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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 12, 2016

Few economic reports were released last week due to the Labor Day Holiday. The Federal Reserve released its Beige Book Report, which documents anecdotes shared with the Fed by its regional business contacts. A job openings report, weekly jobless claims and Freddie Mac's survey of mortgage rates was also released. Fed's Beige Book: Approaching Election Dampens Business Growth According to the Federal Reserve's survey of business contacts within its 12 districts, November's election is causing business owners to take a "wait and see" position regarding expansion plans. Commercial real estate contacts in several Fed districts cited modest projections for sales…
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Growing Your Wealth: 3 Reasons Why Real Estate Is the Ultimate Long-Term Investment

While many people may be hesitant to consider real estate as a viable long-term investment, owning property has a steady historical track record and isn't as volatile as other investment markets can be. Any investor who hasn't seriously considered it as an option should take a closer look at the benefits of owning real estate and why it is the ultimate long-term investment strategy. It Becomes A Consistent Source Of Income Investing in rental property has the added benefit of being able to show regular returns in the form of rental income. Unlike other long-term investments that require a level…
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Understanding ‘Disposable Income’ and How This Will Impact Your Mortgage Approval

There are few things more exciting than finding your ideal home, but with the rising cost of housing, a person's dream home can often come with a very high purchase price. If you're wondering how much home you can truly afford and how your cost of living will fare for your mortgage approval, here are some of the details on what you can expect when it comes to finding a home at an affordable price. What Is Your Debt-to-Income Ratio? Before deciding if a home is right for you, it's important to calculate what your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is to…
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Buying for Retirement: 3 Reasons Why You’ll Want to Buy Your Retirement Home Before You Retire

Many people dream of buying their ideal retirement home after their career has come to a conclusion - with all that extra free time it seems like it'd be the most logical time to shop around. However, many real estate professionals strongly recommend that their clients find a retirement property before they're off the payroll. While it may seem like a big time commitment to find a new home while you're still busy with your work there are several significant financial benefits to purchasing your retirement home before you actually do retire. Here are our top reasons why. It Makes…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 6, 2016

Last week's economic reports included readings on pending home sales, construction spending and consumer sentiment. Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for June were released, along with several labor-related reports including national unemployment, ADP Payrolls and Non-Farm Payrolls were also released along with weekly readings on new jobless claims and Freddie Mac's survey of average mortgage rates. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Holds Steady in June According to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for June, average national home prices held steady with a seasonally adjusted annual growth rate of 5.10 percent in June. The top three cities for home price growth were…
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Can You Use a Reverse Mortgage to Buy Your Next Home? Yes, and Here’s How

Most people who have been on the market for a home are familiar with what the term 'mortgage' means, but many have not heard of a reverse mortgage and aren't aware of how this product can benefit them. If you're nearing retirement and are contemplating a new home or even relocation to another community, here are the details on a reverse mortgage and how this option may benefit you. What Is A Reverse Mortgage? While many homeowners may not have the net worth to be able to buy another home without selling their current one, a reverse mortgage enables the…
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