Last year, many metro areas saw double-digit home-price increases. However, this past quarter, there has been a significant slowdown in those increases. It’s natural for any owner to try and maximize profits when it comes to putting their home on the market. And one tactic many prospective sellers consider when… read more →
Mortgage rates are moving below 4 percent for 30-year fixed conforming loans with balances below $417,000 for the first time since they spiked in June 2013. It’s not a huge move by the numbers, but psychologically it could be a major boost—potentially prompting a leap of faith for home buyers,… read more →
As potential buyers walk up to your home, the front porch should appear welcoming, entrancing and homey. If it’s dusty, barren and rotted, they may not make an offer. Thus, the best way to increase front porch appeal is to add natural elements to blend it with the yard. Here… read more →
The real estate market is once again in transition. Cash investors are beginning to fade, opening the door for more traditional home buyers, while fast-profit flippers are finding the deals harder to come by – but more profitable than ever. Home purchases made with all cash, representing mostly deals made… read more →
Death isn’t on the minds of most homeowners on closing day, because we all live forever, right? Unfortunately, no. Let’s face it: it’s really never too early to consider what happens to your mortgage should you pass away. The financial obligation of a home loan does linger after death. There’s… read more →
You’ve decided to sell your home, and you want to get top dollar for it. And you’ve seen TV shows where homeowners spend thousands of dollars staging their homes for sale, but there’s an important detail to consider: You don’t have thousands and thousands to spend. The good news is… read more →
You never know for sure what’s going to turn up at an open house. Don’t leave catastrophes to chance if you’ve got old wiring or badplumbing. Get your house up to snuff well ahead of time. As for open house attendees, be prepared for anything and everyone — looky-loos, nosy… read more →
These days, record-breaking foreclosure statistics are coming out with numbing frequency. But what happens to the thousands of families after their personal financial disaster is added to the mounting national count? Unfortunately, once a foreclosure is final, the financial and emotional upheaval is far from over. While there’s considerable pain, most foreclosure victims… read more →
Your Glossary to Mortgage Lending Adjustable Rate Mortgage A mortgage loan were the interest rate adjusts periodically based on the changes of a specified index such as the one-year Treasury Bill or the LIBOR. Amortization The calculation of the amount of the installment payment it takes to pay off the obligation… read more →