Blog

16
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Housing Market

NAHB Housing Market Index Slips Two Points in June

The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index for June fell by two points to 67 after a revision of May's reading. Components of the Housing Market Index were lower for June with builder confidence in current market conditions two points lower at 73; June's reading for builder confidence in market conditions for the next six months also fell two points to 76. Builder confidence in buyer traffic fell two points to 49. According to the Index, any reading over 50 indicates that more builders are confident than those who are not. Labor and Lot Shortages Continue to Stifle…
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15
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Seller Tips, ,

Seller’s Remorse: How to Move on From Your Old Home Once You’ve Sold It

There's often so much enthusiasm that goes along with buying a home that the idea of leaving the old one behind is left in the dust. But, while you may love both your old home and your new home, it can be difficult to leave what's old behind. If you're struggling with adjusting to your new dwelling place, here are some tips for how to make it feel like it's where you belong. Purchase A New Piece In all likelihood, you'll be moving a lot of your old furniture into your new home, which means it will have all of…
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14
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Dealing With a Tight Housing Market? 3 Tips to Ensure You Get the Mortgage You Need

In many cities around the country, real estate prices are on the rise and potential buyers are working hard to find a home they can feel good about. However, finding the right home in a tight market can be even more of a challenge when it comes to striking the right balance. If you're hedging around the market in the hopes of finding the perfect home, here are some things you should do to ensure you don't miss out on a good opportunity. Keep An Open Mind When wading into the real estate market, it can be very easy to…
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13
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

3 Home Renovation Lessons That You Won’t Want to Learn the Hard (or Expensive!) Way

Most people make a number of home upgrades when the time comes to put their home on the market, whether they're minor fix-ups or significant improvements that come with a high cost. However, it's important to determine what will improve the value of your home and what renovations you can forget before you move forward with any updates. If you're wondering how to plan for your renovations, here are three things to ponder before getting started. Make (And Stick!) To A Budget If there's a certain offer price you're looking for in your home, it's important to go into home…
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12
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 12, 2017

Last week's economic news was slim, with few scheduled reports released. Job openings for April, along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and weekly jobless claims were released. Job openings rose in April, while weekly jobless claims were lower. The headline event last week was a further decrease in fixed-rate mortgage interest rates. Mortgage Rates Lowest in Almost 7 Months Freddie Mac reported that average rates for fixed rate home loans fell again last week. Mortgage rates typically follow 10-year Treasury yields, which also fell last week. The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage dropped five basis points…
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09
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Mortgage 101: This Is How Mortgage Refinancing Works, in Plain and Simple Terms

There are so many unfamiliar terms involved in the real estate market that it can be easy to be confused by the jargon. However, some words are more important to learn than others if they can end up benefiting you in the long run. Whether or not you've heard of mortgage refinancing, here are the basics on what this may mean for your home and whether or not it's an option you should consider. Acquiring A Lower Rate If you're new to refinancing, the primary reason that most homeowners choose this option is to get a lower interest rate and…
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