Blog

18
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, , ,

NAHB: Builder Confidence Hits Highest Rate in 9 Years; Fed Doesn’t Raise Rates

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that home builder confidence rose by one point to a reading of 62 for September. This was the highest reading since November 2005, when the NAHB reported a reading of 68 for home builder confidence. Any reading above 50 indicates that more builders are confident about housing market conditions than those who are not. NAHB notes that builder confidence has been growing at a moderate pace since July 2014; this is in line with economic conditions in general. Relatively low mortgage rates and stronger labor markets…
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17
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

First-Time Home Buyer? 3 Budgeting Tips to Help Make Your Mortgage Payments Easier

Buying a new home is an exciting time, but excitement can easily turn to stress if there isn't enough money to pay the monthly mortgage bill. The added expense can take some time to get used to, but there are ways to make the payments easier, especially in those first few months when money is the tightest. Prioritize The Mortgage Bill And Pay It Immediately This may seem like a counterintuitive tip for anybody looking for help making mortgage payments, but it is easily the best one and the one that provides the most trouble for homeowners. Late mortgage payments…
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16
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Ignore ‘The Bubble’ Talk – 3 Reasons Why This is an Excellent Time to Buy Real Estate

It is common for those who are interested in buying real estate in the near future to tune into news stories about the real estate market, and many may have heard that there is speculation about a real estate bubble that may pop soon. While this gloomy outlook on the real estate market can strike fear in some hearts and may deter a purchase until a later date, the fact is that this is an excellent time to purchase property. In fact, there are three good reasons why potential buyers may want to start moving forward with their buying plans…
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15
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding the Math Behind Your Mortgage Closing Costs

It's amazing that in a year with extremely low mortgage rates being reported around the country, closing costs are up by as much as 6% from the previous year. Part of the reason for this is that the stricter regulations on loans have increased the costs to banks, and they always find a way to pass on new costs to the consumer. Understanding Third-Party Closing Costs When closing on a mortgage the borrower will notice a long list of additional fees that they are expected to pay for. These can range from insignificant into the thousands of dollars depending on…
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14
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 14, 2015

A short week after the Labor Day Holiday provided a slack schedule for economic news. Bloomberg reported that residential investment for the second quarter of 2015 represented 3.34 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Compared to the long-term average reading of 4.56 percent, analysts said that the Q2 15 reading suggested pent-up demand in the housing market that could help propel the economy through any setbacks that could occur when the Fed raises rates. Pent-Up Housing Demand a Plus when Fed Raises Rates Job openings rose in July to 5.75 million as compared to June's reading of 5.32 million. This…
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11
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

What is HARP 2.0 And How Do I Know If I Qualify To Refinance With It

If you're looking for home refinancing options, you may have had difficulty in the past - especially if you owe more than your home's value on your mortgage. Getting refinancing consumes much of your home equity, which is in short supply for people who already have a mortgage. But with the government's extension of the HARP Program, you can now refinance your home with a variety of lenders - even if you owe more on your mortgage than your home is worth. This 'HARP 2.0' is a great way for responsible borrowers to find mortgage relief. But how does the…
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