Esperanza Estrella at Pantigagroup, Inc

Is Homeownership Still Considered Part of the American Dream? Since the birth of our nation, homeownership has always been considered a major piece of the American Dream. As Frederick Peters reports in Forbes: The idea of a place of one’s own drives the American story. We became a nation out of a desire to slip the bonds of Europe, which was still in many respects a collection of feudal societies. Old rich families, or the church, owned all the land and, with few exceptions,... everyone else was a tenant. The magic of America lay not only in its sense of opportunity, but also in the belief that life could in every way be shaped by the... #RIGAMONTYTEAM

What It Means To Be in a Sellers’ Market If you’ve given even a casual thought to selling your house in the near future, this is the time to really think seriously about making a move. Here’s why this season is the ultimate sellers’ market and the optimal time to make sure your house is available for buyers who are looking for homes to purchase. The latest Existing Home Sales Report from The National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows the inventory of houses for sale is stil...l astonishingly low, sitting at just a 2-month supply at the current sales pace. Historically, a 6-month supply is necessary for a ‘normal’ or... #RIGAMONTYTEAM

2021 Real Estate Myth Buster [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights There are a lot of misconceptions about buying or selling a home today, making it challenging to know exactly how to navigate the current real estate landscape.... Here’s a little clarity when it comes to 5 common myths about the 2021 housing market. Let’s connect to discuss your needs and so you can decipher facts from fiction in our local market. #RIGAMONTYTEAM

Why You Should Think About Listing Prices Like an Auction’s Reserve Price For generations, the homebuying process never really changed. The seller would try to estimate the market value of the home and tack on a little extra to give themselves some negotiating room. That figure would become the listing price of the house. Buyers would then try to determine how much less than the full price they could offer and still get the home. The asking price was generally the ceiling of ...the negotiation. The actual sales price would almost always be somewhat lower than the list price. It was unthinkable to pay more than what the seller was asking. Today is... #RIGAMONTYTEAM

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage? According to data from the most recent Origination Insight Report by Ellie Mae, the average FICO score on closed loans reached 753 in February. As lending standards have tightened recently, many are concerned over whether or not their credit score is strong enough to qualify for a mortgage. While stricter lending standards could be a challenge for some, many buyers may be surprised by the options that are still available for borr...owers with lower credit scores. The fact that the average American has seen their credit score go up in recent years is a great sign of financial health. As someone’s... #RIGAMONTYTEAM

Americans See Major Home Equity Gains [INFOGRAPHIC] Some Highlights Today’s home price appreciation is driving equity higher throughout the country.... If your needs are changing and you’re ready for a new home, your equity may be a great asset to power your next move. Now is a great time to put your equity toward a down payment on the home of your dreams. #RIGAMONTYTEAM