It might seem like selling a home and moving to a new place is enough pressure on its own, but buyer's remorse is a well-known phrase for a reason. If you're currently considering a home and are concerned about taking the plunge into purchasing, here are three strategies you will want to utilize before making a final decision. Choose A Reliable Real Estate Agent If you're venturing into purchasing a new home, making sure that you have the right person by your side to help you with all of the aspects of your home purchase. The agent you'll want to work with should be someone who is … [Read More...]
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that home builder confidence rose by one point to a reading of 62 for September. This was the highest reading since November 2005, when the NAHB reported a reading of 68 for home builder confidence. Any reading above 50 indicates that more builders are confident about housing market conditions than those who are not. NAHB notes that builder confidence has been growing at a moderate pace since July 2014; this is in line with economic conditions in general. Relatively low mortgage rates and stronger … [Read More...]
With mortgage bubbles and real estate issues still in recent memory, one might feel that their best option is to buy their next home using cash instead of borrowing the necessary funds. In today's article we'll explore the pros and cons of paying cash for that next house or condo. The Pros Include A Feeling of Complete Ownership There’s a feeling of pride and joy that comes with owning a home outright. There are several other reasons for paying cash instead of signing on the dotted line and getting and being strapped to a 30-year mortgage. Perhaps the best reason is having 100 percent … [Read More...]
It's amazing that in a year with extremely low mortgage rates being reported around the country, closing costs are up by as much as 6% from the previous year. Part of the reason for this is that the stricter regulations on loans have increased the costs to banks, and they always find a way to pass on new costs to the consumer. Understanding Third-Party Closing Costs When closing on a mortgage the borrower will notice a long list of additional fees that they are expected to pay for. These can range from insignificant into the thousands of dollars depending on the state and the deal. When … [Read More...]
Selling a home is more than real estate listings and making the home appealing to potential buyers. One factor to take into account when buying a home is its location, meaning the community surrounds the home. For sellers as well as buyers, it's important to highlight the benefits of living in a particular community. After all, neighborhoods will have an enormous impact on the future buyer’s living experience. It’s All About Walkable Neighborhoods According to a Portland, Oregon-based company, City Observatory, there’s a growing demand for homes located in walkable … [Read More...]
A short week after the Labor Day Holiday provided a slack schedule for economic news. Bloomberg reported that residential investment for the second quarter of 2015 represented 3.34 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Compared to the long-term average reading of 4.56 percent, analysts said that the Q2 15 reading suggested pent-up demand in the housing market that could help propel the economy through any setbacks that could occur when the Fed raises rates. Pent-Up Housing Demand a Plus when Fed Raises Rates Job openings rose in July to 5.75 million as compared to June's reading of 5.32 … [Read More...]
