Lori Blank

17

Oct

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Housing Analysis

Housing Market Index Shows Builders Continue To Have A Positive Outlook

The National Association of Homebuilders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index dropped two points to 55 from September's revised reading of 57. Builder concerns over labor costs and availability and economic uncertainty related to the federal government shutdown were noted as factors contributing to the lower reading for October. Key Points Noted In October's HMI included: Builder confidence remains above 50, which indicates that more builders have a positive outlook on housing market conditions than those with negative sentiment. The October HMI cites pent-up buyer demand in markets throughout the US as a positive influence on October's reading. A spike in mortgage…

16

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Home Seller Tips

Remove Those Pet Odors With These Quick Tips

You might love your furry friends, but are their pet odors turning off potential buyers when you are trying to sell your home? Many cat and dog owners are around their animal companions so often that they become immune to the smell and don't notice it in their home, so you might not even realize that your home smells of pet odor. However, when you are selling your property first impressions are very important and if a potential buyer gets a whiff of pet odors when they walk in the door this can really make them lose interest in your…

15

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Home Buyer Tips

Nail The Final Walkthrough Before Closing

By the time you get to the final walkthrough on your property, the home buying process is almost complete. However, it is still important to pay close attention to this final step, as it will be crucial in the success of your home purchase. The final walkthrough is your last opportunity to ensure that everything in the home is in working order and that there are no potential problems waiting for you when you take over ownership of the property. While conducting a final walkthrough of the property, give yourself enough time to look carefully at everything and not be…

11

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Around The Home

4 Tips On Giving Your Mudroom A Makeover

From crunched-up leaves stuck to bottoms of shoes to bulky coats shed as soon as kids walk through the door, mudrooms are ideal for keeping outdoor dirt, wet clothing and outerwear from being strewn throughout your home. Mudrooms not only keep the rest of your house clean, but they also designate a spot for those last-minute grabs, such as coats, umbrellas and purses, when you're running out the door. These rooms are great catchalls. However, an organized mudroom can make your life and those hectic mornings much less stressful. Below are smart tips for getting your mudroom ready this fall.…

10

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Homeowner Tips

5 Strategies To Secure Your Home Against A Break In

Having your home broken into is completely violating. Burglars don't just steal your stuff; they steal your peace of mind. While this is the sort of thing you think will never happen to you, it's worth the time and effort to make sure you're not a target. Below are five strategies to help secure your home against a break-in. 1. Use Landscaping As A Barrier Purposefully place plants in spots that create a natural barrier to your home. Plant thorny rose bushes in front of bedroom windows and remove overgrown shrubs that provide coverage for creepers. Also, trim back any…

09

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Home Selling Tips

Tips On Passing Your Home Inspection With Flying Colors

Home inspections are a tense time for everyone. Sellers are fervently hoping that nothing major is wrong with their home that could hold up the transaction. Buyers are eager to hear that their new house is in prime condition. Whatever the wishes, one thing is for sure; any news from an inspector is usually bad news. Home inspectors have a tough job. They have to be trained to spot hundreds of potential issues with a home and be knowledgeable of local codes, community restrictions and residential permit parameters. Stay one step ahead of your home inspector by reading the list…

08

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Home Buyer Tips

City Lights Or Starlit Nights, Which Home Location Will You Choose?

If you are looking to buy a home, you might be wondering whether you should be looking for properties that are right in the center of the city or whether a better option would be to buy a property on the outskirts or in a rural area a short drive away. The rural or urban decision will ultimately be up to you, as there are advantages and disadvantages to either option. The main difference will lie in your priorities – what type of lifestyle is most important to you? Living In The City One of the main perks of buying…

07

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Housing Analysis

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 7, 2013

This week's economic news commentary has been dominated by the "what ifs" of a government shutdown; opinions of potential consequences are limited only by the number of commentators sharing their opinions. Unfortunately, more concrete examples of the shutdown were evident last Tuesday and Friday. The Department of Commerce delayed release of August's Construction Spending report that were due last Tuesday and The Bureau of Labor Statistics delayed the release of September's Non-farm Payroll and Unemployment that were due last Friday. The ADP Employment report for September posted a reading of 166,000 private sector jobs added against expectations of 180,000 new…

04

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Around The Home

Do Fence Me In, Here Are A Few Good Yard Fencing Options

Whether you just got a puppy, have newly mobile children or built a pool, there are a multitude of reasons for wanting to keep people and animals in your yard, while preventing other from entering. Picking the perfect fence can be difficult, so below we've outlined the main fencing materials to choose from and characteristics to consider about each. Wood Wood seems to be the most common material used in yards across the country — especially when wanting privacy. Depending on the type of wood you purchase, you'll probably want to stain the planks to protect them from rot and…

03

Oct

By Lori Blank

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Home Selling Tips

Which Additions Really Add Value To Your Home?

When you own a home, there are additions that you can make to the property that will improve the value of your home. For example, a newly renovated kitchen or bathroom is a popular choice that will really make the home more desirable to buyers. Also, adding storage space or a well-thought-out family room or other practical space can be a very good investment that will bring up the home's value. However, there are other projects that are not really worth your time or money and will allow very little opportunity to recover your costs when it is time to…