Last week's economic releases included reports on new and pending home sales, S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and regularly scheduled weekly reporting on mortgage rates and weekly jobless claims. Readings on consumer sentiment and confidence were also released. New and Pending Home Sales Lower as Peak Sales Season Winds Down August readings for new and pending home sales were lower than for July; analysts said that slim supplies of available homes and rising home prices contributed to slower home sales. Peak home sales typically occur during spring and summer. Homebuyers with … [Read More...]
Selling a home is a difficult enough task as it is, but the longer a home stays on the market the easier it is to fall into the trap of sounding like a used car salesperson and accidentally pushing people away. There are ways to make sure potential buyers see the positive aspects of the home without coming on too strong and leaving them skeptical. Proper Staging Will Show Off The Best Parts Of A Home Many sellers rely on the imagination of the buyer to sell aspects of a home. Why tell somebody to imagine all the things they could do with the back yard when proper staging can show them? An … [Read More...]
With approximately one million people having purchased vacation homes in the last year, this type of residence is gaining popularity for those who are interested in a home in a beach setting or a vacation hot spot. However, while a second home can seem like a great purchase and solid investment opportunity, there are different requirements that go into this type of purchase. If you're considering a vacation home, you may want to be aware of the following financial factors. The Down Payment Amount If you currently have a primary residence, you may be aware that you don't need to put down 20% … [Read More...]
If you're just jumping into the game of home purchasing, you are likely considering all of your loan options and may even have heard the term mortgage rate lock. For those who don't like to gamble, a mortgage rate lock can offer a bit of reassurance, but there are also some downsides to this type of protection. Before signing off on this, here are the details on rate locks so you can make an informed decision. What Is A Rate Lock? For many people who are buying a home in such a tumultuous market, the idea of interest rates can make the heart race a little faster, but this is the purpose of … [Read More...]
There are few things more exciting than finding your ideal home, but with the rising cost of housing, a person's dream home can often come with a very high purchase price. If you're wondering how much home you can truly afford and how your cost of living will fare for your mortgage approval, here are some of the details on what you can expect when it comes to finding a home at an affordable price. What Is Your Debt-to-Income Ratio? Before deciding if a home is right for you, it's important to calculate what your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is to determine how much house you can afford. The debt … [Read More...]
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...]
