Home prices were 5.70 percent higher year-over-year in January according to S&P Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index. Top year-over-year gains were posted by Portland, Oregon at 11.80 percent, San Francisco, California at 10.80 percent and Seattle Washington posted a year-over-year gain of 10.70 percent. Denver, Colorado, which had top gains in recent months, posted year-over-year home price growth of 10.20 percent. Lowest year over-year gains for January were posted by Chicago, Illinois at 2.10 percent, Washington, D.C at 2.20 percent and New York, New York at 2.80 percent. Average … [Read More...]
Credit is of considerable concern when it comes to buying a home, but if you're on the market for a new place in the next few months there may be some timely news that applies to you. If you haven't heard about the changes to the Federal Housing Administration's (FHA) credit score minimum, here's some information on the recent reduction and how it may impact your home purchase. Information On The FHA Started in 1934, the FHA is the organization responsible for insuring the loans that are available to homebuyers in the United States. These loans are not provided directly by the FHA, rather the … [Read More...]
Increasing Home Prices Good For Sellers The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reported lower sales of pre-owned homes in February. Would-be buyers were discouraged by rapidly rising home prices. Short supplies of available homes sidelined potential buyers as higher home prices and cash buyers squeeze out buyers who need mortgages to buy homes. Multiple offers resulting in bidding wars have also deterred buyers in high demand markets. According to NAR's February report, sales of existing homes fell 7.10 percent to their lowest level since November. NAR has predicted that rapidly rising … [Read More...]
For those who love to decorate and are always excited to test out the latest trends in design, the accent wall is a concept that's become popular in recent years. If you're not sure how to use this feature to twist any room on its side, here's how to go about painting your very own and instantly dressing up the look of your favorite room. Pick The Perfect Wall When deciding on the ideal location for an accent wall, it's important to consider which space in your home will benefit from a splash of color and still be complimented by this unique look. Whether you decide on a wall in your bedroom … [Read More...]
There are many factors to consider when it comes to selling your home, and if you own your home with someone else the details involved can be even more confusing. If you're wading into your co-ownership options and are curious about your next steps, here's a short list of some things to think about. Buyout: Selling Your Half If you own your home with a friend, family member or former partner who would like to keep the property, the first thing you'll want to do is contact an appraiser who will provide you with the market value of your home. Once you know this amount, you can discuss it with … [Read More...]
Pick The Right Light It won't even be worth your while to pick up the camera if the lighting is off, so make sure you capture your home in the middle of the day when natural light is at its peak. Instead of morning or night, when spaces can appear dim, turn on the lights during the day, let the sunlight flow in and shoot away! Keep It Clutter Free While it's common sense to clean up your home before committing anything to photography, it's also important to be aware of any items that may catch the eye of the viewer and deflect interest away from your property. While there may be certain things … [Read More...]
