If your goal is to purchase a home, you may find that it is challenging to save up enough money for your down payment. While this is something that many first time home buyers struggle with, it is by no means insurmountable.
Entries from February 2015
Saving Up for Your First Home? Our Guide to Finding Ways to Save Your Down Payment Faster
February 27th, 2015 · Comments Off on Saving Up for Your First Home? Our Guide to Finding Ways to Save Your Down Payment Faster
Tags: Home Mortgage Tips
FHFA House Price Index Rises for 14th Consecutive Quarter
February 27th, 2015 · Comments Off on FHFA House Price Index Rises for 14th Consecutive Quarter
According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), U.S. home prices rose by 1.40 percent for the fourth quarter of 2014 and were up by 0.80 percent month-to-month from November. The seasonally adjusted FHFA House Price Index measures purchase transactions for homes connected with mortgages owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Tags: Market Outlook
Have You Outgrown Your Current Home? Here Are Five Easy Ways to Tell if It’s Time to Upgrade
February 26th, 2015 · Comments Off on Have You Outgrown Your Current Home? Here Are Five Easy Ways to Tell if It’s Time to Upgrade
Your home is your castle, your own little piece of the American dream. But lately, your little corner of the world has been feeling cramped and you find yourself eyeing those larger homes. Is it time to pull up stakes and move on from your starter home?
Tags: Home Buyer Tips
Case-Shiller: Rising Home Prices Boost Inflation
February 25th, 2015 · Comments Off on Case-Shiller: Rising Home Prices Boost Inflation
December home prices rose by 0.10 percent according to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index. The composite report tracks home prices in 20 U.S. cities. December’s results boosted home prices by 4.50 percent year-over-year, which is approximately double the inflation rate for 2014.
Tags: Market Outlook
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 23, 2015
February 23rd, 2015 · Comments Off on What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 23, 2015
Last week’s housing related reports included the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Housing Market Index for February, The Commerce Department’s report on Housing Starts for January and Freddie Mac’s weekly report on average mortgage rates. The Federal Reserve released the minutes of January’s FOMC meeting, which indicated that FOMC members are in no hurry to raise the target federal funds rate.
Tags: Market Outlook
Moving In: Our Ultimate Guide to Unpacking Will Help You Maximize Your Space
February 20th, 2015 · Comments Off on Moving In: Our Ultimate Guide to Unpacking Will Help You Maximize Your Space
Many buyers anticipate the day they drive to their new home. Then it happens: the movers pull up. It is time to move everything in. This can be a daunting task, but following a few steps will break down the work and careful planning will maximize space in the years ahead.
Tags: Around The Home
Fed Not in a Hurry to Raise Rates: FOMC Meeting Minutes
February 19th, 2015 · Comments Off on Fed Not in a Hurry to Raise Rates: FOMC Meeting Minutes
Federal Open Market Committee policymakers are in no hurry to raise the target federal funds rate. Members said that raising rates too soon could swamp the strengthening economy and expressed concerns that changing the committeeâs current “patient” stance on rising rates could cause more harm than good to current economic conditions.
Tags: Market Outlook
Freelancing in 2015? Three Tips for How to Secure a Mortgage if You’re a Self-Employed Entrepreneur
February 18th, 2015 · Comments Off on Freelancing in 2015? Three Tips for How to Secure a Mortgage if You’re a Self-Employed Entrepreneur
If you are self-employed, either as a freelancer or as the owner of your own business, your income can fluctuate greatly from year to year. That can make it difficult to get approved for a mortgage, although there are some things you can do to improve your chances. Here are three tips for securing a mortgage if you are self-employed.
Tags: Home Mortgage Tips
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 16, 2015
February 17th, 2015 · Comments Off on What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 16, 2015
Last week’s economic news included an index of labor market conditions provided by the Federal Reserve, a report on small business sentiment, and a report from the Labor Department on job openings. Weekly jobless claims, Freddie Mac’s mortgage rates report and a report on Consumer Sentiment rounded out the week.
Tags: Market Outlook
Three Tips for Reducing Your Closing Costs if You’re Looking Forward To Buying a Home in the Spring
February 13th, 2015 · Comments Off on Three Tips for Reducing Your Closing Costs if You’re Looking Forward To Buying a Home in the Spring
Home buying has costs associated with it other than the mortgage itself. Known as closing costs,,these fees are a part of the home buying process and they are due at the time that the mortgage is finalized. Buyers, however, can negotiate these costs and reduce the expense with a little bit of effort and with the help of a good mortgage professional.
Tags: Home Mortgage Tips