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"Discover the Charm of Oxford: Your Ultimate Moving Guide"

1/8/2023

If you're considering a move to Oxford, Mississippi, here are ten reasons why you'll fall in love with this charming Southern town:

  1. The small-town atmosphere: With a population of just over 21,000, Oxford has a cozy, community-driven feel that is hard to find in larger cities.

  2. The history: From its Civil War-era landmarks to its historic downtown, Oxford has a rich history that is fascinating to explore.

  3. The University of Mississippi: As the home of Ole Miss, Oxford is a college town with a diverse, vibrant population.

  4. The delicious Southern cuisine: From BBQ to biscuits and gravy, Oxford has a wide variety of delicious food options.

  5. The music scene: From blues to rock to country, Oxford has a thriving music culture that will please any music lover.

  6. The great outdoors: With its rolling hills and beautiful forests, Oxford is an excellent place for nature enthusiasts.

  7. The shopping: Oxford has a wide variety of shopping options, from locally-owned boutiques to big-name stores.

  8. The sports culture: As the home of Ole Miss, Oxford has a strong sports culture with plenty of opportunities to watch or participate in games.

  9. The thriving art scene: Oxford has a vibrant art culture that is sure to inspire and delight from galleries to the theater to music.

  10. The friendly locals: One of the things that people love most about Oxford is a warm, welcoming community. You'll feel right at home in no time!

Overall, Oxford is a beautiful place to call home, with its rich history, diverse culture, and friendly community.

Is Student Loan Debt A Threat to Homeownership? No!

2/8/2019

Is Student Loan Debt A Threat to Homeownership? No!

Is Student Loan Debt A Threat to Homeownership? No! | MyKCM

Over the course of the last thirty years, a shift has happened. An entire generation has been raised to believe that a college education is their key to unlocking opportunities that were not available to their parent’s or grandparent’s generations.

Due to this, student loan debt has soared to $1.5 trillion and represents the largest category of debt, surpassing credit card and auto loan debt in 2010 and never looking back. As more and more Americans continue their education amongst rising tuition costs, this number will no doubt increase.

Many housing experts have blamed student loans for a drop in the homeownership rate for young families, and to an extent, they’ve been right. Increased debt at the time of graduation has no doubt limited young people from being able to afford a home at the same rate as their parents or grandparents did at the same age.

In a recent Forbes article, the author explained that “in just the class of 2017, the average student has about $40,000 in debt — almost enough for a 20% down payment on a median-priced home.”

The Federal Reserve set out to determine exactly how much impact student loan debt has had on the homeownership rate of those 18-34 (millennials). Their results found that,

Every $1,000 in student loan debt delays homeownership by about 2.5 months, but it doesn’t prevent homeownership entirely.

 In fact, by the time college grads reach their 30s, those with student loan debt have a homeownership rate nearly identical to those who didn’t take out loans.” (emphasis added)

In the Wall Street Journal’s coverage of the Fed report, they found that recent graduates prioritize paying off their student loans over saving for a down payment, despite their desire to be a homeowner. Many with debt want to “get that monkey off (their) back (before they) make any new investments.”

This has just delayed the wave of young home buyers from hitting the market. But as Danielle Hale, the Chief Economist at realtor.com warns,

“2020 will be peak millennial, the year when the largest number of millennials will turn 30.”

 By age 30, those who attained a bachelor’s degree right after high school will be one or two years away from paying off their loans and will have been in their career long enough to earn a higher salary.

In the long run, research shows that attaining a bachelor’s degree or more actually increases the chances that someone will become a homeowner.

Bottom Line

If you are one of the many millennials who has prioritized paying down your student loans over saving for a down payment, you’re not alone. Even if you are a couple years away from paying off your loans, let’s get together to help you determine if waiting really is the best decision for you!

The Importance of Home Ownership to the American Dream

2/8/2019

The Importance of Homeownership to the American Dream

The Importance of Homeownership to the American Dream | MyKCM

For centuries, people in this country have seen homeownership as part of the American Dream. Whether they were born here or immigrated from another country, they wanted to own a piece of America. With so many prominent societal changes over the last few decades, it is fair to ask if people in America still feel the same way about owning a home. The answer was made abundantly clear in two separate reports released earlier this month.

5 Reason to Love Hiring A Real Estate Pro

2/8/2019

5 Reasons to Love Hiring A Real Estate Pro [INFOGRAPHIC] | Simplifying The Market

Highlights:

  • Hiring a real estate professional to guide you through the process of buying a home or selling your house can be one of the best decisions you make!
  • They are there for you to help with contracts, explaining the process, negotiations, and pricing (both when making an offer or setting the right price for your home).
  • One of the top reasons to hire a real estate professional is their understanding of your local market and how the conditions in your neighborhood will impact your experience

Home Buying Process

3/22/2018

 

 

                                                                                                                                         

Buying a home might seem like a huge undertaking. It’s not something you do every day, so you might not know what to expect. Most buyers don’t. Learning the home buying process can take the mystery out of buying a new home and allow you to approach each step with confidence.  1. Identify your real estate agent and mortgage broker; these professionals will be your guides though the process 2. Get a loan pre-approval; learn your budget and terms 3. Go house-hunting 4. Negotiate the price and terms 5. Enter the contract period and place a deposit 6. Perform home inspections 7. Receive the appraisal and obtain final loan approval 8. Review all information and remove contingencies if satisfied 9. Close on the new home As you can see, buying a home is really a series of small decisions. As long as you continue to find the information you receive acceptable, you will move through the process towards the close. If not…then you will cancel and start over with another property. Buying a home is exciting and understanding the process can help you avoid unnecessary stress. 

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