Blog

20
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 20, 2015

Last week's economic reports included the NAHB Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, Housing Starts, and Freddie Mac's weekly survey of mortgage rates. Other news included the weekly jobless claims report and consumer sentiment for April. Mortgage Rates, Jobless Claims Rise Mortgage rates moved up according to Freddie Mac. The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage increased by one basis point to 3.67 percent. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage also increased by one basis point to 2.94 percent. The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages rose by five basis points to 2.88 percent. Discount…
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17
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Seller Tips, ,

Pre-sale Painting: Color Combinations to Use – and Avoid – when Painting Your Home

One of the more common steps that homeowners will take when preparing to list their home for sale involves repainting the walls. Walls can easily give the home a worn, drab look when they have visible signs of dirty, smudgy fingerprints and other unsightly blemishes. While repainting the walls can have a whitewashing effect that instantly makes the home look cleaner, brighter and more appealing, the color combinations that you choose for your home should be considered with care. You have a rainbow of possibilities for your space when preparing your home for sale, but you want to choose colors…
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16
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

Home Builder Confidence Rises in April

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that April's Housing Market Index rose from a reading of 52 in March to 56 for April. This is in line with warmer weather and the peak home buying season in spring and summer. Readings over 50 indicate that more builders view market conditions as positive as those who do not. NAHB members cited lower mortgage rates and better labor market conditions as reasons they expect more home buyers to enter the market. All Components of Builder Confidence Increase The NAHB Home Builder Index is calculated from three components. The reading for…
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15
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

You Ask, We Answer: How Often Should I Refinance the Mortgage on My House?

Refinancing a home mortgage can provide you with an incredible range of benefits. These include everything from reducing your mortgage term and lowering your payments to helping you more effectively build equity or pulling equity out to use for beneficial purposes. One common question that many homeowners ask is how often a mortgage should be refinanced. While there are benefits associated with mortgage refinancing, there are also some points to consider before you rush into the process. Think About Refinancing Costs First, remember that each mortgage application will come with refinancing costs. These costs can equate to thousands of dollars…
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14
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Suffering from Credit Problems? Understanding Mortgage Lenders and How They Assess Your Credit

One of the most significant factors a mortgage lender will review when you apply for a new mortgage loan is your credit history and rating. While some people have stellar credit, others have a troubled credit history with lower scores. If you fall into the latter scenario, you may be wondering how lenders will assess your credit situation when you apply for a mortgage in the near future. Reviewing Your Credit Scores Initially, lenders will review your credit report to determine your credit scores. Your scores will have a direct impact on the interest rate that you qualify for or…
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13
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 13, 2015

Last week's economic news included the minutes from the most recent FOMC meeting, which indicated that the Fed's monetary policymakers are eyeing a potential increase in the target federal funds rate, but don't expect to do so immediately. Members of the Federal Open Market Committee expressed concerns about lagging housing markets and noted that inflation has not yet achieved the Fed's two percent goal. When the Fed decides to raise its target federal funds rate, which now stands at 0.00 to 0.25 percent, Interest rates and mortgage rates can be expected to rise as well. Mortgage Rates Lower, Jobless Claims…
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