Lori Blank, Author at Lori Blank & Associates

27

Jun

Real Estate Tips

NeighborWorks America and Building Stronger Communities Continues During National Homeownership Month

June marks National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the dream of owning a home and to highlight the programs and organizations that help make homeownership accessible and sustainable for all. One key player in this mission is NeighborWorks America, a national nonprofit network dedicated to promoting affordable housing through education, community development, and lending. What Is NeighborWorks America?NeighborWorks America supports a nationwide network of local organizations that provide a wide range of services designed to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Their work includes: Homebuyer education and counseling: Helping potential buyers understand the home buying process, budgeting, and financial management.…

26

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

How Habitat for Humanity Supports Homeownership By Building Hope and Homes

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the value of owning a home and recognize the individuals and organizations working to make homeownership more accessible to everyone. One of the most well-known and impactful organizations in this space is Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit that’s been helping families build and own safe, affordable homes for nearly 50 years. Habitat for Humanity goes beyond construction. It provides stability, empowerment, and dignity to families who may never have thought homeownership was within reach. During National Homeownership Month, it is especially important to highlight how this organization makes a lasting difference.…

25

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Creating Fairer Housing for All and How REALTORS Are Leading the Way with Fairhaven and ACT!

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the dream of owning a home and to recognize the organizations and individuals working to make that dream accessible to all. While much of the focus is rightly on financial assistance and buyer education, it’s equally important to talk about fairness, and what’s being done behind the scenes to ensure every person has an equal opportunity to purchase a home. That’s where two powerful initiatives from the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) come in: Fairhaven and ACT!. Both programs are transforming the way real estate professionals approach housing equality, reinforcing the…

24

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

How the National Association of REALTORS Supports the Path to Homeownership

June marks National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate one of the most important milestones in life, owning a home. While many organizations work to make homeownership accessible, one of the most influential is the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). As the largest trade association in the U.S., NAR plays a critical role in promoting, protecting, and expanding homeownership opportunities for all Americans. With over 1.5 million members, NAR is not just an association for real estate professionals, it’s an advocate for buyers, sellers, and communities nationwide. During National Homeownership Month, it’s the perfect time to highlight how this organization…

23

Jun

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 23rd, 2025

With the passing of the FOMC rate decision, it has become clear that the Federal Reserve is taking a wait-and-see approach to the current situation regarding tariff policies. Although the vast majority of economists around the world have made predictions about what lies ahead, the effects have not yet been pronounced. Many of the recent tariff changes have also been revoked or put on pause for the largest industries, leaving many markets uncertain about the future. The key takeaway is that conditions will likely remain steady for now. The only other data release offering insight into what’s to come is…

20

Jun

By Lori Blank

Home Selling Tips

The National Homebuyer Fund’s Role in National Homeownership Month

June is National Homeownership Month, a special time to celebrate the dream of owning a home and highlight programs that help make homeownership more attainable. One standout resource for many aspiring homeowners is the National Homebuyer Fund (NHF), an organization dedicated to providing vital financial assistance to low-to-moderate income families striving to buy their first home. What Is the National Homebuyer Fund?The NHF is a nonprofit that offers down payment and closing cost assistance to qualified homebuyers. This support often comes in the form of grants or forgivable loans, meaning that recipients may not have to repay the funds if…

19

Jun

By Lori Blank

Homeowner Tips

HUD’s Role in Homeownership and Supporting the American Dream

June is National Homeownership Month, a time to celebrate the value of owning a home and to promote opportunities for more Americans to achieve that goal. One of the key players helping make homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers and those with limited financial resources, is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD plays a critical role in advancing the mission of National Homeownership Month by providing essential resources, education, and support for homebuyers. Established in 1965, HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. This month is the…

18

Jun

By Lori Blank

Home Selling Tips

How HomeReady and Home Possible Open Doors During National Homeownership Month

June is National Homeownership Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the American dream of homeownership and spotlighting the tools and resources that help make that dream a reality. For millions of aspiring homeowners, especially those with modest incomes, programs like Fannie Mae’s HomeReady® and Freddie Mac’s Home Possible® provide a critical pathway forward. These two government-backed loan programs are specifically designed to increase access to affordable mortgage options for low-to-moderate income borrowers. In a market where rising home prices and limited inventory can feel discouraging, HomeReady® and Home Possible® are helping more people achieve the stability and wealth-building potential that…

17

Jun

By Lori Blank

Home Selling Tips

Recognizing the Power of Having a Place to Call Home During Homeownership Month

June is National Homeownership Month, it is a time to celebrate the American dream of owning a home and to reflect on what homeownership means to individuals, families, and communities. I believe in the power of homeownership to build stability, create generational wealth, and provide a true sense of belonging. Whether you are already a homeowner or still working toward that goal, this month is dedicated to you. National Homeownership Month was originally recognized as National Homeownership Week in 1995. In 2002, President George W. Bush expanded it to the entire month of June to stress the importance of homeownership…

16

Jun

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 16th, 2025

The CPI and PPI have yet to reveal the impacts of the tariff policies that were placed temporarily, which gives some potential insight that there might be a path forward for the Federal Reserve to look at potential rate cuts. However, economists across many industries are expecting inflation to increase temporarily as an impact for the policies that were put in place. Significant uncertainty remains across many import and export markets, with major players opting to err on the side of caution while awaiting a final decision from the administration regarding its policies. Consumer sentiment has shown a slight improvement…