Last week's economic news was abundant with releases on home builder sentiment, housing starts, building permits, sales of previously owned homes. The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve released its customary statement at the conclusion of its meeting; Fed Chair Janet Yellen also gave a press conference. Weekly readings on new jobless claims and mortgage rates were released as usual. NAHB: Builder Sentiment Increases in September Home builder confidence in housing market conditions increased in September according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market … [Read More...]
When people buy a new home they have a right to be informed of the problems that they may face on the property and any issues that the home previously experienced. However, as a seller it can be difficult to know whether the required information is being disclosed. Nobody wants to appear misleading, especially when it can impact a sale, and making sure all the proper information is finding its way to the buyer is imperative to make the deal go through. What Needs To Be Disclosed? Disclosures are not handled at the Federal level except for the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act, which … [Read More...]
If you're just getting into the real estate market, you may have heard that 20% down is the ideal percentage in order to lower your monthly payments and get your mortgage application approved. However, while 20% is often suggested, many people struggle to come up with this amount of money. If you're staving off home ownership, here are some reasons you may not need to hold off as you long as you thought. Minimizing Your Insurance Costs Putting down 20% of the total purchase price of your home is often suggested, but it doesn't definitively mean that your application won't be approved if you … [Read More...]
Every insurance policy is different and can provide certain levels of protection tailored towards the needs of the policy holder. However, there are some standard types of coverage that are included in most basic home insurance policies. Basic Levels Of Protection Most homeowner insurance policies will include some basic levels of protection and coverage. The main dwelling will be protected from many forms of damage and the insurance company will pay to repair the damaged dwelling. This will extend to other smaller structures on the property, like sheds and separate garages, but the level of … [Read More...]
If you're preparing to sell your home you've likely heard many tips and tricks to help close quickly, however few people will ever tell you what you're doing wrong. Don't be your own roadblock to success! Avoid these common seller-mistakes to ensure that your home leaves a lasting impression on buyers, instead of sending them running for the hills. 1) Dirt: It's A Don't Perhaps one of the biggest turn-offs in real estate, dirt gives the impression that your property is not well maintained. A dirty home is simply not aesthetically appealing and can often be the root cause of other turn-offs, … [Read More...]
Last week's economic news included reports on retail sales, inflation, and weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Retail Sales Slip as Consumer Prices Inch Up Retail sales dipped into negative territory in August with a reading of -0.30 percent as compared to expectations of -0.10 percent and July's reading of +0.10 percent. Retail sales excluding auto sales were better at +0.30 percent. Analysts expected a reading of +0.20 percent based on July's reading of -0.40 percent. August's negative reading for retail sales was the first negative report since March. Inflation fared … [Read More...]
