Blog - Page 108 of 116 - Lori Blank & Associates

06

Dec

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Around The Home

4 Safety Tips To Prepare Your Home For the Cold Weather

As the temperature drops and we don more layers, it can be startling to realize how cold it's actually gotten. So before the snow starts piling up at your door, you'll want to get yourself prepared for winter and the harsh conditions it can bring. Below are a few cold weather safety tips to keep you and your home secure from Frosty's frigid touch. Keep The Cold Out If you haven't already winterized your home, then now is a good time to do it. Add extra insulation in your attic and walls, if possible. Caulk around windows and doorframes to…

05

Dec

By Lori Blank

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Around The Home

Creative Holiday Storage Solutions

Every holiday season when you get out the decorations, there always seems to be a period of organization where you need to untangle lights, sort out the broken ornaments and just get all of the trimmings in order. Next year, skip the hassle of sifting through everything. The year-to-year holiday storage strategies below will help make next December's decorating easy. Hide Paper Up High Utilize a space that is always vacant — the ceiling of your closet. Attach two strings of wire from the front wall above your closet door to the back wall. Make them parallel to each other…

04

Dec

By Lori Blank

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Real Estate Tips

5 Tips On Selling Real Estate Even In The Brisk Cold

Any real estate agent will tell you that it's harder to sell your home in the winter. The days are colder and shorter, leaving less time to show your home to potential buyers. The good news is that most of the buyers who are looking at houses in the winter aren't just killing time. They're serious enough about finding their new home to go house hunting at a time that most people would rather stay inside. There Are A Few Things You Can Do To Make A Good Impression On Home Buyers This Winter: Make sure all walkways are safe.…

03

Dec

By Lori Blank

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Housing Analysis

Case Shiller Price Index Shows A Spike In Home Prices In The West

According to the S&P Case-Shiller 10-and 20-City Housing Market Indices for September, home prices grew at an average of 13.30 percent year-over-year and achieved the highest growth rate for home prices since February 2006. On a month-to month basis, home prices are slowing in most areas with 19 cities included in the S&P 20-City Housing Market Index showing lower rates of growth in home prices. September's average month-to-month growth rate was 1.0 percent for the 20-City HMI as compared to 0.90 percent in August, and 1.90 percent posted earlier in 2013. Home prices increased by 0.70 percent in September for…

02

Dec

By Lori Blank

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Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 2, 2013

The short holiday week brought a flurry of economic reports last week. Highlights included pending home sales, the S&P Case-Shiller Housing Market Indices and the FHFA home price index. No reports were released on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. The NAR released its Pending Home Sales report for October. Although pending home sales dropped by -0.60 percent, the decline was less than September’s reading of -4.60 percent. NAR cited higher home prices and mortgage rates along with concerns over the then-pending government shutdown as factors that contributed to fewer pending sales. Pending sales are determined by…

29

Nov

By Lori Blank

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Around The Home

Ensure Your Fireplace Is Up To Snuff

When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing quite as cozy as curling up on the sofa with a good book in front of a roaring fire. A fireplace evokes the idea of a warm and pleasant atmosphere. However, if it isn’t properly maintained, your living room could be filled with a cloud of soot, or worse, fire. A fireplace not only creates a snug setting, but most are actually functional and can help heat your home. Harness their heat and generate the ambiance of a softly lit living space by following the tips below to ensure yours is properly maintained and…

26

Nov

By Lori Blank

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Housing Analysis

Get The Low Down On Pending And Existing Home Sales This Month

The National Association of REALTORS reported Monday that pending home sales dropped by -0.60 percent in October after falling at a revised rate of -4.60 percent in September. According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for NAR, 17 percent of real estate agents reported delays in loan closings due to the government shutdown in early October. Lenders were unable to verify borrower income through the IRS, which was closed during the shutdown. October was the fifth consecutive month with fewer pending home sales reported. Homeowners who owe more on their mortgages than their homes are waiting to sell, and recent spikes…

25

Nov

By Lori Blank

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Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 25, 2013

Last week's scheduled economic news was varied, but mortgage rates fell and jobless claims were significantly lower than expected. The minutes for last month's FOMC meeting were released, and confirmed the Federal Reserve's intention to leave its quantitative easing program unchanged at least for the near term. The National Association of Homebuilders Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for November indicated that builder confidence, while still positive, dipped by one point to a reading of 54 as compared to an anticipated reading of 55, and October's revised reading of 54. Retail Sales for October Rose By 0.4 Percent NAHB noted that…

22

Nov

By Lori Blank

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Around The Home

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas For Your Home

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if you're opening your home for the family get together, that usually means you'll be decorating. If you've racked your mind for ideas and none sound just right, here are a few decorating ideas that might help you along your way. Fall Leaves Decorations don't have to be expensive, just look outside the door of your home. Brightly colored fall leaves, either randomly placed on the table or bunched in small arrangements, can really brighten up a table. Turkey Napkins Folded turkey napkins is a simple way to spruce up your Thanksgiving table.…

21

Nov

By Lori Blank

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Home Seller Tips

4 Tips On Hosting A Cozy Open House

The weather is starting to become a little too crisp for outdoor barbecues and camping. When Mother Nature goes into hibernation, then it's time to move the party indoors. Whether you're looking to show off your new digs or have just listed your home on the market, winter is the perfect time to host an open house. You want this to be a fun event that is as stress-free as possible. So plan ahead and don't go too crazy. With a little furniture rearranging and a casual menu, you can plan a special evening that everyone will enjoy. Below are…