Lori Blank, Author at Lori Blank & Associates

28

Oct

Financial Reports

S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: U.S. Home Price Growth Slows in August

U.S home price growth slowed for the second consecutive month in August according to S&P Case-Shiller’s national home price index. National home price growth fell by -9.8 percent year-over-year as compared to July’s year-over-year reading of -5.3 percent. Home price growth slowed by -1.1 percent month-to-month from July to August. Rising Mortgage Rates and Recession Worries Dampen Homebuyer Interest The Mortgage Bankers Association forecasted a recession in 2023 and expects mortgage rates to fall to approximately 5.40 percent by the end of 2023. Mike Fratantini, senior vice president and chief economist at the MBA, said: “The upside of [a potential…

27

Oct

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Downsizing? Here’s What You Can Expect When You Move From a House to a Condo

Whether the kids have moved out or you just aren't using the extra bedrooms, having a house that feels 'too big' is rarely fun. In today's post, we will share a few changes you can expect when you downsize from a large house to a smaller apartment or condo. Why Downsize At All? As you might imagine, having too much space is the primary reason that couples and families downsize. Larger homes cost more to maintain and can feel empty if it's just one or two people living there. In many cases, old items and clutter tend to build up…

26

Oct

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

What Are the True Costs of Selling a Home? Let’s Take a Look

Are you thinking about selling your house? Before you decide to list your home up for sale, it is helpful to get a clear picture of how much it's going to cost. Whether you are sprucing things up with a fresh coat of paint, replacing the roof membrane or just covering your taxes, there will be a few bills to pay. Let's take a quick look at some of the true costs that you'll incur when selling your home. Is Your Home Ready To Sell? The first question you will need to answer is whether or not your home is…

25

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Closing Costs And A Cash Sale: Who Pays?

There are some people who are able to pay cash for a home. Typically, these are individuals who are selling an existing property that has gone up in value. Now, all of a sudden, they have a lot of extra money they can spend on a house. If you can pay cash for a home, you have a lot of extra negotiating power. When it is time to complete the sale, who pays? What Is Included In Closing Costs? Before deciding who pays closing expenses, it is important to take a look at what is included. Because you do not…

24

Oct

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 24, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on national and regional U.S. housing markets. The National Association of Realtors® reported on sales of previously-owned homes, and the Commerce Department released readings on building permits issued and housing starts. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Home Builder Confidence in Housing Market Falls for 10th Consecutive Month The National Association of Home Builders reported that home builder confidence in the U.S housing market fell for the 8th consecutive month in October; the organization described the situation as “unsustainable.” The NAHB…

21

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

A Non-QM Mortgage: What Does This Mean?

If you are interested in purchasing a house, you need to review all of the offers available. The vast majority of loan officers are going to talk about something called qualifying mortgages, which is usually shortened to QM. You may be asking, what is a non-qualifying mortgage? This is usually shortened to Non-QM, and it simply means that the loan does not conform with the rules and regulations put in place by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, usually shortened to CFPB. What are the differences between a QM and Non-QM mortgage, and which one is right for your needs? A…

20

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

What Do First-Time Homebuyers Need To Know?

If you are purchasing a house for the first time, you are probably excited to imagine what your life might look like in a bunch of different houses. At the same time, the process can be a bit overwhelming. The housing market is competitive right now, the financing process can be confusing, and you might not know exactly what you are looking for. What are a few of the most important tips first-time home buyers need to know? Reach Out To Experts For Help First, you need to reach out to professionals who can help you during the process. For…

19

Oct

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

Is ‘Curb Appeal’ Really That Important When Selling Your Home? Yes – Here’s Why

Do you remember the first time you shopped for or purchased a home? If so, think back to that moment. What did you first notice? Do you remember certain aspects of the home's appearance, or perhaps some unique landscape feature? Was it the bright color of the freshly-painted door or the glossy sheen from the clean windows? The concept of 'curb appeal' – that is, how your home appears when viewing from the curb – is an important one, especially when selling your home. Give A Strong First Impression The first impression that your home gives is one that will…

14

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

The Top Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted

The housing market today is very competitive, and you might be wondering how you can get your offer accepted. If the seller has multiple offers on the table, it can be a bit of a challenge. Many people assume that the best way to get an offer accepted is to offer the most money. Even though that is certainly helpful, there are several other tips you should follow to make sure your offer is the one the seller picks. Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage First, you must make sure that you get pre-approved for a mortgage. Unless you are paying…

13

Oct

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

What To Know About Flood Insurance

Flooding can happen in any location at any time. Even though many people associate floods with coastal properties, flooding can take place inland as well. That is why you always need to take a look at the map to figure out whether your property is located in a flood zone. There are some situations where your lender might require you to purchase flood insurance. What do you need to know? What Is Protected And What Is Not? When you purchase flood insurance, there are three broad components that you should examine. You need to check and see whether the policy…