Outside of the significant financial responsibility of delving into home ownership, there can also be a lot of other risks involved that you may not have thought about before investing in a home. You'll need to protect your home against theft or burglary, and homeowner's insurance to protect your home and belongings. But there are other less common occurrences you may not have thought about. If you happen to be living in an area that's at high risk of fire, here are some things to consider beforehand. Defining "High Risk" It's easy to be swept away by a beautiful home and forget about what the … [Read More...]
Inflation Rate Stays Flat in June Inflation was flat in June, but achieved a 0.00 percent reading as compared to May's – 0.10 percent reading. Analysts expected a June reading of +0.10 percent reading month-to-month. The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve has established a benchmark reading of 2.00 percent inflation year-over-year as an indication of economic recovery. In recent months, the Fed has increased its target federal funds rate at each meeting of the FOMC. A slowdown in inflation and other economic indicators may cause the Fed to halt rate increases until … [Read More...]
With the power of social media, it's easier than ever to use Twitter and Facebook and your own home website to sell your home online. However, there are a lot of different buyers on the market and that means it's important to keep all your options open when it comes to marketing your home. If you're wondering how you can harness the power of your neighbors to get the word out, here are some tips you may want to consider. It's Extra Marketing If you have a good relationship with the people in your area, it's possible that they'll be happy to get the word out for you and assist you in the sale … [Read More...]
In an age of rapidly changing technology, doing things like programming in temperature changes and monitoring your home security from afar are becoming common. Fortunately, having a smarter home is even easier these days with Alexa, which was created by Amazon in 2014 as a smart home assistant. If you're looking for an instant home upgrade that will utilize the smartest technology on the market, here's why Alexa might be a great option for you. Hands-Free Convenience Whether you're doing laundry or cutting up vegetables, being able to do a lot of tasks around the home hands-free can be a great … [Read More...]
Most people make a number of home upgrades when the time comes to put their home on the market. This can include minor fix-ups or significant improvements that come with a high cost. However, it's important to determine what will improve the value of your home and what renovations you can ignore before you move forward with any updates. If you're wondering how to plan for your renovations, here are three things to ponder before getting started. Make (And Stick!) To A Budget If there's a certain offer price you're looking for in your home, it's important to go into home renovations with a clear … [Read More...]
It may feel like a daunting task to consider buying a home after you've declared bankruptcy, and there's no doubt that it's an uphill battle. Fortunately, while you'll have hard work ahead, there are things you can do in order to make your dream of home ownership a possibility. Whether you've just declared bankruptcy or some time has passed, here are some things you should consider before getting into the market. Wait It Out It might not be what you want to hear, but you'll have to wait before you purchase a home following bankruptcy. Since lenders will not want to take the risk on someone … [Read More...]