Sunrise Homes & Renovations, Inc.

6 Tips That Will Help You Get the Most Out of Your Home Inspection

by

6 Tips That Will Help You Get the Most Out of Your Home InspectionA home inspection may be one of the last things that needs to be done before the deal is sealed. However, it’s very important to have a proper inspection done so that you can ensure you’re offering price is appropriate for the home you’re getting. If you’re prepping for an inspection soon, here are some things you’ll want to consider beforehand.

Choose A Good Inspector

Like a good agent, the right inspector is going to have expertise in what they do and know what to look for. They will not only find the small fix-ups, they’ll be able to highlight the potentially huge issues that may arise down the road.

Prepare Your Papers

Your inspector may be able to do their job well on their own, but if you’ve noticed any issues when you’ve visited the house, it’s important to address them. While they may amount to nothing, an inspector will be able to clear up any confusion.

Ask The Questions

Whether you’re experienced with real estate or not, ask the questions you want to ask whether or not they make you feel like a novice. Even if the answer is simple, it will give you the information you’re looking for.

Get The Lowdown

It might seem like a bridge too far, but talking to neighbors in the area can give you a good sense of the overall upkeep of the home. While it’s unlikely you’ll get any unfortunate tales, people in the area may be able to illuminate you on the house’s history.

Partake In The Inspection

It’s good enough for many a homeowner to get a written report, but going along to see the house can facilitate conversation and may give you insights into what to watch out for. It may also mean you have a clearer idea of any potential issues.

Facilitate The Discussion

In the event that there are significant issues with the home, it may be worth talking with the inspector about dealing directly with the contractor. While this may or may not be necessary, it’s a good way to ensure any problems will be effectively communicated and can be rectified.

A home inspection may be par for the course, but by asking the right questions and being involved you can ensure you’ll get the most out of your inspection. If you’re currently in the market for a home, contact your local real estate professional for more information.

Common Fees During Refinancing

by

Common Fees During RefinancingAs interest rates fluctuate, you might think about refinancing your mortgage. This is the cost of taking out a new home loan to replace the one you currently have. If you get a significantly lower interest rate, you could save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage. On the other hand, you need to think about potential expenses you might incur during the refinancing process. Because you are taking out another home loan, you may need to pay closing costs a second time. What are some of the most common expenses you might have to pay?

The Mortgage Application Fee

One of the most common expenses is the mortgage application fee. Essentially, this is a fee that the lender will charge for opening up a new application on your behalf. The fee can vary significantly depending on the lender you use, but it is usually a few hundred dollars.

A Home Appraisal

When you took out your first mortgage, the lender probably required you to get your home appraised. The lender wants to make sure they are not financing a home that is not worth as much as its price tag. You still need to get your home appraised again if you decide to refinance your mortgage. The lender wants to make sure they understand how much the house is worth before they give you a loan for it. A typical home appraisal is also a few hundred dollars.

Title Search And Title Insurance

The lender might also require a title search and title insurance. This is important for making sure you protect yourself in the event someone else still holds the title to your house. A title search is usually a few hundred dollars, and title insurance could be $1,000 or more.

Loan Origination Fee

Most lenders charge a loan origination fee that is approximately one percent of the value of the loan. Again, this can vary from lender to lender as well. 

Understand These Fees

There are lots of potential fees that a lender might tack on. Fortunately, you do not necessarily need to pay for all of them. Always ask the lender whether they might be willing to waive some of these fees to make the cost less expensive. 

 

