Thursday, May 15, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
If you’re carrying student loans, you’re not alone — and you may be wondering if homeownership is out of reach because of it.
You’re not the only one asking that question. In fact, a recent survey found that 72% of people with student debt believe it will delay their ability to buy a home.
But here’s the truth: Student loans don’t have to hold you back from becoming a homeowner.
Do You Really Need to Wait?
Many first-time buyers assume they need to pay off their student loans completely before they can even think about buying a house. But that’s often not the case.
According to Yahoo Finance:
“Student loans don’t have to get in your way when it comes to becoming a homeowner. With the right approach and an understanding of how debt impacts your home-buying options, buying a house when you have student loans is possible.”
In other words, it's about balance — not elimination.
What the Data Says
According to the ...
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Thursday, March 20, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Whether you’re buying or selling a house, here’s something to think about that most people don’t. Your decision doesn’t just impact your life and your family’s, it sparks a ripple effect that has a positive impact on your entire community.
Every year, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts out a report that breaks down the financial impact that comes from people buying and selling homes.
The data shows that if you buy an existing (previously lived-in) home, you're giving the local economy a boost of just over $60K. And if you buy a newly built home, that number goes up to over $125K (see visual below):
That’s because of all the people needed to build, fix up, and sell homes. Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), explains how the housing industry adds jobs to a community:
“. . . housing is a significant job creator. In fact, for et ...
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Thursday, March 6, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
It’s no secret that remote work has surged over the last few years. And that flexibility gave a lot of people the freedom to move — and work — from wherever they wanted.
But now, a growing number of companies are requiring employees to return to the office. And that’s leading some people to make decisions about where they live and if they need to move.
How Return-to-Work Policies Are Impacting Housing
During the rise of remote work, a lot of employees took the opportunity to move away from expensive or crowded city centers. Some opted for suburban neighborhoods and larger homes with yards, while others relocated to more rural areas. But lately, more people are returning to the city.
And according to data from Bright MLS, more than half of workers surveyed would have to rethink where they live or deal with long drive times if their job enforced a return-to-office policy (see chart below):
...
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Sunday, March 2, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Recent natural disasters have left many homeowners in Granada Hills, CA, and surrounding areas facing financial uncertainty. For those struggling to keep up with mortgage payments, Vic Markarian, a top local real estate expert, is encouraging homeowners to explore mortgage forbearance as a valuable relief option.
What is Mortgage Forbearance?
Mortgage forbearance allows homeowners to temporarily reduce or pause their mortgage payments during financial hardship. This option can be crucial for those affected by recent disasters, providing much-needed relief while they recover.
How Homeowners Can Benefit from Forbearance
According to Vic Markarian, a trusted real estate professional with over 30 years of experience, homeowners should immediately contact their mortgage lenders to discuss available forbearance programs. Lenders often provide temporary payment relief, ensuring homeowners don’t fall into foreclosure while recovering from unexpected challenges.
"Many homeowners k ...
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Thursday, January 30, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
A recent report from Realtor.com says 20% of Americans don’t think homeownership is achievable. Maybe you feel the same way. With inflation driving up day-to-day expenses, saving enough to buy your first home is more of a challenge. But here’s the thing. With the right resources and help, you can still make it happen.
There are options that can help make buying a home possible today — even if your savings are limited or your credit isn’t perfect. Let’s explore just two of the solutions that could help get you into your first home no matter the market.
1. FHA Loans
If your down payment savings and your credit score aren’t where you want them to be, an FHA loan could be your pathway to buying a home. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Bankrate, the big perks of an FHA home loan are:
Lower Down Payments: They typically require a smal ...
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