C21AGVoices

Real Estate Wisdom and Information From CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold -The Only CENTURY 21 Firm With Offices in Pennsylvania AND New Jersey!

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Entries from December 2008

Good News for Re-fis May Slow Closing Time for Sales

December 30th, 2008 · Comments Off on Good News for Re-fis May Slow Closing Time for Sales

In late-November, the Federal Reserve pledged $600 billion to buy mortgage-backed securities.  The announcement drove down mortgage rates and started the Refi Boom. Then, the Federal Reserve made a second series of statements after its scheduled meeting last Tuesday, causing mortgage rates to plunge again.  This started the Refi Boom’s second wave. Because of the surge […]

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Tags: Economy · Mortgage Lending · Real Estate

The Federal Reserve Explained in Plain English

December 26th, 2008 · Comments Off on The Federal Reserve Explained in Plain English

The Federal Open Market Committee voted to cut the Fed Funds Rate by at least three-quarters percent on Decmber 16, 2008.  The benchmark rate now rests in a range of 0.000-0.250 percent. In its press release, the FOMC identified three key economic sectors in which activity has weakened since October. The FOMC noted that: The U.S. job market […]

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Tags: Economy · Federal Reserve

Simple Real Estate definitions:Refinance

December 25th, 2008 · Comments Off on Simple Real Estate definitions:Refinance

A mortgage is a contract between a lender and borrower, defining the terms by which a home loan must be repaid.  The paperwork, signed by both parties, includes provisions for things like: The interest rate The length of the loan The amount of money to be borrowed But, like all loans, a mortgage loan can […]

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Tags: Real Estate

HGTV Automates Your Paint Swatch!

December 12th, 2008 · Comments Off on HGTV Automates Your Paint Swatch!

When choosing a room’s paint colors, Interior Designers follow the 60-30-10 Rule. The 60-30-10 Rule says that color usage in a space should be based on percentages: 60% of the room should be a dominant color 30% of the room should be a secondary color 10% of the room should be an accent color It’s a […]

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Tags: Consumer Interest · Real Estate

Maple Glen Toy and Food Collection

December 11th, 2008 · Comments Off on Maple Glen Toy and Food Collection

    Photo curtesy of Creativecommons.org CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold Maple Glen Office will run toy and food drive Saturday, December 20, 2008 12-4pm. Toys collected from the drive will benefit the local Toys for Tots program; all donations must be new and unwrapped. All food collected will benefit a local charity. Bring your camera […]

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Tags: Consumer Interest · Just For Fun · Local · Pennsylvania · Real Estate

Falling Gas Prices Help Houses Sell!

December 10th, 2008 · Comments Off on Falling Gas Prices Help Houses Sell!

For the 78 consecutive days, gas prices fell nationwide through December 3rd.  At $1.81 per gallon, the average price at the pump is less than half what it was at its peak in July. And although gas prices vary by locale, the cost of a fill-up is worthy of national news. The main reason why […]

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Tags: Economy · Real Estate

Unemployment & Housing Affordability Both Increase

December 9th, 2008 · Comments Off on Unemployment & Housing Affordability Both Increase

According to the government, American businesses are cutting staff at an accelerated pace, most recently paring 533,000 jobs this past November. It’s the largest one-month decline since December 1974 and raises the year-to-date job losses to 1.9 million workers. However, there is a silver lining in the data for all Americans — both employed and […]

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Tags: Economy · Federal Reserve · Real Estate

Heater on? Check for Carbon Monoxide!

December 8th, 2008 · Comments Off on Heater on? Check for Carbon Monoxide!

As the weather turns cooler and home heating systems get fired, it’s important to safeguard your home from carbon monoxide gas. Often called the “slient killer”, the odorless and colorless gas accidentally poisons about 170 Americans each year. The video above from CBS News tells the story of 2 such deaths. Throughout the 5-minute piece […]

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Tags: Consumer Interest · Real Estate