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...]
Beyond the mortgage, maintenance and property taxes of a new home, you may not be aware that many newer communities require you to be part of the Homeowner Association (HOA). If you're wondering about what the HOA entails and how this can impact the home and community you live in, here are some facts that may be important to know before you buy. What Is A HOA? If you happen to have a Homeowner Association present in your new community, it's important to know that this body works to enforce the rules of the neighborhood. Made up of a group of volunteers that live within a given area, different … [Read More...]
Spring-cleaning might seem like a necessity if you've accrued a lot of stuff through the fall and winter seasons, but it can be hard to determine how to get your kids involved. If you're looking for tips on how to get this task done and engage your children at the same time, here are a few fun ways. Play Some Tunes It goes without saying that almost everything is more fun with music, and kids will readily agree with this! Instead of silence, pique your children's interest with their favorite album and encourage them to take the duster or mop along with them. Offer Up A Reward It's important … [Read More...]
