Lori Blank, Author at Lori Blank & Associates

18

Jul

Around The Home

A Quick Guide to Assessing Your Home’s Foundation for Cracks – And What to Do if You Find Them

When purchasing a home, there are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account. One of those considerations is the foundation of the home. No matter how perfect or suitable a property looks, taking the time to properly inspect the property for foundation problems can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs later on. While foundation cracks are usually present in older homes, that does not mean that newer and even brand new homes aren't prone to them. When choosing a property, the following tips can help homebuyers find signs of foundation problems and take the right…

17

Jul

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

The ‘Must Have’ List: Why Deciding Your Must-Haves Before Viewing Homes is a Great Idea

Knowing what you want before you start looking is a big help when house-hunting. Giving the list of 'must-have' items to your real estate professional a few days before you begin touring listings is a great idea because they can find homes that meet as many of your criteria as possible. It also helps on a more personal level, since being organized and knowing what you want will help you quickly identify whether or not homes meet those standards. Is it a 'Must-Have' or a 'Nice-to-Have'? The debate between "I need it" and "I want it" is as old as…

16

Jul

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

The 7 Most Unaffordable Cities for Real Estate in the USA (And 3 Affordable Gems!)

As prices continue to rise across the board with everything from food to gas, it's no wonder that real estate prices are high in many cities across the USA. While this is the case for a large number of cities, there are also certain areas in which prices are decidedly low. Here's a small look at the most affordable and unaffordable cities within America. The Seven Most Unaffordable Cities Oakland, CA - Though Los Angeles and San Francisco are 2 California cities that may first come to mind, Oakland is also highly expensive when it comes to real estate, with…

15

Jul

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Getting Ready to Retire? Six Tips for Downsizing from Huge House to Efficient Condo

If you're getting ready to retire, you may be thinking about downsizing. Having a large house makes sense when you're raising kids, but once you reach your golden years, it usually makes sense to move into a smaller, more efficient condo. While downsizing may seem impossible, these six tips will help you reach your goal. 1. The Six-Month Rule If you're finding it hard to figure out what to keep and what to get rid of, stick to the six-month rule - if you haven't used an item within half of a year, you probably don't need it. Seasonal items…

14

Jul

By Lori Blank

Market Outlook

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 14, 2014

Last week brought news from the Fed as two Federal Reserve Bank Presidents made speeches and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Fed released the minutes of its last meeting. The minutes reveal the Fed's intention to wrap up its bond-buying program in October with a final purchase of $15 billion in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) and Treasury bonds. No economic news was issued Monday following of the 4th of July holiday. Further indications of a strengthening labor market were seen. May job openings reached their highest level since June 2007, and quits and layoffs fell from April's reading of…

11

Jul

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

How Much is Your Home Worth in Today’s Market? Three Key Tips for Assessing Value

If you're thinking about putting the house on the market, or are simply curious about its value in the current economic atmosphere, it's essential to get an honest assessment of its value. An overly inflated figure won't hold up and will only turn potential buyers away. It's best to get a fair assessment in order to ask a reasonable price or avoid over-extending oneself when it comes to taking out a home equity loan. Consider these three key tips to get a true assessment of a home's value. Identify Positive Features About The Home And Property When seeking an appraisal…

10

Jul

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

Buying or Selling, Here Are Three Traits You’ll Want in Your Real Estate Agent

For both buyers and sellers, choosing the right real estate agent is an important and difficult decision, but making the right selection is critical. Consider the following essential characteristics for a real estate agent before signing a contract: Experience An agent must understand the real estate market as well as the practices and processes of buying and selling. While a new agent may have energy and desire, experienced agents will be able to offer insights and experiences which are likely to give their clients the edge in their deal. Experience also indicates negotiating skill. Of course an agent must be…

09

Jul

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

Giving and Getting: Why the Terms of a Home’s Sale Are Far More Important Than the Price Paid

One of the most significant factors home buyers and sellers focus on when buying real estate is the negotiated sales price in the purchase contract. While the sales price is undeniably important, the fact is that other terms in the sales contract may have more far-reaching and significant effects on the transaction. In fact, with a closer look at some of the most important terms, you will see why you and your agent should actively negotiate for improved terms rather than a lower sales price. Closing Costs Some buyers and sellers will haggle over a few thousand dollars in the…

08

Jul

By Lori Blank

Home Seller Tips

Sellers, Beware: Five Reasons You Might Not Get Top Dollar when You Sell Your Home (And How to Avoid Them)

For most people, their home is their largest asset, so they want to maximize that asset by getting top dollar when they sell. Here are a few reasons you might not get top dollar when you sell - and how to avoid them! Selling At The Wrong Time From early spring to late summer is home-buying season for most people, especially those with children. Putting your house on the market during this period is when you are likely to get top dollar for it. Early fall is also a good time to list your home. Winter - especially December -…

07

Jul

By Lori Blank

Market Outlook

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 7, 2014

Last week's economic news was mixed, but economic reports for Non-Farm Payrolls and the National Unemployment rate suggest a strengthening labor sector. Pending Home Sales surpassed expectations in May and conversely, construction spending was lower than expected. Here are the details. Pending Home Sales Reach Highest Level in Eight Months The National Association of REALTORS® reported that pending home sales in May rose by 6.10 percent over April's reading. May's reading was 5.20 percent lower than for May 2013. The index reading for May reached 103.9 as compared to April's index reading of 97.9. Results for all regions were positive…