According to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index for November, builder sentiment was unchanged at a reading of 63. Readings above 50 indicate that a majority of builders are confident about housing market conditions. Readings for three sub-indexes used to calculate the Housing Market Index Readings for builder confidence in current market conditions and market conditions within the next six months were posted at 69. The reading for buyer foot traffic in housing developments was 47. Buyer traffic has not reached the benchmark reading of 50 since the peak of the … [Read More...]
Do you believe that humans are changing the climate? As of today, the debate over carbon dioxide and climate change continues to rage. But regardless of your political standpoint, there's always a case for reducing electricity use. Because who doesn't like saving money, right? Let's explore a few ways that you can save energy while reducing your home's carbon footprint. Leverage The Power Of Automation The technology behind home automation is improving at an amazing rate. Thermostats from companies like Nest make home heating and cooling simple. They learn from your use to automatically set … [Read More...]
Even small spaces can feel spacious when the art of storage is mastered. Here are 7 inexpensive storage hacks to free up space in your home. 1. Racks On Racks On Racks It's often the first mess you see when walking into someone's home a clutter of shoes sprawled out by the entrance. Take care of this mess with a shoe rack, which will only take up a few feet of space but allow you to store numerous pairs of kicks. 2. Fold & Hang Not your clothes, your chairs! If you don't use chairs often or rarely eat at the table, consider buying folding chairs instead as they can easily be put away … [Read More...]
Last week's economic news included readings on job openings, consumer sentiment and the Federal Reserve's monthly survey of senior loan officers. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. Freddie Mac noted that last week's primary mortgage market survey did not include post-election readings as the survey information was gathered prior to election results. Loan Officers Survey: High Demand for Home Loans, Commercial Lenders Raise Standards As demand for mortgage financing and homes increase, the Federal Reserve reported last week that banks are tightening the … [Read More...]
With the fluctuations in real estate and the increasing cost of home ownership, many people are entering the market with more trepidation these days. Fortunately, there are a number of myths associated with buying a home that may not adversely affect potential homebuyers. If you're interested in purchasing a home but are unsure about whether it will get approved, here are a few things you may want to dispel. No Approval With Less Than 20 Percent While putting 20 percent down can help you avoid having to pay private mortgage insurance, this down payment percentage is still just a suggestion … [Read More...]
You may not see the connection right away, but buying a home and planning a wedding are two experiences that require certain skills and challenge you in similar ways. Check out the three key similarities below! 1. Budget Whether you're buying your first home or planning a wedding, you are likely facing one of the biggest financial obligations of your life. That's why, in both cases, it is essential that you pick a realistic budget and stay within it. Sounds simple, but in either case it can be difficult! Unexpected obstacles may force you to spend more than you planned, or you may find … [Read More...]