A Complete Guide: What Is A Credit Freeze And Why Is This Helpful?

Due to recent changes in federal regulations, consumers are now allowed to freeze their credit free of charge. Prior to changes in these regulations, credit bureaus would charge consumers for freezing their credit. What does this mean, and why might someone want to do this? Freezing Credit Restricts Access To Confidential Information There are certain situations where consumers may need to have access to their credit reports. For example, they may be applying for a home loan or a car loan. There are other situations where consumers may not need access to their credit reports for an extended amount of time. In this case, it is possible to freeze the credit…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 30, 2021

Last week’s economic reports included readings on new and existing home sales; the University of Michigan released its monthly Consumer Sentiment Index, and weekly updates on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. New Home Sales and Median Home Price Rose in July The Census Bureau reported that new homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 353,000 sales in July; analysts expected a pace of 350,000 new homes sold based on June’s reading of 349,000 sales of new homes. Homebuyers are buying new and existing homes at a faster pace as more homes and wider choices become available to would-be buyers. The number of new homes for sale rose…
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The Process Of Estimating Property Values

Property values are a moving target. They are important to buyers and sellers because everyone wants to get the best deal possible. Sellers want to get as much money for their investment while buyers do not want to overpay for a home. There are a lot of factors that play a role in property values including the economy, the number of people looking for homes, new home construction, schools, the job market, and more. How do real estate agents estimate the value of a home? How Much Will Someone Pay For A Home? The market value of a home is the amount of money someone is willing to pay for that…
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The Average Length Of Homeownership For Most Families

It is critical for everyone to find a home that is right for them. Given the current lack of inventory, this can be a significant challenge. Fortunately, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) keeps track of numerous market aspects, including how long the average family stays in a home. For the past few decades, the average family has stayed in their home for approximately six years; however, during the past few years, that average has gone up to nine years. This means that the average homeowner is keeping his or her house longer than he or she did in the past. Why is this happening? Why Are Families Staying In Their…
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A Comprehensive Home Maintenance Checklist For The Homeowner

There are many people who purchase a home with a target monthly payment in mind. This monthly payment usually includes major expenses such as the monthly mortgage payment, real estate taxes, and homeowners’ insurance. At the same time, there are other costs as well, such as home repairs and maintenance. In general, homeowners should budget between one and three percent of the home’s value every year to cover typical maintenance and repairs. This does not include renovation expenses, which might require additional funding. What are a few examples of maintenance expenses homeowners need to consider? Monthly Home Maintenance Tasks There are a few straightforward tasks that homeowners need to do every…
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Spouse with Bad Credit? 3 Reasons You’ll Want to Consider a Co-signer for Your Mortgage

Obtaining a mortgage can be quite a complicated process even without the financial hurdles, but if your spouse's credit has experienced a number of difficulties, acquiring a mortgage can be even more of a burden. If you're concerned about what bad credit will mean for your mortgage and are weighing your options, here are some reasons why it might be important to use a co-signer for your application. Increasing The Likelihood Of Approval From getting an education to purchasing your first vehicle, it's a common occurrence for people to take a loan out at some point in their life. However, getting a loan can be very difficult if you happen to…
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