Last week's economic news included minutes of the most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. FOMC Minutes Indicate Fed Not Pressing Rate Increases Minutes of the FOMC meeting held March 15 and 16 suggest that FOMC members are easing their enthusiasm for raising the target federal funds rate. In recent months, the committee has indicated that it was leaning toward raising rates on a slow but steady pace. Ongoing concerns over changing global economic and financial conditions contributed to FOMC's decision … [Read More...]
There are different methods that home buyers may use to find a real estate agent to work with. While some may use the services of a real estate agent who they know personally, others may reach out to a professional who they have located online. Regardless of whether you previously knew the individual in a non-professional setting or not, it is important that you check your agent's reference and testimonials before you get started with the home buying process. There are several good reasons for this. The Importance Of Accessibility Whether you are trying to find the perfect property and submit … [Read More...]
If you're planning to complete some renovations on your home before putting it on the market, you may be unsure of the best way to go about finding the right contractor for the job. While there are probably many contractors available who can do your renovations right, here's how you can get to the bottom of who will work the best for you. Make A Few Phone Calls Once you've done some research and determined a short list of prospective contractors, you'll want to call each contractor to determine that they can complete your project in good time and are the right candidate for the work required. … [Read More...]
If you're planning to get a mortgage, it's critical that you know your rights under the law. The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) is a piece of federal legislation that governs how mortgage lenders can and cannot operate their businesses. So how does the Truth in Lending Act protect you, and what are your rights under this legislation? Here's what you need to know. Your Lender Must Give You A Timely Loan Estimate A Loan Estimate (previously known as a Good Faith Estimate) is a document your lender provides you that details information about what kind of a mortgage you've applied for. Your Loan … [Read More...]
Most people that have embarked on selling their home know a lot about how to showcase the inside of it, but one of the most important parts of showing a home can be forgotten as a result. Since the outside of your home is the first thing a potential homebuyer will see, here are a few simple ways you can quickly boost its appeal. Re-Consider The Front Door If your door is both welcoming and majestic, you may be able to skip this step, but if you have chipped paint or disintegrating steps, it's definitely going to be worth a minor renovation so you can make a positive impression. It's just a … [Read More...]
Last week's economic calendar was full of new releases including pending home sales, Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and construction spending. Labor related reports including ADP payrolls, federal Non-farm payrolls, and the national unemployment rate were also released along with reports on consumer confidence and weekly reports on mortgage rates and new unemployment claims. Case-Shiller: January Home Prices Up 5.7% Year-Over-Year According to the S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for January, home prices increased by 5.70 percent year-over-year. The West led price increases with … [Read More...]
