Lori Blank

14

Jun

Home Mortgage Tips

The Top Smart Home Products You Should Know About

Technology has come a long way, and you might be thinking about turning your house into a smart home. Now, there are a lot of smart home products available, and you may have a difficult time keeping track of which ones are best for you. What are some of the top smart home products you need to know about? A Smart Lock If you are tired of misplacing your keys, you should consider investing in a smart lock. Smart locks come in many shapes and forms, and many of them allow you to program multiple combinations into them. This means…

13

Jun

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 13, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting was highly focused on inflation, which grew at its fastest pace since 1981. Rising fuel and food prices boosted inflation in the U.S. and abroad; Analysts said the Ukraine War and supply chain problems continued to drive inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Inflation Hits Highest Level in 41 Years The government’s Consumer Price Index, which tracks inflation, rose at a month-to-month pace of 1.0 percent in May compared to the expected reading of 0.70 percent and April’s reading of 0.30 percent growth. May’s Core Consumer Price Index, which excludes food and…

10

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Does A Pool Increase The Value Of Your Property?

If you are looking for a way to add value to your house, you may have thought about putting in a pool. After all, this is a great way to cool off during the summer while entertaining your family members and friends. At the same time, does a pool increase the value of your property? Learn more about the benefits and drawbacks below. The Benefits Of Owning A Pool If you decide to put in a pool, there are a lot of benefits you will enjoy. First, it will make your property look significantly more appealing. As long as you…

09

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Use A Fixer-Upper Mortgage To Expand Your Options

Many people purchasing a home for the first time are running into the same problem. There simply are not enough starter or entry-level houses available in the current market that are ready for people to move into. One solution some home buyers are exploring is to buy a fixer-upper home. With a home renovation mortgage, prospective homebuyers can qualify for a home loan that combines the cost of home improvements with the purchase price of the house. A Lack Of Affordable Homes Regardless of whether they are brand new or resale homes, there simply are not enough affordable homes for…

08

Jun

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

3 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More ‘Pet Friendly’

Whether you're moving to a new home or you have a new family pet, it can be a struggle to make the place a little friendlier for them. From the garbage can to the cupboards and doors, there can be a lot of dangers that have the ability to hurt your furry friend you might not be aware of. If you're looking for some simple ways to make their life a little easier, here are a few things you can do. Take Care Of The Trash The image of dogs sifting through the trash is common for a reason, so…

07

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

How To Make Your Home More Sustainable in 2022

If you are looking for a way to make your home more sustainable in 2022, there are several options available. A lot of people are concerned about the environment, and you can do your part by reducing the amount of energy your home consumes. Furthermore, some of these home improvements are not that expensive and can actually save you money. Some of them might even increase the value of your house. Take a look at some of the top sustainable home improvements you should make below. Install Energy-Efficient Windows If you have not swapped out your windows in a while,…

03

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Open Concept Living Is A Lifestyle Choice

The coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on individuals and families across the world, and it has permanently changed the way we live our lives. We will continue to wash our hands more frequently than before, we will probably avoid people if we are the slightest bit ill, and the way our homes work has been changed forever. In particular, open-concept living might not be as popular as it once was. Why Is Open Concept Living Less Popular Than Before? The biggest reason why open-concept living might now be less popular than it once was is that people are…

02

Jun

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Saving Up for Your Down Payment? Try These Money-saving Tips to Speed Things Up

One of the most significant challenges that many people face when preparing to buy a first home relates to saving money for a down payment. While there are many different loan programs with varying down payment requirements, the fact is that it can still be difficult to save up a large sum of money. Some programs may require you to save as much as 10 percent or 20 percent of the sales price of the home. You can employ a few different tips and techniques to save money for a down payment more quickly, and these are some of the…

01

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Where Buyers Tend To Compromise When Buying A Home

If you are in the market for a home, it is important for you to think about what is most critical to your housing search. Unless you have an unlimited budget, you will probably have to compromise somewhere to make a competitive offer on a house you can afford. Every buyer is different, but there are a few common themes regarding where buyers tend to compromise when looking for a house. The Condition Of The Home One area where buyers tend to compromise is the condition of the house. Most buyers would prefer to purchase a new house that is…

31

May

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 31, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on new and pending home sales, minutes from the Federal Reserve's recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting, and data on inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. New and Pending Home Sales Fall The annual pace of new home sales fell in April according to the Commerce Department. Year-over-year sales of new homes fell to a pace of 591,000 sales as compared to the March reading of 709,000 sales of new homes. Analysts expected a year-over-year pace of 750,000 new home sales in April. Rising home prices and mortgage…