Buying your home can be nerve-racking, especially if it's the first time. The buying process is exciting and often complex. The chances of making a mistake are relatively high. In today's real estate market where demand surpasses supply, you can't afford to make mistakes. And this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you are in the market to buy a house, here are five pitfalls avoid. Not Doing Your Homework Well Fortune favors the prepared in real estate. And preparedness begins with understanding your finances. A wise buyer examines assets, analyzes debts and gets finances … [Read More...]
Buying a foreclosed home is easy, right? After all, they sell for pennies on the dollar, right? Well, that could be a false assumption. Buying a foreclosed property appears easy on TV, but in reality, it can be overwhelming. Foreclosure sales continue to decline in the market from 38.6 percent in 2011 to 14 percent in 2017 but ticking up a bit in 2018 according to Attom Data Solutions, a national property data company. As foreclosure sales drop, competition for these properties become stiffer and more complex. And as home prices increase in most cities, buyers often turn to … [Read More...]
One thing to think about when purchasing a home or parcel of land is to have an updated land survey conducted. While property deeds generally include detailed information, many are outdated for a variety of reasons that include nature, weather conditions, and adjustments in floodplain maps among others. Even when the information about the property is spot-on at the closing, human perception of where your property begins and ends can lead to some unenviable outcomes. Given that buying real estate ranks among the largest personal investments for most people, these are three things you may want … [Read More...]
Last week's scheduled economic news was slim last week. The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve issued its post-meeting statement, weekly readings on average mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also issued. FOMC: Fed Target Rate Unchanged, but Expected to Rise in December The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve announced that it did not raise the target federal funds rate but set the stage for raising the benchmark rate n coming months. The current range for the Fed rate us 2.00 percent to 2.00 to 2.25 percent. The Fed expects to increase … [Read More...]
Think green home design is a fad? Well, think again. Sustainable home designs are gaining popularity at a breakneck speed. In 2017, green homes accounted for more than 60 percent of family home builder's portfolios, according to a survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders. But what is really driving green home designs? In this post, we explore five trends shaping sustainable homes. 1. Energy Efficiency Home designs that cater to consumers' need to reduce utility bills continue taking center stage. From net-zero energy homes to energy conserving products, … [Read More...]
After five consecutive years of Millennials outpacing all other home-buying demographics, sellers would be wise to wrap their thinking around what makes this generation tick. According to a 2018 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends research study, Millennials purchased more than one-third of all homes in 2017. With home purchases totaling approximately 36 percent of the market in 2018, this class of buyer has increased its market share from 34 percent in 2017. Taken as a whole, the previously formidable Baby Boomers ranging from 52-70 years old enjoyed only a 32-percent market share. … [Read More...]
The real estate market is quite different from other markets and can be confusing for even the most experienced buyers and sellers. You will need the help of a real estate agent whether you are an experienced buyer or doing it for the first time. Even with the help of an agent, you can educate yourself on some of the basic elements of a real estate transaction in order to make yourself more comfortable throughout the process. Here are 3 things that you should be aware of before you start a real estate transaction: Market Demand And Sales Price There are many factors that determine the … [Read More...]
Last week's economic news included readings for Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, Commerce Department readings on construction spending and the University of Michigan's reading on consumer confidence. Labor sector reports on jobs growth and the national unemployment rate were posted along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Lowest in 20 Months; Construction Spending Falls Home price growth hit its lowest pace in 20 months according to Case=Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index for August. Home prices grew by 5.80 percent … [Read More...]
