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Entries from September 2015

Case-Shiller Housing Market Index: Home Prices Rise in July

September 30th, 2015 · Comments Off on Case-Shiller Housing Market Index: Home Prices Rise in July

U.S. home prices rose by 0.10 percent in July according to the S&P Case-Shiller Housing Market Index. San Francisco, California edged past Denver Colorado with a year-over-year price increase of 10.40 percent as compared to Denver’s reading of 10.30 percent. All year-over-readings for the 20-City Home Price Index posted gains, but Washington, D.C. showed the lowest year-over0-year growth rate at 1.70 percent. Chicago, Illinois and New York City followed closely with year-over-year readings of 1.80 percent and 1.90 percent respectively.

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Tags: Market Outlook

Stepping Up Your Game: Staging Your Home to Make It More Appealing Than New Construction

September 29th, 2015 · Comments Off on Stepping Up Your Game: Staging Your Home to Make It More Appealing Than New Construction

When it comes to buying a home people are more apt to consider a newer model. After all new homes are more energy efficient; require less maintenance the perks many buyers want. For homeowners with older homes getting a competitive edge can take a lot of extra work, especially in today’s real estate market.

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Tags: Home Seller Tips

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 28, 2015

September 28th, 2015 · Comments Off on What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 28, 2015

Last week’s scheduled economic news included reports on new and existing home sales, the FHFA House Price Index, and weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. The week finished with a report on consumer sentiment.

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Tags: Market Outlook

Looking Ahead: How to Ensure That You Are Taking Full Advantage of Mortgage Tax Credits

September 25th, 2015 · Comments Off on Looking Ahead: How to Ensure That You Are Taking Full Advantage of Mortgage Tax Credits

One of the major benefits to purchasing a home with a mortgage are the tax credits that can be taken advantage of when April 15 comes around. Many homeowners are unaware of what mortgage related expenses can be deducted and, more importantly, which ones can no longer be deducted.

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Tags: Home Mortgage Tips

A Great Problem to Have: How to Handle Multiple Offers for Your House or Condo

September 24th, 2015 · Comments Off on A Great Problem to Have: How to Handle Multiple Offers for Your House or Condo

With the real estate game in a state of constant flux, getting an offer on your house or condo might seem encouraging enough. While having multiple offers can be the best of all outcomes, there are a few ways to handle this situation and make the most of your home sale.

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Tags: Home Seller Tips

National Association of REALTORS – Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Dip

September 23rd, 2015 · Comments Off on National Association of REALTORS – Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Dip

Sales of previously owned homes dropped in August by 4.80 percent on an annual basis for the first time in four months; the dip was likely caused by rising home prices. August sales were reported at a rate of 5.31 million; July’s rate was 5.58 million sales of previously owned homes.

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Tags: Market Outlook

The New Home Warranty: Why This Benefit Alone Makes Buying New Worth Considering

September 22nd, 2015 · Comments Off on The New Home Warranty: Why This Benefit Alone Makes Buying New Worth Considering

When making the decision to purchase a home, there can be an array of questions to ask regarding location, size, style and additional features that will complicate things. While buying new can seem like a risk, this type of warranty may help make at least one decision easy when it comes to your home purchase.

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Tags: Home Buyer Tips

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 21, 2015

September 21st, 2015 · Comments Off on What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 21, 2015

Last week’s economic releases included several reports related to housing. The Wells Fargo/NAHB Housing Market Index achieved its highest reading in nearly 10 years. Housing Starts dipped in August and Building Permits issued in August exceeded July expectations. The week’s big news was actually no news. The Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee decided not to raise interest rates. Fed Chair Janet Yellen followed up on the FOMC statement with a press conference and said that the Fed is not yet ready to raise rates, but that a majority of FOMC members are prepared to raise rates before year-end.

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Tags: Market Outlook

Home Sales Tips: How to Market the Community Around Your Home to Prospective Buyers

September 20th, 2015 · Comments Off on Home Sales Tips: How to Market the Community Around Your Home to Prospective Buyers

Selling a home is more than real estate listings and making the home appealing to potential buyers. One factor to take into account when buying a home is its location, meaning the community that surrounds the home.

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Tags: Home Seller Tips

Home Buyer’s Remorse: 3 Strategies That Will Help You Avoid Making Mistakes when You Buy

September 20th, 2015 · Comments Off on Home Buyer’s Remorse: 3 Strategies That Will Help You Avoid Making Mistakes when You Buy

It might seem like selling a home and moving to a new place is enough pressure on its own, but buyer’s remorse is a well-known phrase for a reason. If you’re currently considering a home and are concerned about taking the plunge into purchasing, here are three strategies you will want to utilize before making a final decision.

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Tags: Home Buyer Tips