Are you experiencing problems with selling your home? A slow sale is no fun, especially if you need a quick sale due to a move or for financial reasons. If you are having some trouble getting potential buyers to stick around, pricing might be the issue. Let's explore a few reasons why. Are You Getting Any Offers? First, are you receiving any offers for your home? If you have, and they are coming in much lower than your listing price, then it could be a sign that you have set your price too high. Even in the hottest real estate markets, it is common to see buyers submitting 'lowball' bids as a … [Read More...]
According to Case-Shiller national and 20-city home price indices for October, home prices continued to rise. National home prices rose 0.70 percent for the three months ending in October. Year-over-year, national home prices increased by 6.20 percent. The 20-City Home Price Index also rose by 0.70 percent in October and reported a year-over-year increase of 6.40 percent. The top three metro areas in the 20-City Index were Seattle, Washington with a year-over-year increase of 6.40 percent; Las Vegas Nevada followed with year-over-year home price growth of 10.20 percent. San Diego, … [Read More...]
Do you find yourself itchy and sneezing after an encounter with a friendly, furry dog? You are not alone. The CDC estimates that around ten percent of Americans suffer from allergies related to dogs or cats. But, of course, that is no reason not to enjoy the love of a dog. So, if you are ready to push your suffering aside and adopt a furry pal, below are a few breeds that are perfect for those prone to allergies. What Causes Dog-Related Allergies? Do you know what the primary causes of pet-related allergies are? Many people believe that reactions are triggered by hair that has been shed, but … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reports included readings on NAHB homebuilder confidence, housing starts, building permits issued and sales of previously-owned homes. Weekly releases on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. Builder Confidence Rises, Housing Starts Increase According to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index for December, builder confidence in housing market conditions rose by four points to 74. This reading was the highest since 1999. Builder confidence increased based on strong labor markets, demand for homes and potential tax breaks resulting … [Read More...]
Are you in the market for a new house? Whether you are a first-time home buyer or are upgrading to get more space, you will need to choose between buying an existing home or building a brand new one. As you might imagine, there are pros and cons to each kind of home. But if it is in your budget, you may want to lean towards a newer home over an older one. Let's explore three reasons why new construction homes are better than existing homes. Customize Every Aspect To Your Tastes Ask anyone living in a custom-built home and they are likely to tell you that the ability to customize everything was … [Read More...]
Did you recently receive your annual notice that the rent is going up? If so, you're not alone. Millions of renters are seeing more and more of their income drained away due to higher rents. To make matters worse, every dollar in rent is one that you are not saving, investing or using to build your net worth. If you're feeling the pinch of higher rents, it might be time to buy your first starter home. Comparing Rent With A Mortgage Have you ever done the math to understand how close your monthly rent might be to a mortgage payment? Here's a quick and easy exercise. Multiply your monthly rent … [Read More...]
