According to the latest quarterly report from the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), median existing single-family home prices are firming in many metropolitan areas, while improving sales and declining inventory are creating more balanced conditions. The median existing single-family home price rose in 74 out of 146 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) based on closings in […]
How to Protect Your Home from Flood Damage
Spring rains and summer storms set the stage for flooding issues for many homeowners. While we can’t control Mother Nature, we can take certain important preventative measures to help minimize potential damage and enhance personal safety. Bear in mind, you don’t have to live close to a body of water to be considered a flood […]
How an Appraisal Can Help Sell Your Home
While it’s standard practice for real estate professionals to conduct a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to help price your home correctly for sale, you may also want to discuss with your agent the possibility of investing in an appraisal before you put your home on the market. Appraisals have long been a part of the […]
Credit Repair Scams
As the economy and the real estate market show hopeful signs of improvement, opportunities continue to abound for prospective homebuyers. However, the jury’s still out on whether or not lenders will begin to loosen their lending criteria…and to what degree. Improving your credit profile will be integral to securing a mortgage and moving forward on […]
Americans More Positive About Economy, Housing
After several years of understandable negativity toward the economy and the real estate market, a new survey shows that Americans’ concerns about key economic and housing issues are beginning to subside. Fannie Mae’s February 2012 National Housing Survey shows that consumer attitudes have stabilized across most indicators—including personal finances, housing, and employment—compared to late summer […]
Buying a Home for your College Student to Live in While in School
Being from a college town, I have many clients coming to me who are considering purchasing a home for their college age child to live in while attending school. By purchasing housing for your college age child you can make a worthwhile investment financially, as well as create an excellent learning experience for the student. […]
Tips for Making Tax Time Less Taxing
If you’re one of the many Americans who dreads the approach of April 15, don’t despair. The stress that’s often associated with tax season usually stems from disorganization. With the right planning, however, you can approach filing your taxes with a sense of order and control, which will result in accomplishing the task and receiving […]
Saving for Retirement!
Saving for Retirement – It’s Never Too Late The difficult economic environment of the past few years may have stalled your retirement savings plan—or maybe you haven’t even gotten around to creating a plan. And you’re not alone—43 percent of Americans had less than $10,000 saved in 2010. The good news is that it’s never […]
Breaking News: Largest-Ever Housing Deal Will Help More Than 1 Million Homeowners
RISMedia reported today that after more than a year of negotiations, the nation’s biggest banks, states attorneys general and federal officials have announced the largest housing settlement ever—more than $26 billion—over foreclosure practices. The deal is expected to offer relief to more than one million U.S. homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgages or […]
Mortgage Rates Drop!
Homebuyers Move off the Fence as Mortgage Rates Drop Yet Again If you’ve been considering buying your first home or moving up to a larger home, conditions have once again turned in your favor. According to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey, mortgage rates hit yet another record low, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate falling […]