Miranda Jones - Real Estate

Check out these 5 financial planning tips.

Money Matters for Millennial Parents As a young parent, you may just be learning about all the responsibilities parenthood requires. When...

State-sponsored 529 accounts are a tax-free way to pay for a child's college education.

Getting the Most Out of Your Child's 529 Plan to Pay for College State-sponsored 529 accounts are a tax-free way to pay for a child’s college education. Opening an i...

Do you own a shredder? There are three types, but only one will truly protect your identity.

Choose Your Shredder Carefully Protecting your personal information from identity thieves is a multi-step process; however, the big...

Here's how to protect yourself from being pressured into buying an extended warranty.

When to Buy Extended Warranty? Usually Never You just bought a new dishwasher, TV, tablet, refrigerator or other big-ticket item you’ve been want...

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Ready for a change? If you move-up now, you can unlock benefits like eager buyers, top-dollar sales, and high home equity. With summer fast approaching, let’s work together to get your house ready.

For the home cook! What are your favorite spices to cook with?

5 Spices That Add Flavor but Not Heat Are you looking to add spice to your home cooking, but not heat? Here are five interesting flavors t...

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

If your needs have changed, now’s a great time to sell and get the features you want most. Many buyers are eager to move between the school years, so you may see a faster sale, multiple offers, a higher final sales price, and more. If you want to get your house ready for a summer listing, let’s connect.

The Sun Is Shining on Sellers This Summer [INFOGRAPHIC] If your needs have changed, now’s a great time to sell and get the features you want most.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Did you know? Every home sale isn't just a milestone for you, it's an economic boost for your entire community. This is true for newly built and existing homes. If you're looking to move, reach out – let's not just change your life, but uplift our entire neighborhood together.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

In today's tight inventory market, you probably want more options for your search. And new home construction could be a game-changer. Right now, there are more new builds than the norm. But that doesn’t mean we’re overbuilding – there's still a shortage. It just means more options for you. Have questions about what’s available near us? DM me.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

You may have heard mortgage rates are going to stay a bit higher for longer than originally expected. And if you’re wondering why, the answer lies in the latest economic data.

Economic Factors That Impact Mortgage Rates

When it comes to mortgage rates, things like the job market, the pace of inflation, consumer spending, geopolitical uncertainty, and more all have an impact. Another factor at play is the Federal Reserve (the Fed) and its decisions on monetary policy. And that’s what you may be hearing a lot about right now.

Basically, long story short, inflation and its impact on the broader economy are going to be key moving forward. As Greg McBride, Chief Financial Analyst at Bankrate, says: “It’s the longer-term outlook for economic growth and inflation that have the greatest bearing on the level and direction of mortgage rates. Inflation, inflation, inflation — that’s really...

What Is Going on with Mortgage Rates? You may have heard mortgage rates are going to stay a bit higher for longer than originally expected.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

If you’re a member of a younger generation, like Gen Z, you may be asking the question: will I ever be able to buy a home? Here are some helpful tips you may get from a pro.

1. Explore Your Options for a Down Payment

If a down payment is your #1 hurdle, you may have options to give your savings a boost. There are over 2,000 down payment assistance programs designed to make homeownership more achievable. And chances are you won’t need to put 20% down (unless specified by your loan type or lender).

2. Live with Loved Ones To Boost Your Savings

Another thing a number of Gen Z buyers are doing is ditching their rental and moving back in with friends or family. This can help cut down your housing costs so you can build your savings a whole lot faster.

3. Cast a Broad Net for Your Search

When you’ve saved up enough, here’s how a pro will help you approach your search. Since the...

Tips for Younger Homebuyers: How To Make Your Dream a Reality If you’re a member of a younger generation, like Gen Z, you may be asking the question: will I ever be able to buy a home?

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

If you've ever felt the pinch every time you renew your lease, it's time to consider the benefits of owning your own home.

While it may be cheaper to rent than buy in some areas, owning your home means saying goodbye to rising rent and hello to stability and investment in your future.

Let's chat about making homeownership a reality for you.

Avoid becoming a victim of debt collection scams by paying attention to these red flags.

How to Check If a Debt Collector Is Legitimate Figures from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) show that about 70 million people—more ...

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Having a hard time finding a home in your budget? Builders may have a solution that can help. Builders are shifting their attention to what buyers want most right now – smaller, more affordable homes. If you want to see what’s available locally and in other areas nearby, let’s connect and explore your options together.

Builders Are Building Smaller Homes [INFOGRAPHIC] Having a hard time finding a home in your budget? Builders may have a solution that can help.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Struggling to find a home within your budget? Builders might just have the solution you've been searching for.

With a focus on smaller, more affordable homes, they're catering to what buyers need most.

Ready to explore your options? Let's connect and discover what's available in and around our area.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Hearing that mortgage rates are going to stay high? Here’s why.
The Fed just met and decided inflation is still too high, so they won’t bring down the Federal Funds Rate.
While that doesn’t determine mortgage rates, it does have an impact. It means they’ll be volatile for a while longer.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Thinking about buying a home? While today’s mortgage rates might seem a bit intimidating, here are two solid reasons why, if you’re ready and able, it could still be a smart move to get your own place.

