Lori Blank

14

Feb

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Around The Home

How To Make Your Old Furniture Look Like New

Out with the old, in with the new. The beginning of 2014 can have you wanting to reinvent yourself — and your home. It's time to start fresh. Paint the walls, change the curtains and get new furniture. It's important to have your home be a reflection of you; however, all that remodeling can get expensive. Take a cue from Auld Lang Syne by buying a few new pieces, but keeping some of your older furniture. If they have sturdy bones, then you can update their look by reupholstering them to fit your new home vibe. Below are DIY steps…

13

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Home Seller Tips

Sell A Home, While Managing Your Stress

When we are going through a difficult and stressful time, our bodies naturally react to the situation. This "fight or flight" reaction to stress makes us more alert and ready to avoid danger, so it is helpful in the moment. However, if you are in a constant state of stress on an ongoing basis, this can be very damaging to your health and can increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease, depression and other problems. Chronic stress can also result in insomnia, headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain and much more – as well as emotional…

12

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Homebuyer Tips

Ready To Buy Your First Home, Here Is Your Quick Checklist

Buying your first home is a major milestone in your life, similar to graduating high school or moving out of your parent's house. When you buy a property, you are making a long-term investment decision in your future and potentially taking the first step toward your future financial security. However, buying a house before you are ready can actually be a negative move that puts a cramp in your plans. It is important to assess where you are in life, so that you know whether or not it's the right time to buy a house. Some people buy their first…

11

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Home Selling Tips

How To Emotionally Detach From Your Home When Selling

Let's face it, selling your home can be an emotionally difficult process – especially if you have lived there for a long time. When you make a house your home, it holds many of your memories and it becomes a part of your identity. How can you sell the house in which your child took their first steps, where you held many dinner parties and where your family celebrated so many birthdays and holidays together? You will go through a period of transition when moving house, which can be mentally and emotionally tiring. It might be hard to sell your…

10

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 10, 2014

Residential Construction Spending Up Last week's mortgage and housing-related reports began with Construction Spending for December, with a reading of 0.10 percent or a seasonally adjusted $930.5 billion. December's reading fell short of an expected increase of 0.40 percent. Spending for private sector projects rose by 1.00 percent; of this amount, residential construction spending increased by 2.60 percent and private sector spending for non-residential construction fell by -0.70 percent. Although construction spending posted a fractional gain, the good news is that construction spending is currently dominated by residential construction and that due to inclement winter weather, any gain in construction…

07

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Around The Home

Conducting Your Own Home Energy Audit

If your monthly energy bill has started to make you cringe, then it might be time to conduct an energy audit on your home. Hiring a professional can cost you a pretty penny. So save the dough and examine your home yourself. With a few tools and the tips below, you can identify problem areas that could be costing you every month. Energy Bills Analyze last year’s energy bills. Each statement should itemize the energy you use each month in kilowatts. Note any spikes that could indicate problems with one of your appliances or the structure of your home. Call…

06

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Home Selling Tips

What Is DOM And How It Affects Your Home For Sale

Oh, the dreaded/happy DOM question: "How long has this house been up for sale?" If it's your home for sale we're talking about, you're probably wondering about the split "dreaded/happy" bit. For that matter, whether you're a buyer or a seller, you're probably asking, "what the heck is 'DOM'?" Days On Market "DOM" is the shortened industry term for Days On Market, used by the multiple listing services. It's exactly what it sounds like: the number of days your home for sale has been on the market. This metric covers the time it actually goes on sale to the time…

05

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Homebuyer Tips

Buying A Home That’s Not For Sale

You’re ready to purchase a home, but you’ve looked at everything on the market and can’t find the perfect place. You’ve researched the school districts, neighborhoods and nearby amenities, and you know exactly in which area you want to live. However, anything that comes on the market in that part of town gets snapped up immediately. It’s time to get creative when it comes to buying a home. Start looking at places that are not currently for sale. You might have driven past your dream home, but you never thought of going the unconventional buying route. Well, take a look…

04

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Federal Reserve

FOMC Statement Shows Tapering Of Quantitative Easing Purchases

According to a statement provided by the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve, the committee has approved another reduction of the Fed's monthly asset purchases. The adjustment will be made in February and cuts monthly purchases of mortgage backed securities from $35 billion to $30 billion and monthly purchases of Treasury securities from $40 billion to $35 billion. FOMC began reducing its asset purchase under its quantitative easing program in January, when the monthly purchases of mortgage-backed securities and Treasury securities was reduced from $85 billion per month to $75 billion. Citing its goals of maximum employment and…

03

Feb

By Lori Blank

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Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 03, 2014

Last week brought mixed news; while the Department of Commerce reported a dip in new home sales, mortgage rates also fell. The Federal Reserve's FOMC statement revealed that quantitative easing would be further reduced by an additional $10 billion monthly. New Home Sales: Y-O-Y Reading Best Since 2008 December's reading of 414,000 for new home sales fell short of November's revised reading of 445,000 new homes sold as well as expected sales of $455,000. The consensus figure was based on November's original sales reading of 464,000 new homes sold. The inventory of new homes available rose from last month's level…