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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Pending Home Sales At The Highest Levels Since April 2010

February 17th, 2011 · Comments Off on Pending Home Sales At The Highest Levels Since April 2010

Another day, another strong report for housing. The Pending Home Sales Index climbed 2 percent in December, according to the National Association of REALTORS®

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Tags: Economy · Pending Home Sales · Real Estate

Mortgage Guidelines Starting To Loosen?

February 16th, 2011 · Comments Off on Mortgage Guidelines Starting To Loosen?

Mortgage rates remain low but qualification standards do not. Last quarter’s banking survey shows that guidelines may be loosening, though. It’s another good sign for housing.

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Tags: Mortgage Guidelines · Mortgage Lending

Unemployment Rate Drops To Lowest In 2 Years

February 15th, 2011 · Comments Off on Unemployment Rate Drops To Lowest In 2 Years

This morning, at 8:30 AM ET, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its Non-Farm Payrolls report for January 2011. Mortgage rates are rising in response.

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Tags: Economy · Jobs

Home Remodeling Projects That You Should Skip

February 14th, 2011 · Comments Off on Home Remodeling Projects That You Should Skip

With contractors dropping prices in most U.S. markets, and a resurgence in confidence among homeowners, home remodeling projects are expected to top $125 billion this quarter. Some projects, though, should never be started.

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Tags: Consumer Interest · Home improvement

Mortgage Rates Return To April 2010 Levels

February 11th, 2011 · Comments Off on Mortgage Rates Return To April 2010 Levels

As of this morning, mortgage rates are higher over 9 consecutive days, marking the longest mortgage rate losing streak in the last 6 years, at least.

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Tags: Mortgage Lending · Mortgage Rates

Foreclosure Activity Drops Throughout The Most Foreclosure-Heavy States

February 11th, 2011 · Comments Off on Foreclosure Activity Drops Throughout The Most Foreclosure-Heavy States

Foreclosure activity is slowing. According to foreclosure-tracker RealtyTrac, the number of foreclosure filings dropped 17 percent on an annual basis last month. Monthly filings ticked higher 1 percent after a combined 23 percent decrease through November and December 2010.

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Tags: foreclosures

How To Keep Your Granite Countertops From Getting “Cloudy”

February 4th, 2011 · Comments Off on How To Keep Your Granite Countertops From Getting “Cloudy”

If your home features granite in its kitchen, its bathrooms, or other living spaces, you’ll want to make sure the counter-tops are cared for to prevent staining and/or clouding over time.

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Tags: Home How To

How To Protect Your Home From The Influenza Virus

February 3rd, 2011 · Comments Off on How To Protect Your Home From The Influenza Virus

In public places, avoiding “germy” places can be difficult. But within your home, you can easily create germ-free spaces.

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Tags: Consumer Interest · Home How To

Home Values in Philadelphia Area Challenge National Trends

February 2nd, 2011 · Comments Off on Home Values in Philadelphia Area Challenge National Trends

Home values were reported unchanged in November 2010, on average, according to the Federal Home Finance Agency’s Home Price Index.

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Tags: Home Price Index · New Jersey · Pennsylvania · Real Estate

Loan Costs Increasing April 1, 2011

February 1st, 2011 · Comments Off on Loan Costs Increasing April 1, 2011

Starting April 1, 2011, loan-level pricing adjustments are increasing. Most conforming mortgage applicants will face higher loan costs.

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Tags: Mortgage Rates