharing but you are concerned that a real estate bubble is forming or worse we are in a housing bubble.

Let me share a news flash with you!

We are not in a real estate bubble, and I truly believe we are in a period that we will call the ‘good old days of real estate’ when we look back 3 or 5 or 10-years for now.

Real estate today is materially different than real estate was 15-years ago during what some call housing crash or what I call ‘mortgage renaissance’. 2022 is not 2007 and I am going to highlight 4 reasons why today is not like it was.

Kevin Martini reason number 1 why we are not in a housing bubble is houses are not unaffordable like they were during the housing boom.

There are 3 components to affordability, and they are: the price of the home, wages earned by the homebuyer and the current mortgage rate. 15-years ago, home prices were very high, wages were low and mortgage rates we over 6%. Yup, today home prices are still high, and you know what else is higher today, wages. You know what is not high today, mortgage rates. Home loan rates today are lower than they were 15-years ago and from a historical standard they are very low and below where they were in 2007.

There is no question, affordability today is not as strong as it was last-year however affordability is much better than it was during the housing boom.

Kevin Martini reason number 2 why we are not in a housing bubble is mortgage standards. During the boom and then bubble, mortgage standards were much more relaxed, and this made essentially anyone eligible for a mortgage. Today, mortgage standards are nothing like they were during the boom however common sense is still deployed with the Martini Mortgage Group.

Kevin Martini reason number 3 why we are not in a housing bubble is foreclosures. Today the foreclosure situation is nothing like it was during the crash. In 2007 was over 1.1 million foreclosures, in 2008 there were over 1.7 million in foreclosures, in 2009 there were over 2 million in foreclosures in 2010 there were over 1.8 million in foreclosures. During the 4-years of the housing crash there was about 7 million foreclosures and during the last 4 years, specifically 2018 to 2021 there have been under a total under 725,000. A little over 556,000 were in 2018 and 2019 —129,000 in 2020 and in 2021 there were only 38,040.

For those folks that want to poke holes in the data, I know what you are thinking – there was a forbearance program in place is 2020 and 2021. Yes, the forbearance program was designed to help good people that fell on hard times courtesy of the evil pandemic. At the time of recording this episode of the Martini Mortgage Podcast there were fewer than 800,000 homeowners left on this forbearance program, and most will be able to work out a repayment plan.

Kevin Martini reason number 4 why we are not in a housing bubble is we do not have a surplus of homes on the market.

As a primer for all, the housing supply inventory needed to sustain a normal real estate market is approximately a 6-month supply of home for sale. More than 6-months of supply is considered an overabundance. Overabundance will cause prices to depreciate. Less than 6-months is a shortage of housing inventory and will lead to home appreciation. In 2007 to 2010 there was an overabundance, and most were distressed sales which caused prices to crash. Today there is a shortage of inventory, and the shortage of housing inventory is causing an acceleration in home values. It is critical to highlight a housing shortage does not mean that buyers cannot find a home. Every day at the Martini Mortgage Group families are getting their offers accepted by sellers.

Today, the housing inventory is nothing like it was during the housing inventory during the boom, bubble and then bust.

If your perception is that real estate is ripe and rotten then your perception is not reality. Real estate is green and growing today and into the long-term future.

My name is Kevin Martini and thank you for tuning into episode 132 which has been called; ‘Housing Bubble or Opportunity’

Now it is time for the disclaimer:

Choosing a Mortgage Lender in Raleigh

February 14, 2022 by Martini Mortgage Group

When it comes to finding a mortgage lender in Raleigh, it is important to know that not all home loan companies are equal.

The quality of your mortgage lender will affect both how smoothly the loan process goes and how satisfied you are with your mortgage. Below are some tips to help you choose the right company.

Things You Should To Know When Choosing a Mortgage Lender

Choose a local Raleigh mortgage company. Instead of working with a big box, nationwide lender, think about choosing a company that is based right here in Raleigh. A local business is going to take more time with you, work harder to surmount obstacles, and also better understand the Raleigh real estate market.
Work with a company that puts your interests first. Did you know that loan experts at many companies are paid on commission? The Martini Mortgage Group instead pays its strategists on salary. We do this to eliminate conflicts of interest. Operating as a fiduciary, we focus on your best interests ahead of our own at all times.
Select a lender in North Carolina offering diverse products. The right mortgage lender offers a selection of loan products that offers something to every borrower. We can connect you with conventional loans, FHA loans, jumbo loans, VA loans, physician loans, bank statement loans, USDA loans and more.
Choose a company that keeps you informed. The loan process should be simple and straightforward, never mystifying. And you should never be feeling confused about your next steps or your application status. A mortgage company that is dedicated to its customers takes the time to follow up consistently with you along the way toward closing. The loan experts should always be ready to answer your questions and help you take the next steps.
Work with a mortgage lender in Raleigh that treats you like family. Finally, the Martini Mortgage Group is a family company with family values. A good mortgage broker should treat you as such, since your home is one of the biggest investments you will make for your family. That is why one of our slogans is, “Our family is YOUR family lender.” As your family lender, we will keep monitoring your home loan and supporting you long after you receive your keys. Any time in the future you need help, we will be there.

Schedule a Consult With the Martini Mortgage Group Today

Have questions about working with us, or ready to apply for a home loan? Please give the Martini Mortgage Group a call at (919) 238-4934 to schedule your consultation. We are based in Raleigh and help homebuyers and homeowners throughout North Carolina as well as the states of Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia.