Blog

03
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 3, 2017

Last week's economic news included Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, pending home sales and inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were released along with a reading on consumer sentiment. Case-Shiller and pending home sales readings suggested that recent rapid growth in home prices and home sales may be easing. High demand for homes coupled with low inventories of homes for sale has created an artificially high rate of home price growth and competition among buyers for a limited number of homes. Home Price Growth Rate, Pending Home Sales Slow Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for April showed lower…
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30
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

A Quick Look at Reverse Mortgages: The Golden Ticket to Enjoying Your Golden Years

With a high volume of millennials set to enter the real estate market this year, it may seem like all the available options out there were created to snag new home buyers. However, there are products available on the market that cater to those who are in their golden years too. If you're older than 62 and are currently weighing the options with your mortgage, here are the basics on reverse mortgages and why they might positively benefit you. The Scoop On Reverse Mortgages It may seem like this mortgage option hasn't been around that long, but it was actually…
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29
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Did You Know: With a Little DIY Work, That Garage Can Be Used for More Than Just Your Car

Along with the family vehicles, the garage may be the place where all of the things you don't want in your house go to disappear. However, you might not be aware that there are a number of DIY hacks you can use for your garage that will instantly make it a more useable space. If you're wondering how you can fit more in while improving the aesthetic appeal of your garage, here are some tricks to test out. Give Your Garden Tools Space The pile of garden tools that often sit in the corner of the garage is generally unpleasant…
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28
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Building Tips

Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in April

Case-Shiller's National Home Price Index indicated slower home price growth in April. Year-over-year, home prices rose 5.50 percent in April as compared to 5.60 percent in March. Year-over-year readings are calculated on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Case-Shiller's 20 City Home Price Index was also lower with a seasonally-adjusted year-over-year reading of 5.70 percent gain in April as compared to the year-over-year March reading of 5.90 percent. Seattle, Washington held on to its lead for home price growth with a year-over-year reading of 12.90 percent; Portland Oregon followed with a year-over-year reading of 9.30 percent, and Dallas, Texas maintained third place…
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27
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Want a Quick Mortgage Approval? Come Prepared With These 5 Key Items

Whether you're finally prepared to get into the real estate market or you want to know how you can make a deal quick, there are a few necessary documents you'll need to prove your reliability to a mortgage lender. If you're wondering what will be involved in getting the application approval you're looking for, here are the documents you'll want to have on hand when the time comes. Previous Tax Returns In order to ensure the earnings information you've provided to the lender, you'll have to have your tax returns for the two years prior to your mortgage application. In…
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26
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 26, 2017

Last week's economic news included readings on sales of new and previously owned homes. Despite expectations of lower sales in both categories, sales surpassed expectations and April sales. Analysts were concerned about extremely tight inventories of available homes limiting home sales and did not expect May home sales to increase. May Home Sales Surpass Expectations Sales of new homes increased to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 610,000 sales as compared to expectations of 590,000 sales and an annual sales pace of 593,000 homes in April. Home builders have repeatedly cited a lack of buildable lots and skilled labor, but growth…
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