January's National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index dipped two points from December's revised reading of 69 to 67; the index reading forecast for January was also 69.Analysts said that January's reading was the second highest (after December 2016) since the peak of the housing bubble in 2005. January's dip in builder sentiment was attributed to easing of builder enthusiasm, which spiked right after the U.S. presidential election. To put January's home builder confidence reading in context, NAHB says that any index reading over 50 indicates that more builders than fewer … [Read More...]
Many people are aware of the financial commitment that is involved when investing in a home, but what that amounts to is different for every person. From what you can afford to what a lender will allow, there are plenty of details involved in determining the right home for you. If you're not quite sure what the right price is, here's how to approach home ownership and determine your debt-to-income. Calculating Your Debt-To-Income Ratio You may not know what your DTI ratio is, but it has a lot to with how much home you can afford. In order to calculate this amount, add together all the debts … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reports included readings on job openings, retail sales and consumer sentiment in addition to weekly reports on new jobless claims and Freddie Mac's survey of mortgage rates.
Job Openings Hold Steady in November; Quits and Hires Increase
According to the Labor Department, job openings held steady with a reading of 5.50 million openings in November, which matched October's reading. Hires and quits showed more activity, which analysts deemed a healthy sign for the economy. Workers typically hold on to their current jobs in times of economic uncertainty, while they may be … [Read More...]
There are a variety of mortgage products out there that serve the needs of different homeowners, but for the uninitiated it can be hard to know what will work best for them. If you happen to be close to retirement and are looking at options that will be more financially beneficial for you, here are the details on a reverse mortgage and how this product can work for you. The Details On A Reverse Mortgage A reverse mortgage may be one of the lesser-known products available on the market, but it was created in 2009 as the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage for Purchase (HECM) following the 2008 … [Read More...]
Once you're done with debt and you've started to save, it's commonly the case that you'll start hearing about the risks and rewards of investing in stocks or real estate. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many people to know what type of investment is going to work better for them down the road. If you're currently considering what you should put your money into, here are some reasons you may want to turn to real estate. It's Something You Can See While investing in the stock market will give you the ability to invest as little or as much as you want, a home will take a monthly payment … [Read More...]
There was a time when a higher percentage of people were married before they committed to buying a home together, but it's a lot more common to co-habit and invest in a home together. If you're considering the commitment of a mortgage without being married, here are some things to be aware of before you start searching the market. Relationship Status Won't Affect Your Rates It might seem like there are greater risks involved if two individuals purchasing a property are not legally bound, but it actually makes no difference to the mortgage lender. If two people are buying a home together, the … [Read More...]
