Blog

14
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying a New Home? Make Your Move Easier With These Three Purging Tips

Are you thinking about buying a new house or apartment? While the prospect of a new home is undoubtedly exciting, you may be dreading the thought at having to pack everything up and move. In today's blog post we will explore three tips for purging old, unwanted or forgotten items before making a move into a new home. Sort Everything That You Don't Need The first step you will want to take is to sort everything in your home. Many families go through the house, room-by-room, separating their must-have items from everything else. At first, this process is quick as…
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13
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 13, 2017

Last week's economic news included a survey of senior loan officers, Freddie Mac's average mortgage rates, and new jobless claims. An index reading for consumer sentiment was also reported. Loan Officers: Standards for Residential Real Estate Loans Eased or Unchanged According to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Senior Loan Officers,72 institutions surveyed reported that all types of residential real estate loans saw easing of lending standards or no change in lending requirements. Demand for real estate loans eased, which likely influenced financial institutions decision not to tighten lending criteria for home loans. In contrast, banks surveyed indicated tighter lending requirements…
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10
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Learning to Love Technology: 3 Tips That Will Help You to Embrace Home Automation

Are you still using a key to unlock your door and twisting a dial on the wall to set the temperature? Home automation technology has made considerable strides in the past couple of years so it might be time to invest. In today's blog post we will explore three tips that can help those looking to make the leap into a fully automated home. Tip #1: Start With Home Security And Go From There Installing a modern home security system is the perfect place to start with home automation. Does your home already have an alarm? If so, it's likely…
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09
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Taking Out a Mortgage for the First Time? Learn Why a Condo Might Be a Great First Home

Are you starting to tire of paying your monthly rent to someone and never building any equity? Renting forever can be a significant pain, especially as you're contributing to someone else's financial well-being. The good news is that there are affordable real estate options out there for those investing in their first home. Below we will share a few excellent reasons why an apartment or condo might be the best choice for a first-time home buyer. A Manageable Monthly Payment In most markets across the country, condos and apartments are available at a significantly lower cost than a full-sized house.…
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08
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

It’s Hammer Time: 4 Common Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Investing in your home by remodeling or renovating is an excellent way to increase its value. However, a significant renovation project can quickly turn into a disaster, especially for those who are inexperienced. Let's take a look at four of the more common home renovation mistakes that homeowners make and how you can avoid them. Mistake #1: Skipping The Permit Process The first mistake you will want to avoid is undertaking any home renovation without the required permits. While some remodeling projects will not require a permit, others will. Regardless, it is more than worth taking the time to do…
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07
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Considering a New Home Next Year? Start Now and Get a Jump on Improving Your Credit Score

In the market for a new home in 2018? With the new year just a few short weeks away, that leaves you with precious little time to get your finances in order. Let's explore a few tips that will help you get a jump on improving your credit score before the end of the year. Grab A Fresh Copy The first step is to order a fresh copy of your credit report from one of the major agencies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to access a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. So, if…
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