Many people rely on the price they paid for their home as a starting point for selling, but with the ever-shifting tides of the real estate market, the price paid is not always the best metric to go by. If you're putting your home up for sale and are looking for the ideal price point, here are some ways you can arrive at a number that will keep potential buyers interested. Check Out Your Neighborhood Your house may have a lot of different features than the homes of your neighbors, but checking out what real estate in your area is selling for can still be a good means of determining the price … [Read More...]
With the pre-summer enthusiasm and the milder weather, springtime can be one of the best times of the year to take on home renovations that aren't as easy in other months. If you happen to have some projects in mind and are considering taking the work on yourself, here are a few questions you'll need to ask. What Can You Take On? If you have specific renovations in mind for the coming months, it's very important to decide what you can reasonably take on and what you could pass on to a contractor. While some projects and fix-ups may be easier to complete on your own, some will require a greater … [Read More...]
With the real estate market going through constant fluctuations, it can sometimes be a matter of strife to sell a home. Some will take the familiar road of staging and hope the offers come in, while others will do some crazy things to prove their home is worth buying. While you may not want to take the risk of making these bold moves yourself, here are the unusual things that some people did in hopes of getting their home off the market a little sooner. The Perk Of Added Incentives While there are a variety of goods that can be an added incentive to purchasing a home, one homeowner in Virginia … [Read More...]
Last week's economic news included Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, along with new and pending home sales readings. The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve met analyst's expectations and did not raise the target federal funds rate, which remains at 0.25 to 0.50 percent. Freddie Mac's mortgage rates survey and the Labor Department's weekly jobless claims report were also released. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in February Average home prices growth slowed in February according to the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index. Home prices fell from January's year-over-year … [Read More...]
In its post-meeting statement, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve announced its decision not to raise the current federal funds rate of 0.25 to 0.50 percent. Although FOMC members acknowledged further improvement in the U.S. economy and jobs markets, the committee cited the following as influencing its decision not to raise the current federal funds rate: Household income continued to rise, but consumers have "moderated" their spending. Inflation is expected to remain below the Fed's goal of two percent in the near term. Temporary influences including low energy … [Read More...]
Buying a home isn't cheap – and even though mortgage rates are low, your own financial circumstances may mean that your monthly payment is more than you can afford. Whether you're a new buyer looking to save money or a cash-strapped owner who needs to free up extra income, there are several ways you can lower your monthly payments – here are just five of them. Make 13 Payments Every Year If you have some extra money and you're looking to pay down more of your principal amount, making 13 annual payments instead of the usual 12 is a great way to not only reduce what you owe, but also … [Read More...]
