Lori Blank & Associates

08

Jul

Real Estate

The Most Common Mistakes First-Time Sellers Make

Even though many people are focused on some of the most common mistakes that first-time home buyers make, there are also a lot of mistakes that first-time sellers make. Your house is an investment, and the time to capitalize on that investment is when you sell your house. What are some of the mistakes you need to avoid if you want to find the best deal possible? Setting The Price Too High One of the most common mistakes that sellers make is setting the price too high. Yes, you want to get as much money for your house as possible,…

07

Jul

By Lori Blank

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…

06

Jul

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Maximize Your Investment: When To Sell Your House

Your house is an investment, and it is important for you to treat it as such. Therefore, when is the best time to sell your house? You need to figure out how you can get the most money for your home while also lining up the sale of your house with the timeline of your life. What do you need to know? Sell Your Home When The Market Is Hot First, you should sell your home when the market is hot. This means that there are more people looking for houses than there are houses on the market. This is…

05

Jul

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 5, 2022

Last week’s scheduled economic news included reports on home prices, pending home sales, and inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. S&P Case-Shiller: National Home Price Growth Ticks Down in April Home price growth slowed in April according to the S&P Case-Shiller National Home Price Index as growth slowed by 0.20 percent to a 20.40 percent gain year-over-year. Slower growth in home prices suggested that affordability concerns have caught up with the rapid home price growth seen during the pandemic. The S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index reported that Tampa, Florida home prices gained 35.8…

01

Jul

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in April

U.S. home price growth continued but slowed in April according to the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices. The national home price index posted year-over-year home price growth of 20.4 percent in April as compared to the corresponding home price growth rate of 20.6 percent in March. Analysts said that diminishing affordability was slowing rapid gains in home prices seen during the pandemic. 20-City Home Price Index: Florida and Arizona Report Top Home Price Growth Rates The top three cities for year-over-year home price growth in April’s 20-City Home Price Index were Tampa, Florida with a reading of 35.8 percent; Miami,…

30

Jun

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

DIY Home Upgrades: 5 Reasons Why Hardwood Flooring Should Be on Your Renovation List

Whether you're planning on selling your home soon or you want to do a few minor renovations for your own enjoyment, an ailing hardwood floor may be on your list of things to tackle. While this can be a more difficult renovation to complete than many other household items, here are five reasons you may want to move it to the top of the list. An Issue with Structure If there happens to be any glaring structural issues with your hardwood, a complete do-over will be a necessity if you want to sell your house in the future. While this…

29

Jun

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

The Majority Of Millennials Plan On Buying A House In The Next Few Years

During the past year, the housing market has been on fire. There are not a lot of houses for sale, many people are interested in moving, and there is a rising demand from the people who put off moving during the coronavirus pandemic. Furthermore, Millennial demand is picking up, which will only make the housing market even hotter. Recently, a survey found that approximately two-thirds of people who qualify for Generation Y are thinking about buying a home in the near future. Many of them have improving financial circumstances, and they are looking for a way to build wealth and settle…

28

Jun

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

First-time Home Buyers: Why Splurging for a Larger Home Beats Condo Living

Some first-time home buyers are on a tight budget when making their real estate purchase, and there may be an inclination by many to purchase a smaller property, such as a condo, rather than the home they truly want. While there may be some initial financial benefit associated with buying a smaller property, there are a few benefits associated with splurging and buying a larger home as a first purchase. By analyzing these benefits, first-time home buyers can make a more informed decision about how to proceed. Costs Associated With Upgrading In The Future Some people will purchase a smaller…

27

Jun

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 27, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on home sales, Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony on monetary policy to the House Financial Services Committee, and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. New Home Sales Pace Rises as Pre-Owned Homes Sales Pace Slows The Commerce Department reported a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 696,000 new homes sold in May; analysts predicted a year-over-year pace of 587,000 new homes sold as compared to April’s year-over-year pace of 629,000 new homes sold. While the year-over-year pace of new home sales increased by 10.70…

24

Jun

By Lori Blank

Mortgage

Avoid These Home Projects If You Are Selling Your House Soon

If you have paid attention to the housing market recently, you might be thinking about selling your home soon. You might even be thinking about taking on a few remodeling projects in an effort to maximize the return on your investment. On the other hand, not every project will help you turn a profit, and some might even make your house less appealing. Take a look at a few home remodeling projects your should avoid if you plan on selling your house soon. Remodeling The Bathroom You might be thinking about remodeling your bathroom to turn it into a miniature…