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 September 2015

NAHB: Builder Confidence Hits Highest Rate in 9 Years; Fed Doesn’t Raise Rates

September 18th, 2015 · Comments Off on NAHB: Builder Confidence Hits Highest Rate in 9 Years; Fed Doesn’t Raise Rates

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) / Wells Fargo Housing Market Index reported that home builder confidence rose by one point to a reading of 62 for September. This was the highest reading since November 2005, when the NAHB reported a reading of 68 for home builder confidence.

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Tags: Market Outlook

The Pros and Cons of Paying Cash When You Buy Your Next Home

September 17th, 2015 · Comments Off on The Pros and Cons of Paying Cash When You Buy Your Next Home

With mortgage bubbles and real estate issues still in recent memory, one might feel that their best option is to buy their next home using cash instead of borrowing the necessary funds. In today’s article we’ll explore the pros and cons of paying cash for that next house or condo.

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Tags: Home Buyer Tips

The Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding the Math Behind Your Mortgage Closing Costs

September 16th, 2015 · Comments Off on The Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding the Math Behind Your Mortgage Closing Costs

It’s amazing that in a year with extremely low mortgage rates being reported around the country, closing costs are up by as much as 6% from the previous year. Part of the reason for this is that the stricter regulations on loans have increased the costs to banks, and they always find a way to pass on new costs to the consumer.

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Tags: Home Mortgage Tips

Ignore ‘The Bubble’ Talk – 3 Reasons Why This is an Excellent Time to Buy Real Estate

September 15th, 2015 · Comments Off on Ignore ‘The Bubble’ Talk – 3 Reasons Why This is an Excellent Time to Buy Real Estate

While a gloomy outlook on the real estate market can strike fear in some hearts and may deter a purchase until a later date, the fact is that this is an excellent time to purchase property. In fact, there are three good reasons why potential buyers may want to start moving forward with their buying plans soon.

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Tags: Home Buyer Tips

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

September 15th, 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

Selling Your Home? 3 Mobile Apps That Will Help Make Your Next Move Much Easier

September 11th, 2015 · Comments Off on Selling Your Home? 3 Mobile Apps That Will Help Make Your Next Move Much Easier

Moving is stressful. Don’t worry…there is an app for that! Technology makes moving easier than ever. Here are three mobile apps that help sellers manage their moves efficiently and with minimum stress.

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Tags: Home Seller Tips

A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Finances for the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process

September 10th, 2015 · Comments Off on A Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Finances for the Mortgage Pre-Approval Process

Being pre-approved for a mortgage isn’t just a way to get a step ahead, in many cases it’s a necessity to buying a home. Many sellers don’t want to go through the negotiation process of selling their home only to have the buyer drop out when they can’t get approval for the mortgage they were relying on.

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Tags: Home Mortgage Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Getting the Most Value from a Home Inspection

September 9th, 2015 · Comments Off on The Ultimate Guide to Getting the Most Value from a Home Inspection

One of the most stressful parts of selling a home is the dreaded home inspection. Getting the most value from a home inspection is crucial, especially since any missed item can cause a significant amount of trouble a few years or decades down the road. With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few tips on how one can get the most value from a home inspection.

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Tags: Home Buyer Tips

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 8, 2015

September 8th, 2015 · Comments Off on What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 8, 2015

Last week’s economic news included reports on construction spending, private and public sector employment data and a report from the Fed indicating that any move to raise interest rates may be delayed.

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Tags: Market Outlook

Staging 101: How to Improve Your Landscape and Gardens Before Showing Your Home

September 4th, 2015 · Comments Off on Staging 101: How to Improve Your Landscape and Gardens Before Showing Your Home

Curb appeal is often neglected by sellers. So much attention is spent getting the inside of a home cleaned up that the outside is left until last. This is a mistake. Landscaping and gardens are the first things a prospective buyer sees. Following these tips ensures homes look their best and give a positive first impression.

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Tags: Around The Home