Since I last wrote this update back in April, interest rates have been amazingly steady. The Federal Reserve raised short-term rates again in June. That is having a direct impact on adjustable rate mortgages (that are now adjusting), home equity lines of credit, and car loans. The prime rate has now risen from 3.25% in 2015 to 5% today. They have penciled in two more increases this year potentially, which would bring it up to 5 ...
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As you contemplate and work through a divorce, one of the most important factors to consider is your housing needs in the future. Will you stay in the home that your living in or sell the house and move somewhere else? We can’t overstate the importance of getting with a mortgage professional as you begin to negotiate your marital settlement agreement. There are very specific guidelines revolving around ...
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It’s no secret, it is a competitive market out there if you are a buyer. Whether you are purchasing a home and have the cash on hand for the down payment or you need to sell your existing home first to use the equity from that property for the down payment on the new home, there are challenges. The key to success is preparation. We have gone out of our way to create tools for you ...
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Do you have a Will? Certainly not a subject I ever relished discussing…and it appears a lot of people feel the same since somewhere between 55 and 65% of Americans do not have one. If you are in that percentage, I urge you to look into it for yourself. My wife and I were fortunate to have friends who stressed the importance of having one, so after we were married we had a living trust prepared. ...
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Do you have pets as part of your family? When you put your home up for sale you need to be prepared that not everyone feels the same about having pets. Your home is staged so that the potential buyers can “see” themselves living in your home and often that doesn’t include pets. Scheduling a deep cleaning for your home to remove any pet odor is a necessity prior to listing. Here are some things to ...
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For many homebuyers, choosing a neighborhood is more important than choosing a house when shopping for a place to live. You can repair, remodel, or renovate a house but there are many things about a neighborhood you can’t change. What should a buyer look for in a neighborhood? This list may change based on your interests, but there are many neighborhood factors that can add value to your home. Remember, it is all about “Location, location, ...
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According to the recent Home Price Index Report by CoreLogic, home prices have increased nationally by 6.7% year-over-year. During that same period, interest rates have stayed at near historic lows. This has allowed many buyers to enter the marketplace.
If you are selling your home, your concern is likely to be the short-term price (which is where the values are heading over the next few months). If you are positioned to be a ...
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Traditional wisdom indicates that certain times of the year are better than others for selling your home. Historically, Spring is one of those times. Below are 5 reasons for why selling during Spring makes sense.
1. Strong Demand
According to the March 2018 Buyer Traffic Report (National Association of Realtors), buyer demand has remained strong throughout most of the country since May of 2016. This indicates that buyers are ready, willing, and able to purchase and are ...
Here are four reasons why Spring is a great time to buy a home.
Rising Prices
According to CoreLogic’s latest Home Price Index report, home prices have appreciated by 6.6% over the last 12 months and prices will continue to rise over the next year (approximately 4.3%). If you are waiting for the bottom of the market with regards to home values, waiting no longer makes sense; The bottom has come and gone.
Increasing Interest Rates
Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage ...
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Just like clocks recently did in most of the country, the housing market will soon “spring forward!” According to Alexandra Lee and Ralph McLaughlin of Trulia, there was a 10.5% decrease in US home inventory in Q4 2017. This lack of inventory is like tension in a spring waiting to be released and that is what is holding back the market right now.
Traditionally, sellers believe that waiting until Spring is in their ...
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