Whether they're found online or heard from family and friends, there are so many mortgage tips out there that it can be hard to know exactly how to proceed. But, if you're new to the market, there are a few surefire things you can do to get a mortgage rate you'll feel good about. For some of the best tips on getting a great loan, look no further than the following. Know Your Credit History It's a simple fact that one of the most important factors in your mortgage application is your credit history, so good or fair, it's important to be aware of where you stand. While the acceptable credit … [Read More...]
November home prices grew by 5.60 percent year-over-year on a seasonally adjusted basis according to Case-Shiller's reading on National Home Prices. National average home prices rose 0.80 percent from October to November. Case-Shiller's 20-City home price index revealed that the West and Mountain regions continue to hold the top three growth rates for home prices. Seattle posted a seasonally adjusted growth rate of 10.40 percent which was closely followed by Portland, Oregon's year-over year average home price gain of 10.10 percent. Denver rounded out the top three home price growth rates … [Read More...]
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...]