1. Home Values Typically Go Up Over Time

There’s been some confusion over the past year or so about which way home prices are headed. Make no mistake, nationally they’re still going up. In fact, over the long-term, home prices almost always go up.

This is a big reason why buying a home can be better than renting. As prices go up and you pay down your mortgage, you build equity. Over time, this growing equity can really increase your net worth. The Urban Institute says: “Homeownership is critical for wealth building and financial stability.”

2. Rent Keeps Rising in the Long Run

Rent just keeps going up over the years. Sure, it might be cheaper to rent right now in some...

The Perks of Buying over Renting Thinking about buying a home?

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

The number of homes for sale is playing a big role in today’s housing market. And, if you’re considering whether or not to list your house, today’s limited supply is one of the biggest advantages you have right now. That’s because your house stands out more when the inventory is low, especially if it’s priced right.

But the supply of homes for sale is growing. As Realtor.com says: “. . . sellers turned out in higher numbers this March as newly listed homes were 15.5% above last year’s levels. This marked the fifth month of increasing listing activity after a 17-month streak of decline.”

What This Means for You

If you’ve been putting off selling your house, maybe it’s time to start thinking about it again – before your neighbors do. While we’re not going to suddenly have a surplus of homes for sale, each house that pops on the market in your area runs the risk of pulling buyer...

What More Listings Mean When You Sell Your House The number of homes for sale is playing a big role in today’s housing market.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Thinking about selling your house? If you are, you might be weighing factors like today’s mortgage rates and your own changing needs to figure out your next move.

Here’s something else to consider. According to the latest Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) from Fannie Mae, the percent of respondents who say it’s a good time to sell is on the rise.

Why Are Sellers Feeling so Optimistic?

One reason why is because right now is traditionally the best time of year to sell a house.
These are the seasons when most people move. That means buyer demand grows. And because there still aren’t enough homes for sale to meet that demand, sellers see some serious perks. According to Rocket Mortgage: “Homes that are listed at the end of spring and the beginning of summer typically sell faster at a higher sales price.”

What Does This Mean for You?

More sellers are coming to realize...

Now’s a Great Time To Sell Your House Thinking about selling your house?

Having trouble keeping track of your monthly payments? You might be damaging your credit score.

How to Negotiate a Clean Credit Report A late payment on a credit bill or other debt such as a mortgage can have a significant impact on yo...

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Did you know the equity you have in your current house can help make your move possible? Once you sell, you can use it for a larger down payment on your next home, so you’re borrowing less. Or, you may even have enough to be an all-cash buyer. The typical homeowner has $298,000 in equity. If you want to find out how much you have, let’s connect for a Professional Equity Assessment Report.

Equity Can Make Your Move Possible When Affordability Is Tight [INFOGRAPHIC] Did you know the equity you have in your current house can help make your move possible?

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

If you’ve been a homeowner for at least a couple of years, keep reading.

Because that means you may be sitting on a solid amount of equity. And if so, there are a few different ways you can use it to fuel your next move.

Wanna know what your equity might unlock for you? Let’s talk through it.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

No matter what you’ve seen in the news, there is no wave of foreclosures on the horizon.

Yes, we’ve seen numbers tick up slightly (hence those headlines), but that was expected when the moratorium ended. It’s not a cause for alarm.

We’re still well below pre-pandemic levels and way lower than what we saw during the crash.

If you have questions, I’m here to help.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you’ve probably come across some articles saying the number of foreclosures in today’s housing market is going up.

The reality is, while increasing, the data shows a foreclosure crisis is not where the market is headed.

The Headlines Make the Increase Sound Dramatic – But It’s Not

The increase the media is calling attention to is a little bit misleading. That’s because it’s comparing the most recent numbers to a time when foreclosures were at historic lows. And that lopsided comparison is making it sound like a much bigger deal than it actually is.

Back in 2020 and 2021, there was a moratorium and forbearance program that helped millions of homeowners avoid foreclosure during challenging times. That’s why numbers for just a few years ago were so low.

Now that the moratorium has come to an end, foreclosures are resuming and...

Foreclosure Numbers Are Nothing Like the 2008 Crash If you’ve been keeping up with the news lately, you’ve probably come across some articles saying the number of foreclosures in today’s housing market is going up.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Ever wonder what makes mortgage rates go up or down?

From economic trends to inflation, it's a complex web. And trying to keep up with the latest news on all those details can be stressful.

Instead, lean on the pros so you have someone to talk to about what’s going on and what changing rates mean for you.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

Did you know?

Around 1 in 4 people still think homes prices are going to fall according to Fannie Mae.

A lot of that is because of clickbait headlines. But the actual data shows prices are rising nationally, not falling.

Have questions about what you’re reading? I'm here to help clear up any confusion.

Your English Connection Tel: 717-660-0415

When it comes to the current housing market, there’s a lot of misinformation out there right now.

And you may be confused about what’s fact and what’s fiction.

That’s why I’m busting some of the biggest myths and misconceptions in real estate today. Swipe to see.

Saving money can be tough, but having these accounts will go a long way toward making sure all your bases are covered.

5 Bank Accounts Every Family Should Have Having all of your family’s money in one bank account can make keeping track of your money easier, b...