Blog

26
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying a Home in a Fire Risk Area: Here’s What You Need to Know

Outside of the significant financial responsibility of delving into home ownership, there can also be a lot of other risks involved that you may not have thought about before investing in a home. You'll need to protect your home against theft or burglary. And homeowner's insurance to protect your home and belongings is almost a requirement. But there are other less common occurrences you may not have thought about. If you happen to be living in an area that's at high risk of fire, here are some things to consider beforehand. Defining "High Risk" It's easy to be swept away…
Read More
25
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Mortgage Tips: Answers to 4 Common Questions About Reverse Mortgages

There are many mortgage products on the market that work for all different kinds of homebuyers, but many people have not heard about reverse mortgages and how they can benefit their situation. If you're curious about this type of mortgage and want to know more, here are some questions that will get you on the road to understanding the ins-and-outs of this product. What's A Reverse Mortgage? The reverse mortgage was created in the wake of the 2008 recession and is commonly known as HECM, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage for Purchase. While this mortgage option is beneficial for those…
Read More
24
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 24, 2017

Last week's economic news included releases from the National Association of Home Builders and releases from the Commerce Department on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. NAHB Housing Market Index Dips; Builder Sentiment Remains Strong Higher lumber costs were cited by the National Association of Home Builders as contributing to lower readings for the group's monthly Housing Market Index. July's reading was two points lower than May's index reading. The original May reading of 67 was adjusted to 66. Builders said that a steep tariff on Canadian lumber…
Read More
21
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Recently Lost Your Job? 3 Tips for Managing Your Mortgage When You’re Out of Work

The financial responsibility of a monthly mortgage payment can be stressful on its own, but you may be even more concerned about your home investment if you've recently lost your job. Fortunately, there are some things you can do and places you can turn if you're not yet certain where your next paycheck will come from. If you're struggling with newfound unemployment, here are some important steps to take. Shake The Piggy Bank Most people struggle to save and that means they don't necessarily want to dip into savings when it comes to financial difficulties. Unfortunately, if a job does…
Read More
20
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

$100 Well Spent: 5 Useful Home Upgrades That Cost Less Than $100

Whether you're trying to improve the look of your home or are getting ready to put it on the market, the idea of renovations might seem like a significant financial burden to take on. Fortunately, there are a variety of easy solutions for improving the look of your home without spending a lot of money. If you're wondering how you can spend $100 wisely, look no further than the following upgrading tips. A Funky Light Fixture It might seem like a cool light will cost an arm and a leg, but there are plenty of options available on the market…
Read More
19
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Values

NAHB: Builder Confidence in Market Conditions Dips in July

According to the National Association of Home Builders, July builder sentiment dipped to an index reading of 64 as compared to June's revised reading of 66, the original reading was 67. Analysts expected the reading for July to increase to 68. Builders cited increasing lumber prices as a concern affecting builders' outlook on housing market conditions for new single-family homes. Any reading over 50 for the NAHB Housing Market Index indicates that more builders than fewer are positive about housing market conditions, but July's reading was the lowest in eight months. NAHB said that home builder confidence in market condition…
Read More