Home design trends continue to change at supersonic speeds. With New Year right around the corner, the home design world is focusing on trends that will probably reign big in 2019. So, as you make your annual resolutions or consider revamping your home, it's worth knowing them. After all, we all adore coming back to a place that makes us happy and helps us disconnect from tough days at work. It's wise to be aware of temporary fads in design, but don't be shy to try some new home designs and decor in 2019. In this post, we explore five trends to watch out for in 2019. Nature Luxury Blending outdoors with indoors continues to trend and is not stopping soon. Today, the … [Read more...]
Why a Buyer Needs An Independent Inspection at Closing
Many sellers hire inspectors and appraisers to value their home prior to placing it on the market. It's important for buyers to hire their own inspector to get an independent opinion. If a buyer orders an inspection before the sale goes through, the seller may have to resolve any issues that arise. If you forego the inspection, you inherit any problems that come with the house. Importance Of Inspections Homes aren't always well cared for and it's relatively easy for an unethical owner to paint over a water stain rather than fix a leaky faucet. Clunky furnaces and loud A/C units are symptoms of equipment the owner hasn't maintained, but it isn't the only issue that can arise. From hidden mold … [Read more...]
6 Ways To Find the Right Neighborhood For Your Lifestyle
Choosing a neighborhood you live in is almost as important as the house you buy. The right neighborhood can make your house feel even more like a home. But how do you find the right neighborhood to shop for your next home? 1. Evaluate Your Own Lifestyle The first step in finding the right neighborhood is to figure out what you're really looking for. Do you crave a sense of community, or do you prefer not seeing any other houses when you open your front door? Knowing yourself is the key to identifying what kind of neighborhood you'll be most happy in. 2. Are There Children In The Picture? If you have kids now or are planning to have some in the future, that will impact your choice of … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 10th, 2018
Last week's economic reports included readings on construction spending and Labor Department readings on private and public jobs growth. The Consumer Sentiment Index was released along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Construction Spending Slows in October Residential construction slowed in last month as public works projects increased. Private sector construction spending fell by -0.10 percent as compared to expected growth of 0.30 percent and last month's negative reading of -0.10 percent. Construction spending for October was $1.309 billion on a seasonally adjusted annual basis as compared to September's revised reading of $1.311 billion. Overall construction … [Read more...]
4 Important Reasons Why You Should Consider Buying A Green Home
Buying a home is one of the most important decisions you can make. There are many decisions involved in choosing the right home from picking a real estate agent, to figuring out what type of home will suit your needs. You want the right sized rooms, a floor plan that fits your family, and certain home features you know you can't live without. With all the decisions you have to make surrounding your new place to live, you may want to consider buying a green home. Green homes can be a little more expensive up front, but over time they can save you money and pay for the upgrades. These are several reasons for deciding to buy a green home. Air Quality And Health Green homes are built with better … [Read more...]
Newest Home Pricing Data Shows Homes Becoming More Attainable Across The Country
Case-Shiller's 20-city home price index for September reported the lowest pace of year-over-year home price growth in almost two years. Lower home prices balanced housing markets between sellers and buyers, but home prices continued to grow approximately two times faster than wage growth. Case-Shiller's 20 city home price index for September posted a home price growth rate of 5.20 percent as compared to August's year-over-year growth rate of 5.70 percent. While analysts expected slower rates of home price growth, they weren't expecting the steep declines seen in September's report. David Blitzer, Chairman and CEO of the S&P Dow Jones Indices Committee, said "Home prices plus data on … [Read more...]
Home Buying Power Remains In Motion Depsite Rising Mortgage Rates
The real estate market does not occupy a space outside the laws of physics. As Sir Isaac Newton so aptly theorized, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." When applying the English physicist's Third Law to today's rising mortgage rates, anticipating the reaction can be valuable information if you are planning to buy or sell a home or commercial property. At first blush, residential home buyers and commercial property investors might expect the "opposite" reaction to impact buying power negatively. The initial data might lead many to believe that premise. How Home Buyers Reacted To Rate Hikes According to Realtor.com, the average cost to American mortgage holders … [Read more...]
NAHB Reports Lowest Builder Confidence Reading Since 2014
Obstacles facing home builders have caught up with high builder confidence according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index for November. Builder confidence dropped eight points to an index reading of 60, which was the largest month-to-month drop in builder confidence since 2014. November's decline in builder confidence was greater than the largest month-to-month decline during the housing crisis. Housing Market Index readings over 50 are considered positive, but analysts said that long-standing headwinds caught up with home builders' outlook on housing market conditions and sub-categories used to comprise the overall Housing Market Index reading. Obstacles … [Read more...]
Mortgage Challenges For Self-Employed Home Buyers
It's no secret that mortgage lending institutions look favorably on steady paychecks and positive debt-to-income ratios. That can leave many self-employed prospective home buyers feeling anxious about getting approved for a mortgage. But just like the 9-to-5ers who get regular paychecks, self-employed people earning a good living can get approved with a little due diligence. The primary concern of mortgage lenders is not necessarily where your revenue comes from, it's confidence that you can meet the monthly obligations. A lender probably wouldn't see a significant difference between someone who was paid every two weeks and another paid monthly. Why should a self-employed earner be any … [Read more...]
Buy Or Build Your Home? 5 Factors To Consider
A home is one of the biggest investments you can make, and the American Dream for many. Most people spend significant time finding or designing their "dream home." The first decision is whether to buy or build. As of September 2018, the average sales price of a new home was $377,200, according to joint data collected from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Existing homes sales price was approximately $258,100, according to the National Association of Realtors. New homes attract bigger prices than existing ones, meaning building costs are also high. So, how do you decide what is best for you? Here are five factors to consider. … [Read more...]
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