With real estate becoming more affordable, new homes being sold in a range of prices and the cost of rent going up, there has never been a better time to consider buying a starter home. Put That Rent Money Into Your Own Property People who live in areas that have become trendy know the pain of rising rent rates. At what point is the amount of money being spent on rent more advantageous to put into a new home? Starter homes are not the crazy investment they used to be. With the increase in condo developments and the lower entry price for smaller homes, it's never been easier and less expensive … [Read More...]
Few economic reports were released last week due to the Labor Day Holiday. The Federal Reserve released its Beige Book Report, which documents anecdotes shared with the Fed by its regional business contacts. A job openings report, weekly jobless claims and Freddie Mac's survey of mortgage rates was also released. Fed's Beige Book: Approaching Election Dampens Business Growth According to the Federal Reserve's survey of business contacts within its 12 districts, November's election is causing business owners to take a "wait and see" position regarding expansion plans. Commercial real estate … [Read More...]
Most people who have been on the market for a home are familiar with what the term 'mortgage' means, but many have not heard of a reverse mortgage and aren't aware of how this product can benefit them. If you're nearing retirement and are contemplating a new home or even relocation to another community, here are the details on a reverse mortgage and how this option may benefit you. What Is A Reverse Mortgage? While many homeowners may not have the net worth to be able to buy another home without selling their current one, a reverse mortgage enables the buyer to borrow money against the value … [Read More...]
Fail to complete these renovations before selling your condo and you may be missing out on huge profit gain! Don't sell yourself short, tackle these reno projects before your home hits the market to maximize offers. #1: Is It Time To Paint? Painting is one of the most cost effective ways to make a property look newer, bigger, and brighter. Scuff marks and scratches are one of the most common types of wear-and-tear, but they're also a huge turn-off to buyers, which makes this easy renovation is a no-brainer. Choose paint colors that are neutral to ensure that they're adaptable to the wide … [Read More...]
Selling a home, especially one with sentimental value, is never an easy decision to make. There are many factors that go into determining if the home is ready to be listed and if the seller is actually ready to part with it. Answering some simple questions can go a long way to help an owner decide whether or not it's time to try and sell. How Much Work Does The Home Require? Some houses and condos are ready to hit the market immediately, but others have serious problems that would need to be disclosed to interested parties. It may not be wise to try and sell until all major issues are … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reports included readings on pending home sales, construction spending and consumer sentiment. Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for June were released, along with several labor-related reports including national unemployment, ADP Payrolls and Non-Farm Payrolls were also released along with weekly readings on new jobless claims and Freddie Mac's survey of average mortgage rates. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Holds Steady in June According to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for June, average national home prices held steady with a seasonally adjusted annual growth … [Read More...]
