The process of buying a home can be exciting and stressful, with one important task being the home inspection. All real estate professionals will likely recommend a home inspection. This is usually a condition of making an offer on a home. While not all prospective buyers will ask the seller to make repairs based on the inspection report, it is important for buyers to know what they might have to do to repair the home. When an offer is made with a contingency, this allows the buyer to renegotiate the price of the home based on the inspection report. Some prospective buyers might elect to walk … [Read More...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on home prices, new and pending home sales, and the post-meeting statement of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home Price Growth Breaks Records for Second Consecutive Month National home prices grew by 16.60 percent year-over-year in May according to S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index. April’s reading reported year-over-year home price growth of 14.80 percent. Home price growth broke … [Read More...]
There are many homeowners who are looking for ways to reduce their monthly expenses. One way to do that is to target energy bills and expenditures. Homeowners might be able to make a few changes and upgrades to their homes, which could reduce utility bills and improve energy efficiency. What are a few ways to do exactly that? Consider Making The Switch To LED Lights One of the first changes homeowners might want to make is to switch to LED lights. LED lights are newer lights that can last many times longer than traditional lightbulbs. It is not unusual for homeowners to save $75 per year on … [Read More...]
Home prices continued to rise at record rates in May according to S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. National home prices rose by 16.60 percent year-over-year in May as compared to 14.80 percent year-over-year price growth in April. The 10-City Home Price Index reported home prices rose 16.40 percent year-over-year and 1.90 percent month-to-month. 20-City Home Price Index Reports 17 Percent Home Price Growth Year-Over-Year S&P Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index reported month-to-month home price growth of two percent in May as year-over-year home price gains rose from … [Read More...]
If you're moving to a new city and you're looking for an affordable home in a nice neighborhood, one great way to get a fantastic home without paying sky-high prices is by choosing a home in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Communities that are starting to gentrify make it easy to find an affordable home, especially if you buy before the prices start to rise. So how can you spot a neighborhood that's on the rise? Here's what you need to know. Look For Neighborhoods Popular With Artists & Young People Young people, artists, musicians, performers, and other bohemians tend to lead the way when … [Read More...]
If you're entering the real estate investment market for the first time, you're embarking on a great adventure – and with a solid plan, you can turn a tidy profit on your investment. The key to a successful real estate investment is choosing the right property. A great property will reap dividends for years to come. Look for these three features in your next investment property and you'll have no trouble finding one that turns a profit. Location: More Important Than You Think The location of your investment property will be critical in determining how much you earn on it and how long … [Read More...]