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 2, 2022

by

Last week’s economic reporting included readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index, and the Commerce Department on sales of new homes. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also reported. S&P Case-Shiller, FHFA Report Near-Record Home Price Growth February home prices continued their rapid growth, but analysts hinted at a coming slowdown in-home price growth as would-be buyers were faced with rising mortgage rates and affordability concerns. S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index reported year-over-year home price growth of 19.80 percent as compared to January’s national home price growth rate of 19.10 percent. The 20-City Home Price Index reported the top three cities for year-over-year home price growth were Phoenix, Arizona with 32.90 percent growth, Tampa, Florida reported 32.60 percent growth in home prices, and Miami, Florida reported year-over-year home price growth of 29.70 percent. All cities reported in the 20-City Home Price Index had double-digit growth in February and the pace of home price growth was faster for all 20 cities than in January. In related news, the Federal Housing Finance Administration reported that home prices for homes owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rose by 19.40 percent year-over-year and were 2.10 percent higher month-to-month. Pending home sales were lower in March by -1.20 percent, as compared to the expected reading of -1,80 percent and February’s reading of -4.00 percent. Rising inflation and home prices created affordability concerns for first-time and moderate-income homebuyers. Mortgage Rates Mixed, Jobless Claims Fall Freddie Mac reported a lower average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped by one basis point to 5.10 percent; rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.40 percent and were two basis points higher. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 3.78 percent and three basis points higher. Discount points averaged 0.80 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 0.90 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.30 percent. New jobless claims fell last week with 180,000 initial claims filed as compared to 185,000 first-time claims filed in the previous week. Continuing jobless claims held steady with 1.41 million ongoing claims filed and matched the prior week’s reading. The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell by one-half point in April with an index reading of 65.2. The expected reading of 65.7 matched the March reading. Concerns over rising inflation, fuel prices, and the war in Ukraine contributed to lower consumer sentiment. What’s Ahead This week’s scheduled economic news includes readings on public and private-sector jobs growth, the national unemployment rate, and a news conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be published.Last week’s economic reporting included readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index, and the Commerce Department on sales of new homes. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also reported.

S&P Case-Shiller, FHFA Report Near-Record Home Price Growth

February home prices continued their rapid growth, but analysts hinted at a coming slowdown in-home price growth as would-be buyers were faced with rising mortgage rates and affordability concerns. S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index reported year-over-year home price growth of 19.80 percent as compared to January’s national home price growth rate of 19.10 percent. The 20-City Home Price Index reported the top three cities for year-over-year home price growth were Phoenix, Arizona with 32.90 percent growth, Tampa, Florida reported 32.60 percent growth in home prices, and Miami, Florida reported year-over-year home price growth of 29.70 percent. All cities reported in the 20-City Home Price Index had double-digit growth in February and the pace of home price growth was faster for all 20 cities than in January.

In related news, the Federal Housing Finance Administration reported that home prices for homes owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rose by 19.40 percent year-over-year and were 2.10 percent higher month-to-month. 

Pending home sales were lower in March by -1.20 percent, as compared to the expected reading of -1,80 percent and February’s reading of -4.00 percent. Rising inflation and home prices created affordability concerns for first-time and moderate-income homebuyers.

Mortgage Rates Mixed, Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported a lower average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped by one basis point to 5.10 percent; rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.40 percent and were two basis points higher. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 3.78 percent and three basis points higher. Discount points averaged  0.80 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 0.90 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.30 percent.

New jobless claims fell last week with 180,000 initial claims filed as compared to 185,000 first-time claims filed in the previous week. Continuing jobless claims held steady with 1.41 million ongoing claims filed and matched the prior week’s reading.

The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index fell by one-half point in April with an index reading of 65.2. The expected reading of  65.7 matched the March reading. Concerns over rising inflation, fuel prices, and the war in Ukraine contributed to lower consumer sentiment.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic news includes readings on public and private-sector jobs growth, the national unemployment rate, and a news conference by Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be published.

Sale Pending: What Does This Mean?

by

Sale Pending: What Does This Mean? The search for a house can be stressful and filled with lots of jargon that can make it difficult for someone new to the real estate world to figure out what is going on. One of the most common terms that people might see on the MLS is “sale pending.” What does this mean, and how should people interpret this?

An Overview Of Sale Pending

If a listing says that it is “sale pending,” it means that the buyer and the seller are under contract. While the deal is not yet set in stone, it means that the seller has accepted an offer, and there is a contract in place for the sale of the house. There might also be some contingencies to meet before the sale is finalized. 

Making An Offer On A Sale Pending House

This is something that someone can certainly do, but it might not be worth the time of the prospective buyer. If a higher offer comes in, the seller is still contractually obligated to honor the original offer. Buyers that want to make a backup offer should talk to a real estate professional to make sure they submit an offer properly. 

Why A House May Come Back On The Market

There are a few reasons why a house might come back on the market after being listed as pending. Sometimes, the home inspection doesn’t come back favorably, and the buyer might elect to withdraw the offer to find a house with fewer problems. Or, the buyer might have had a hard time finding financing, and cannot buy the house without a home loan. The seller might also be trying to force a short sale, which the bank might not approve, thus canceling the transaction.

