David DeMars NMLS #581594

12/04/2025

🏡💡 Are you still paying PMI?
If you bought your home with less than 20% down, chances are… you’re paying Private Mortgage Insurance every month. 😬💸

The good news?
There are quicker and slower paths to getting it removed, and the best strategy depends on your situation. ✔️

Let’s take a look at your options and see how soon you can drop PMI and keep more money in your pocket. 🙌💰

Send me a message anytime!

11/10/2025

30 year vs 50 year mortgage

Here’s a simple comparison of the monthly payment and total interest between a 30-year and the proposed 50-year fixed mortgage, assuming:

Loan amount: $425,000
Interest rate: 5.75% (fixed)

No mortgage insurance or escrow included

💰 Payment Comparison

Loan Term Monthly P&I Interest Paid - Life of Loan
30-Year Fixed @ 5.75% $2,479 $467,440
50-Year Fixed @ 5.75% $2,232 $914,200

📊 Summary

The 50-year term lowers the monthly payment by about $247/month.

However, it adds roughly $447,000 more in interest over the life of the loan, nearly double the total interest paid compared to the 30-year.

🧠 Takeaway

A 50-year mortgage can make monthly payments more affordable in the short term, but it comes at a very high long-term cost. It’s typically best suited for borrowers focused on immediate cash flow flexibility rather than minimizing total interest expense.

Would you take advantage of a 50 year mortgage?

Call now to connect with business.

10/08/2025

📈 Housing Inventory Is Rising — But There’s More to the Story! 🏡

Inventory was up 25% year-over-year in July, but it’s still 11% below July 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels.

🔍 When you look closer, there’s a clear regional divide:
🌴 Southern & Mountain states → Inventory 30% above pre-pandemic norms
🌆 Northeast & Midwest → Inventory still 40–60% below

What does this mean for buyers?
✅ More options in some markets
💰 Continued competition in others

If you’re thinking about buying, the key is knowing what’s happening locally. I can help you understand how these trends impact your opportunities and strategy.

📲 Message me anytime to talk about your market!

10/03/2025

How the government shutdown could impact your home loan or closing

The federal government shutdown is already affecting key parts of the housing market, and if you’re buying, selling, or refinancing, here’s what you need to know.

Several government-backed programs are facing delays or suspensions:

USDA rural home loans are currently paused.
FHA and VA loans are still being processed, but reduced staffing could slow down approvals and appraisals.
The IRS may be delayed in processing tax transcripts, which is a common requirement for many mortgages.
All of this could mean longer timelines, more uncertainty, or even delayed closings for some transactions.

Another concern is the pause of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), managed by FEMA. However, there are private flood insurance alternatives available, like Neptune, that could provide coverage options.

Contact me with any questions, I'm here to help you stay informed.

09/25/2025

📉 The Fed Cut Rates – Here’s What It Means for Housing 🏡

For the first time this year, the Federal Reserve cut its benchmark rate by 0.25%, bringing it down to 4%–4.25%.

So why didn’t mortgage rates drop too? 🤔
👉 Because markets move ahead of Fed announcements. Mortgage rates had already fallen in late August when the cut was first signaled. By the time the Fed made it official, the news was already “priced in.” In fact, rates ticked up slightly on the announcement.

💡 Remember: The Fed Funds Rate isn’t the same as mortgage rates, though it does influence them over time.

Whether you’re thinking about buying your first home, refinancing, or just curious how these moves impact you, I’m here to help break it down. Send me a message anytime — happy to answer your questions!

Send a message to learn more

09/09/2025

Waiting for the “perfect rate” is costing buyers more than they think.

That $500k home you were eyeing a few years ago? It’s $650k today. 🥴 A lot of buyers assume lower rates = cheaper homes, but the reality is price growth often cancels out any savings. A $100k jump in price can impact your payment the same as rates going up almost 2%!

Here’s the catch 👇
✔️ When rates fall → buyers flood the market → prices climb → sellers stop giving concessions.
✔️ When rates are higher → fewer buyers → stronger negotiating power → seller concessions on the table.

