WHAT WERE THE ACTUAL NUMBERS?

For the month ending in July, the last complete month, according to CoreLogic, the median price rose to $615,000.  However, appreciation is off the red hot double digit growth of 2013 and 2014 and is a much more sustainable and healthy 5.3%.  The number of homes listed for sale as of August 13th was 7,167 and that was up from a month ago of 6,935. (MLS)  The median price per square footage also rose to $377.67, up $9.67 from July 2014.  Rents rose 3.6% and was the 59th consecutive month of year-over-year increases.  This is the key to buying and why it makes profound sense.  You buy a home now and get a 30 year fixed rate loan at 3.85% and in 20 years, in that same home, your payment is exactly the same.  No inflation!!  But if you had been renting all those 20 years at approximately 3% inflation... do the math, what you would be paying would be astronomical compared to what you're paying today.  It just doesn't make sense. Referring your family and friends, to help them buy a home is one of the best and truest acts of financial friendship.