Lori Blank

27

Sep

Home Buyer Tips

Three Excellent Reasons to Buy a Home So You Can Get out of the “Renting Rut”

Renting a home is a good option for some, but buying a home just might be the best thing for you. When you rent a home, you send money to someone else every month in exchange for knowing that you can call on your landlord when the roof leaks, an appliance stops working or your bathroom faucet breaks. There are some big advantages to buying a house that will help you get out of your renting rut and focus more on your future. Build Equity Did you know that when you rent a home, you help someone else build equity?…

26

Sep

By Lori Blank

Home Mortgage Tips

APR vs. Interest Rates

If you're gearing up to dive into the world of real estate, there are a few key terms you'll want to wrap your head around before taking the plunge. Today, we're demystifying APR and interest rate, two crucial concepts that can impact your home-buying journey. Don't worry, I'll break it down in simple terms so you can confidently navigate the process like a pro. Interest Rate: Let's start with the basics. The interest rate is the percentage charged by a lender for borrowing money to buy your home. It's essentially the cost of borrowing the principal amount. When you're comparing…

25

Sep

By Lori Blank

Homeowner Tips

How Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Retirement Goals

If you plan on retiring soon, you are probably looking at a few options that can get you over the hump. You are probably excited to start a new phase of life. With a record number of people closing in on their retirement age, many are starting to assess their resources to make sure they have enough money to last them for the rest of their lives. If you already own a home, you might be able to tap into your home equity to help you fuel your retirement. Your Home Has Probably Gone Up In Value Your house is…

24

Sep

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

3 Considerations When Making A Down Payment

When considering the journey of purchasing a new home, one of the fundamental decisions you'll encounter revolves around determining the appropriate amount of money to allocate for your down payment. It's a decision-making process that involves weighing the benefits of opting for a larger down payment against the potential advantages of utilizing some of those funds to purchase "discount points," thereby reducing your interest rate. Each option carries its own set of merits and demerits, and the optimal choice for you hinges on a careful examination of your unique financial circumstances and objectives. Here's a more detailed exploration of the factors…

23

Sep

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 23rd, 2024

The long-awaited week has come and within expectations, the Federal Reserve has decided to reduce interest rates for central banks by 50 basis points. This is the bigger of the two options for a rate cut, with the lesser being 25 basis points. The impact of this cannot be understated as this gives an official nod that the economy is in a good spot and inflation is under control, according to the Federal Reserve’s outlook on the data. The only black mark on the week of releases is the U.S. Leading Economic Indicators showing the economy has been in a…

20

Sep

By Lori Blank

Home Maintenance

How to Remove Allergens from Your Home and Steps for a Healthier Space

Living with allergies can be tough, especially when your home, a place meant for comfort, becomes a source of irritation. Allergens like dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold can linger in your living spaces, worsening symptoms for those with sensitivities. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to reduce allergens and create a healthier home environment. Here are some tips to help you get started: 1. Keep Your Home Clean A clean home is key to keeping allergens at bay. Vacuum your carpets and rugs frequently using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter, which traps tiny particles like dust…

19

Sep

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Understanding Probate in Real Estate Transactions

The probate process is often a key concern for those dealing with real estate after the death of a loved one. Whether you’re buying or selling a probate property, understanding the steps involved can help you navigate the transaction more smoothly. Here's a simplified guide to the probate process and some strategies for avoiding it. Steps in the Probate Process Initiate Probate: The process begins by filing legal documents with the probate court. This officially starts the process of managing the deceased person’s estate. Court Appoints an Executor: If the deceased did not name an executor in their will, the…

18

Sep

By Lori Blank

Investment Properties

Understanding 1031 Exchanges For Real Estate Investors

When it comes to real estate investment, understanding tax strategies is crucial to maximizing your returns. One of the most effective tools for deferring taxes and boosting your investment potential is the 1031 exchange. This IRS provision allows investors to defer capital gains tax on the sale of investment properties, providing more capital to reinvest and grow their portfolios. What is a 1031 Exchange? A 1031 exchange, named after Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, enables investors to defer paying capital gains tax when they sell one investment property and use the proceeds to purchase another. To qualify, the…

17

Sep

By Lori Blank

Homeowner Tips

How to Easily Transfer Utilities and Avoid Moving Day Hassles

Moving to a new home is an exciting milestone, but in the middle of packing boxes and planning logistics, the task of transferring utilities often slips through the cracks. Skipping this essential step can lead to unwanted stress, unexpected service interruptions, and even extra charges. To help you avoid those issues, here's a guide on transferring your utilities without a hitch during a move. 1. Create a Utility Checklist The first step is to make a checklist of all the utilities you currently use in your home. These commonly include: Electricity Water Gas Internet and cable Phone services This checklist…

16

Sep

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 16th, 2024

The week for the Federal Reserve’s rate decision has finally come. This is the week everyone has been waiting which will decide whether we will see any rate cuts this year. There has been a lot of speculation that this will be the first rate cut and likely more in the future. With the Federal Reserve giving hints the data has been on track, the outcome of one seems very likely. With the previous week's CPI and PPI statistics coming in, which both were slightly warmer than expected, the data still largely shows that inflation has been kept under control.…