Lori Blank

30

Mar

Financial Reports

Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home Prices Grow at a Near-Record Pace

U.S home prices grew at a near-record pace in January according to the National S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index; year-over-year home prices rose by 19.20 percent in January as compared to December’s reading of 18.90 percent. Home prices rose 1.80 percent on a month-to-month basis from December to January. While home prices continued to grow at near-record rates, home price growth slowed in some areas during December but picked up in January. Craig M. Lazzara, managing director at S&P Dow Jones Indices, said: “Last fall we observed that home prices, although continuing to rise sharply, had begun to decelerate. Even…

29

Mar

By Lori Blank

Homeowner Tips

What Are The Top Signs You Need To Refinance?

You might have heard that more people are refinancing these days. During the refinancing process, you essentially take your current home loan and replace it with a different one. You can reduce your mortgage payments, shorten the life of your loan, or withdraw cash you can use for other purposes. What are a few of the signs that indicate you should consider refinancing? You Can Secure A Lower Interest Rate If you think you can secure a lower interest rate on your mortgage, it might be time to refinance. There are a number of reasons why you might be able to…

28

Mar

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 28, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included a speech and press conference by Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, data on pending home sales and sales of new homes, and the University of Michigan’s monthly reading on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. Fed Chair: Rate Hikes Above 0.25 Percent May be Needed to Ease Inflation Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said that the Fed is willing to move beyond its recent 0.25 percent rate hike to control inflation. In a speech made to the National Business Association for Business Economics, Mr.Powell said, “We will take…

25

Mar

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

5 Easy Ways to Brighten up Your Curb Appeal

It can be easy to forget, but the first thing people will see when they come to your home is the outside, so it's important to have a well-maintained and picturesque property that represents the inside of your home positively. If you're looking for a few ways to boost your outdoor space, here are a few tips to help with curb appeal. Plant A Flower Bed Whether you decide on a tiny plot or a much larger space, a splash of flowers is great for adding a warm, homey atmosphere to your front yard. This can easily be done by…

24

Mar

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Advice For Purchasing A House On A Single Income

Even though a lot of people have two incomes they can use to purchase a house (theirs and their partner’s), this is not necessarily required. There are lots of people who want to take advantage of current interest rates to purchase a house, and some people are trying to do it on their own. Even though it can be a challenge to buy a house with only one income, it is certainly not impossible. There are several tips that can make it easier for everyone to afford a house with just a single income. Always Check Your Credit Score If…

23

Mar

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Rent Is Going Up Across The Country: What People Can Do

Many people who rent sign a 12-month lease. With many people’s contracts up for renewal during the next few months, people may be surprised to see just how much their rent might be going up in the next year. Just as gas prices, car prices, and prices at the grocery store continue to increase, rent is going up as well. It is important to take a closer look at the reasons why, and what people can do to make their housing costs more affordable. Inflation Is Partly To Blame One of the reasons why rent is getting more expensive is…

22

Mar

By Lori Blank

Taxes

Tax Deductions Homeowners Can Claim During Tax Season

Even though owning a home comes with some significant expenses, some of them are tax-deductible. With many people looking for ways to lower their income tax, there are a few expenses tied to the house that every homeowner should consider. This could make a significant difference in their final tax bills, and it could lead to a large tax refund. Home Repair Costs There are a lot of people who need to make repairs to their houses during the course of the year. In particular, if you have recently purchased a house, you may need to do a bunch of…

21

Mar

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 21, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on housing markets from the National Association of Home Builders, sales of previously-owned homes, and government reports on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Builder Confidence Slips Two Points in March The National Association of Home Builders reported that home builder confidence in housing market conditions slipped two points to an index reading of 79. Analysts expected a reading of 80 based on February’s reading of 81. Robert Dietz, the NAHB’s chief economist, said: “While low existing inventory and favorable demographics are…

18

Mar

By Lori Blank

Mortgage

Make One Extra Mortgage Payment Every Year To Save Big

When you buy a home, you probably have a budget you will try to stick to. Many people choose a 30-year fixed mortgage, and by the time you pay off the home loan, you should own your home outright. At the same time, you might be thinking about paying off your mortgage more quickly to save money on interest. Even making one extra mortgage payment per year can provide a number of significant benefits. You Can Build Up Equity Faster One of the first benefits of making an extra mortgage payment every year is that you can build up equity…

16

Mar

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Exploring Multigenerational Homes: They Are Becoming More Common

Purchasing a house is expensive. Not everyone has the money to put down 20 percent. One of the ways to make it easier to afford a house is to live in a home with multiple generations. Some people decide to move back in with their parents because they might have a difficult time affording a mortgage and student loans. Some parents move in with their children because they have health-related issues that need to be addressed. Now, multi-generational homes are becoming more common. An Overview Of Multigenerational Homes First, it is important to define a multigenerational home. This is a…