The FHA is insuring a greater percentage of loans than during any time in recent history. In 2006, it insured roughly 5 percent of the purchase mortgage market. Today, it insures one-quarter. “Going FHA” is more common than ever before — but is it better?
Is An FHA Mortgage Better Than A Conforming One?
July 26th, 2011 · Comments Off on Is An FHA Mortgage Better Than A Conforming One?
Tags: Mortgage Guidelines
How To Clean A Smelly Front-Loading Washing Machine
July 25th, 2011 · Comments Off on How To Clean A Smelly Front-Loading Washing Machine
Because of the way most front-loading washers are built, they tend to pool water in their drums, which can be a breeding ground bacteria and mildew. Whether your front-loading washer smells “dirty” or not, you’ll want to follow proper procedures to keep it clean.
Tags: Around The Home
Home Prices Rise For The 2nd Straight Month
July 22nd, 2011 · Comments Off on Home Prices Rise For The 2nd Straight Month
A strong spring season helped home values recover, says the government. According to the Federal Home Finance Agency’s Home Price Index, home prices rose a seasonally-adjusted 0.4 percent from April to May.
Tags: Housing Analysis
Existing Home Sales Fall To 8-Month Low
July 21st, 2011 · Comments Off on Existing Home Sales Fall To 8-Month Low
Home resales slipped for the 3rd straight month, according to data from the National Association of REALTORS®. Sales volume is at an eight-month low.
Tags: Housing Analysis
Housing Starts Surge 9 Percent; Signal A Strong Fall Season
July 20th, 2011 · Comments Off on Housing Starts Surge 9 Percent; Signal A Strong Fall Season
Builders are busy once again. According to the Census Bureau, Single-Family Housing Starts rose to 453,000 on a seasonally-adjusted, annualized basis in June — a 9 percent spike from the month prior and the highest reading in 3 seasons.
Tags: Housing Analysis
Led By Expectations Of A Strong Fall Season, Homebuilder Confidence Bounces Back
July 19th, 2011 · Comments Off on Led By Expectations Of A Strong Fall Season, Homebuilder Confidence Bounces Back
Homebuilder confidence is bouncing back. One month after an unceremonious dip highlighted by poor sales figures and dim prospects for the future, the National Association of Homebuilder’s Housing Market Index rebounded two points to 15 in July.
Tags: Housing Analysis
There’s 3.7 Million Homes For Sale. Is Yours Standing Out From The Crowd?
July 18th, 2011 · Comments Off on There’s 3.7 Million Homes For Sale. Is Yours Standing Out From The Crowd?
According to the National Association of REALTORS®, there are more than 3.7 million homes for sale this month. If your home is among them, are you doing what it takes to stand apart from the crowd?
Tags: Around The Home
For The 9th Straight Month, Foreclosure Filings Fall
July 14th, 2011 · Comments Off on For The 9th Straight Month, Foreclosure Filings Fall
According to foreclosure-tracking firm RealtyTrac, the number of foreclosure filings dropped 29 percent nationwide on an annual basis in June.
Tags: Housing Analysis
Fed Minutes Hint At New Economic Stimulus
July 13th, 2011 · Comments Off on Fed Minutes Hint At New Economic Stimulus
The Federal Reserve released its June 2011 Federal Open Market Committee meeting minutes Tuesday. It contained no surprises.
Tags: Federal Reserve
What Is Annual Percentage Rate (APR)?
July 12th, 2011 · Comments Off on What Is Annual Percentage Rate (APR)?
More commonly called APR, Annual Percentage Rate is a government-mandated mortgage comparison tool. It measures the total cost of borrowing over the life of a loan into dollars-and-cents.
Tags: Real Estate Definitions