Last week's economic news included minutes from the most recent meeting of the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) along with several reports on private and public sector employment and the national unemployment rate. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. FOMC Minutes: Committee Closely Monitoring Economic Developments The minutes of June's FOMC meeting indicate that Fed policymakers continue to be cautious based on low inflation and close review of domestic and global economic developments. Committee members acknowledged improvements in the housing … [Read More...]
Newer properties may be infused with built-in designer touches that give them an instant sense of luxury, but older homes may lack many of these built-in features. Whether buying or renovating an older property, many people are interested in learning how to instill modern luxury in older property. The good news is that this is easier than it sounds, and it can be accomplished by following a few simple tips. Make Thoughtful Upgrades It may not be cost-effective or reasonable to upgrade the entire space with an extensive renovation, but making a few thoughtful upgrades can yield fabulous … [Read More...]
There can be a lot of excitement when it comes to the realization that you've inherited a home, but simply because it's an inheritance doesn't mean there aren't a few strings attached. Whether you're expecting to be gifted with a home in the future or you're currently going through this process, here are a few things you may need to watch out for. The State Of The Mortgage Once a home has been effectively handed over to you, it's important to determine the status of the mortgage with the lender and if anything is still owed. While you have the option of taking over the mortgage in a lot of … [Read More...]
When it comes to selling your home, there can be a lot of options on the market, and nothing is quite so competitive as having your house listed right alongside the home of your neighbor. If you're struggling with how to highlight your home to potential homebuyers, here are some things you can do to ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Engage All The Marketing Options Many people prefer their real estate agent to take care of the heavy lifting when it comes to selling a home, but there's no reason you can't go beyond the typical measures to really get potential homebuyers interested. … [Read More...]
Last week's economic events included S&P Case-Shiller's Housing Market Indices for April along with reports on Construction Spending and Pending Home Sales. Consumer Confidence was higher in June in spite of low wage growth and inflation well below the Fed's goal of 2.00 percent annually. S&P Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Ticks Downward April home values grew by 5.40 percent in April on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Case Shiller reported a drop in momentum from the March reading of 5.50 percent according to the S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index. While no city … [Read More...]
Staging a home effectively is among the best ways to make an impression on the market and get the purchasing offer you're looking for, but it's important to do it in a way that will really make homebuyers feel comfortable. While there are plenty of tricks of the trade to try, here are four ways your visitors are sure to feel right at home. Give The Exterior A Boost It's pretty easy for many home sellers to forget about the outside, but the first thing visitors to your home will see is the exterior view so it needs to be in tip-top shape. By ensuring that you've trimmed the hedges, cleaned away … [Read More...]
