It is important for everyone to diversify their investments and one of the assets that people often look toward is real estate. In a healthy market, real estate should appreciate in value. It is often less risky than investing in individual stocks and can provide a much higher return on investment than a typical bank savings account or even a money market account. On the other hand, people often think that they require a large amount of money to even think about investing in real estate. This is not always the case. Buying Property Outright One of the most straightforward ways to get started in the real estate investing market is to buy property outright in an area that is set to appreciate … [Read more...]
Can A Reverse Mortgage Impact Your Social Security Or Medicare Benefits?
One of the most common worries that people have is money. When it comes to those golden retirement years, many people worry about running out of money. At the same time, most people who reach their retirement years have a lot of equity in their home. Therefore, many people think about drawing on the equity in their home as a source of income. A reverse mortgage will allow someone to do exactly that. On the other hand, can receiving payments from a reverse mortgage impact the benefits that someone can receive from Social Security or Medicare? The Basics Of A Reverse Mortgage First, people need to think about what a reverse mortgage truly means. When someone takes out a mortgage loan to … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 9th, 2019
Last week’s economic reports included readings on construction spending and multiple labor sector reports including private and public sector jobs and the national unemployment rate. Weekly reports on average mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Construction Spending Falls 0.80 Percent in October Commerce Department reports on construction spending said that spending fell by 0.80 percent to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of $1.29 million. Analysts expected construction spending to increase by 0.40 percent based on September’s original reading of 0.50 percent growth, which was later revised to -0.30 percent. Less construction of multifamily homes and … [Read more...]
5 Essential Tips For Painting A House
When someone makes the decision to purchase a home, they often want to add their own personal touch, style, and flair to the home. One of the ways to do this is to paint the home. Of course, painting a home is a significant investment in terms of both time and money. It is important for everyone to keep a few tips in mind to make sure this process goes smoothly. Pressure Wash The Walls Ahead Of Time The first step is to make sure the walls are pressure washed first. Anything that is present on the walls when the paint goes down will be trapped there permanently. Remove any dust and debris by taking the time to pressure wash the walls first. Prime The Painting Areas The paint needs to adhere … [Read more...]
Should You Get A Second Mortgage To Pay For College?
College is expensive and everyone needs to think about how they are going to cover the costs. Some of the costs include tuition, room and board, meals, books, and spending money. In order to pay for college, some people consider taking out a second mortgage instead of taking out a student loan. How can someone know if taking out a second mortgage is the answer for them? There are several factors to consider. The Interest Rate One of the factors that people need to consider is the interest rate on the second mortgage. The higher the interest rate, the more expensive the second mortgage is going to be. The total cost of the second mortgage, including the interest rate, points, origination … [Read more...]
Case Shiller, FHFA Report Uptick In Home Price Growth In September
Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index showed 3.20 percent national home price growth in September, which was 0.10 percent higher than August’s reading of 3.10 percent. The 20-City Home Price Index showed the continued impact of exorbitant home prices on both coasts as home price growth slowed in high-cost areas and smaller markets experienced upward pressure on home prices as home buyers were seeking affordable homes. Phoenix, Arizona led the 20-City Home Price Index with 6.00 percent year-over-year growth in September. Charlotte, North Caroline had 4.60 percent growth in home prices and Tampa, Florida rounded out the three cities with highest year-over-year home price growth … [Read more...]
How Are Mortgage Rates Determined?
When someone is interested in buying a home, there are a number of factors that people need to consider. Some of these include the budget, the size of the home, and the mortgage interest rates. The mortgage rate is going to play a tremendous role in whether or not someone is going to be able to afford their dream home. For this reason, it is critical for everyone to know how a mortgage rate is determined. There are a number of factors in someone's financial history that are going to impact the mortgage rate the lender offers. The Credit Score One of the most important factors that a lender is going to consider is someone's credit score. A credit score is a reflection of someone's risk … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 2nd, 2019
Last week’s economic news included readings from Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, readings on new and pending home sales and weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. The holiday break on Thursday and Friday curtailed some economic reports. Case-Shiller Reports Uptick in September Home Prices Home prices rose 0.10 percent to a year-over-year growth rate of 3.20 percent in September. Rates of home price growth showed a new geographic trend with smaller cities showing higher home price growth than the coastal cities that dominated rapid home price growth in recent years. Homebuyers seeking affordable options turned inland and southward where home prices are less … [Read more...]
How Much Of A Down Payment Should I Make On My Home?
There are a lot of steps that people need to take when buying a home. One of the most common issues that people discuss is the down payment. Most banks will require a down payment so that they aren't the only ones taking on the risk of buying a home. The common question people have is how much of a down payment they should apply. The Rule Of Thumb Most people have heard about placing 20 percent down on a house as a solid rule of thumb. This number has been passed down from prior generations who purchased houses with similar down payments. On the other hand, the price of housing has risen over the past few decades and this down payment might not be possible for some people. While 20 percent … [Read more...]
3 Crucial Questions To Ask Before You Co-Sign A Mortgage
A mortgage is a significant responsibility. For this reason, many people have someone co-sign with them on their mortgage. Before agreeing to co-sign on any mortgage, it is important to ask the right questions. There are several crucial questions that everyone should ask before they co-sign on someone else's mortgage. What Does It Mean To Co-Sign On A Mortgage? Before signing that piece of paper, it is important to understand the responsibilities involved. Co-signing on a mortgage is a little bit different than co-signing for a credit card. The person who is buying the home, the primary signer, lives in the property in question. The co-signer, typically, does not. On the other hand, both … [Read more...]
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