06
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates,

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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23
May
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 23, 2016

Last week's economic news included the NAHB Housing Market Index, reports on housing starts, building reports and existing home sales. Minutes of the Federal Reserve's last FOMC meeting were also released. Homebuilder Confidence Unchanged, Housing Starts and Building Permits Increase The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that builder confidence held steady with a reading of 58 in May. Analysts projected a reading of 58 and April's reading was also 58. Builder confidence in market conditions could be slowing due to concerns over acquiring skilled labor and a shortage of developed lots. Demand for homes remains high, but a…
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22
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

Existing Home Sales Jump, Builder Confidence Holds Steady

Home buyers kicked the spring home shopping season into gear and boosted sales of pre-owned homes in March. Existing home sales rose 5.10 percent in March according to the National Association of Realtors®. 5.33 million pre-owned homes were sold in March against expectations of 5.30 million sales and February's reading of 5.07 million sales on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. Demand for homes remains strong in spite of rapidly escalating prices in many areas. Short supplies of available homes continue to drive demand and home prices. Sales rose only 1.50 percent year-over-year, but during the first quarter of 2016, existing…
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29
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 29, 2015

Last week's economic news was largely positive as both new and existing home sales beat expectations. FHFA reported that home price growth held steady in May, while weekly jobless claims edged up, but were lower than expected. New and Existing Home Sales Exceed Expectations According to the Commerce Department, new home sales reached 546,000 on an annual basis for May. This surpassed expectations for 525,000 new homes sold and April's revised reading of 534,000 new homes sold. Expectations were based on the original reading of 517,000 new homes sold in April. Existing home sales rose by 5.10 percent in May…
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16
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Seller Tips, ,

Three Reasons Why Setting Your Listing Price is the Most Important Aspect of the Home Sales Process

Have you decided to sell your home, perhaps to make an upgrade to a newer, larger house? Whatever your reasons for selling, you'll have a number of decisions to make as you craft your listing and begin receiving offers from buyers but few are as important as your initial selling price. Let's take a look at three reasons why setting your listing price is the most important factor in your home sale. Reason #1: You Can Scare Off Potential Buyers With A High Price You'll receive the majority of your buyer interest in the first few days and weeks after…
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30
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Home Seller Tips, ,

Selling to Millennials: Three High-Tech Upgrades That Will Increase Your Home’s Appeal to Young Buyers

Millennials are finally starting to enter the real estate market after delaying home purchases for several years. With a completely new client base looking for homes, it is time to start making your home more appealing to these young buyers. Millennials are used to using high-tech gadgets every day, so they are going to desire these things in their new home. While there are several high-tech upgrades you can make on your home, these three will appeal the most to young homebuyers. Keyless Entry: Security for the New Millennium Keyless entry doors are becoming a popular way of keeping a…
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