New Homes in Houston TX by Long Lake

Fixed Mortgage Rates Fall

Average fixed mortgage rates moved lower this week following a weaker than expected jobs report in March, according to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®). The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.66 percent, down from 3.70 percent the previous week. The 15-year FRM averaged 2.93 percent, down from 2.98 percent the previous week.

New Homes in Houston TX by Long Lake

Does Your Hardscape Need a Little TLC?

Extreme temperatures that last for weeks, ice that thaws and then refreezes – Old Man Winter can be rough on your home’s hardscape. When the last vestiges of cold weather finally melt away, you can find yourself heading into spring with pitted driveways, cracked asphalt and crumbling landscaping. It’s important to make repairs before summer heats up and puts further …

New Homes in Houston TX by Long Lake

Lawn Care Myth Busters

After another chilly winter for much of the nation, many homeowners may be eager to roll up their sleeves outside this spring. Before beginning seasonal maintenance, keep in mind these common lawn care myths, courtesy of the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP). Myth #1: You can water your lawn and landscape any time of day.  Reality: Water is a valuable …

New Homes in Houston TX by Long Lake

The Movement of People in the United States

For the past several years, the mover rate has remained between 11.5 and 12.5 percent, according to new 2014 statistics released from the U.S. Census Bureau. The mover rate between 2013 and 2014 was 11.5 percent or 35.7 million people age 1 year and over. “When the Current Population Survey started collecting migration information in 1948, about one-in-five people moved …

New Homes in Houston TX by Long Lake

Avoid these HVAC Health Risks

For individuals owning furnaces and other HVAC units, it’s important to keep safety in mind as the spring and summer season approaches. “Many homeowners don’t realize the potential risk factors involved when their HVAC unit is not properly maintained after the cold winter months,” says Interstate Co-Owner Raymond Kishk. “Not only can heating and cooling systems pose a serious threat …