Blog

22
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Three Tips for Reducing Your Closing Costs if You’re Looking Forward To Buying a Home in the Spring

Spring is approaching fast and it is usually the busiest time of the year for home buying. After a long and cold winter, many people are ready to enjoy the nicer weather and begin to shop for a new home. Spring is also the perfect time for home buying for families with children because it allows them to move during the summer without interrupting school. Home buying has costs associated with it other than the mortgage itself. Known as closing costs, these fees are a part of the home buying process and they are due at the time that the…
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21
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Nears 2005 High

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that homebuilder confidence in sales conditions for single-family homes declined one point to a reading of 57. The NAHB Housing Market Index measures home builder confidence based on builder opinions of current market conditions, future market conditions and buyer foot traffic in new homes. Home Builder Confidence Stable for Seven Consecutive Months January's index reading of 57 was one point below December's reading of 58. Any index reading above 50 indicates that more home builders are confident about housing market conditions than not. January's reading was the seventh…
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20
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

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

Last week's scheduled economic news was mixed. Job openings increased and jobless claims increased, and consumer sentiment rose. Mortgage rates fell across the board. Labor market conditions improved and consumer prices fell in large part due to decreasing fuel prices. The details: Labor Market Conditions Index Suggests Stronger Economy, Jobless Claims Jump Positive labor market ratings continued to show evidence of strengthening economic conditions. The Federal Reserve's Labor Market Conditions Index rose from November's revised reading of 5.50 to December's reading of 6.10. This index measures 19 economic indicators and rose well above its median reading of 1.90. November's reading…
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16
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Three Subtle Painting Tricks That Will Make Your Home Look Amazing

When it comes to painting the walls of a house, sometimes subtle is best. You want to add design, color, and texture to the walls, but you don't want it jarring to the eyes. Here are three subtle painting techniques you can try on your home walls. Tissue Paper Texture One easy way to add texture to walls is to use tissue paper. You apply the tissue paper to the walls and it stays there until you want something new. Crumple up a piece of tissue paper into a tight ball and then open it up and smooth it out.…
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15
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Budgeting: How to Manage Large Mortgage Payments when Buying a Costly, High-value Home

Some people try to apply for as small of a mortgage payment as they can reasonably afford to, and there is some prudence associated with this line of thinking. After all, recent economic events have shown that those who get over-extended may wind up in a dire financial situation. However, there are also benefits associated with a higher mortgage and buying a slightly larger home if you can comfortably afford to do so. For example, the rate of growth on equity will typically be more significant, and there are tax deductions and tax advantages that may be greater. If you…
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14
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Three Major Mortgage Mistakes Which Are Sure to Increase Your Closing Costs

When shopping for a mortgage, it is important to take closing costs into account. While some closing costs are the same for all lenders, different programs may add or reduce some of the burden borrowers face when closing on a home loan. Let's take a look at some major mistakes that could result in borrowers paying more than they need to in closing costs. 1) Failing to Take Property Taxes Into Account Property taxes are generally put into an escrow account that is established prior to closing on the home loan. In most cases, a homeowner will have to pay…
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