With all of the home renovation and fixer-upper shows on television, the idea of completely renovating and re-doing an old home can seem like an enticing premise. Unfortunately, investing in the wrong fixer-upper can mean an awful lot of expenditure without the added financial rewards. Whether you're considering investing down the road or are ready to dive in, here are a few things to consider first. How Much Do You Want To Spend? It's easy to be swept away by possibility, but before making an offer you'll need to sit down and determine exactly what you're willing to invest into upgrades for … [Read More...]
Last week's economic news included readings on new and existing home sales and mortgage rates. Also released were reports on new jobless claims and consumer sentiment. New and Existing Home Sales Lower in December According to the U.S. Commerce Department, sales of new homes fell to 536,000 sales on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. This reading was markedly lower than the expected rate of 595,000 sales and November's reading of 598,000 sales. Analysts said that the drop in new home sales indicated that the housing sector is still experiencing a rocky recovery. December's reading for new … [Read More...]
There is always uncertainty in the market in an election year, but many people are wondering exactly what kind of impact Donald Trump's election will have on their mortgage and the real estate options available. Whether you are still paying off your home or have been shopping around for the right one, here are some possibilities for the real estate market following the results of the 2016 election. An Increase In Luxury Properties With the release of Donald Trump's tax plan which provides the most sizeable tax cuts to the wealthy, it could be the case that there will be an increase in the … [Read More...]
Selling a standard home is fraught with enough concerns about marking it at the right price and staging it properly, but it's an entirely different ball game when it comes to luxury property. If you're planning on selling your high-end property and are trying to determine what sets it apart from the average home sale, here are some things to consider before putting it on the market. The Price Must Be Reasonable It's important for the asking price on any home to show an awareness of market conditions, but when it comes to luxury, it becomes even more important. Most luxury homes are going to … [Read More...]
The monthly mortgage payment can be burdensome for many, but it's possible you've thought of trying to pay it down more quickly. Without getting a new job or working overtime, here are some tips you can use on a daily basis to save additional funds and pay off your mortgage at a swifter rate. Make Your Lunch The five or ten dollars spent on lunch might not seem like a lot, but over time this amount adds up to a lot of savings. Instead of hitting the cafe, pick one or two nights each week to prepare a lunch for yourself so you can skip the daily expense. Take A Coffee To Go Like lunch, coffee … [Read More...]
There are a lot of different factors that go into selling a home for the first time that can make it a stressful process, but there are a few things home sellers should avoid for a successful sale. If you're going to be putting your home on the market in the near future and are hoping for quick success, here are some common mistakes you'll want to be sure to bypass. Pricing Your Home Too High It's entirely likely that there's an amount you have in mind when it comes to selling your home, but it's important that your asking price is in line with the market conditions and what's being offered. … [Read More...]