Pending Versus Contingent: What This Means

Pending and contingent are similar terms, but they are not the same things. If a listing has gone “contingent,” it means that an agreement is in place but the buyer has to meet a number of contingencies before the sale can be finalized. If a sale is listed as pending, it means that all of the contingencies have been met and the sale is likely to close. Buyers may want to reach out to the seller agent for clarification if they are confused. 

What Home Improvements Sellers Should Make In 2022

by

What Home Improvements Sellers Should Make In 2022Owning a home is an investment, and it is important for people to treat it as such. Some homeowners are looking for improvements they can make to their house that might improve its resale value. There are a number of home improvements that seller should consider making in 2022 if they want to maintain or increase the value of their home.

Add A Stone Veneer

One of the top home improvements homeowners might want to make is to add a stone veneer. It can be expensive to replace the siding of a house with a stone veneer, but this is an improvement that can add significant value to the house over time. Furthermore, homeowners might expect the cost of the veneer to recoup almost all of its value when they go to sell the house.

Update And Remodel The Kitchen

Another upgrade that homeowners should consider is remodeling the kitchen. Styles change over time, and the needs of homeowners can change over time as well. Remodeling the kitchen can be both a stylistic upgrade as well as a functional one. People spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and a prospective buyer might be willing to pay a lot of money for a kitchen that has been upgraded and remodeled. The cost of the project could pay for almost all of itself by increasing the value of the home. 

Replace And Upgrade The Windows

Consider replacing and upgrading the windows to boost the value of the house. A lot of people are tired of spending a lot of money on utilities, and one of the ways to save money on utility bills is to invest in energy-efficient windows. This can improve the insulation of the house and reduce the load on the HVAC system. Buyers might like these utility savings, and they could be willing to pay more for the house, covering the cost of the windows in the process.

Invest In A House With These Improvements

These are just a few of the many home upgrades that homeowners should consider making. There are plenty of ways to not only improve or remodel the house but also increase its value. Work with a professional to get the most out of these improvements. 

Case-Shiller, FHFA Post New Records for Home Price Growth

by

Case-Shiller, FHFA Post New Records for Home Price GrowthS&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index rose by 19.80 percent year-over-year in February and was the third-largest pace of home price growth since the National Home Price Index’s inception. The 20-City Home Price Index reported that Phoenix, Arizona held its first-place ranking with year-over-year home price growth of 32.90 percent. Tampa, Florida maintained its second-place standing with year-over-year home price growth of 32.60 percent. Miami, Florida reported year-over-year home price growth of 29.70 percent year-over-year. Home prices rose faster for all 20 cities in February than in January.

Rapid Home Price Growth Expected to Slow as Rising Mortgage Rates Take Hold

All 20 cities included in the 20-City Home Price Index posted double-digit price growth in February, but analysts cautioned that the two-month lag in reporting didn’t accurately reflect current market conditions.  Recent data on home sales and mortgage applications indicated that demand for homes is slowing due to affordability challenges caused by rapidly rising home prices and mortgage rates. Economists expect the housing market to cool as would-be home buyers face mortgage qualification and affordability challenges.

Craig J. Lazzara, managing director of S&P Dow Jones Indices, said: “The macroeconomic environment is evolving rapidly and may not support extraordinary home-price growth for much longer.” Mr. Lazzara also said that rising mortgage rates have not yet impacted home-price data, but would likely do so soon.

Selma Hepp, a  chief deputy economist at CoreLogic, said: “With diminished buying power and mortgage rates pushing above five percent in recent weeks, home- price growth is likely to take a step back in coming months.” Economists generally expect home price growth to slow as sales volume declines.

FHFA Reports  Record Home Price Growth in February

The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, reported that home prices rose by 19.40 percent year-over-year; home prices for single-family homes owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rose by 1.10 percent from January to February.  FHFA reported higher home prices across all nine census divisions. Home prices grew fastest in the Mountain Division, where home prices rose by 24.30 percent year-over-year in February.

Will Doerner, Ph. D   and Supervisory Economist at FHFA’s Division of Research and Statistics, said: “House prices rose to a new historical record in February. Acceleration approached twice the monthly rate as seen a year ago. Housing prices continue to rise owing in part to supply constraints.” Rising materials costs, labor, and lot shortages continued to rein in new home construction.