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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 12th, 2019

Last week's economic releases included readings on consumer credit, job openings and weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims. Consumer Credit Use, Job Openings Slow in June Consumer credit use slowed in June as credit card use lost ground. Non-revolving credit, which typically includes education and auto loans, grew at its slowest pace in three months. Mortgage loans are not included in the Federal Reserve's report on consumer credit. Consumer credit use grew by $14.6 billion year-over-year in June as compared to May's year-over-year reading of $16.0 billion. Year-over-year credit use fell one percent in June to 4.30 as compared to May's year-over-year reading of 5.30 percent. Credit card use…
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4 Simple Tips To Make Sure Your Home Smells Inviting

As a diligent home seller, you've taken all your real estate agent's advice about preparing your home for showings. You've de-cluttered, enhanced curb appeal and developed efficient strategies for leaving your home while viewings are taking place. But have you given any thought to how your home smells to strangers? Newcomers to your home will naturally be more sensitive to the smells of your house. Your nose is likely desensitized to your common household odors, but a prospective buyer may be put off by how it smells. Here are some ways to make sure your home smells inviting. Don't Burn Incense If you enjoy burning incense, you might think this is…
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How To Find Motivated Sellers In Your Real Estate Market

Bargains in real estate may come from identifying motivated sellers who are willing to let a property go for less than it is really worth. Real estate investors who acquire properties at a discount from current market value enhance their success by increasing their profit potential. Real estate agents who list properties owned by motivated sellers increase their chances to sell a property quickly and have happy sellers who might refer them in the future. Here are some tips on how to find motivated sellers: Distressed Discounts A property that lists for a long time and then the listing shows a discount is a clear sign the owner is becoming motivated.…
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New York Penthouse Sells For $238 Million – Is This A Real Estate Bubble About To Burst?

The most expensive home sold in America, so far, was a New York penthouse that sold for $238 million in January 2019. It is on the top of a building that overlooks Central Park. The 26-story luxury condo building designed by Robert A. M Stern is nearly all sold out. Who Has That Kind Of Money? The proud buyer of the penthouse is Ken Griffin. His net worth is estimated to be $9.6 billion. He is the founder of the Citadel hedge fund. Griffin is 50 years old. A few days before buying the NYC penthouse, he closed on a home in London that overlooks St. James Park near Buckingham Palace.…
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Fed Lowers Key Interest Rate For First Time Since Great Recession

The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve announced the first rate cut to its key interest rate range since the Great Recession ushered in a series of rate cuts described as "quantitative easing." The Fed committee confirmed a quarter-point cut to 2.00 to 2.25 percent. Fed Chair Jerome Powell described the rate cut as a "mid-cycle adjustment" intended as a one-time boost for the economy. Mr. Powell said he did not view the cut as the first in a series of quantitative easing moves, but analysts said single rate cuts are not common. The FOMC post-meeting statement said the decision to cut rates was based on global and domestic…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 5th, 2019

Last week's economic news included readings from Case-Shiller on home prices, pending home sales, construction spending and a post-meeting statement from the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve. Consumer sentiment was released along with Commerce Department reports on public and private sector job growth and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Home Price Growth Slows in May The Case-Shiller National Home price Index showed slower home price growth in May; this was the 14th consecutive month of slower growth in national home prices and the lowest reading for home price growth since the Great Recession. Home prices grew by 3.40 percent on…
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