22 Aug 2019
By Mortgage Blog Content

How To Maximize The Resale Value Of Your Home

Real Estate
There are a few things to consider, when selling a home, that will help you maximize your potential for a better sales price. Seasoned real estate professionals are one of your best resources for these tips. The Buyer's First Impression Is Emotional The first goal is to improve the buyer's first impression when they see photos or a video of the home, do a drive-by, or make an appointment to view the home. Work with a real estate agent on staging the home and pay particular attention to curb appeal. Staging means that a home has no clutter. Remove any personal items (family photos, toys, pets, etc.). Make closets less than…
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21 Aug 2019
By Mortgage Blog Content

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Covenants, Codes and Restrictions?

Real Estate
There is a joke about gated communities that says the walls are not just there to keep the people out but to keep the residents in. Living in a gated community that is subject to the rules of a homeowners' association (HOA) can be a pleasant or a severely irritating experience, depending on the perspective a homeowner has about lifestyles. The Good, Bad, And Ugly About CC&Rs Gated and master-planned communities may have an HOA and also may have covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) that are part of the property rights (or lack thereof) that a home buyer accepts when they buy a property in those neighborhoods. The developer records a…
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20 Aug 2019
By Mortgage Blog Content

Boom Or Bubble? – Home Prices Hit Record Highs Across America

Real Estate
The rapidly rising home prices currently found in many parts of the United States make it seem like the Great Recession of 2008 never happened. It took approximately eight years for home prices to recover the values that were equivalent to those they had before the recession. After reaching this point of recovery, since around 2016, real estate prices have been going up very quickly in many cities. The Best Recovered Housing Markets Here are the fully-recovered housing markets analyzed by ATTOM data service for the second quarter of 2019 that have exceeded the peak valuations from before the recession. This list of winners shows the percentage that they are now…
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19 Aug 2019
By Mortgage Blog Content

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 19th, 2019

Financial Reports
Last week's economic news included readings  from the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index and July readings on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly readings on initial jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. NAHB: Home Builder Sentiment Remains High According to the National Association of Home Builders, builder confidence in housing market conditions rose one point to an index reading of 66 for August. Housing Market Index readings showed that builder sentiment has held steady with readings of 64 to 66; any reading over 50 indicates positive builder sentiment. Analysts said that despite strong readings for builder confidence in recent months, Commerce Department readings on housing…
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16 Aug 2019
By Mortgage Blog Content

Important Tips To Help Kids Adjust To The Move

Real Estate
Moving takes a certain amount of adjustment. Kids of all ages may need a little help getting used to the new environment. Help kids adjust to the move by keeping the following in mind.  Kids Are Resilient Don't overly worry about how your kids will adjust to the move. Kids are resilient. They tend to acclimate to new situations fairly quickly. It may even be that your kids get used to the move before you do! Make Friends With Other Parents You could facilitate your kids' making new friends by making friends with parents of kids the same age as your child. To do this, attend any school functions and meetings…
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15 Aug 2019
By Mortgage Blog Content

Should You Brace For A Potential Market Downturn Next Year?

Real Estate
Don't panic, a looming recession may be good news for those wanting to sell their homes. The experts say this recession may happen in 2020, so there is still plenty of time to make plans for how to deal with a potential economic downturn. In many parts of America, especially in popular cities, the real estate markets are super hot for sellers. Home sales are coming in at prices that are record highs. For sellers in these hot markets, it might be time to sell. For buyers, able to wait until next year, the prices may come down. What The 'Experts' Say A Pulsenomics survey of 100 real estate market experts…
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