Lori Blank, Author at Lori Blank & Associates

21

Jan

Real Estate

Housing Needs May Change Following Retirement

Life has changed for a lot of people during the past few years. Some people reached retirement age while other people decided to retire early due to other reasons. As the baby boomer generation reaches retirement age, millions more people are going to retire during the next few years. As a result, they might be thinking about moving to make some of their dreams come true. At the same time, retirement might change what people need in a home. What are some of the most important factors retirees need to consider when looking for a home? Moving Closer To Loved…

20

Jan

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Condo Vs House: Which Is Best For Your Lifestyle?

Some people love living in condos, while others swear by detached homes. When it comes to deciding between the two, however, you can't always rely on someone else's word. Sometimes it's as simple as understanding and assessing your lifestyle to make the best choice, since condo living and home ownership are two radically different experiences, and thereby serve two very different types of lifestyles and personalities. Here are a few considerations if you're trying to decide whether you should invest in a house or a condo. House: Best If You Have A Furry Friend Do you have a furry friend…

19

Jan

By Lori Blank

Home Selling Tips

Flaws You Cannot Hide By Staging Your Home

When you sell your home, you want it look as good as possible. To do this, your real estate agent will help you stage your home or, if needed, help you find a professional to stage your home. This means de-cluttering your home, re-arranging furniture, and de-personalizing each room. A staged home is more appealing to buyers and helps to highlight your home's positive features. However, staging is not meant to cover major flaws in your home. Some things just have to be repaired. Roof Problems It doesn't matter how pretty your home is, your buyer is going to expect…

18

Jan

By Lori Blank

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…