Lori Blank

18

Jan

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 18, 2022

Last week’s scheduled economic reporting focused on inflation with monthly and year-over-year readings on overall and core inflation. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell was confirmed for a second term as Federal Reserve chair. The University of Michigan released its monthly survey on consumer sentiment and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Inflation Rises in December; Nears Fastest Growth Pace in 40 Years Year-over-year inflation rose to a pace of seven percent in December and approached its fastest growth rate in 40 years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Analysts expected year-over-year inflationary growth of…

14

Jan

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

The Younger Generations Are Interested In Owning A Home

The real estate market has been red hot this year, with many people looking to purchase a home because of record-low interest rates. This includes younger individuals, as younger generations are interested in owning a house for the first time. The past couple of years have been anything except normal, and the housing market has taken off, with demand far exceeding supply. Why is this taking place? Record Low-Interest Rates Are Driving People Into the Market Even though there are many reasons why people are interested in purchasing a home, incredibly low-interest rates are one of the biggest reasons. Many…

13

Jan

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

Did You Know? Here’s Why Professionally Shot Aerial Photos and Videos Can Help You Sell Your Home

Today's home buyers are savvier about their buying options than ever before. They are able to research prices, browse listings, and investigate other important factors before even making the first call to a real estate agent. So professional photography and video can make the difference between your home getting a second look or getting skipped. In today's blog post we'll explore how professionally-shot aerial photos and videos can help you get your home sold that much quicker. Buyers Love Having a Birds-Eye View It's increasingly likely that buyers will look for aerial photography to help them make their buying decisions.…

12

Jan

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Win When You Sell And Move

Home sellers often feel like there may only be a small window of opportunity to sell their home. Winter is typically regarded as a “waiting period,” until buyers start being active again. But winter may be a great time to sell and move. Your House Will Probably Have Less Competition More and more sellers are realizing that winter can be a favorable time to put a house on the market. Still, when you decide to sell during the winter months, you’ll have much less competition due to lower inventory. In turn, this will make your house stand out and capture…

11

Jan

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

How to Make a Small Backyard a Great Selling Feature

Small backyards are not the detriment that sellers seem to worry about. By putting in some work, any homeowner should be able to turn the smallest backyard into a selling feature by highlighting its assets. Here are some surefire ways to change a cramped backyard into a cozy, outdoor paradise: Invest In Size Appropriate Outdoor Furniture Too many people with small backyards make the mistake of picking out patio furniture that is meant for a larger space. While this may not matter for the people living in the house, it will make a world of difference to anybody looking to…

10

Jan

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 10, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on construction spending and labor sector readings on jobs and unemployment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Construction Spending Unchanged, Falls Short of Expectations The Commerce Department reported that construction spending rose by 0.4 percent in November to a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of $1.63 trillion and 9.30 percent year-over-year, Residential construction spending drove spending higher; month-to-month spending rose by 0.90 percent in November and was 16 percent higher year-over-year. Analysts expected overall construction spending to rise by 0.70 percent from October to November. High demand for homes continued to…

07

Jan

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Dealing with an Empty Nest? 5 Great Reasons to Downsize into a New Condo

There's a good chance if your children have recently moved out that your home is feeling a lot larger than it used to, and perhaps you're re-considering the extra space. If downsizing to a condo is on your mind and you're weighing the benefits of this kind of move, here are some that might make it worth the switch in size. A Little Extra Money With the additional money you should be making off the sale of your home, there's a good chance that downsizing may provide you with extra assets to sock away for retirement, travel or whatever your…

06

Jan

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

The Top Signs Of Readiness To Own A Home

One of the top ways to build wealth is to own a home; however, it can be challenging to qualify for a home loan. Not everyone has the finances to maintain a house, and some people might not be ready to settle down for a prolonged amount of time. Therefore, everyone has to think carefully before deciding homeownership is the right move. What are the top signs that someone is ready to be a homeowner? There Is Enough Money for a Down Payment One of the top signs that someone is ready to be a homeowner is that they have…

05

Jan

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Mind Your Manners: Four Etiquette Tips That Will Help Make the Home Buying Process Go Smoothly

Are you currently shopping for a new home? While it's true that real estate transactions can be stressful, this stress can be minimized by following a few simple tips. For example, following proper etiquette plays a big role in making your real estate experience go smoothly, and in this post we'll share four key etiquette tips that are sure to help. Get Preapproved Prior to shopping, a buyer should check with a lender to determine the maximum loan amount they qualify for. This is proper etiquette because both the seller and the real estate broker have likely prepared themselves and…

04

Jan

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

How Can Parents Help Their Children Buy A Home?

One of the most common dreams is homeownership; however, the cost of buying a house is rising quickly, and many children cannot afford to buy a house even after they finish school. They might be encumbered with student loans, and they could have a difficult time finding a job. Fortunately, there are ways parents can help their adult children buy a home. Help Children Build A Healthy Credit History As Early As Possible One of the biggest factors involved in an application for a home loan is the credit score. One reason why children have a difficult time qualifying for…