Archive for the ‘Real Estate Tips’ Category

Average Property Price Per Region

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

  Issue 2 / March 2014 Housing Trends •   Average home prices on non-distressed properties increased in most areas but were flat in the Farm Belt and Oil-Producing states. • Investors increased their share of short sale home purchases in January. •   Traffic from current homeowners and first-time homebuyers increased in January. Average…Read More »

Top 5 tips for homebuyers

Wednesday, February 5th, 2014

  From questions to confidence—feel at home while buying one Buying a new home is a major decision, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here are some tips, so you aren’t surprised along the way.                                                            Take the advice Your real estate agent is your partner and a valuable asset. He or she…Read More »

Mortgage borrowers who don’t use online tools to comparison shop may be losing out

Monday, January 27th, 2014

Consumers who don’t use online technology to shop for mortgage rates or look for a lender or real estate agent may be selling themselves short, with lower-income borrowers particularly at risk, according to Fannie Mae economists. Findings from a recent study suggest that online tools that improve borrowers’ understanding of mortgage terms and costs and allow…Read More »

10 Things That Make a Home a Good Home

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Buyers spend a lot of time looking at properties online, touring homes on the Sunday open house circuit, and talking to their real estate agent. They’re laser-focused on finding the best home that meets their needs. The problem is, buyers sometimes don’t take the long view of a property. They’re only looking at a home…Read More »

What’s the life span of a house?

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

Concrete, brick,  copper, stone products can last a lifetime or a century. Major appliances may  conk out after just 10 to 15 years of normal use. Homebuyers should  consider remaining useful life of house components.   A house may survive for hundreds of years. But the individual components that  make up the house may — or…Read More »

Increase in Interest Rates Had Minimal Impact on Housing Activity

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013

> Little Impact from Higher Interest Rates > FHA Share Declining > Chase Social Media Webinar > Housing Demand Remains Strong Issue  / November 2013 Increase in Interest Rates Had Minimal Impact on Housing Activity Three months after interest rates on mortgages started to increase, the housing market showed few signs of weakness due to…Read More »

14 Things to Consider Before Buying a Home

Monday, October 21st, 2013

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to let emotions get in the way of reality. “Sometimes we want something so badly, we’re not willing to ask all the questions we should,” says Leslie Levine, author of “Will This Place Ever Feel Like Home?” To make sure your dream home isn’t a mirage, follow these…Read More »

Borrowing to the Max for a Home

Wednesday, September 18th, 2013

Q. I am planning on buying a condominium and I can afford to pay as much as half of it with cash. But with mortgage rates going up nearly every week, should I get the largest loan that I can qualify for now? I know I won’t be able to borrow at these relatively low…Read More »

Don’t forget sales taxes on vacation-home rentals

Monday, August 26th, 2013

Now is the time of year when many people rent out their vacation homes. If you rent out your vacation home (or main home) for 14 days or less during the year, the rental income you receive is income tax-free. However, this doesn’t mean no taxes are ever involved when you rent out your vacation home….Read More »

The secret life of a real estate agent

Saturday, August 24th, 2013

The life of a real estate professional is highly nuanced and, for the most part, downright mysterious. On the one hand, you have this simplified misconception that all it takes to be an agent is to get a license, be somewhat personable and like houses. On the other hand, you have the reality that each…Read More »