Are you ready to become a homeowner? The market conditions are still good enough, even for buyers. But before you do so, you will have to take care of some things, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer. Earlier this year, the Dodd Frank Act was enforced. Under this new policy, to-be homeowners have to submit more documents as proof …
Kitchens remain a top remodeling project in 2014, according to the Member Profile Study done by the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), in time for National Home Improvement Month this May. Eighty-two percent of NARI members identify kitchens as their No. 1 service. This year, the association’s 2014 CotY Awards program, which recognizes top projects in 25 categories, …
If your answer is yes, you have a lot of preparation to do. Indeed, it is a seller’s market and you do have an edge, but that is when you compare yourself with the buyers. What about other sellers? They are also part of the game, and you really must set yourself apart from them. Buyers will not only be …
Mortgage applications increased 4.3 percent from one week earlier, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey for the week ending April 11, 2014. The Market Composite Index, a measure of mortgage loan application volume, increased 4.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier. On an unadjusted basis, the Index increased 5 …
Declines in home values experienced during the recession have already been, or are close to being, erased in almost 20 percent of metro housing markets nationwide as values continue to rise, according to the first quarter Zillow Real Estate Market Reports. U.S. home values climbed 5.7 percent year-over year in the first quarter, to a Zillow Home Value Index of …
In the past 12 months, home prices have roughly risen by 12%. This upward direction is a trend which goes as far back as the past 24 months, and is expected to continue in the upcoming months. Only this time, the rise will be around 10% and not the previously recorded value of 12%. Once a few months have passed, …
Do you have any plans to buy a home this year? If so, now is the time to go into action or it may be too late. The spring season has arrived and that is when most of the houses – both new construction and resale – go on the market! You not only want a good house, you want …
Hardwood floors are in these days, and bring a luxurious appearance to your home. Yes, hardwood floors do appear sleek and shiny, but only when you maintain them well. So many other flooring surfaces can be cleaned with just some water and vinegar, but these two do not work on hardwood floors. So how do you maintain the appearance of …
Right now, interest rates on 30-year fixed-rate mortgage are averaging about 4.5%, but experts are expecting interest rates to climb over 5% this year. 5% may not seem like a big number, but it can make a large difference over the course of time – take a look:
