Why We Fall in Love—With Houses

Falling in love can be wonderful—and finding the perfect house can make a house-hunter weak in the knees. As Valentine’s Day approaches, a survey by Realtor.com shows that falling head-over-heels for a house is fairly common—69% of respondents reported that they have had a home crush. House-hunters with a “home crush,” as defined in the [...]

Why We Fall in Love—With Houses2018-10-03T23:29:08+00:00

Fed Keeps Interest Rates, Bond-Buying Program Unchanged

To the surprise of virtually no one, the Federal Reserve kept its cheap-money policy in place, but markets interpreted language in the decision to mean that the end may come sooner than expected. Wall Street had expected the Fed to refrain from tapering its so-called money printing operation. Economic data, particularly in employment and consumer confidence, has [...]

Fed Keeps Interest Rates, Bond-Buying Program Unchanged2018-10-03T23:29:09+00:00

U.S. Average on 30-Year Mortgage Rises to 4.29%

WASHINGTON -- Average U.S. mortgage rates rose modestly this week, a move that makes home-buying a bit less affordable. Still, rates remain near historically low levels. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac says the average rate on the 30-year loan increased to 4.29 percent from 4.22 percent last week. The average on the 15-year fixed ticked [...]

U.S. Average on 30-Year Mortgage Rises to 4.29%2018-10-03T23:29:09+00:00

Mortgage Lenders Reportedly Accepting Lower Down Payments

The average down payment for 30-year fixed rate mortgages dropped to 15.73 percent of the home's value in the third quarter this year, down 2.74 percent from the second quarter, according to a report from LendingTree. A news release about report, which detailed the average down payment percentages by state, highlighted the relationship between down [...]

Mortgage Lenders Reportedly Accepting Lower Down Payments2018-10-03T23:29:09+00:00

Home Prices Expected to Rise at least 3.3 Percent Annually though 2017

The housing recovery is expected to grow at an annualized rate 0.6 percent through the third quarter of this year, then gain momentum and prices are projected to grow 3.7 percent between the third quarters of 2013 and 2014 until settling down to 3.3 percent annual increases over the next three years according to Fiserv, [...]

Home Prices Expected to Rise at least 3.3 Percent Annually though 20172018-10-03T23:29:09+00:00

Got cash, good credit? Experts say owning rental housing can pay off even as market recovers

Low mortgage rates have made buying a home more affordable and turned rentals into an attractive option for investors. Throughout the downturn in the housing market, average investors, sometimes pooling their money, have bought foreclosures at a sharp discount and turned them into rentals. Many homeowners also have purchased a second home and rented [...]

Got cash, good credit? Experts say owning rental housing can pay off even as market recovers2018-10-03T23:29:09+00:00

Where Do You Want To Be When The Economy Revives?

Here are some positive possibilities: • In a home that the temporary slowdown in real estate made it possible for you to own… with its value climbing and your equity growing rapidly. • Living in a larger home with amenities you never expected to have… yours because you acted when others were fearful. • The [...]

Where Do You Want To Be When The Economy Revives?2018-10-03T23:29:11+00:00

Five Topics to Discuss With Your Real Estate Agent When Buying a Home

Whether you’re ready to settle into your first home or looking to buy your fifth; are moving cross-country or cross-town, it’s smart to identify which attributes of a new home are most important to you. Be sure to sit down with your real estate agent and discuss your needs and wants for your new house. [...]

Five Topics to Discuss With Your Real Estate Agent When Buying a Home2018-10-03T23:29:11+00:00
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