💡 The best time to buy isn’t always when rates are the lowest—it’s when competition is. You can always refinance your rate later, but you can’t go back and buy the same home at last year’s price.

If you’ve been waiting for a “sign,” this is it. Don’t let waiting cost you more in the long run. Let’s talk strategy and get you in your home.🏡

07/28/2025

🏡 Average Homeowner's Wealth 🏡

💰 $140,900 in 5 Years.
That’s the average equity gain for homeowners over the past five years. 📈
This kind of growth doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen when you own real estate and give it time to work for you.

🏡 Whether you're buying your first home or thinking about making a move, it's not too late to start building wealth through homeownership.

Let's talk about how today’s market could set your family up for long-term financial success.

📲 Message me to get started or learn how to make your next move a smart one!

07/15/2025

🏡 Chicago Home Prices Are Climbing Fast! 📈

According to the latest data from S&P CoreLogic (via Yahoo Finance), Chicago home prices are up 6.02% year-over-year — making it one of the fastest-rising markets in the country. 🔥

For buyers, that means waiting could cost you. And for homeowners, it may be a great time to tap into growing equity for renovations, debt consolidation, or even a second home.

Thinking about buying, refinancing, or just want to talk strategy? Let’s connect. 📲 I’m here to help you navigate this changing market with confidence.

07/09/2025

🏡💰 Tapping into your home’s equity just got easier — and smarter! 💰🏡

Whether it’s your primary residence, your vacation home, or an investment property…
A Fixed Home Equity Loan could be a great way to access the value you’ve built in your property. 🔒📈

✅ Predictable monthly payments
✅ Competitive fixed rates
✅ Funds for renovations, debt consolidation, or future investments

You’ve worked hard for your home—now let your home work for you. 🛠️📊

📲 Message me to learn more or find out if this option makes sense for your goals.

06/20/2025

🏠 RENTING vs. BUYING — Which one is right for YOU? 🤔
📅 Every month you make a payment… but is it building YOUR future or someone else’s?
Let’s break it down 👇
💸 Renting:
🔹 Monthly payment goes to your landlord
🔹 Rent can increase year after year
🔹 No equity or long-term financial benefit
🔹 Limited control over your space
🏡 Buying:
✅ Builds equity over time
✅ Locked-in monthly payment (with a fixed-rate loan)
✅ Tax benefits 💰
✅ Freedom to make it YOURS
✅ It's an investment in your future
🚫 Myth: “I need 20% down to buy a home.”
✅ Reality: There are programs with as little as 0% down
📈 Rents are rising. Home prices may fluctuate, but owning gives you stability, control, and long-term wealth.
Curious what buying could look like for you? Let's talk! No pressure, just honest answers. 💬
📲 Contact me today for more information! [email protected], , 630-788-9670 📲

06/17/2025

🚨 HEADLINES VS. REALITY 🚨
Redfin's recent article is making waves—but don’t let it scare you out of homeownership.

They claim there are 500,000 more sellers than buyers, suggesting a housing bubble is forming. But here’s the truth ⬇️

📉 Redfin’s numbers? Questionable.
They say there are 1.94M homes for sale… but:

✅ Realtor.com (used by the Federal Reserve) reports only 959K active listings

✅ National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 1.45M total inventory—and that includes homes already under contract

🧐 Even factoring in new construction homes, we’re nowhere near Redfin’s numbers.

And their buyer estimate? Also guesswork. There’s no official database to track the number of homebuyers actively shopping.

📈 Meanwhile, a recent survey of top economists predicts:

3.4% home price growth in 2025

19% cumulative appreciation over 5 years

Bottom line: The sky isn't falling.

05/22/2025

💸 Worried about bidding over asking price? You're not alone.

It might feel uncomfortable at first—but here’s the truth 👉
Price appreciation can quickly make up for that extra upfront cost. And in the long run, you're not just buying a home—you’re building real wealth through equity. 🏡📈

✅ You get the home you love
✅ You grow long-term equity
✅ You stay ahead of rising home values

💬 I have a tool that shows you exactly how it plays out over time. Message me and I’ll walk you through the numbers so you can make a confident, informed offer.