Blog

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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08
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Dusty Attic, No More: How to Convert an Attic Into a Usable Living Space

The attic may be one of the spaces in the house that everyone prefers to avoid, but many people forget that an attic can be a great place for a bedroom or an additional living room. If you're wondering how you can go about upgrading your attic for everyday use, here are some things to think about before you move forward. Consider The Access Routes In order for an attic to function as a truly livable space, you will need to have access to it and there will also need to be a fire escape route. This means that, in…
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07
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Thinking About Investing in Real Estate? Here’s What You’ll Need to Get a Second Mortgage

The decision to invest in a home is a big one for many people, but if you're making the foray into real estate the second time around, it's even more important to be financially aware and prepared. If you're wondering what you'll need in order to get approved for an investment property, here are some things that you'll want to consider before deciding a second property is in your future. A Larger Down Payment Due to the risk factor involved in taking on more than one loan, acquiring a second mortgage for an investment property will likely require you to…
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06
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home,

Living With a Small Green Space: How to Make the Most of a Smaller, Intimate Yard

It's great to have a yard in this day and age, but so many new developments in the city have limited green space for you to let your imagination run wild. If you're wondering what you can do with your patch of green space or small yard, here are a few options for making it aesthetically appealing and still maximizing its potential. Pick A Centerpiece In order to stretch the look of your green space, try adding a centerpiece or focal point that will draw the eye and instantly improve your yard's appeal. Whether you decide on a planter, a…
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