Blog

31
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, , ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 31, 2015

Last week's economic news included several reports related to housing. The Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for June rose to 4.50 percent as compared to May's reading of 4.40 percent. Denver, Colorado was the only city to post double-digit year-over-year growth. FHFA also released its House Price Index for June. Home prices for properties associated with mortgages owned or backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac rose at a year-over-year rate of 5.60 percent in June as compared to May's reading of 5.70 percent. New Home Sales, Pending Home Sales Rise in July Commerce Department data revealed that new home…
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28
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

How to Design a Modern, Luxurious Home Inside of an Older Piece of Real Estate

Newer properties may be infused with built-in designer touches that give them an instant sense of luxury, but older homes may lack many of these built-in features. Whether buying or renovating an older property, many people are interested in learning how to instill modern luxury in older property. The good news is that this is easier than it sounds, and it can be accomplished by following a few simple tips. Make Thoughtful Upgrades It may not be cost-effective or reasonable to upgrade the entire space with an extensive renovation, but making a few thoughtful upgrades can yield fabulous results. The…
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27
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Buying a New Home? Three Tips on How to Get the Best Mortgage Rate

Buying a new home is one of the biggest steps that a person can take. Prior to taking out a home loan, you want to ensure that you get the best interest rate for your mortgage. The lower your rate is, the less you'll pay over the long run. In today's blog post we'll share three key tips that will help you get the best possible mortgage rate. Tip 1: Look For Special Programs The Federal Housing Administration, better known as the FHA, offers a program designed for those looking at buying homes. This program lets applicants apply for loans…
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26
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, , , ,

Case-Shiller: Home Prices Continue to Outpace Inflation

Denver, Colorado continues to woo homebuyers as home prices rose by 10.20 percent as of June according to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index. The Mile-High City was the only city included in the index that posted double-digit year-over-year growth in June. San Francisco, California posted a 9.50 percent year-over-year gain in home prices and Dallas, Texas rounds out the top three cities posting highest year-over-year home price growth with a reading of 8.20 percent. Denver's home prices were impacted by the city's rapidly expanding economy and demand for homes coupled with a slim supply of homes for sale. According…
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25
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

A Few Common Misconceptions About Mortgage Pre-Qualification

If you're shopping around for mortgages, you've probably heard about pre-qualification processes – or maybe even received a pre-qualification offer in the mail. Lots of prospective homeowners hold misconceptions about what exactly pre-qualification is and how it works, and it leads them to opt into poor mortgage deals. But by understanding how pre-qualification works, you'll be able to find the right mortgage for you – at the best possible rate. So what is mortgage pre-qualification, and what isn't it? Here are three common pre-qualification myths that you may have heard. Myth: Mortgage Pre-qualification Commits You To A Specific Lender Many…
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24
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, , , ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 24, 2015

Last week's economic events included a number of readings on housing related topics. The National Association of Home Builders released its report on builder confidence in housing markets, Housing starts reached their highest level since the great recession, and existing home sales exceeded expectations and the prior month's reading. The Federal Reserve released minutes for its most recent FOMC meeting, which indicated that while a majority of FOMC members are leaning toward raising the Fed's target federal funds rate, concerns over certain aspects of the economy continue to keep the Fed from citing a date for raising its target interest…
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