Lori Blank

03

Jan

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 3, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and the National Association of Realtors® released its monthly report on pending home sales. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. S&P Case-Shiller Reports Show Slower Gains in Home Prices October home price readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices showed slower home price growth in October than for September. Nationally, October home prices rose 19.10 percent year-over-year as compared to 19.70 percent year-over-year home price growth in September. October’s reading was the fourth highest since the inception of the National Home Price Index…

29

Dec

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Running out of Kitchen Space? 5 Storage Hacks That Will Help You Do More with Less

With all of the things that you need to fit into the kitchen, being economical with how you use your space can be a very important part of making it work. If you're looking for some new ideas for how to use your space to maximum capacity, here are some hacks that might just make a marked difference! Make Use of Magnets Using magnets to hold up some kitchen essentials will not only be effective and functional, it will make for a quirky, modern space with personality. Whether you decide on a magnetized knife block for the side of the…

28

Dec

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Tankless Water Heaters: The Pros and Cons of Going Tankless In Your Home

Large water heaters are unsightly appliances that home-sellers would rather hide. Although it's not always possible to banish these structures, it is possible to replace them with a version that is not as overbearing. Tankless water heaters have the potential to make one home stand out amongst the competition, but they do have some disadvantages along with the benefits. Pro: Tankless Water Heaters Use Less Energy Traditional water heaters continuously heat water that is just sitting in the tank, and this requires energy. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, do not heat the water until someone needs it. Therefore,…

27

Dec

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 27, 2021

Last week’s scheduled economic reporting included readings on sales of new and previously-owned homes along with weekly data on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Home Sales Increase in November Sales of new and previously-owned homes rose in November. The Commerce Department reported sales of new homes rose to 744,000 sales on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. October sales of new homes were revised to a year-over-year reading of 662,000 new homes sold, which was the lowest reading since the worst stage of the pandemic in April 2020. Analysts expected a year-over-year reading of 766,000 new homes sold for November. The median…

22

Dec

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Buying or Selling a Home This Winter? Keep These Tax Tips in Mind!

With all of the expense that can go into buying and selling a home, it's good to be aware of what you can claim and how a home can benefit you come tax time. When the New Year rolls around and you're sitting down to the task of completing your taxes, here are a few things that you'll want to keep in mind. Gaining from Capital Gains In the event that you've made money off the sale of your home through a capital gain, it's possible that you may be able to exclude this amount from your tax filing. If…

21

Dec

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 21, 2021

Last week’s economic reports included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on housing markets and the monthly post-meeting statement from Federal Reserve policymakers. Fed Chair Jerome Powell also gave a press conference. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. Builder Confidence in Housing Markets Rises by One Point in December Homebuilder confidence in current national housing market conditions rose one point to an index reading of 84 in December and met analysts’ expectations. December’s reading was the highest since February. Component readings for the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index were lower…

17

Dec

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

Yard Staging: How to Stage Your Front and Back Yard to Appeal to Home Buyers

Whether you're just listing your home for sale or you've already started entertaining potential buyers, focusing on your "curb appeal" can drastically increase your chances of a quick and successful sale. In today's blog post we'll discuss how to stage your front and back yards in order to make them seem more inviting and welcoming to home buyers. It All Starts with a Great Lawn Whether you're standing on the street looking at the front of your home or you're on your patio looking out over your back yard, your lawn sets the tone and is one area that potential…

16

Dec

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

3 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Plumbing

Everyone wants their pipes to last as long as possible, but there are a couple of simple problems that might be sucking the life out of your plumbing. Long-term stress is the enemy when it comes to your water system. The three most common enemies are high water pressure, mineral-laden hard water, and grease. Avoid these three mistakes, and your water system will last years longer. Take The Pressure Off Your Pipes You might enjoy high water pressure when you're taking a shower, but your pipes aren't enjoying it at all. Over time, this high pressure stresses your plumbing system…

15

Dec

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Owning A Home With Boat And RV Parking: The Benefits

Everyone is looking for something slightly different in a home. Even though the location is still the most important factor, some people have specific criteria they require. For example, those who love the water might be looking for a house with parking for boats and RVs. What are a few benefits of purchasing a house with room for these extra vehicles? Reduced Storage Expenses The first benefit of owning a home with a boat for RV parking is reduced storage expenses. Owning a boat means you have to take care of it, and some people have to pay for space…

14

Dec

By Lori Blank

Around The Home, Mortgage

Goodbye, Curtains: Try These Fun and Fashionable Ways to Dress up Your Windows

Windows can add a lot to the look of your home, and this means that dressing them up properly is an important key for aesthetic appeal. While draggy, neutral-colored curtains can be one of the less exciting aspects of decorating your home, here are a few ways you can adorn the most basic of home fixtures and turn your windows into something truly unique. A Reconstituted Valance A short curtain can be a nice, less fussy way to adorn your windows, but if you have a kitchen space in need of warming up, try a piece of wood or metal…