Blog

04
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

The Pros and Cons of ‘Mortgage Before Marriage’ for Young Couples

There was a time when a higher percentage of people were married before they committed to buying a home together, but it's a lot more common to co-habit and invest in a home together. If you're considering the commitment of a mortgage without being married, here are some things to be aware of before you start searching the market. Relationship Status Won't Affect Your Rates It might seem like there are greater risks involved if two individuals purchasing a property are not legally bound, but it actually makes no difference to the mortgage lender. If two people are buying a…
Read More
03
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

5 Major Red Flags to Watch for When You’re Touring an Open House

An open house is one of the best opportunities a potential homeowner will have to take stock of a home and determine if it will work for them. However, it can also be a good opportunity to discover some glaring red flags that might make it a less worthwhile investment. If you're currently perusing the open houses in your neighborhood, here's some things you should make sure to watch out for. A Selling Hot-Spot It's well and good if you love the home you visit, but 'location, location, location' is a popular phrase for a reason. If you've noticed a…
Read More
02
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 2, 2017

Last week's economic reports were in short supply due to the Christmas holiday. Events reported included Case-Shiller home price indices, pending home sales and weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Consumer confidence was also released.   Case-Shiller Readings Indicate No Slowdown in Home Price Gains Case-Shiller's October readings for its home price indices showed continued growth in home prices. In spite of rising home prices and mortgage rates, high demand for homes and slim supplies of homes for sale continued to fuel higher home prices. According to Case-Shiller's national home price index for October, home prices rose…
Read More
30
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Seller Tips, ,

Selling Social: How to Leverage Your Social Network to Sell Your Home Faster

There were days when the marketing of a home involved plunking a sign into the front yard, but with the power of the Internet, there are many mediums through which home sellers can find potential buyers. If you're currently looking at ways to use the power of social media in order to get your ideal purchase price, here are some things you can do to best harness its capabilities. Make A Facebook Page According to the social market service provider, Postling, approximately 80% of real estate agents are now using Facebook in order to market and sell their properties. This…
Read More
29
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Did You Know? A Mortgage Professional Can Save You a Lot of Money. Here’s How

Many people forego a mortgage broker and decide to go through the application process on their own, but a mortgage professional can actually work to save you money when it comes to your biggest investment. Whether you're new to the market and are looking for tips or are just a prospective buyer in need of advice, here are a few reasons you may want to consult a broker to make for an improved real estate investment. Liaising With The Lender If you go it alone without a lender, you may be able to find a good loan opportunity, but because…
Read More
28
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Housing Market

Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Continues

Home increased in October according to Case-Shiller's 20City Home Price Index. Home prices rose from September's annualized reading of 5.40 percent to 5.60 percent. Factors contributing to rising home prices include stronger economic conditions and outlook along with short inventories of available homes coupled with high demand. On average, October home prices rose 5.10 percent on seasonally adjusted annual basis, which was unchanged from September's reading. West Continues to Lead Home Price Growth Top home price growth rates were in Seattle, Washington at 10.70 percent, Portland, Oregon at 10.30 percent and Denver, Colorado with a seasonally-adjusted annual price increase of…
Read More