Monday, December 15, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Top Real Estate Agent in Montrose, CA, Reports Growing Number of First-Time Buyers Successfully Purchasing Homes Despite Student Loan Debt
Montrose, CA – Student loan debt no longer has to be a barrier to homeownership. The Vic Markarian Realty Group is seeing a significant increase in first-time buyers successfully purchasing homes despite carrying substantial student loans, thanks to strategic planning and expert guidance that helps buyers navigate today’s lending landscape.
With over three decades of experience helping renters become homeowners, Vic Markarian, a respected Realtor agent in Montrose, CA, has developed proven strategies to help buyers overcome financial obstacles. “We’ve worked with countless first-time buyers who thought student loans disqualified them from homeownership,” Vic explains. “The truth is, with the right approach and proper debt-to-income calculations, many buyers discover they’re in a better positi ...
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Thursday, December 11, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Your Home Might Be Holding the Key to Your Next Chapter
Stuck in a house that no longer fits your life… but feel trapped by rising mortgage rates?You’re not alone, it’s one of the most common pain points among homeowners right now.
But what if the answer was already in your home , literally?
Your equity could change everything about your next move.
The Wealth You’ve Built May Be Bigger Than You Think
Let’s talk about equity: the real, often hidden, wealth that builds as you pay down your mortgage and as home values increase over time.
Each mortgage payment reduces your loan balance. At the same time, home prices tend to rise steadily. Put those two together, and you’ve been growing wealth every single month, likely without even realizing how much.
And if you've owned your home for over a decade, the amount of equity you’ve built might surprise you.
According to Realtor.com:
“Nearly half (45.2%) of today’s homeowners ...
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Thursday, December 4, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Why More Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Mortgage Rate
If you’re one of the many homeowners sitting on a 2–3% mortgage rate, you’ve likely thought:“I’d love to move… but not if it means giving up this great rate.”
You're not alone — that low rate may feel like your best financial asset. But here’s the reality:A low rate doesn’t help if the home no longer fits your life.
And as the data shows, more and more homeowners are reaching the same conclusion.
Homeowners Are Giving Up Their Low Rates
The “lock-in effect” — where homeowners stay put to hold on to their low mortgage - has been strong. But it’s starting to ease.
According to the latest data from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), the share of homeowners with rates below 3% is trending down, while more are taking on 6%+ rates — despite the cost.
And it's not just a blip.
In fact, the number of mortgages with a rate ...
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Wednesday, November 19, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Real Estate Listing Agent in Montrose, CA, Advises Clients That Waiting for Lower Mortgage Rates Could Cost Thousands More in Rising Home Prices
Montrose, CA – As some prospective homebuyers across California still wait for mortgage rates to decline before entering the market, they may be overlooking a crucial factor: rising home prices could ultimately cost them far more than current interest rates. Market data shows that home values continue to appreciate, and delaying a purchase to wait for better rates could result in buyers paying tens of thousands more for the same property just months later.
Vic Markarian, a seasoned real estate agent in Montrose, CA, emphasizes the importance of looking at the complete financial picture. “Many buyers focus solely on interest rates, but they’re missing the bigger story,” says Vic Markarian. “When you factor in home appreciation, waiting for rates to drop by half a percent while prices climb five to t ...
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Wednesday, November 12, 2025 / by Vic Markarian
Are Builders Overbuilding Again? Here’s What the Data Actually Shows
If you’ve noticed more new construction around town, you’re not alone. But does that mean we’re heading for another 2008-style housing crash? Not even close.
Let’s break down what’s really happening in today’s market and why the slowdown in builder activity is actually a smart move — not a red flag.
Builders Are Tapping the Brakes, Not Slamming the Gas
One of the best leading indicators of future home construction is building permits - basically, permission to break ground. And right now, that number is on the decline.
According to recent U.S. Census data, builders are pulling back, not charging forward. Take a look at the chart below:
Back before the 2008 crash, overconfident builders flooded the market with new homes - far more than buyer demand could support. That oversupply helped fuel the housing crisis.
But today? Builders are more cautious. They& ...
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